The first three series of the psychological drama The Affair are available to stream free on ITVX, with fans hailing it as the "best TV show ever" for its "superb writing" and the "talent" of its cast.
A trailblazing drama
The show, which launched in 2014, follows the tempestuous romance between schoolteacher Noah Solloway (Dominic West) and grieving waitress Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson), both married when they meet at the diner where Alison works.
ITVX's synopsis describes it as a "trailblazing psychological drama about desire, betrayal and the emotional fallout of an affair". The series earned praise for its exploration of complex relationships and its narrative technique of depicting events through multiple characters' perspectives, a method associated with filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
Fan praise
Created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi, The Affair ran for five seasons, ending in 2019. Fans on IMDb have given it perfect scores, with one calling it the "best tv show ever" and praising its "superb writing and cast of actors".
Another viewer described it as a "beautiful story of cause & effects", noting the final season "deeply ties up the entire series in a nice well done bow". A third called it an "absolute masterpiece", adding: "I watch everything, but The Affair is the only thing during which I switch off my phone."
Streaming details
The first three seasons became available on ITVX in March, free with adverts. The fourth series is set to land this summer, with the fifth following in 2027. All five seasons are also on Paramount, and individual episodes can be purchased on YouTube.
