ITV's psychological drama 'The Affair', which first aired in 2014, is being praised by fans as a 'masterpiece' and the 'best TV show ever'. The first three seasons are currently available to stream free of charge on ITVX, with adverts.
The series follows the tumultuous romance between schoolteacher Noah Solloway, played by Dominic West, and bereaved waitress Alison Bailey, played by Ruth Wilson, both married when they meet. ITVX describes it as a 'trailblazing psychological drama about desire, betrayal and the emotional fallout of an affair'.
Created by Sarah Treem and Hagai Levi, the show ran for five seasons, concluding in 2019. It earned acclaim for its exploration of complex relationships and its narrative technique of showing events from multiple characters' perspectives, a method pioneered by filmmaker Akira Kurosawa.
Fans have taken to IMDb to express their admiration. One viewer called it the 'best tv show ever', praising its 'superb writing and cast'. Another described it as an 'absolute masterpiece', noting that 'every word matters'. A fourth fan said the series is 'such an honest, insightful representation of life'.
ITVX has confirmed that the fourth series will arrive in summer, with the fifth following in 2027. All five seasons are also available on Paramount+, and individual episodes can be purchased on YouTube.
