50 Bingeable TV Box Sets

1. THE WHITE LOTUS (HBO)

Class dynamics, societal inequalities, power, position, lies, and sex comprise the deliciously rich, delightfully enthralling, and downright brilliant The White Lotus, written by Mike White.

Each season—beginning with the Hawaii-set first and continuing with the Sicily-set second uses the idyllic backdrop of an opulent resort to examine the darker undercurrents of its guests’ lives. The show juxtaposes the polished veneer of privilege with the messy, often uncomfortable realities lurking beneath the surface. This duality is reflected in the lives of the wealthy guests and the experiences of the resort staff, whose labour and sacrifices go largely unacknowledged.

At the heart of this HBO delight is the exceptional writing of Mike White, who effortlessly draws the audience into his web of human behaviours through a truly wonderful collection of fully rounded characters, played by an exceptional ensemble cast. From Murray Bartlett’s Armond in season one to Jennifer Coolidge’s eccentric and lonely Tanya and Leo Woodall’s devilish Jack in season two, to name just a few, every character is compelling and rich in detail.

The White Lotus also distinguishes itself through its visual and auditory style. The lush, picturesque settings of each season starkly contrast with the interpersonal tensions and ethical dilemmas unfolding among the characters.

The cinematography often frames the characters to highlight their isolation or complicity within the power structures they inhabit. Additionally, Cristóbal Tapia de Veer’s haunting, unconventional score is integral to the show’s atmosphere, blending tribal beats with eerie melodies to underscore the narrative’s simmering tension and unpredictability.

2. SUCCESSION (HBO)

Premiering on HBO in 2018, Succession deftly explores themes of power, loyalty, and family dysfunction against the backdrop of a global media empire in a manner that would make Shakespeare himself proud.

Through its complex characters, razor-sharp writing, and incisive commentary on wealth and privilege, Succession captivated audiences from the first episode to the last as we followed the Roy family, led by the patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox), a domineering figure whose health and advancing age set the stage for a battle over the company’s future. Often akin to a sharp dissection of the real-life drama at the heart of the Murdoch empire, his children—Kendall, Shiv, Roman, and Connor—vie for their father’s approval while scheming to secure their own positions within the empire.

Each member of the Roy family is deeply flawed yet compelling, oscillating between moments of vulnerability and ruthless ambition. Kendall Roy, played masterfully by Jeremy Strong, embodies the tragic arc of a son desperate to prove himself but repeatedly undone by his own insecurities and addiction struggles. Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook) exudes confidence and intelligence but grapples with her own ethical compromises and the glass ceiling within the male-dominated corporate world. Roman Roy (Kieran Culkin) offers a mix of sharp wit and emotional immaturity, masking deep-seated insecurities beneath his caustic humour.

Meanwhile, Connor Roy (Alan Ruck), the eldest sibling, exists on the periphery of the power struggle, embodying the absurdities of wealth and privilege.

3. BABY REINDEER (Netflix)

Now and then, a TV drama emerges that upends expectations and challenges its audience to explore the darkest corners of our shared human experience. Quietly arriving on Netflix without fanfare, Richard Gadd’s adaptation of his one-man play (based on a true story), Baby Reindeer, is one of those rare TV events. 

Darkly comic, deeply emotional and utterly compelling, his story of abuse, stalking, mental health, and personal recovery is truly outstanding as it challenges its audience to look beyond simple behaviour labels and explore concepts of cause, effect, empathy and healing that are often uncomfortable. With truly exceptional performances from Gadd and Jessica Gunning, it may be one of the most powerful TV dramas of 2024. 

4. SLOW HORSES (Apple TV+)

Based on Mick Herron’s novels and adapted for TV by Will Smith (The Thick of It), Slow Horses isn’t just one of the best TV shows of the past five years; it’s one of the most bingeable. Packed to the rafters with humour, grit, espionage and action, Slow Horses is electric TV. The series starts with River Cartwright (Jack Lowden) fucking up his promising MI5 career in a bungled operation. As a result, River finds himself banished to the arse hole of MI5, Slough House, a place where shit intelligence officers go to shuffle paperwork for the rest of their careers. River is joined by a troupe of failed spies, including the spikey and brilliant 70s throwback Jackson Lamb, played by the outstanding Gary Oldman.

But far from being quiet, Slough House, under Lamb’s unconventional leadership, is at the forefront of clandestine operations, spy rings and the ghosts of past exploits. Apple TV+ and See-Saw have assembled a truly stellar cast for Slow Horses, and over the course of the first three seasons, the dark comedy, action and intrigue delightfully build to create one of the most addictive shows of recent years.

From Jack Lowden to Gary Oldman, Jonathan Pryce, Freddie Fox and Kristin Scott-Thomas, Slow Horses is far more than just a satisfying spy romp; it is a sublime slice of TV worth the Apple TV+ subscription fee alone.

5. AHSOKA (Disney+)

Taking Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Rebels and Heir to the Empire as its core inspiration, the latest Disney+ show, Ahsoka, feels like a welcome return to the foundations of George Lucas’ universe. Ahsoka shines from the outset thanks to the performances of Rosario Dawson, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, the late, great Ray Stevenson, Ivanna Sakhno, Lars Mikkelsen, and David Tennant, and delights with the return appearance of Hayden Christensen’s Anakin.

Like The Mandalorian, Ahsoka bathes in the diversity, adventure and wonder of a galaxy far, far away, reminding us just how special George Lucas’ characters and worlds are. Disney’s Star Wars outings have been a mixed bag of brilliance, disappointment, creativity and fan service over the years; thankfully, Ahsoka is a joy, leaving you desperate for more as each beautifully crafted episode concludes, and much of this success comes from its embrace of Heir to the Empire and the legacy of the Clone Wars and Anakin’s fall.

Like The Mandalorian, Andor and Obi-Wan, Ahsoka offers further hope that Disney can embrace Lucas’ vision and sweep us away with intergalactic intrigue, adventure and excitement. May the force be with you. 

6. THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY (Netflix)

Based on the Dark Horse comic series, The Umbrella Academy arrived on Netflix with a bang in 2019. In its first season, The Umbrella Academy turned the superhero genre on its head with its eccentricity, energy, killer gags and endless charm as we were introduced to Vanya/Viktor (Elliot Page), Luther (Tom Hopper), Allison (Emmy Raver-Lampman), Diego (David Castañeda), Ben (Justin H. Min), Number 5 (Aidan Gallagher), Lila (Ritu Arya) and Klaus (Robert Sheehan).

Far from being the first TV show to experiment with the superhero format in this way (Sheehan’s sublime Channel 4 series Misfits comes to mind), The Umbrella Academy presented a similar aesthetic with a Netflix-sized budget.

Following its inventive and delightfully sharp first outing, Season Two felt like a modern, violent take on Quantum Leap, yet was equally built on the academy’s ability to weave comic violence, dark humour, and action with social themes ranging from black civil rights to women’s equality and LGBTQ+ freedoms.

The show may have faltered slightly in its third season, but its fourth and final season would see us bid an emotional goodbye to characters who earned their place in TV history. Many hated the ending offered, but for me, it was everything The Umbrella Academy was built on, as it threw us a final curveball that wrapped up everything with a rare and resounding finality. 

7. BOILING POINT (BBC)

Following his 2019 short film of the same name, Philip Barantini’s feature-length one-shot wonder movie featured Stephen Graham as Andy, a head chef and business owner whose restaurant is on the verge of disaster from the stressed front-of-house team to the under-pressure kitchen led by the tenacious sous-chef, Carly (Vinette Robinson).

Barantini’s fast-paced fly-on-the-wall drama dialled up the heat as you bit your nails to the quick, wondering where the night was heading before leading to tragic results. Now, the TV show continues that story, fleshing out the characters and providing us with a delicious continuation of Barantini’s delicately crafted tension.

The result is a bold and brilliant cocktail of drama that weaves together the personal journeys of each character into a tapestry of highs, lows, sacrifices and full-on kitchen nightmares.

8. DAISY JONES AND THE SIX (Prime Video)

Based on the bestselling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones & The Six feels like an extension of Cameron Crowe’s sublime 2000 film Almost Famous. But here, the coming-of-age themes are replaced by a focus on internal band conflicts, romance and politics. Spanning two timelines, interviews about the band’s collapse are woven into a delightful exploration of the 1970s music scene, featuring sublime original tracks.

With more than a nod to Fleetwood Mac, the performances of Daisy (Riley Keough) and Billy (Sam Claflin) recreate a Nicks and Buckingham-inspired conflict, while the ensemble of Billy’s brother Graham (Will Harrison), bassist Eddie Roundtree (Josh Whitehouse), drummer Warren Rojas (Sebastian Chacon), keyboardist Karen Sirko (Suki Waterhouse) and Billy’s long-suffering wife (Camila Morrone) are an absolute delight. This is serial drama at its very best.

9. GRANGE HILL (BBC/ITVX)

We don’t talk about the BBC classic Grange Hill enough. Phil Redmond’s Grange Hill didn’t just reinvent the classic children’s tea-time drama; it joyously tore up the rulebook, delivering fun, gritty, and bold TV drama that understood the kids it was talking to.

Until Grange Hill, comprehensive state schools had been largely absent from TV, with working-class kids rarely seen unless they were committing a crime in a police drama. The school gates of Grange Hill opened in 1978 and remained open for 30 years as each new generation of kids explored hard-hitting themes of abuse, addiction, teenage pregnancy, HIV, cancer and grooming, to name a few.

However, while Grange Hill dared to tackle big social themes with its young audiences, it never lost sight of the fun, humour, and joy of the playground, too. Watching Grange Hill now is a revelation as you realise just how cutting-edge this kid’s drama was and still is in the landscape of children’s TV.

Delve into the world of Grange Hill with the Sausage on a Fork podcast – Click Here.

10. THE WONDER YEARS (ABC)

If you can name a better coming-of-age TV show, I would love to hear it, as The Wonder Years is, in my view, one of the finest coming-of-age TV dramas of the 20th Century.

Over six seasons, each delightful 30-minute episode steals our hearts as it explores the complex dynamics of family life against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America.

Far more than mere nostalgia, Kevin’s journey from boy to man is set within the politics, social, and cultural changes of 1960s and 1970s America, as the American Dream began to face the reality of public protest, political corruption, the fight for freedom, social liberation, and the arrival of greed.

11. DERRY GIRLS (Channel 4)

Lisa McGee’s semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy, Derry Girls, sensibly opted to say goodbye in its third series, but we were sad to see it go. Derry Girls was rare in the landscape of modern situational comedy, first for its heart and humour, and second for its exquisite reflection of a specific time and place.

Chronicling the path to peace in Northern Ireland alongside Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and their wee English fella, James, Derry Girls injected the heartbreaking years of Northern Irish violence and segregation with the newly emerging hope of peace. It celebrated the best of Northern Irish culture, humour, and togetherness while never shying away from troubles. In the process, it became a modern TV classic that left us begging for more.

12. SEX EDUCATION (Netflix)

Over four fabulous seasons, Laurie Nunn’s beautifully written show helped shape a brand new landscape in teen drama. Taking inspiration from Skins, Charlie Bartlett, and a range of John Hughes films, Sex Education would combine edgy teen drama with a wealth of comedy and emotion, blowing the doors off the continuing teen drama genre.

Tackling sexual anxieties, first-time sex, masturbation, role play, kink and more, no sexual practice was off limits in this devilishly brilliant slice of TV. However, the real genius lay in Sex Education’s ability to seamlessly integrate its sex talk with a genuine affection for its characters.

From the gentle, frustrated and endearing Otis (Asa Butterfield) to the sharp, loving and proud Eric (Ncuti Gatwa) and the spikey, worldly-wise Maeve (Emma Mackey), Sex Education not only understood the fears, apprehensions and questions many teens watching had; it enabled safe, humorous and tender discussions.

Nunn’s comedy-drama is Fast Times at Ridgemont High for millennials, and while it falters slightly toward the end, it has rightly earned its place in TV history.

13. THE TRAITORS (BBC)

Some claim that traditional weekly TV viewing, which brings the whole family around the box, is dead. These people insist that, in the new streaming landscape, we want all episodes on demand and prefer binge-watching a series rather than waiting for each delectable episode to drop live. The Traitors prove them wrong!

Since its launch in 2022, The Traitors has become the epitome of must-watch television, wrapping us in its psychologically driven drama and gameplay.

For those yet to become addicted to this devilishly brilliant slice of reality TV, The Traitors is, in essence, a murder-mystery parlour game, as a team of players attempt to win up to £120,000 by participating in various challenges. However, the team has been infiltrated by unknown “Traitors” who hide in their midst, bumping off anyone who gets in their way. Therefore, the “Faithful” players must root out the “Traitors” or risk losing the money to any Traitor left as the game concludes.

It’s all relatively simple, really; think murder mystery weekend in a stately home, mixed with elements of Cluedo and Big Brother, and you have the essence of the Claudia Winkleman-fronted show. But, here, the audience is a step ahead of the contestants, as we all know who the “Traitors” are, and that leads to moments of electrifying TV as we shout at our screens, disputing the reasoning behind who the “Faithful” chose to vote out each week. We, like the “Traitors”, are on the inside, and we, like them, can see the manipulative game being played within the castle walls.

The result is one of the most addictive, fun, Shakespearean and nerve-shredding TV game shows of the past twenty years. The Traitors is appointment TV that proves just how vital the classic cliffhanger still is in pulling us back for more.

14. RACE ACROSS THE WORLD (BBC)

Starting its life on BBC Two before migrating to BBC One, Race Across the World is a prime example of the power of reality TV in transporting an audience to new places. It brings together parents and kids, friends and relatives in a race to win £20,000. But there’s a twist: each couple has no more than the price of their airfare to reach the final, and with no credit cards, no phones and absolutely no flying, it’s their wit, determination and ingenuity that must prevail.

The success of Race Across the World is rooted in the intimate journey of discovery each pair takes and the travelogue they create. Very few TV shows have the power to lift you from your sofa and drop you into an ocean of culture, adventure and diversity, but Race Across the World is one of them.

This exquisite and powerful slice of TV heaven showcases the best of our human race, the beauty and fragility of the world around us, and the power of travel in healing wounds, building connections, and embracing life. Full of wonder, adventure and emotion, it’s appointment TV for the whole family. From the dangers and wonders of Argentina to the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies and the bustle of Singapore, every series holds something special, and every episode is a celebration of adventure, culture, friendship, family and love.

Celebrity Race Across the World takes all the ingredients of the main show and places a group of celebrities and their friends, family members or partners in environments a world away from their celebrity status. It may not quite have the beauty and power of the main show, but it’s one hell of a ride!

15. THE OFFER (Paramount+)

Sometimes, the making of a film is just as fascinating as the end result. Over the years, many movie productions have sparked public interest, from Apocalypse Now to The Twilight Zone and The Wizard of Oz. In The Offer, the making of The Godfather takes centre stage, and it’s one hell of a story!

Told from the perspective of producer Albert S. Ruddy (Miles Teller), The Offer aims to provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the making of Francis Ford Coppola’s classic. The Offer is at its most interesting when exploring the studio system’s changing landscape in the early 1970s. Here, the infamous Paramount boss Robert Evans takes centre stage, played brilliantly by Matthew Goode, a man who never followed the rules and saved the crumbling Paramount mountain from sliding into a lake.

16. HUNTERS (Prime Video)

Within the first 10 minutes, David Weil’s audacious series set out its stall as a family barbecue turned to slaughter at a lakeside house in the 1970s.

This Tarrantino-inspired show would mix the horror of historical Nazi atrocities with an action-thriller exploring a series of fictional events following world peace in 1945. As a result, Hunters divided public and critical opinion, with many unsure of what to make of its unique comic-book tone and moments of horrific historical darkness.

It does trip up on its own confidence several times. Still, despite this, it remains one hell of a ride thanks to an absolutely stunning cast led by Logan Lerman and Al Pacino and a fast, energetic direction that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

17. HAWKEYE (Disney+)

Words Sab Astley

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Marvel’s surprisingly festive romp, Hawkeye. Hawkeye was undoubtedly one of the biggest and best surprises of the Marvel TV run: more heart-warming than a cup of hot chocolate – its return to the street level was a breath of fresh air, giving us a chance to observe how the everyday person has adapted to this chaotic world.

Hilarious and full of heart, Hawkeye changes your perspective on who the hero really is and what he represents in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Oh, and Kate Bishop kicks ass!

18. TITANS (Netflix/HBO Max)

Following hot on the heels of the equally dark and underrated Gotham, Titans finally gave the Teen Titans an adult makeover. Here, DC Comics classics such as “Death in the Family” and “The Red Hood” would be amalgamated into a dark, brooding, and violent slice of comic book entertainment that finally laid the 1960s comedic Robin to rest. It is therefore interesting that Titans has never received the credit it was due for the quality, diversity, or brilliance of its four-season run.

Like many DC shows, the reason for this lies in the internal wrangling at Warner Bros, as the DC Universe platform was launched only to be later scrapped. At the same time, HBO Max wasn’t available in most international territories, including the UK, with Titans suffering long delays in arriving on Netflix worldwide.

But despite the problems behind the scenes, this is one DC show well worth your time, as the Teen Titans face a range of classic enemies over four exquisite, action-packed seasons.

19. GAME OF THRONES (HBO)

Based on the book series by George RR Martin, Game of Thrones would transform and forever redraw the boundary between television and cinema with a show that took the 16:9 TV in the corner of your room into unexplored territory.

Game of Thrones was event-viewing as it built a world unlike anything seen on TV, while re-igniting the public’s love of historical fantasy through intrigue, sex, violence, sumptuous character design, and stunning effects. Like many shows, its ending may have faltered in the eyes of many, but no ending would have been perfect for a show that left such a lasting mark and rich, dramatic legacy.

20. HOUSE OF THE DRAGON (HBO)

As Game of Thrones came to a close in 2019, many wondered if the media fire it had generated had been firmly extinguished; after all, the final season of the blockbuster show was and still is hotly debated as one of TV’s biggest anti-climaxes. Therefore, when House of the Dragon was announced, a fair bit of scepticism was mixed with the excitement of a new beginning in King’s Landing.

Thankfully, some of that scepticism was put to bed just three episodes in, as the trademark mix of betrayal, intrigue, medieval politics, and power that made Game of Thrones fascinating found a fresh voice through a host of exceptional new characters. Performances writhe with the same fearless energy as its predecessor, with Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Ewan Mitchell, Emma D’Arcy, Tom Glynn-Carney and Co absolutely spellbinding.

21. DEUTSCHLAND 83 (Channel 4)

While proving to be a considerable success abroad, Deutschland 83 and 86 flopped in their home country. However, this is one killer series with its mix of espionage, tongue-in-cheek humour, action and 80s tunes. Here, we see Jonas Nay’s Martin Rauch transformed from a wide-eyed twenty-something into a killer spy against the backdrop of a segregated Germany in the first season.

Meanwhile, the second season, Deutschland 86, picks up the story three years later as the cold winds of change blow south in a sequel that continues to hum with all the ingredients that made the first outing a total blast.

22. THE MOSQUITO COAST (Apple TV+)

Apple TV+ originals have embraced unique, engaging, and different TV journeys over the past few years, and The Mosquito Coast was a part of that trend.

However, due to the pandemic and the gap between seasons one and two, many have forgotten just how great its two-season run was when viewed as a whole. The TV drama would take a different path from the film, as Neil Cross and Paul Theroux combined the classic road-trip thriller with family drama, suspense, and high-octane action. The success of this fresh interpretation lies with an exceptional cast, including Justin Theroux, Melissa George, Logan Polish and Gabriel Bateman.

Some found this reimagining of Paul Theroux’s book problematic, but regardless of one’s views, it’s brave and bold. There is more than a nod to Sidney Lumet’s classic, Running on Empty, in this taut, energetic, and imaginative road trip thriller, which is both addictive, visually stunning, and utterly enthralling.

23. THE MUPPET SHOW (Disney+)

Fun fact: I once electrocuted myself while watching The Muppet Show! I was five or six and staying at my grandma’s house when I stuck my finger in a socket while playing with my Star Wars figures! Thankfully, the shock wasn’t all that bad, and I watched the rest of The Muppets on my grandma’s lap with what seemed like a giant slice of chocolate cake.

But I digress! The Muppet Show was one of the highlights of my TV week as a kid, with each episode transporting me into the wondrous world of Jim Henson’s misfit creations. The opening credits were enough to make the outside world evaporate as The Muppets took me under their wing.

Henson’s Muppet Show was pure escapism, joy, and innocence —a family show that would appeal to every age group through its humour, intelligence, and colourful parade of unique characters. So dive into Henson’s glorious world because, whether you are new to The Muppet Show or an adult who grew up with its wondrous creations, Jim Henson’s sublime TV show has something for everyone.

24. THE MANDALORIAN (Disney+)

Unlike the mediocre finale to the third Star Wars saga, The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian felt fresh, innovative, and rooted in George Lucas’s vision.

Created by Jon Favreau, The Mandalorian draws inspiration from the Saturday children’s matinees that influenced George Lucas’ original vision by blending science fiction with a classic Western visual style.

However, the real genius lies in exploring a post-imperial world following the Return of the Jedi. Here, Pedro Pascal’s bounty hunter sits in a universe where Imperial forces are still very much alive on the fringes of the galaxy, and a small Yoda-like green “child” offers them a power that could once again overthrow the fragile democracy of the rebellion.

Offering us a kaleidoscope of characters and monsters, many of whom sat in the background of the original Star Wars films. The Mandalorian is a love letter to all those magical, wondrous Kenner figures who had no clear backstory until now.

25. THE PIANO (Channel 4)

A surprise success, given the simplicity of the idea, Claudia Winkleman, Mika, and Lang Lang hunt for extraordinary piano players in train stations across the United Kingdom, before inviting the very best to perform at a concert. While Claudia is front and centre at each train station, Mika and Lang Lang sit in the shadows, listening in.

What makes the Piano tick? The stories and the extraordinary talent each person brings to a random train station piano. Combine that with some truly heartwarming presenting and the energetic, passionate vibes of our judges, and you have all the ingredients for TV gold. 

26. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES (Disney+)

Love it or loathe it, there is no denying the sheer cultural clout of Disney’s High School Musical back in 2006. Not only did it shoot Zac Efron to global stardom, but it also gave the movie musical a much-needed jolt of electricity, taking audiences back to the live-action teen musical spectacular last seen in Fame.

After three films, many thought the toe-tapping innocence of High School Musical was finally at an end until Disney+ announced a new TV series based on the films. But how do you recreate High School Musical for a modern teenage audience? The answer is simple: you don’t try to recreate the movie, but instead pay homage to it, with a new group of teens performing a musical version of the famous film.

The resulting show manages to create something that feels fresh and new while remaining equally distinctly familiar, and its cast will undoubtedly be a hit with a new generation.

27. FIVE DAYS AT MEMORIAL (Apple TV+)

Sometimes, real life is far more horrific than anything a fiction writer can conjure. John Ridley’s and Carlton Cuse’s adaptation of Sheri Fink’s detailed and harrowing book, Five Days at Memorial, places us in the middle of an event so gut-wrenchingly awful that it is hard to believe we were in one of the wealthiest countries in the world in 2005.

Starring Vera Farmiga, Cherry Jones, Cornelius Smith Jr. and Robert Pine, this is the story of the New Orleans Memorial Medical Center and Hurricane Katrina. But this tale is less about the hurricane and more about government failure, the collapse of civil structures, and the unbearable decision-making that doctors and nurses were forced to make as they sat alone in a hospital surrounded by floodwaters. It’s the story of 45 patients who died over five days and a fragmented healthcare system that allowed a hospital to be isolated in its time of need.

Five Days at Memorial is a tough, gritty and urgent drama that offers no tidy conclusions as it attempts to unpick themes of accountability and a lingering sense of injustice.

28. THE RECKONING (BBC)

On 29 October 2011, DJ, TV presenter, and all-around entertainer Jimmy Savile died. That night, TV news bulletins were full of archive footage of his career, alongside statements like “living legend”, “dedicated charity worker”, “a friend to royalty”, “a groundbreaking presence at Radio 1″, and “the man who fixed it for a whole generation of kids.”

Many of the children and teenagers Savile interacted with in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s remained silent as they watched those news bulletins roll. They knew the truth; it was a truth that many had tried to bring into the light so many times, only to be dismissed or silenced. Saville was a prolific predator and paedophile who, for decades, got away with his crimes as society and media promoted him to the status of a “legend.”

Bringing the story of Savile to the screen was never going to be easy, and it is a profoundly uncomfortable experience. However, it was also necessary, and in the brave hands of Steve Coogan, an exemplary ensemble cast, and the voices of those Saville abused, The Reckoning is one of the most powerful and urgent TV dramas of the past decade.  

29. ZERO ZERO ZERO (SKY)

Based on the sweeping novel of the same name by Roberto Saviano, ZeroZeroZero is nothing short of epic in its construct. Its dark, brooding, tension-laden story of family, deception, and betrayal shines with nail-biting brilliance, knocking its TV competition out of the park due to its sheer cinematic scale and bravery.

With an enviable cast featuring,
Andrea Riseborough, Dane DeHaan, Harold Torres, Nika Perrone, Giuseppe De Domenico and Gabriel Byrne, ZeroZeroZero explores the international drug trade from three perspectives: the suppliers in Mexico, the buyers in Italy, and the New Orleans dealmakers. Here, we are asked a simple question: What happens when a deadly global machine built on cocaine hits the rocks? The answer is found in a series of interlinked episodes and a heart-pounding conclusion.

With the opening episodes directed by Stefano Sollima (Sicario 2: Soldado and Gomorrah), ZeroZeroZero sets out its uncompromising stall from the first scenes as it dissects an illegal drug industry built on pain, death and addiction. 

30. COLUMBO (ABC/NBC)

Television series have long captivated audiences with intriguing storylines and unforgettable characters. One such iconic show that has left an indelible mark on the detective genre is Columbo.

Premiering in 1968, this beloved series, created by Richard Levinson and William Link, featured the unassuming yet astute Lieutenant Columbo, brilliantly portrayed by Peter Falk. With its distinctive formula and a unique protagonist, Columbo has etched its place in television history as one of the most influential and enduring detective series of the 20th Century.

Unlike traditional detective shows, Columbo boldly revealed the murderer’s identity from the start, allowing the viewer to engage in a game of cat and mouse as Columbo slowly but surely outmanoeuvred the killer.

The result is a show that is near-perfection, as you can get, as it takes us from 1968 to 2003 alongside the masterful Peter Falk and a host of celebrity cameos, including Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Faye Dunaway, Janet Leigh, Vincent Price, and yes, Johnny Cash!

31. WORZEL GUMMIDGE (BBC)

Many of you, like me, will have fond memories of Jon Pertwee as the lovable, if slightly cantankerous, scarecrow Worzel Gummidge. Pertwee’s version of Barbara Euphan Todd’s 1930s character would shine from 1979 to 1981 before the famous Scarecrow suddenly fell silent.

Christmas 2019 saw BBC One resurrect Worzel under Mackenzie Crook’s creative genius, resulting in a loving and celebratory re-imagination of Euphan’s characters. Bathed in stunning cinematography, gentle humour and delightful performances, the modern Worzel Gummidge is beautiful, magical, calming and endearing. 

32. EERIE INDIANA (ABC)

Eerie Indiana’s legendary status was established over the course of just 19 episodes. By blending enthralling science fiction, fun fantasy, and classic monster horror, Eerie pays homage to Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone. Here, each gloriously dark and delicious tale is set in a world of weirdness and wonder created by Jose Rivera, Karl Schaefer, and the indomitable Joe Dante.

The result is one of the shortest-lived but most innovative children’s TV shows ever made.

33. INDUSTRY (BBC/HBO)

Industry is the equivalent of The Apprentice on steroids as we enter central London’s banking world post-2008 financial crash.

Industry initially follows a group of graduate interns through their first placement at a fictional ‘big bank,’ where their future careers depend on their performance as they are encouraged to compete for attention. But there is also life beyond the trading room floor, as our young hopefuls deal with the pressures of work, sex, friendships and drugs in seasons that transition from the fiery end of adolescence to the beginning of career-focused young adulthood and beyond. 

Industry isn’t afraid to tackle some big themes, from class-based discrimination to racism, sexism, corruption and self-harm, in a show that unpicks the “go big or go home” mentality of the financial sector. Here, the bright lights of London’s financial district dovetail with a much darker exploration of the slippery ladder to success, as the gloss and glitz of London’s ever-growing skyscrapers are coupled with post-crash politics, greed, and unchangeable trading behaviours.

While Industry is fiction, that doesn’t mean this intoxicating mix of Wall Street and Skins does not reflect some uncomfortable home truths through a haze of drugs, booze and sex. From greed and corruption to the pursuit of wealth and status at any cost, this show shines a light on the grubbier corners of finance, business, and the drive for wealth and success. So get ready for a wild, unrestrained, bumpy ride through the bright lights of London’s financial powerhouse. It’s bold, abrasive and utterly compelling, and, without a doubt, your next box set binge.

34. HOLLYWOOD (Netflix)

There is always a risk in merging fantasy with reality as the audience attempts to navigate and unpick the truth from a series of ideas and concepts. However, in Hollywood, Ryan Murphy pulls off this mix of fantasy and history to great effect as he carves up the institutionalised discrimination at the heart of Hollywood’s golden age with a “what could have been” story.

The 1940s studio system is placed front and centre as we explore the emerging careers of bright young actors and filmmakers trying to break into the industry following the end of World War II. Murphy places fictional characters, such as Darren Criss’ director Raymond Ainsley and David Corenswet’s actor Jack Costello, alongside a range of characters based squarely on real-life icons of the time, including Rock Hudson and Hattie McDaniel.

Hollywood presents us with a nuanced portrait of the creative drive and talent of those who often hid their true selves to achieve success in the industry.

35. GENERATION WAR (ZDF)

“Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter” or “Generation War” sparked more than a sprinkling of controversy upon its release. Some criticised Philip Kadelbach’s epic drama for not focusing enough on the atrocities at the Eastern Front, while others pointed to oversimplified narrative paths, particularly in the final episode. But these criticisms, while all fair in their own right, ignore the sheer power and bravery of Generation War in the landscape of wartime drama. 

Kadelbach’s three-part series sparked an important debate about the power and influence of political ideology. Generation War posed two simple questions that remain extremely difficult to answer: How did an intelligent and cultured society fall for the lure of Nazism? And why did some reject and stand up against this ideology, risking their own lives, while others accepted it without question?

It may not provide all the answers, but Generation War remains a poignant and important exploration of a profound European wound.

36. WORLD ON FIRE (BBC)

Some TV dramas never receive the praise they deserve on their release, and World on Fire is one of those TV gems.

Peter Bowker’s BBC Second World War drama is a stunning and urgent exploration of the gradual descent into European and then World conflict. By weaving together multiple stories from across Europe as the abject horror of war took hold, World on Fire immerses its audience in the choices, decisions, bravery and resilience of individuals, groups and families against a rising tide of hate, political control, fascism and orchestrated murder.

World on Fire aimed to give voice to the ordinary people whose lives were transformed by an impending and unavoidable War as a rising tide of politically fueled hate swept across Europe.

A second series has now arrived, following a major pause due to COVID-19. While the second run is strong, it never quite matches the first’s power, largely due to the unavoidable gap in filming. But taken as a whole, World on Fire is a stunning slice of TV drama.

37. CHARLIE BROWN AND PEANUTS SPECIALS (Various)

First published in various American newspapers in 1950, Charles M. Schulz’s Charlie Brown and Peanuts have become one of the most famous comic strips ever produced.

In creating the Peanuts gang, Schulz mixed intelligent comedy with childhood’s innermost fears, joys and anxieties, challenging a series of old-fashioned views of child psychology along the way. Over the years since Charlie Brown first appeared in print, 18,000 comic strips have been translated into over 21 languages in 75 countries. But the TV specials truly cemented Charlie, his dog Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang’s place as a cultural phenomenon.

Since 1965, over 45 specials have been produced, many earning the title ‘legendary’ for bringing the world of Charlie Brown to life in glorious technicolour. Of course, it all started with the fabulous A Charlie Brown Christmas, which remains a family favourite fifty-nine years later. But now, with Apple TV+ on board, a new world of Charlie Brown stories and adventures is opening up for a whole new generation, including the fabulous Welcome Home, Franklin. 

38. DOCTOR WHO (BBC)

Few TV shows hold the legendary status of Doctor Who. Not only is this BBC science fiction show the longest-running sci-fi series in TV history, but it is undoubtedly the most unique.

Doctor Who’s strength lies in its ability to appeal to different audiences at different times, reinventing itself for each new generation through every new regeneration.

From its humble tea-time beginnings, Doctor Who has become an institution in its own right and the face of British science fiction worldwide. Now, you can enjoy every season with a few story exceptions on iPlayer and travel with the Doctor over nearly sixty years of sometimes outstanding and occasionally bizarre adventures.

39. AMERICAN HORROR STORY (FX)

Long before the MCU claimed to have invented the cinematic universe, Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story was building a bloody universe all of its own.

American Horror Story would transform horror on TV in the same way Game of Thrones transformed medieval fantasy. Unlike its brutal fantasy counterpart on HBO, every season of American Horror Story was a standalone story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, wrapped in a genre-defining theme from horror history.

Each perfectly formed season was interlinked, not just through a fantastic ensemble of returning actors, including Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates, but through timelines, places and people. Murphy’s horror universe was big, bold and otherworldly. While embracing the history of horror, Murphy also rejected and reworked the horror template of the monster, the serial killer, the witch, the alien and the vampire. He asked us to empathise with the exact figures we had been taught to fear and fear.

Murphy’s horror world was unlike anything we had seen in its beauty, complexity, humour and scale, and it remains a tapestry of bloody, brilliant terror. 

40. STRANGER THINGS (Netflix)

Stranger Things is undoubtedly one of the most beloved and successful Netflix shows, and it could be argued that it helped create the streaming giant.

The Duffer Brothers’ sci-fi gem is, in essence, a Stephen King-inspired story of a small American town plunged into darkness with the local kids placed in peril, coupled with classic Dante monster horror and Spielberg-esque cinematography.

As we watch our kids, Millie Bobbie Brown, Finn Wolfhard,
Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, and Noah Schnapp mature from teens to young adults, and Stranger Things shifts from coming-of-age fantasy to pure horror.

The Duffer brothers looked back on their childhood and teenage years, drawing on elements that inspired them as kids and weaving them into a tapestry of science fiction, nostalgia, and pop culture.

The result was the resurrection of a TV format that had failed to ignite in Eerie Indiana decades earlier, a science fiction horror built on nostalgia. Unlike the 50s nostalgia present in Eerie, Stranger Things was firmly rooted in the 80s, encouraging new generations to bathe in a neon glow of Walkmans, synth-pop, and imagination.

In the Duffer brothers’ world, the kids’ only weapons were their bikes, and their only means of communication were a landline and a walkie-talkie. It appears that this was also comforting for Generation Z, who eagerly lapped up the Duffer brothers’ 80s-inspired dream.

41. BREAKING BAD (AMC)

If Oz gave birth to a new, challenging, gritty drama on HBO, Breaking Bad changed how we viewed TV forever. Launched on cable TV in the USA in 2008 to rave reviews, Breaking Bad struggled to find an audience. But with the arrival of Netflix, Breaking Bad was about to take off stratospherically and usher in a new era of TV: the binge-watch.

From a mere million viewers on its premiere to over ten million on its finale, Breaking Bad embraced the classic cliffhanger while Netflix allowed you to watch it all day. It was a marriage made in heaven and one that changed TV forever.

But make no mistake, this is a show built on the back of its fantastic cast. Watching Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Anna Gunn, and Co. weave their magic is nothing short of TV heaven.

42. KILLING EVE (BBC)

Killing Eve is a masterclass in storytelling, beautifully building suspense through a blend of dark comedy and violence. The cat-and-mouse relationship between Eve and Villanelle is a dance of manipulation, with each character constantly testing the other’s limits as the show skillfully balances intrigue with the darkest humour.

Premiering in 2018 and created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Killing Eve is a truly groundbreaking exploration of obsession, identity, and the blurred lines between good and evil. With exquisite performances from Sandra Oh and Jody Comer, Killing Eve boldly challenges gender roles and stereotypes, presenting us with complex, empowered female characters who shine from the opening scene to the end.

43. MR ROBOT (USA)

TV dramas that manage to captivate and enthral their audience within the first episode are rare, but that is precisely what Mr Robot achieves. Owing much to Fight Club in style and tone, Mr Robot would lace its homage with bold discussions on modern media, mental health and technology.

The result was a dystopian thriller that reflected the absurdities and dangers of 21st-century life. Here, we watch as the demons of capitalism unfurl through the eyes of a lead character, Elliot (Rami Malek), who is as mysterious as he is enthralling.

44. LINE OF DUTY (BBC)

From the low-level crime of Dixon of Dock Green to the heat of The Bill and the bravery of Juliet Bravo, British police dramas have been a mainstay of evening entertainment for decades. However, few police dramas, with the exception of Prime Suspect, have had the cultural impact of Jed Mercurio’s Line of Duty.

Mercurio would reinvent the police drama for a new age by wrapping his audience in high-energy tales of deceit and corruption that, while unique in season structure, created a far larger web of corruption.

From the first episode to the last, Line of Duty grabbed its audience by the collar and didn’t let go, offering electric drama, intrigue and exquisite cliffhangers. It was appointment TV that demanded to be watched live, and millions heard its call.

45. THE FLASH (CW)

There was no shortage of DC outings following the success of Arrow in 2012, but none reached the heights of The Flash. Like Smallville, another fabulous DC show, The Flash should have hung up its boots five seasons in, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the very best the CW has offered us.

The Flash remains the gold standard in modern DC Comics TV, aimed squarely at a family audience, as Grant Gustin became the definitive Barry Allen for a whole new generation. The Flash was a hero we could believe in, and a show that captured the bygone energy and charm of classics like The Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman.

46. BEING HUMAN (BBC)

Long before we sank our teeth into the divine TV adaptation of Interview with the Vampire, the equally fabulous Being Human had us enthralled with its twisty, funny, emotional and damn right beautiful tale of a vampire, a ghost and a werewolf trying to navigate the human world from a shared house in Bristol.

Toby Whithouse’s supernatural comedy/horror placed BBC Three on the map with a cast including the fabulous Aidan Turner, Lenora Crichlow, Russell Tovey, Jason Watkins, Michael Socha, Sinéad Keenan, Annabel Scholey and Damien Molony, to name just a few.

Running for five deliciously dark, fun, and always engaging seasons, Being Human remains one of the best shows to have come from BBC Three.

47. CARÊME (Apple TV+)

France was a divided country, plagued by internal conflicts and political treachery, which haunted its future following the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon. France may have decided to dispatch its royal family in the name of liberty, but the plan wasn’t to end up with an emperor after they executed King Louis XVI. From 1793 to the early 1800s, France was a country simmering on a hot plate with no off switch, caught between the past, present and an uncertain future.

During this period of turmoil, France would bring us the first-ever celebrity chef, Marie-Antoine Carême, a young man who rose from humble beginnings to become a legend who would open the door to chefs like Jules Gouffé, Urbain Dubois and later Auguste Escoffier. Yet this ground-breaking chef, known as the “King of Chefs and the Chef of Kings”, is rarely mentioned outside the culinary world, let alone celebrated, until now.

From Benjamin Voisin’s energetic, dramatic and cheeky Marie-Antoine to Jérémie Renier’s conniving diplomat and Alice Da Luz’s caring, visionary and ever-so-slightly love-torn Agathe, Carême is a delight that becomes more and more tasty with each episode. Highlights include a powerful, dramatic exploration of a diminished royal family in exile in episode four, as well as an early-1800s version of MasterChef: The Professionals in episode five. There’s so much to love in this exquisitely crafted TV drama that I can only hope Carême finds the audience it so richly deserves, and we are eventually served up seconds.  

48. GAVIN AND STACEY (BBC)

BBC Three has offered us some of the BBC’s most memorable shows over the years, but it’s James Corden and Ruth Jones’ Gavin & Stacey that takes the crown for longevity and love. Like many shows that began their life on BBC Three, Gavin and Stacey would transition to BBC Two and then BBC One as its popularity grew. Despite a span of 17 years, from 2007 to 2024, only 22 episodes were ever made.

Those 22 expertly written and beautifully crafted episodes found an eternal place in the hearts of the British public as we followed Essex boy Gavin (Mathew Horne) and the love of his life, Welsh girl Stacey (Joanna Page). But the ‘Will They Won’t They’ highs and lows of Smithy (James Corden) and Nessa (Ruth Jones) cemented this sitcom’s place as one of the most fantastic slices of British comedy ever made.

Every character in Gavin and Stacey’s orbit is beautifully realised, from Uncle Bryn (Rob Brydon) to Pam (Alison Steadman) and Dawn (Julia Davis), creating a sitcom where every individual could easily carry their own show. In a word, Gavin and Stacey is lush.

49. GREAT EXPECTATIONS (BBC)

Great Expectations may be one of Dickens’ bleakest novels, almost verging on horror as fates collide, class conflict clouds hope, and manipulation and deceit hide around every corner. Brian Kirk’s 2011 adaptation, written by Sarah Phelps, captures the atmosphere of Dickens’ story in exquisite detail as we follow Pip (Oscar Kennedy/Douglas Booth) from his childhood to his twenties.

Given the darkness of Dickens’ story, you may wonder why Great Expectations should be on your BBC iPlayer watchlist. The answer is simple: Great Expectations is about the complexity of love, its unspoken dimensions, and how easily it can turn to toxicity.

From Joe’s (Shaun Dooley) love and protection of Pip to Miss Havisham’s (Gillian Anderson) twisted love for Estella (Izzy Meikle-Small/Vanessa Kirby) and Pip’s unrequited love, Great Expectations is a story about the fragility of love in an ocean of manipulation, lies and class conflict.

50. RIPLEY (Netflix)

Those familiar with the book and Minghella’s adaptation will know what to expect from the plot; therefore, delivering the story in a new and fresh way was always going to be a challenge. But Zaillian pulls it off by turning Highsmith’s story into a gloriously lit 1930s-inspired film noir, where Scott’s Ripley is our queer homme fatale. Here, the cinematography of Robert Elswit is genuinely something to behold, as each scene is drenched in sumptuous chiaroscuro lighting from the streets of Manhattan to the splendour of Rome and the winding alleyways of Capri and Atrani.

Like the best noirs, malice, mistrust, paranoia, and manipulation seep into every glorious scene, further enhanced by Jeff Russo’s fantastic score. At the same time, Scott’s calculating yet quiet performance sends shivers down the spine as his opportunistic Ripley enacts his haphazard and deadly plan.

However, there are also problems, and the most significant of these is the coldness of Scott’s character and the strange decision not to further build on the homoeroticism of Minghella’s movie when offering us a clearly queer homme fatale. Age is also a barrier; after all, Ripley was twenty-five in Highsmith’s first book, a mere trainee sociopath, one could say, whereas Scott is clearly older and far more experienced. But for all its flaws, Ripley is a deliciously dark slice of modern noir that is as addictive as it is beautiful.