It’s that time of week again when the TV schedules are packed with shows and everyone’s asking themselves, where do I begin? Luckily for you, we’ve done the “difficult” job of working our way through all of them to bring you the shows that deserve a 5-star rating.
From the best series since Midsomer Murders (in our humble opinion) to a major new period drama (thank you, Netflix), there are plenty of great shows coming our way. So, take a moment to pause, because these are the 7 best shows to watch this week on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.
My Life is Murder
Matt Klitscher/AcornTV
If Midsomer Murders is your idea of the perfect detective drama, you’ll be pleased to hear that My Life is Murder is, in our view, the best series since. The long-running mystery follows the fearless former detective turned private investigator Alexa Crowe (Lucy Lawless). Despite leaving her detective past behind, Alexa can’t help solving crimes and when her former colleague and longtime friend Detective Inspector Kieran Hussey (Bernard Curry) asks her to consult on his trickier cases, she jumps at the chance. And when Alexa isn’t solving crime? She’s baking bread, which helps her think through the many mysterious cases she’s faced with. Series 5 is arriving on U&Alibi on Monday 10th August at 8pm.
Women in Blue
Apple TV+
The hugely popular Spanish language drama is back for a second run. If you’re not familiar, the series tells the story of four trailblazing female police officers who form the first female police force in Mexico. Each of the four women (María, Ángeles, Gabina and Valentina) have their own personal motivations for choosing this career which goes against the ultraconservative norms of the time. Series 2 steps things up with María (Mori), now promoted to lieutenant and torn between the rules she’s sworn to uphold and a relentless pull toward the truth when the body of a student activist is discovered. Series 2 is arriving on Apple TV on Wednesday 12th August.
Possession
Des Willie
Sky’s latest five-part thriller has already garnered quite the fan base thanks to its ambitious plot that somehow works. The series takes us to Jamaica where ambitious lawyer Claudia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) is challenging an inheritance claim made by a local man, Cudjoe East (Sheldon Shepherd), against Oliver Connaught (Jonny Lee Miller), a wealthy white aristocrat. Things take a rather unsettling turn when Claudia discovers the disputed estate is the exact place that’s been haunting her nightmares: Hope Hill, the Connaught family’s former plantation. Continues on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Thursday 13th August.
Hit Point
Joss Barratt
Line of Duty and Blue Lights will enjoy U&Dave’s first original drama, which combines romance and crime. The six-part series follows Leo (Nick Blood) and Bella (Saffron Hocking), two 30-something detectives who are tasked with a case that pulls them into dangerous West London underworld. The result is a brilliantly gripping blend of personal and professional betrayal, romantic entanglement and heart-stopping action. Arriving on U&Dave on Thursday 13th August.
My Brilliant Career
Ian Routledge/Netflix
One for period drama fans, Miles Franklin’s beloved novel has been given the small screen treatment and it’s glorious viewing. At the heart of the story is Sybylla (Philippa Northeast), a shockingly modern young woman with one ambition: to be a writer, despite the fact her family is determined to marry her off. Determined to break every convention of 1900 Australia, she sets out to carve her own path – until, that is, love comes knocking. Arriving on Netflix on Thursday 13th August.
Ghosts US
BBC
As US remakes go, Ghosts is up there with the best of them and the arrival of series 5 is just days away. Following the same premise as the original, the series stars Rose McIveras Sam and Utkarsh Ambudkar as Jay, the new owners of Woodstone Mansion who share their home with an increasingly complex collection of spirits who love nothing more than to squabble. The pair plan to turn it into a boutique bed and breakfast, which is, well, easier said than done with a load of ghosts hanging around. Series 5 is arriving on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 15th August.
Sunny Nights
ITV
If you like your crime dramas with a side of humour, Sunny Nights should be on the agenda this weekend. The darkly comic drama introduces us to brother and sister, Martin (Will Forte) and Vicki Marvin (D’Arcy Carden), who move from America to Australia with dreams of making their spray tan business a huge success. But as the business struggles and they find themselves strapped for cash, they soon find themselves on the wrong side of Sydney’s criminal underworld. Funny an escapist. Arriving on ITVX on Sunday 16th August.