Best shows to watch on U

23 June 2026

By Sophie Nye

Hey U!!

Looking for the best free TV shows to stream right now? You’re in the right place! U has so much free content to explore, and we’ve rounded up our top recommendations to help you get started. From must watch real-life documentaries to hilarious comedies and drama-packed series, there’s something for every kind of viewer - and yes, it’s all completely free to watch!

Keep scrolling to discover some of our faves and find your next bingeworthy show in seconds.

Drama | Comedy | Documentaries

Dramaaa

There’s so much on offer and we are soooo here for it!

The Boy That Never Was

A man and woman staring in different directions against an orange background with a city on one side and a family on the other

Grief, hope and a twist you won’t see cominggg. An Irish couple lose their three-year-old son during an earthquake in Morocco, or so they’re told. Fast forward, and they spot a boy in Dublin who looks exactly like him. What follows is a desperate, emotional search for answers that will fully mess with your head. Starring Toni Orourke and Kerr Logan.

Black Sands

A troubled detective (Aldis Amah Hamilton) is dragged back to her hometown (never a good sign), where she’s forced to confront her past anddd a chilling new case when a body is discovered. Think brooding Nordic noir, stunning-but-eerie landscapes, and a slow-burn story that creeps up on you. Bonus: a new series is landing very soon!

Shades of Blue

Jennifer Lopez plays a detective and single mum who ends up forced to inform on her own corrupt team (yikes). It’s gritty, tense, and full of those “what would YOU do?” moments. Come for J.Lo, stay for the drama.

Monsieur Spade

Moody promotional artwork for a crime drama, featuring a solitary figure standing in the foreground with a translucent silhouette behind, set against a rural landscape under dark, atmospheric lighting.

Clive Owen as iconic detective Sam Spade, now living his supposedly peaceful life in the south of France. Spoiler: it doesn’t stay peaceful.

Sister Boniface Mysteries

Not your average detective. Not even close. Nun come forensic scientist come moped rider come wine maker, classic! Sister Boniface is doing a lot and solving crimes while she’s at it. Light, cosy, and very easy to get stuck into.

Catch Me a Killer

A lone figure with long red hair stands overlooking a vast, densely packed cityscape under a dark, storm‑filled sky. The person is turned slightly to the side, wearing a patterned shirt and holding their hands together, with dramatic lighting casting shadows across the scene. Tall grass in the foreground sways in the wind, and distant mountains fade into the moody horizon

Catch Me a Killer follows the true story of Micki Pistorius (Charlotte Hope), a journalist-turned forensic psychologist who becomes South Africa’s first serial-killer profiler. Pistorious joins an underfunded, understaffed, hostile police force – especially as a woman – all whilst she picks apart harrowing cases. Hailed as the “female Mindhunter” this mini-series will have you cancelling your evening plans.

Marlow Murder Club

Three people stand confidently on a wooden bridge overlooking a calm riverside at sunset. Warm golden light reflects off the water, highlighting boats moored along the banks and a distant church spire rising above the trees. The trio is positioned at the centre of the bridge, dressed in casual but stylish clothing, with a dramatic, colourful sky creating a serene yet cinematic atmosphere

Indulge in the quiet beauty of Marlow where trouble is rumbling under the surface. Meet Julie Potts (Samatha Bond), a retired archaeologist who loves a crossword puzzle. But when two mysterious deaths cause shockwaves through the villages, an impromptu detective team is formed. Straight talking dog walker Suzi (Jo Martin) and the Vicar’s wife (Cara Horgan), alongside Julie, sift through tangles of clues. And now that whispers of a third series are spreading, it’s clear the quiet village of Marlow hasn’t run out of secrets yet.

Bergerac

In this modern re-imaging of the og Jersey-set crime drama, Damien Molony stars as troubled detective Jim Bergerac. Bergerac finds himself swept into a case where a wealthy woman has been murdered – just another day’s work. Allll whilst trying to battle against his own demons. If you loved Ellis and Sherwood this will totally be your cup of tea.

Find out more about the latest season:

Jim Bergerac sits at a desk surrounded by crashing waves and stormy skies, symbolising inner conflict in the crime drama Bergerac.

The Brokenwood Mysteries

Two people stand in front of a parked car at the edge of a misty lakeside, surrounded by dramatic mountains at sunset. Soft orange and pink light fills the sky, casting long shadows across the water. Behind them, forensic investigators in white suits examine evidence near the shoreline, with a police vehicle’s blue lights glowing faintly in the background. The overall scene blends crime‑scene tension with a cinematic, atmospheric landscape

Are you looking for a light-hearted whodunnit!? Grab your ticket to the small town of Brokenwood, where DI Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) investigates recent murders in the otherwise very picturesque village. Quirky, charming, and perfect with a brew - settle in!

Comedy

Big comedy that’s going to give you big laughs.

Absolutely Fabulous

Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley) are the ultimate duo in this iconic fashion-world comedy. It’s outrageous, ridiculous, and endlessly quotable. Basically: if you know, you know.

Would I Lie To You?

Lying has never been this entertaining. It’s pure chaos all judged by the dream team: David Mitchell, Lee Mack and Rob Brydon.

Avoidance

Romesh Ranganathan stars as a man who avoids conflict at all costs… until life forces him to actually deal with things (unfortunately for him).

The Way Out

Escape rooms meet chaotic comedians- what more could you want! Mel Giedroyc throws teams (led by Ed Gamble and Nish Kumar) into themed escape rooms and lets the chaos unfold. Clues are missed, panic sets in, shouting happens - you get the vibe.

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Superstore

A group of retail employees pose together in a brightly lit megastore aisle, each holding humorous makeshift “weapons” like a bat, hockey stick, broom, and mop. They wear matching blue store uniforms, standing in front of colourful display panels. A small smiling floor‑cleaning robot sits to the side, and shelves stocked with products line the background, creating a playful and chaotic workplace scene

Ever wondered what goes on behind the automatic sliding doors of your fave megastore? This comedy-drama might not be the most factually accurate but is guaranteed to make you laugh. America Ferrara leads a cast of loveable, relatable misfit collection of employees.

Parks and Recreation

A group of people stand closely together inside a government‑office setting, dressed in a mix of business attire and smart‑casual clothing. The group is arranged in a friendly, posed formation, with wooden doors, office décor, and soft lighting creating a warm workplace atmosphere in the background

This political satire mockumentary sitcom follows Indiana town’s public official as they try their very best to improve their city. Expect delightfully absurd antics, a team you’ll totally adore, and more racoon invasions than any park department should reasonably handle. With an all-star cast featuring Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza and Adam Scott, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Documentaries

For anyone who loves knowing just a little too much.

Canal Boat Diaries

A man with a hat sat on the side of a canal with his thumb up

Robbie Cumming cruises through Britain’s canals on his narrowboat, taking in towns, countryside and everything in between. It’s calm, cosy, and weirdly addictive.

89

If you’re somehow not getting enough of a football fix this summer, this one’s for you! Football, but make it cinematic. The unbelievable true story of Arsenal winning the 1988–89 title in the final minute at Anfield. Even if you’re not football-obsessed, the drama alone is worth it.

If you’re still riding the football high, here’s everything you need to know about the World Cup this summer, including how to stream every match for freeee.

Bangers & Cash

A group of people in green work uniforms stand behind a lineup of classic and vintage vehicles, including a bright red convertible, a green‑and‑white saloon car, a yellow sports car, and several restored trucks and 4x4s. The background features a clean blue gradient, giving the scene a polished, poster‑style look. The group appears proud and unified, presenting the collection of restored and eye‑catching vehicles front and centre

Motorheads, start your engines, series 13 of Bangers & Cash has just dropped exclusively on U! Go behind the scenes of this Yorkshire-based, Matthewson’s classic car auction business. Bangers & Cash is utterly charming overflowing with knowledge of vintage vehicles.

Pssst: You can watch each episode 7 days early!

Pete Wicks: For Dog's Sake

A person stands outdoors in a fenced grassy area, holding a young brown dog in their arms. The dog has its front paws resting on the person’s arm and is clutching a small orange toy. Trees, a wooden fence, and a wire-mesh perimeter fence create a peaceful, shelter-like setting in the background

TOWIE star Pete Wicks has swapped out bestie Sam Thompson for dog care at Basildon’s Dogs Trust rehoming centre. This heartwarming reality show is perfect cosy night in viewing (especially for dog-lovers). Already finished the first two series? Brilliant - the next series has just landed!

At Home with Katherine Ryan

A man and women with two young kids and one teenager sat on a grey sofa in a living room

If you think juggling motherhood and a comedy career is tough, wait until you see Katherine Ryan do it with her signature sass! In this fly-on-the-wall series, Katherine invites us into her chaotic life with husband Bobby and their three kids, navigating everything from teen tantrums to fertility tests. With her sharp wit and honesty, she tackles the highs and lows of family life, proving that even in the chaos, there's always room for laughter.

Emma Willis: Delivering babies

Watch as Emma Willis experiences the training process on a maternity ward, working four shifts a week to discover why it's the toughest but most rewarding career possible!

Guy Martin: Proper Jobs

A person wearing a high‑visibility jacket and safety helmet stands at the centre of a four‑way composite image. Each quadrant shows a different demanding job: a roadside recovery truck in an urban setting, a lifeboat battling rough seas, heavy machinery working deep inside an underground tunnel, and a herd of cows in a rural farm field. The combined scenes highlight a variety of tough, hands‑on professions

Do you know a guy who is a motorcycle racer, truck fitter, farmer, engineer and sometimes dabbles in television? We do – it’s the aptly named Guy Martin. Follow along as he throws himself into all kinds of hard graft roles. We’re talking anything from firefighting, mountain rescue dog handling and mining!

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Written by Sophie Nye