What’s on 5, you ask? Don't worry, while there's plentyyyyy to watch, we've got you covered with just enough to get you started with everything from gripping dramas to eye-opening documentaries and everything in between. Grab the popcorn and make a cuppa, because our picks will keep you glued to the TV for quite some time.
Great British Drama
Little Disasters
New babies, new friendships, and one accusation that changes everything. Little Disasters follows a close-knit group of mums whose lives are thrown into chaosss when one of them is accused of hurting her baby. As suspicions grow and secrets bubble to the surface, friendships are tested to breaking point. Starring Diane Kruger, Jo Joyner and Shelley Conn, this psychological thriller will have you questioning absolutely everyone. Trust us, you'll be changing your mind every five minutes.
Missed Call
Pack your bags, because we're heading to the south of France... although things get dark pretty quickly. In Missed Call, Joanna Scanlan stars as a mother whose teenage daughter vanishes during a school exchange trip. Determined to find answers, she travels to a picturesque French town where the locals seem to be hiding more than just holiday souvenirs. Also starring Claire Keim, Rupert Graves and Robert Lindsay, this gripping drama is impossible to ignore.
Cooper & Fry
Crime fans, this one has your name written all over it. When easy-going local detective Ben Cooper is paired with guarded newcomer Diane Fry, sparks don't exactly fly... but solving crimes certainly does. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Peak District, Cooper & Fry stars Rob James-Collier and Mandip Gill and serves up mysterious deaths, intriguing puzzles and a detective partnership you'll quickly become invested in.
The Hardacres
Rags-to-riches stories don't get much more dramatic than this. The Hardacres follows a working-class Yorkshire family whose lives are transformed when they move from the docks to a sprawling country estate. But as their fortunes rise, so do the challenges of navigating a very different world. Starring Claire Cooper, Julie Graham and Liam McMahon, this sweeping period saga is perfect for fans of All Creatures Great & Small and The Forsytes.
Loving the rags-to-riches journey in The Hardacres? Discover A Woman of Substance, the iconic family saga that follows one woman's rise from humble beginnings to business success.
The Fortune
Imagine finding out you've inherited a fortune from someone you've never even met. Sounds dreamy right? Welllll, not for Amanda. In The Fortune, Eleanor Tomlinson stars as a woman whose seemingly perfect life is turned upside down by an unexpected inheritance that drags her into the complicated world of the mysterious Worrall family. Family secrets, shocking revelations and plenty of drama await in this addictive series.
The Curfew
What if every man had to be indoors by 7pm? That's the unsettling premise behind The Curfew, a gripping crime thriller set in a world where men live under strict curfew laws. When a woman is found murdered during the night, veteran detective Pamela Green is convinced a man is responsible. The problem? According to the rules, that's impossible. Starring Sarah Parish, Mandip Gill, Alexandra Burke and Anita Dobson, this crime drama comes with a seriously addictive hook.
Riptide
Sunshine, surf and secrets? Sign us uppppp. Riptide follows Alison, whose dream life in Australia comes crashing down when her husband vanishes during a morning surf. Was it a tragic accident, or is something much more sinister going on? Starring Jo Joyner and Peter O'Brien, this mystery-packed thriller is full of betrayal, secrets and stunning scenery.
The Imposter
Family secrets? Check. Lies? Check. Jaw-dropping twists? Oh, absolutely. The Imposter stars Kym Marsh, Jackie Woodburne and Dannii Minogue in a gripping thriller where nothing is quite what it seems. As shocking truths begin to unravel, trust quickly becomes a dangerous thing. This is the kind of drama that starts with one episode and somehow ends with you watching the whole boxset in a weekend.
Number One Fan
We've all had awkward encounters with fans... but nothing like this. Number One Fan stars Jill Halfpenny as TV presenter Lucy, whose life takes a terrifying turn when an apparently devoted admirer becomes dangerously obsessed. Sally Lindsay shines in this tense thriller that explores what happens when admiration turns into obsession. Creepy, compelling and packed with twists, this is one watch that'll have you double-checking your front door is locked.
Madame Blanc Mysteries
If you’re looking for a cosy thriller with a side of escapism then The Madame Blanc Mysteries is soooo your cup of tea. Sally Lindsay stars as Jean White – an antiques expert turned accidental detective – solving secrets and scandals under the French sun in Sainte Victoire. It’s got alllll the sunshine and suspense you need this winter. Think Midsomer Murders meets Escape to the Château.
Power
The headlines made national news, and now the story comes to the screen. Power stars Martin Clunes in a gripping feature-length drama exploring the downfall of Huw Edwards. Tackling fame, trust and accountability, this thought-provoking drama offers a powerful look at one of the biggest media stories of recent years.
Murder Before Evensong
A murder, a mystery, andddd a church toilet?? Only in Murder Before Evensong! In this clever crime drama, adapted from Richard Coles’ best-selling novel, Canon Daniel Clement (Martin Lewis) is the well-meaning village vicar whose plan to install a new loo sparks chaos when a body turns up inside the church. Gossip spreads faster than grace in the sleepy village of Champton. You don’t want to miss this one!
The Forsytes
Step into the scandal, secrets and splendour of The Forsytes! Set in late-Victorian London, this lavish new drama follows the powerful Forsyte family as their perfect façades start to crack. From forbidden affairs to family feuds, their lives are anything but proper. If you swooned for Bridgerton or Downton Abbey, this is your next obsession.
Starring Millie Gibson, Jack Devenport, Eleanor Tomlinson and Francesca Annis.
All Creatures Great & Small
As the nights get nippier, nothing beats curling up with James Herriot and a cuppa! Follow Herriot (Nicholas Ralph) as he fumbles, charms, and occasionally panics his way around the Yorkshire Dales. Hired by the delightfully eccentric Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West), our newbie assistant meets wary farmers and grumpy animals. Originally a 70s TV hit, now beautifully remade for modern family bingeing. Sweet, comfy, and utterly Yorkshire.
The Rumour
In this gripping thriller, Joanna (Rachel Shenton) moves to a quiet town for a fresh start with her son, but her new life takes a dark turn when she becomes absolutely obsessed with whispers of a child killer. She ropes in a group of fellow school mums, including Rivals star Emily Atak, to investigate. But the deeper they dig, the faster the rumour spins out of control. Based on the bestselling thriller The Rumour by Lesley Kara, this tense and twisted drama shows how one small whisper can spiral into deadly chaos.
The Flatshare
If you're in need of a totally feel good rom-com, Flatshare is your next obsession! Tiffany, a clickbait journalist questioning allll of her life choices, and Leon, a nightshift hospice nurse, share a one-bed flat on opposite schedules. Warm, funny and full of heart The Flat Share reminds you that love can show up in the most unexpected places. Starring Jessica Brown Findlay (The Outcast, Playing Nice) as Tiffany and Anthony Welsh (Fleabag) as Leon.
Murder Most Puzzling
If you think the New York Times Crossword is a bit of a head scratcher, spare a thought for Cora Felton, Bakerton’s very own “Puzzling Lady” (Phyllis Logan) who finds herself dealing with a body andddd a cryptic clue pinned to it. Only in Bakerton right!? Join Cora as she untangles riddles in this cosy crime drama that’s light, fun and anything but gritty. If you adored Ludwig or Marlow Murder Club, this charming mystery is calling your name.
The Game
That thing you had to do? Yeah… it can wait. Starring Robson Green and Jason Watkins, this twisty thriller is the perfect excuse to ignore whatever you should be doing. Ex-cop Huw Miller is haunted by a case that he never cracked, when an old suspect, Patrick Harbottle, moves in across the road, alarm bells start ringing. This show is red herrings galore and will keep you second-guessing righttttt up until the final moment.
Best of the US
Blue Bloods
If you’re looking for your next new binge, we’ve got a whopping 10 series of Blue Bloods for you to crack on with! Follow the Reagan family, an Irish-Catholic clan of NYC cops, as they juggle crime-fighting and family dinners. Big cases, big drama, and even bigger family loyalty. Ready, steady, streammmmm!
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Soooo, you can’t get enough of police dramas? We’ve got another one for you! Law & Order: Criminal Intent follows the NYPD’s Major Case Squad, from high-profile cases to the criminal mind behind them. Vincent D’Onofrio and Kathryn Erbe lead the charge. Smart, dark, and totally binge-worthy.
Instinct
Professor. Bestselling author. Former CIA operative. Honestly, does Dylan Reinhart ever get a day off? In Instinct, Alan Cumming stars as the brilliant academic who's pulled back into crime-solving when the NYPD needs help catching a dangerous killer. Witty, clever and packed with intriguing mysteries, this crime drama is an absolute treat for detective fans.
Good Wife
If you love a smart and addictive drama, The Good Wife is callingggg. We’re talking about a smart and stylish legal battle and one seriously compelling comeback story. After her husband’s humiliating sex scandal, Alicia Florrick (Julianna Marguiles) steps back into her old life as a litigator to provide for her kids. Winner of five Emmys, it's a prestige drama at its finest.
The Beauty & the Beast
Fairy tales have never looked quite like this. Beauty & The Beast follows a determined detective who forms an unlikely connection with a former soldier forced into hiding after a secret government experiment changed his life forever. Starring Kristin Kreuk, Jay Ryan and Nina Lisandrello, this modern reimagining blends romance, crime and action into one seriously binge-worthy package.
True crime on 5
Killer at the Crime Scene
Murder, clues, and science? Yes pleaseeee. Killer at the Crime Scene shows how forensic experts follow every twist and turn to crack the case. Smart, dark, and oh-so bingeable
Cause of Death
Ever wondered what really happens behind the doors of a morgue? Cause of Death follows Senior Coroner Dr. James Adeley and his team as they investigate unexplained deaths in Lancashire & Darwen. From discovery to inquest, get exclusive access to autopsies, witness accounts, and the full coronial process. Grim, gripping, and unmissable.
Murder by the Sea
Seaside towns, fresh sea air and... murder? Murder by the Sea explores some of the most chilling real-life crimes to take place along the UK's coastlines. Beneath the postcard-perfect views lie stories packed with mystery, tragedy and shocking twists. You might not look at your next seaside getaway in quite the same way after this one.
Cold Case Killers
Long-unsolved crimes, determined detectives, and stories that will have you hooked. Cold Case Killers digs into some of Britain’s toughest fights for justice. Grab your magnifying glass and follow the investigators as they piece together the evidence, case by case.
Britain’s Hotel Murders
Checking in is easy. Checking out? Not always. Britain's Hotel Murders delves into some of the UK's most infamous killings that took place behind hotel room doors. Through expert analysis, witness accounts and dramatic reconstructions, this fascinating true-crime series uncovers the stories that made headlines and left investigators searching for answers. Lock the door and settle in for this gripping watch.
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