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
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.
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!
Nashville
Cowboy hats and mics at the ready? Nashville dives into the rivalry between country singing queen Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) whose stardom is beginning to fade and rising powerhouse Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) who is hungry for the spotlight. Exploring the highs and lows of fame, as well as romance, growing up and loss, this show delivers incredddible music (even if country music isn’t your fave) and an excellent exploration into the behind the scenes of the music industry – trust us it’s just soooo good. This glitzy series comes from Callie Khouri, the writer behind Thelma and Louise.
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.
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.
True crime on 5
The Vanishings
Inspired by real, still-unsolved disappearances, The Vanishings follows journalist Lisa Wallace (India Mullen) as a chilling letter from her mother’s killer hints another woman is in danger. Teaming up with Detective David Burkley (Allen Leech), she races to uncover the truth before history repeats itself. Gripping, emotional, and haunting, this thriller will have fans of The Fall and Broadchurch glued to the screen.
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.
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.
Find all your Channel 5 favourites (and more!) right here on Freely. Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest telly scoops.
