Best TV shows to watch on Amazon Prime Video UK

If you're a fan of action-packed drama, ancient Roman battles and gladiator-core (ahead of the anticipated Gladiator sequel, of course) then this has to be the next watch for you. Some have likened it to Game of Thrones for its violence and gore, which is to be expected as it does tell the tale of those who worked and died for the games that form the city's major source of entertainment.

While it starts off as mere chariot-racing, soon, appetites turn to gladiator combat and the Colosseum is built. If you're looking for a history lesson here then Those About to Die isn't the most accurate, rather it's a refreshing alternate history series that will have you gripped.

Morgan Cormack

Eight years after Seth Rogen's adult animated film Sausage Party arrived in cinemas and scandalised audiences around the world, the main cast are all back in this eight-episode follow-up, which sees the food establishing a safe haven dubbed Foodtopia, but finding they have to team up with humans following a massive flood.

If you weren't a fan of the first film or its style of humour, then this definitely won't be for you - the series is just as crude and shock-inducing as ever, with a near-the-knuckle sense of humour which clashes gloriously with its animation style. However, if you were a fan of the film, this is a strong, well-devised follow-up which retains everything that made the film the deliciously ridiculous piece of entertainment that it was.

James Hibbs

While it may seem like the only period drama anyone talks about these days is Bridgerton, Prime Video have just released a riotous new series that's set to delve deep into a gloriously reimagined tale.

The alternative story sees the Queen of England skip the beheading we know about from the history books. Instead, she goes on her own journey of true love, adventure, sex and more, all while trying to narrowly avoid the nefarious villains who want the crown on her head. If you're looking for something that's light-hearted, terribly addictive to watch and just plain fun, then this new eight-parter could just be the watchlist highlight for you.

Morgan Cormack

One of Prime Video's best-known and best-loved shows, The Boys, is back for its fourth season, and the end is now in sight. Showrunner Eric Kripke has confirmed that the adult superhero series, an adaptation of the comics series of the same name, will come to an end with its fifth run, meaning we only have so many more adventures with Butcher, Hughie and Starlight left to looks forward to.

The series continues to focus on the battle between a rag-tag group of vigilantes and the world's most powerful superheroes, the latter of whom are outrageous, power hungry monsters who need to be stopped. Every episode is still a riot from start to finish, but isn't for the faint of heart – filled with some of the most grotesque violence and shockingly depraved sequences you'll see on TV, The Boys really does take things to another level.

In spite of all this, one of The Boys' best attributes is actually its sense of humour, with an unapologetically satirical edge providing the show with a fun-factor that some of superhero shows just don't have.

James Hibbs

When this show, a spin-off/prequel set in the universe of John Wick, was first announced, fans wondered whether a project set in that world could ever truly work without Keanu Reeves - after all, it isn't necessarily the world-building, but his enigmatic hero and the stunningly realised action sequences which make those films the success that they are.

In truth, this series doesn't entirely set those questions to bed - it is certainly not as riveting as its big-screen counterparts. However, if you're looking for some solidly choreographed and captured action, you can do much worse, while the three-episode season makes it perfect for a binge watch.

James Hibbs

In among a sea of detective dramas and crime thrillers, it can be hard to see the wood for the trees and work out which of them are worth a watch. Thankfully, you can't go wrong with Alfred Molina's Prime series Three Pines, an adaptation of the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novel series by Louise Penny.

Featuring both succinct two episode mysteries alongside a longer mystery which runs across the series surrounding missing young women, the series has a distinct setting and feel to it, and a stand-out performance from Molina. It might not break the detective series mould, but the stories are engaging, the characters compelling and the visuals spectacular.

James Hibbs

While the first season of this horror anthology drew a mixed response from viewers and critics, the long-awaited second edition has enjoyed a warmer reception with its dark and suspenseful tale.

Them: The Scare takes us to Los Angeles in the early 1990s, where detective Dawn Reeve (Deborah Ayorinde) is tasked with finding the person responsible for the gruesome murder of a foster mother. However, there's more to this case than she could ever have imagined – and it isn't long before a sinister force begins to target her and her family.

The new season has been praised for its powerhouse performance from Ayorinde, who co-stars opposite screen legend Pam Grier (Jackie Brown) and singer-songwriter Luke James (The Chi). Meanwhile, its handling of ever-present themes such as institutional racism and generational trauma has also been highly lauded.

This being an anthology, you could dive straight into the new episodes if you'd prefer, although there is one connecting element that becomes present towards the end of season 2.

Counting down the days until James Gunn's reinvention of Superman hits cinemas? Us too.

One way to tide yourself over would be to dive back into The CW's Smallville, which is available in full on Prime Video and chronicles the early years of a certain Clark Kent (Tom Welling). Like any 'monster-of-the-week' show, not every episode is gold, but there are plenty of great characters to get invested in across the ten-season run.

The early episodes boast a particularly compelling dynamic between Clark and Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), who begin as friends, but gradually morph into the bitter rivals we know from the DC comic books. As the show goes on, expect plenty of superhero cameos, including early attempts at Aquaman (played by Reacher's Alan Ritchson, no less) and Blue Beetle.

One for the nostalgics!

Love him or loathe him, there's no getting away from Mr Jeremy Clarkson, with the latest season of his farming docuseries proving just as popular as the first two. This time, the broadcaster made it his mission to settle a family of pigs on Diddly Squat, while also trialling various methods of making money from an unused plot of land.

Expect ups and downs, mischief and arguments, and plenty more entertaining banter between Clarkson and his Diddly Squat co-worker Kaleb Cooper. The show has already been renewed for a fourth season, so this won't be our final update about life on the farm.

David Craig

Believe it or not, The Good Doctor was one of the most-watched shows on US network television during its first three seasons, but never found quite the same popularity on these shores. That's despite the star being recognisable Brit talent Freddie Highmore, who shot to fame as a child in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Finding Neverland before graduating to more adult roles with Bates Motel.

He plays Shaun Murphy, a medical doctor with autism, and his performance has been heralded as one of the show's strongest assets – even earning him a Golden Globe nomination in 2018. That said, The Good Doctor's portrayal of autism hasn't been without its detractors, with some arguing that it leans heavily on media tropes rather than offering a truly realistic exploration.

It's an element worth considering before deciding whether to watch, but American viewers clearly found a lot to like, propelling the show to seven seasons and more than 120 episodes.

David Craig

Whether you tune into the football each week or haven't watched a match in years, there's no denying that there's something about a good sports documentary that can easily captivate viewers. They're definitely having quite the moment as of late on streamers, and Prime Video has just treated Manchester United fans to a new three-part series chronicling one of the team's biggest career highs.

99 takes us back to the team's historic treble-winning season when they won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League across 10 days in 1999. Featuring exclusive interviews from some of the key players, viewers are set to go on quite the journey through time as we relive those moments and get a look at some of the vital moments in spectacular detail.

Morgan Cormack

Hacks has become a firm favourite among critics since its debut. The showbiz comedy stars Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian whose popularity is starting to wane. On a mission to revitalise her act, Vance reluctantly teams up with a “cancelled” young comedy writer named Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder).

It makes for a dynamite comedy pairing as the two take an instant disliking to one another but are forced to stick together for the sake of both their careers. The show just earned another round of Emmy nominations to go with last year’s wins, so be sure to catch up on the first two seasons now.

With a second season now available to stream on Prime Video, now is the perfect time to catch up on this western/sci-fi mash-up, starring acclaimed actor Josh Brolin. The series follows rancher Royal Abbott, who discovers a strange dark void at the edge of his land in Wyoming.

It's a slow burn show, and not for those seeking immediate sci-fi thrills or quick, easy answers to many of the mysteries it poses. However, with such a brilliant cast including Brolin, Imogen Poots and Lili Taylor, as well as the asking of some profound questions at its core, it's well worth watching for genre fanatics and general viewers alike.

James Hibbs

A post-apocalyptic drama that's funny and incredibly well put together? Sign us all the way up. In the same way that viewers didn't need to be up to scratch with The Last of Us, don't be afraid to get stuck right into Fallout if you've not had a chance to play the game.

While the video game is known as one of the world's greatest, the series follows on 200 years after the apocalypse when people rushed into vaults to stay safe if they could so afford. When one of them, Lucy, is forced to return to the surface, there are some big shocks in store as she discovers the wasteland waiting for her.

Morgan Cormack

Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Minari) leads this animated series adapted from the comic book of the same name by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman. The stellar Invincible cast also includes JK Simmons, Sandra Oh, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins and Zazie Beetz, in case you needed any more incentive to tune in.

Yeun’s Mark Grayson is just a normal teenager – except for the fact that his father, Nolan (Simmons), is the most powerful superhero on the planet. But Mark’s life grows more complicated when he begins to develop powers of his own – and learns a dark secret about his family.

Morgan Cormack

One of Prime Video's earliest original programmes, The Man in the High Castle ran for four seasons and made waves when it first arrived, but its viewership and interest dropped off somewhat over time. In truth, the quality of some of the episodes did the same, but that doesn't mean it's not worth revisiting the earlier seasons, if only for the intriguing concept.

Part alternate history, part sci-fi, it was based on the novel by Philip K Dick and centred around a group of people living in North America following the Second World War, but in this universe, the Axis Powers of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan won the war and took control of the territory.

When this series works, it really works, and that is in no small part thanks to some incredible production design and some terrific performances from the likes of Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans and particularly Rufus Sewell.

James Hibbs

With a third film on the way, Downton Abbey continues to make headlines almost 10 years after the series ended - and it's not hard to see why. While Bridgerton has recently put a new and much-loved spin on the period drama genre, Downton remains one of the most iconic historical costume dramas of all time, having amassed a huge fanbase across its run.

The show also helped to either launch or bolster the careers of its incredible cast, which included the likes of Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Dan Stevens and even the iconic Maggie Smith. Full of messy drama, historical landmarks and steamy romances, the show has had a cultural impact like very few others, and won a huge number of awards during its initial run. All six seasons are available to stream now.

James Hibbs

The first three seasons of this BBC school sitcom are now available to stream on Prime Video, and while the recent revivals of a fourth and fifth season have been more successful than many may have expected, it's still true that this really was the show's golden era.

This is in no small part due to the star power of Jack Whitehall, who not only created the show but also played the lead role of Alfie Wickers, the most incompetent yet largely well-meaning teacher imaginable. The jokes come thick and fast, with the likes of Mathew Horne and Harry Enfield also providing memorable turns, but the show also has a real heart and characters that you can truly root for.

James Hibbs

Prime Video are slowly but surely bringing out some animated hits, but this latest addition to the streamer may just usurp them all. The new series follows Dr Sleech and Dr Klak as they tackle all kinds of medical and alien-related problems. With everything from anxiety-eating parasites to deep-space STIs, this series obviously focuses on the medical tasks at hand but has the sci-fi tones of Rick & Morty, while also being very hilarious.

We can't forgo mentioning the terribly star-studded cast in the series as well, with the likes of Natasha Lyonne, Keke Palmer, Stephanie Hsu and more all lending their voices for the show. If you're looking for a slightly random hoot of a watch, then look no further.

Morgan Cormack

Recreating a film as a TV series is no easy feat but actually, this re-imagining of Mr & Mrs Smith has done a great job of taking what you thought the series was going to end up being and flipping it on its head.

The series follows two people who are employed by a secret spy organisation to complete dangerous missions for a big sum of money. Glover and Maya Erskine star as newly appointed John and Jane Smith who, in the midst of these missions, start to develop real feelings for each other. The love story is a sweet one, interspersed with some tense action sequences, but the series also packs a punch with its star-studded cast, that will take you by surprise almost as much as how watchable this series is.

Morgan Cormack

If you’ve seen Nicole Kidman in the likes of Big Little Lies or The Undoing, you’ll know she does a frazzled, wealthy mother character rather excellently – and since all of these roles feel very similar tonally, the real gems of Expats are more in the performances from her co-leads, Sarayu Blue and Ji-young Yoo.

These three women each represent a different facet of the expat community in Hong Kong in 2014 and, set against the political backdrop of the time, the series also gives a voice to the underrepresented domestic workers who have come to the wealthy city with hopes for more. Class and privilege are interrogated with detail, while the cinematic feel of the show will keep you engaged throughout.

Morgan Cormack

This Western series, a collaboration between the BBC and Prime Video, was one of the most acclaimed shows of 2022, picking up both BAFTA and BAFTA Craft Awards nominations and garnering some exceptional reviews. Plus, it stars Emily Blunt, Chaske Spencer, Rafe Spall and Toby Jones, among others – what’s not to like?

It’s a thrilling revenge story which goes to some dark places, but is also rooted in a deep exploration of character. It is one of the most visually striking Westerns ever put to screen, too, with bold, bright colours to contrast some of the darker subject matters. It flew somewhat under the radar when it first aired on the BBC, but is definitely worth checking out.

James Hibbs

Alan Ritchson follows in the footsteps of Tom Cruise (no mean feat) to take on the titular role of the military veteran in Amazon’s new adaptation of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels. RadioTimes.com‘s review says the drama is “cleverly plotted, perfectly paced and isn’t short of depth”.

Now, we’re back for season 2, and it picks up two years after season 1 – with Jack trying to lead a more peaceful life. That is until he’s made aware of the chilling fact that members of his former army unit have been killed one by one, so it’s up to him and his former teammates to investigate.

Morgan Cormack