Best TV shows to watch on NOW

Widely regarded as one of the best television shows of all time, now is the perfect opportunity to revisit The Wire (or binge watch for the first time). The gritty crime drama takes place on the city streets of West Baltimore, which are gripped by criminal gangs and the trade of illegal drugs. Dominic West (The Affair) plays Detective Jimmy McNulty, tasked with leading the police investigation into one of the most prominent drug dealing organisations. The Wire was critically acclaimed throughout its five-season run, taking an unflinching look at real world problems with a stunning cast that includes Idris Elba (Luther), Lance Reddick (John Wick) and several guest stars who have gone on to become huge names.

A harrowing, vital re-telling of the 1986 disaster that saw a Ukrainian city destroyed by an incident at a nuclear power plant. Chernobyl made waves the world over with its horrifying and extremely intense recreation of the event, featuring superb performances from Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard, Emily Watson and Jessie Buckley. It tells a relevant story about the danger of lies, particularly from those in power.

Another acclaimed HBO drama available to binge on NOW, Big Love tells the story of polygamist Bill Henrickson (Bill Paxton), as he deals with the inevitable complications of having three wives and seven children. The ups and downs of this unconventional family include some powerful emotional moments, performed by a stellar cast that includes Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!), Bruce Dern (The Hateful Eight), Harry Dean Stanton (Alien) and Mary Kay Place (Lady Dynamite).

There’s more to this thriller than meets the eye. Writer and star Lennie James (Line of Duty) plays the estranged father of a teenage girl who is accused of her abduction. That kick-starts the story of this ensemble piece that includes the impeccable Suranne Jones (Gentleman Jack) as the girl’s mum. A follow-up series titled Save Me Too picks up 17 months after the events of the first. RadioTimes.com gave the sequel a glowing five-star review, describing it as “an absolute knockout”.

Jude Law stars as tyrannical pontiff Lenny Belardo in The Young Pope, a visually stunning series from arthouse film director Paolo Sorrentino. Just a few years later, the creative duo returned for a sequel series titled The New Pope which gave an insight into more Vatican drama, this time with iconic actor John Malkovich in tow. Both shows are available to stream on NOW right now.

Oscar Isaac takes the lead role in this drama from The Wire’s David Simon, exploring a landmark case in which an attempt to build public housing in a middle-class neighbourhood had devastating effects across the city. The performances are stellar across the board, but Isaac gives a particularly strong turn in the lead.

Clive Owen stars in this series from superstar filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, which follows the challenges of a chief surgeon at a hospital in the early 1900s. The series received critical acclaim across its two seasons, handling sensitive themes like drug addiction and racism.

A viciously fun, sleek, witty story of attack and defence between the preposterously powerful US Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) and his nemesis, hedge-fund billionaire Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis). Glossy and soapy, Billions encapsulates everything we love to hate about the super-wealthy.

This four-part miniseries is based on Elizabeth Strout’s novel of the same name, chronicling 25 years in the life of a retired school teacher facing several personal issues. Academy Award winner Frances McDormand takes the title role of Olive Kitteridge, serving as yet another showcase for her incredible acting talent. Those not wishing to commit to a long-running series may find this a strong option, with its four tightly written episodes.

Steve Buscemi stars in this acclaimed crime drama, which takes you back to 1920s prohibition-era America, where the corrupt treasurer of Atlantic County negotiates shady deals with powerful mobs and mafias. Through this, he has awarded himself a lavish lifestyle, but one that draws suspicion from the federal government, thus placing him under the microscope. How long can he continue this dangerous game before something has to give?

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the lead role in this five-part series, which follows a man from a privileged yet abusive background, who develops severe problems with drug addiction later in life. The acclaimed series is based on the novels of Edward St Aubyn and won a BAFTA award for best miniseries in 2019…

Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren ascends to the throne in an epic four-part series about Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-ruling female leader and one of the most powerful female monarchs in history. The drama follows Catherine towards the end of her reign and puts the spotlight on her passionate affair with Grigory Potemkin, played by Jason Clarke…

Don’t miss Steven Spielberg’s 12-hour mini-series Band of Brothers, about one US army regiment’s extraordinary Second World War adventures – once voted one of the best box sets of all time by RadioTimes.com users…

Sci-fi legend Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Star Wars) takes the lead role in this darkly comedic drama, which follows an alien who takes on the identity of a small-town doctor after crash-landing on Earth. After becoming involved in a murder investigation, he gets acquainted with several locals and begins to reconsider his mission to wipe out all human life on the planet. This quirky series, now in its second season, has seen strong reviews from critics and features iconic Terminator star Linda Hamilton in a recurring role.

All three seasons of this fantasy series about a witch and a vampire who form an uneasy alliance to solve the mysteries in a bewitched manuscript. Starring Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer, this time hopping series combined compelling mysteries, electric chemistry between the two leads and more than enough magical creatures to keep things interesting. What's not to like?

HBO’s epic adaptation of George RR Martin’s fantasy novels took the world by storm, with millions tuning in to the finale to find out who exactly would take the legendary Iron Throne. Admittedly, the ending wasn’t to everybody’s liking but the fact remains that Game of Thrones was home to some incredible writing and world building in its earlier seasons. If you missed out on the series originally or just want to relive its most memorable moments, it’s now available to stream in its entirety.

This dark fantasy drama reinterprets iconic characters from gothic literature in a Victorian London setting, including Dorian Gray, Van Helsing, Dr Frankenstein and his famous monster. Not for the faint-hearted, this series built up a devoted fanbase across its acclaimed three-season run, telling a suspenseful story that never shied away from violence, gore and frightening beasts. Timothy Dalton (Doom Patrol), Eva Green (The Luminaries) and Billie Piper (Doctor Who) lead the cast.

Part of the DC Comics television universe, Legends of Tomorrow sees an eclectic team of superheroes working together on time-hopping adventures. Fans of Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl will get the most out of this series, particularly when it comes to the ambitious crossover episodes, but those looking for some lighthearted comic book action should find this fits the bill. Legends features a large ensemble cast which includes Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Caity Lotz (Arrow), Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who), Wentworth Miller (Prison Break) and Matt Ryan (Constantine).

Legendary comedy mind Armando Iannucci (I’m Alan Partridge, The Thick of It) teams up with iconic actor Hugh Laurie (The Night Manager, Roadkill) for this charming sci-fi comedy. The story follows life aboard the luxury spaceship Avenue 5 – when its eight-week cruise is knocked catastrophically off course, its passengers are stuck on a plodding three-year trajectory back to Earth. Panic ensues about the limited resources, with Captain Ryan Clark (Laurie) forced to tackle one crisis after another. Not quite up there with Iannucci’s finest work, but a solid sci-fi comedy nonetheless (which has been renewed for season two).

This fantasy horror series ran for seven seasons on HBO, starring Anna Paquin (X-Men) as a telepathic waitress who falls in love with a vampire. Make no mistake, this is no Twilight clone. True Blood is well known for its gore and has received recognition from both the Golden Globes and Emmy Awards…

This science-fiction series starring Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man and the Wasp), Aaron Ashmore (Warehouse 13) and Luke Macfarlane (Brothers & Sisters) ran for five seasons in which it accumulated an avid fanbase, and the fifth season is available to stream now. The show follows three intergalactic bounty hunters out for themselves during a period of political turmoil. They’ll have to confront deadly foes and their own troubled pasts along the way…

Long before the money moved from film to TV, Blue Velvet director David Lynch had dipped his toe in the water with this mystery series that would go on to become one of the biggest cult hits of the 1990s. Then, in 2017, David Lynch brought his surrealist drama back from the dead after a 16-year hiatus, and it’s just as brilliant and bonkers as we could have hoped.

British comedy heavyweight Simon Blackwell (Peep Show, Back) is behind this sitcom about the difficulties of parenthood. Martin Freeman (The Office) and Daisy Haggard (Back to Life) play Paul and Ally Worsley, who have their hands full with two high maintenance children and other family dramas to contend with. They aren’t afraid to voice their frustration either, as Breeders packs some dark humour throughout. The show has been praised for exposing the ugly truth of parenting and has been renewed for a third season.