10 must-see shows from January and February 2025

The New Year is an excellent time to watch plenty of telly – whether that’s because you’re doing Dry January, you’re skint after a big-spending festive period, or you just don’t fancy going out to brave the weather. But with the best will in the world, it’s not possible to catch all the great TV shows that come our way in the early part of the year, a time when the schedules are packed with top-quality shows.

We don’t want you to miss out – and that’s why we’ve picked our favourite shows of 2025 so far. We guarantee you’ll find something to entertain you here, so scroll down to find your new binge watch.

Stream it now in Apps > ITVX

What it is: Martin Clunes is a bereaved farmer who finds his livelihood under threat from economic problems and criminal gangs, and takes matters into his own hands.

Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour

Why you should stream it: If your life has a Happy Valley-shaped hole in it, this tension-filled story of rural crime should fill it perfectly. It paints a vivid and convincing picture of the difficulties faced by farmers in modern Britain, from pressure to sell their land for commercial use to the fact that their children have no interest in their inheritance if it means hard work.

But it’s Clunes who’s the real revelation: best known for comedy and gentle dramas like Doc Martin, he’s entering what you might call his Liam Neeson era, as a grizzled traditionalist who isn’t going to stand for any nefarious activity… and is also armed. 

Stream it now in Apps > Netflix

What it is: A detective investigates an apparent abduction and soon finds that the case has links to the murder of her father and the abrupt ending of her engagement.

Number of episodes: 5 x 41-46 minutes

Why you should stream it: Since 2020’s The Stranger, a Netflix adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel has been a regular New Year treat, and 2024’s Fool Me Once in particular was hugely popular. Now 2025 has brought us this intricately plotted thriller, with Slow Horses’ Rosalind Eleazar as Kat Donovan, a classic Coben protagonist betrayed and let down by men at every turn.

It’s fast-moving stuff, with shocking revelations occurring at agreeably frequent intervals. The producers have assembled a terrific cast: Marc Warren (Van Der Valk), James Nesbitt (Suspect), Jessica Plummer (EastEnders), Lenny Henry (Broadchurch), Steve Pemberton (Inside No.9), Ashley Walters (Top Boy), Samantha Spiro (Sex Education) and of course, Richard Armitage, who’s appeared in all the English-language Coben series on Netflix.

Stream it now in Apps > BBC iPlayer. Series 1-2 and the US, Australian and New Zealand versions also available, as well as companion show The Traitors: Uncloaked

What it is: Another dose of Round Table-based skulduggery as the Faithfuls and Traitors strive to outmanoeuvre each other, while host Claudia Winkleman watches on archly.

Number of episodes: 12 x 1 hour (the finale is slightly longer)

Why you should stream it: Even if you’ve not previously got on board with this phenomenally successful competition show – over 10 million have watched the series 3 finale – you can dive straight into the most recent edition and immerse yourself in the scheming shenanigans. And if you’re a fan who’s wondering how they’ll keep it fresh third time around, don’t worry: as well as creative variations on previous tasks, there are ace new ones too, with the creepy backwards-talking dolls a particular highlight.

The makers proved that they were unafraid to take risks with an especially surprising twist in the finale that introduced a whole new category of contestant. Plus, of course, the magnificent Claudia remains iconic.

Stream it now on Paramount+

What it is: Detectives Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles) and Lou Stanley (Dougray Scott) hunt a serial killer in this adaptation of a Scandinavian crime thriller shifted to Britain.

Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour

Why you should stream it: Writer Milly Thomas and directors Charles Martin and Rebecca Rycroft do a sterling job of translating the chilly, brooding Scandi noir atmosphere to the West Country, helped by the truly disturbing premise of Erik Axl Sund’s source novel. As in the best crime dramas, nothing is what it seems and no one is to be trusted.

The cast are excellent: Myles (Keeping Faith, We Hunt Together) and Scott (Irvine Welsh’s Crime, Vigil) are well versed in the genre and make the complicated police business look effortless, and Katherine Kelly (Liar, Criminal: UK, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office) plays to her strengths perfectly as aloof psychologist Dr Craven. Propulsive, compelling and unsettling.

Stream it now in Apps > ITVX. Series 1-13 also available

What it is: The final mystery for Brenda Blethyn’s much-loved dowdy detective as she bows out after well over a decade on our screens.

Number of episodes: 2 x 2 hours

Why you should stream it: Like Shetland’s Jimmy Perez, also created by master crime writer Ann Cleeves, Vera Stanhope has earned a place in the canon of great TV detectives. And the series ended its run with a surprisingly emotional mystery, one that brought forth parallels with Vera’s early life – something we hadn’t seen much of – as she investigated the disappearance of a young woman with whom she felt a certain kinship. It’s an unexpected, quite un-Vera way to see her off, and one that made the series’ ending all the more bittersweet.

Stream it now in Apps > U

What it is: The TOWIE graduate and Strictly star helps the charity Dogs Trust to rehabilitate and rehome rescued dogs. 

Number of episodes: 4 x 45 minutes

Why you should stream it: You may not think the flamboyantly groomed and coiffed Wicks is to your taste at first, but we defy anyone not to be won over by this sweet-natured Essex lad after watching him in any of his TV appearances – from Celebrity MasterChef to Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and especially his triumphant run to the Strictly semi-final last year. And he’s in his element presenting this heartwarming series, in which his genuine love for animals is front and centre. If you get through it without shedding a tear, we suggest double-checking whether your heart is made of actual stone.

Stream it now in Apps > BBC iPlayer. Series 1 also available

What it is: The continuation of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight’s fact-based wartime drama about the early days of the Special Air Service.

Number of episodes: 6 x 1 hour

Why you should stream it: “Period drama” usually conjures up images of corsets and bonnets, but if that’s not your thing, don’t worry. This series meticulously recreates the mid-20th century for another bracing series of perilous combat missions. With the shrewd David Stirling (Connor Swindells) imprisoned and out of action this time, command falls to the more reckless Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell), and viewers get to see the contrast between two approaches to military strategy: cautious and bullish.

The budget is very much all up on the screen, including scenes filmed in Italy and Croatia as well as various British locations. This is muscular, high-class entertainment.

Stream it now in Apps > Netflix

What it is: A fact-based drama in which an Australian wellness blogger who claimed to have cured her own cancer through unorthodox methods is unmasked as a fraud.

Number of episodes: 6 x 55-65 minutes

Why you should stream it: It’s a sobering tale of how gaining some influence can lead to desperate corruption – and why you shouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet. Belle Gibson starts out offering wellness advice on social media with the best intentions. But when she gains a huge following, the exaggerations begin to spin out of control as lies are stacked upon lies.

It’s part of a mini-trend (which includes Netflix’s Inventing Anna) of shows about real people brought down after being hoisted by their own hubris – you might call them Icarus stories. Smartly scripted, it’s also an opportunity to watch Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart, Dopesick), one of America’s best young actors, at work as she delivers a tour de force performance with a virtually note-perfect Aussie accent.

Stream series 1 part 1 now in Apps > Prime Video

What it is: A glimpse into the life of reality TV star and influencer Molly-Mae Hague as she juggles her social media presence, business, romance and press intrusion.

Number of episodes: 3 x 35 minutes

Why you should stream it: With eight million Instagram followers, Molly-Mae is one of the faces of the social media age in the UK, and her profile was only boosted by her romance with Love Island paramour and boxer Tommy Fury. If you’re tuning in for relationship gossip, though, you won’t find it. Instead this is an insightful and often surprising look behind the scenes of an online megastar, and although it’s clear that the subject and the programme-makers are carefully guarding how much information about her is released, that tells its own story.

How much of Molly-Mae’s curated persona is genuine? Are we seeing the “real” Molly-Mae? What does her career say about 21st-century celebrity? Behind It All both answers and raises pertinent questions, and we can’t wait for the next batch of episodes coming in the spring.

Stream it now in On Demand > Sky Max. Seasons 1-2 also available

What it is: After weeks of trying to escape, the Township’s inhabitants are starting to slip into desperation – but there is a glimmer of hope.

Number of episodes: 10 x 1 hour

Why you should stream it: This creepy sci-fi series has steadily become one of the most gripping shows on TV but it’s flown under the radar somewhat, so we wouldn’t blame you if you missed it. With its characters trapped in a isolated location and experiencing constant mysterious occurrences, it’s got some serious Lost vibes – helped by the presence of the superb Harold Perrineau (who played Michael Dawson in the hit 2000s show) as the town’s sheriff. While Lost ended up dividing viewers with its labyrinthine storylines, the reviews for FROM have been glowing, and the focus is firmly on solving the riddle of the Township’s powers.

Amandaland

Stream series 1 now in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Hilarious spin-off from the sitcom Motherland, starring Lucy Punch and Joanna Lumley.

Boyzone: No Matter What

Stream it now in On Demand > Sky Documentaries

Eye-opening look behind the scenes at life in a big-selling boyband.

Brian & Maggie

Stream it now in Apps > Channel 4

Fascinating re-enactment of a momentous political interview, with Harriet Walter as Margaret Thatcher.

Clean Slate

Stream it now in Apps > Prime Video

Desiree (Laverne Cox) is forced to move back in with her ageing father in a heartwarming family comedy.

Miss Austen

Stream it now in Apps > BBC iPlayer

Stylish adaptation of Gill Hornby’s novel based on the curious life of Jane Austen’s sister Cassandra.

Mo

Stream season 2 now in Apps > Netflix. Season 1 also available

Immigration high jinks and falafel tacos in Mo Amer’s brilliantly barbed comedy.

Paradise

Stream it now in Apps > Disney+

This Is Us’s Sterling K Brown in a futuristic thriller about a serene community torn apart by a shocking murder.

Playing Nice

Stream it now in Apps > ITVX

Provocative drama focusing on a horrifying medical error, starring James Norton and Niamh Algar.

The Recruit

Stream season 2 now in Apps > Netflix. Season 1 also available

The fast-moving thriller series returns for more espionage excitement with Noah Centineo.

The Tattooist’s Son: Journey To Auschwitz

Stream it now in On Demand > Sky HISTORY

Gary Sokolov – son of Lali, the subject of The Tattooist Of Auschwitz – travels to the camp in this sobering documentary marking 80 years since its liberation.

If you’re a Virgin TV 360 box or Stream from Virgin Media customer, you can get Paramount+ direct on your telly once you’ve got a subscription to the service. Simply sign up online, then log in on the box. And because Paramount+ is fully integrated into Virgin TV 360 and Stream, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after. You can also voice search Paramount+ shows with your remote, or say “Paramount Plus” to get to the app even faster.

Prime Video is available to all Virgin TV customers with a V6 box, powered by TiVo^®, and a subscription to the service. Simply sign up to Amazon Prime via the website, and you can log in on the box. And because Prime Video is fully integrated into TiVo^®, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after. Virgin TV 360 customers can also find Prime Video shows and launch the app with voice search.