While Netflix might still be the first port of call for a lot of TV fans, its collection of great shows is rivalled by NOW (formerly known as NOW TV), which boasts a huge wealth of prestige drama box sets and brand new shows.

The latest season of Grey’s Anatomy is available on the streamer, so you can keep up-to-date with the same episodes that Stateside viewers are watching.

Season 17 has been particularly dramatic, with rumours that Ellen Pompeo may be exiting the series; her character Meredith Grey is still unconscious and on a ventilator after catching COVID-19.

Alan Tudyk’s latest sci-fi treat Resident Alien also recently premiered on Sky One, meaning episodes are being added weekly to NOW.

Alternatively, take a deep dive into the archives with some of the most legendary television shows of all-time available at your fingertips, including Twin Peaks, Game of Thrones, The Sopranos and The Wire.

Here’s everything you need to know about the best shows on NOW at the moment so you can stop scrolling and start streaming!

Last updated 16th April 2021.

Brand New

The Flight Attendant

The Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco was Golden Globe-nominated for her turn in this globe-trotting mystery thriller, starring as the eponymous flight attendant Cassie Bowden. One morning, Cassie wakes up to discover the man she’d spent a night with is dead – with no knowledge of how it happened. When the FBI intervenes, she slowly starts to piece the night together, as she aims to work how who could have been responsible.

Drama

Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy season 17 is here, and the Grey Sloan doctors have found themselves on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic while Meredith is on a ventilator and fighting for her life, all while experiencing beach-set hallucinations (with prominent past characters from the show reprising their roles).

The Comey Rule

If you can’t get enough of American politics following all the drama around last year’s election, check out Golden Globe-nominated miniseries The Comey Rule. The two-parter follows former FBI Director James Comey as he investigates Hillary Clinton’s email scandal and deals with Donald Trump during his early days in office, up until his high-profile dismissal in 2017.

Written by Captain Phillips’ Billy Ray and based on Comey’s autobiography, this drama stars Emmy-winning actor Jeff Daniels (Dumb and Dumber, The Martian, The Newsroom) as Comey and Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter, Braveheart) as a scarily-accurate Trump, alongside the likes of Michael Kelly, Jennifer Ehle and Holly Hunter.

Euphoria

Ahead of the much-anticipated Euphoria season two, catch up on both the first season and the latest special, Euphoria: Trouble Don’t Last Always, starring Emmy-winner Zendaya in a one-off ‘bridge’ episode set at a diner, during which drug-addicted teen Rue (Zendaya) has a frank conversation with her sobriety coach.

True Detective season 3

Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali plays the titular detective Wayne Hays, a Vietnam veteran who previously worked as a tracker, in this third instalment of the creepy crime anthology series (originally starring Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson).

The third season of True Detective is set in three alternating time periods – 1980, 1990, and 2015 – and begins following the disappearance of two children.

Dexter

All eights seasons of Showtime’s crime drama Dexter are now available for NOW subscribers to take a stab at (no pun intended), with Michael C. Hall starring as the titular forensic technician and vigilante serial killer.

The award-winning series, based on Jeff Lindsay’s novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter, follows Dexter – an adopted sociopath who channels his murderous tendencies into killing criminals who slip through the justice system but struggles to juggle a double life.

With a stellar cast including Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, Lauren Vélez, James Remar and guest stars John Lithgow, Julia Stiles and Jonny Lee Miller, Dexter is the perfect watch for fans of darkly hilarious and twisted psychological thrillers.

Tin Star

With series three of this Sky Atlantic title about to land on NOW, now is the perfect time to get into Tin Star – a crime drama starring Tim Roth as a former London detective who becomes the new police chief of small Canadian town Little Big Bear. However, when Roth’s violent past catches up with him, his wife Angela (Genevieve O’Reilly) calls into action Jack Devlin – Jim’s violent alcoholic alter-ego – to fight any potential threats to their family. Also starring Christina Hendricks, Abigail Lawrie and Ian Pulestone-Davies.

The Third Day

Arguably one of the most innovative new shows of 2020, The Third Day is the latest from Utopia creator Dennis Kelly, and boasts a starry cast including Jude Law, Naomie Harris, Paddy Considine and Emily Watson. Heavily influenced by folk horror films such as The Wicker Man, the series tells of a mysterious island community, called Osea, and the fates of two seemingly separate people who find themselves visiting the island. The series is also notable for featuring a highly unusual middle section – which saw a 12-hour live event broadcast on Sky Arts, the highlights of which are available along with the rest of the series on NOW.

Good Lord Bird

Based on the novel of the same name, period drama Good Lord Bird stars Ethan Hawke and is set in the 1850s, and follows a fictional enslaved boy, Henry, who joins the motley crew of anti-slavery soldiers headed up by real-life abolitionist John Brown. The group’s participation in civil confrontations culminate in the real-life 1859 raid on the Army depot at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, famous for being the instigating event that kickstarted the American Civil War. Joshua Caleb Johnson plays Henry, while Hamilton star Daveed Diggs guest stars as famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Riviera

This Sky Atlantic drama stars Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You) as Georgina Clios, an American art curator whose life if upended when her billionaire husband Constantine Clios (Anthony LaPaglia) dies in a yachting accident. When Georgina begins to dig deeper into her husband’s death, she soon becomes caught up in a world of lies, double-dealing and nefarious crime. Starring Adrian Lester, Juliet Stevenson, Iwan Rheon, Will Arnett and Rupert Graves, Riviera is worth catching up on with season three on its way.

The Night Of

Riz Ahmed (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) stars in this dark crime story as a naive college student accused of killing a young woman. Across eight suspenseful episodes, The Night Of follows his desperate attempts to prove his innocence and delves into the lives of those affected by his case. There are twists and turns aplenty as the truth is slowly revealed in one of the most gripping legal dramas of recent memory, with John Turturro also starring as a cynical defence attorney.

Gangs of London

Since debuting on Sky Atlantic, Gangs of London has become the channel’s second largest original drama ever after last year’s acclaimed Chernobyl miniseries. It isn’t hard to see why, as the violent thriller has seen strong praise across the board, with RadioTimes.com describing it as “The Godfather meets The Raid” in a four-star Gangs of London review. Unsurprisingly, Gangs of London was recently renewed for a second season, so there has never been a better time to get caught up.

Succession

Fans of satire rejoice, because Jesse Armstrong’s Succession is back on NOW TV! The hit series takes you inside a media organisation owned by a dysfunctional family, who begin vying for power when the patriarch steps down from his role. Known for effortlessly blending gripping drama with dark comedy, Succession stars a brilliant ensemble cast that includes Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin and Matthew Macfadyen.

The Sopranos

Considered by many to be one of the greatest TV series of all time, The Sopranos stars the late James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, originally an underboss of the DiMeo crime family who works his way to become the mafia’s undisputed boss. The series follows his attempts to balance his family life, criminal career and panic attacks, turning to therapist Jennifer Melfi for help with the latter. Featuring Edie Falco, Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli, this American crime drama is a binge-worthy addition to NOW.

The Wire

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.

Chernobyl

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 an eerily relevant story about the danger of lies, particularly from those in power…

Big Love

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).

Save Me and Save Me Too

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 has recently debuted as a box set on NOW, picking 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.”

The Young Pope & The New Pope

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.

Show Me A Hero

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.

The Knick

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.

Billions

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.

Olive Kitteridge

This two-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.

Deadwood

Ian McShane and Timothy Olyphant lead this foul-mouthed Western drama, set in the gold-mining camp of Deadwood in the year 1876. Despite a critically acclaimed initial run in the mid-noughties, this series was cancelled after three seasons when it couldn’t find a large enough audience. However, thanks to intense fan interest, it returned this year for a much-lauded film adaptation…

Boardwalk Empire

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?

Patrick Melrose

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…

Catherine the Great

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…

Band of Brothers

Don’t miss Steven Spielberg’s 12-hour mini-series 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/Fantasy

Resident Alien

Available until 1st May 2021

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 new series has seen strong reviews from critics and features iconic Terminator star Linda Hamilton in a recurring role.

A Discovery of Witches

Available until 4th April 2021

It’s been more than two years since A Discovery of Witches first arrived on our screens, but this follow-up looks as if it was worth the wait. The story picks up where the season one finale left off, as historian and witch Diana Bishop finds herself travelling far into the past with vampire Matthew Clairmont as the magical world closes in around them. In these brand new episodes, Diana will have to hone her powerful abilities while settling into her new life in 16th century London – although threats from both past and present remain at large.

Westworld

Widely touted as HBO’s next big thing now that Game of Thrones has wrapped up, Westworld is a science-fiction series that takes place in a Western themed amusement park populated by robots. After the first two seasons achieved critical acclaim, the third was released to a slightly less positive response as the story takes on a broader scope. Still, this is one of the most talked about shows on television, with a star-studded cast including Thandie Newton (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Tessa Thompson (Thor: Ragnarok) and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad).

Watchmen

This superb drama from 2019 serves as a follow-up to Alan Moore’s ground-breaking graphic novel of the same name, condensing the action to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where police officers are forced to hide their identities for their own safety. Regina King plays Angela Abar, also known by her nickname Sister Night, who is part of the force opposing a rising white supremacist group. All the while, the question lingers: where is Doctor Manhattan? Expect plenty of twists and turns in this gripping series of Watchmen, which stays true to the comic books while offering a timely story about race in America.

Game of Thrones

HBO’s epic adaptation of George R.R. 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.

Penny Dreadful

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.

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

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).

True Blood

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…

Killjoys

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. 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…

Britannia

David Morrissey and Mackenzie Crook star in the new second series of the fantastically freaked-out, dizzy, kaleidoscopic view of Romans in Britain. Described by our reviewer as “Game of Thrones meets the most debauched year you ever had at Glastonbury,” it also has plenty of British humour, a nod to our own fascinating history and some terrific dialogue…

Twin Peaks

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. Featuring strong performances, a gorgeous soundtrack and plenty of surreal moments, it’s a truly mesmerising watch that recently saw a comeback…

Twin Peaks: The Return

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.

Comedy

Breeders

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 was praised for exposing the ugly truth of parenting and has been renewed for a second season.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David’s long-running comedy series has maintained a consistently high level of quality throughout, placing the hapless comedian and television producer in some hilariously awkward situations along the way. Curb Your Enthusiasm is largely improvised, which only goes to make its witty one-liners all the more impressive and a testament to the talented cast. The 10th season premiered earlier this year with guest stars including Vince Vaughn and Timothy Olyphant.

Only Fools and Horses

With the 40th anniversary of Only Fools and Horses just around the corner, it’s worth revisiting the iconic British sitcom starring Sir David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and Lennard Pearce as a trio of South London traders whose series of unsuccessful get-rich-quick schemes lead to hilarious situations.

With a stellar supporting cast including Roger Lloyd-Pack, John Challis, Sue Holderness, Buster Merryfield and Tessa Peake-Jones, this BAFTA-winning comedy is a staple of British culture with seven series available to dig into on NOW TV.

Saturday Night Live

Long-running US sketch show Saturday Night Live has crossed the pond and landed on NOW, with episodes hosted by the likes of Adele, John Mulaney, Chris Rock, RuPaul and Harry Styles now available to catch-up on. Best known for its searing political sketches, this late-night NBC variety show has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in comedy over the last 45 years, from Bill Murray and Will Ferrell to Amy Poehler and Tina Fey.

Barry

Bill Hader stars in this offbeat comedy-drama about a hitman who travels to Los Angeles for a contract, but ends up taking an acting class and falling in love with a new vocation. But of course, getting out of his dangerous line of work is no easy feat, meaning he has to juggle managing his criminal associates with pursuing his real passion in life. Barry has received glowing reviews from television critics and major awards recognition, including Emmy wins for Hader and his co-star Henry Winkler (Arrested Development).

Avenue 5

Legendary comedy mind Armando Ianucci (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 Ianucci’s finest work, but a solid sci-fi comedy nonetheless (which has already been renewed for season two).

30 Rock

Tina Fey writes and stars in this Emmy-winning sitcom as Liz Lemon, the head writer and showrunner of NBC sketch series TGS with Tracy Jordan who spends her time supervising the show’s cast – egotistical Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) and loose-canon Tracy (Tracy Jordan) – whilst seeking advice from network executive Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin).

With a star-studded cast which includes Jack McBrayer, Judah Friedlander and various A-list guest stars (Isabella Rossellini, Will Arnett, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston), 30 Rock is a perfect light comedy for those missing the workplace.

Enlightened

Laura Dern (Marriage Story) stars in this comedy-drama about a woman reintegrating into her old life after suffering a mental breakdown. She is determined to bring her newfound positive mindset to everything she does, but ultimately finds herself always battling the harsh realities of the modern world. Enlightened enjoyed critical acclaim when it first aired on HBO, telling an inspiring story with wonderful performances from Dern and on-screen mother Diane Ladd.

The Office (US)

This US remake of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s beloved British sitcom managed to justify its own existence with well drawn characters like Steve Carrell’s painfully cringey boss Michael Scott, John Krasinski’s loveable paper salesman Jim Halpert, and Dwight Schrute, the eccentric antagonist, played by Rainn Wilson. It went on a little longer than it should have, but the golden years (seasons 2-5) of The Office are here to be savoured.

Pen15

Hollywood has been known to cast adult actors in high school dramas before, but Pen15 takes that idea to the next level. Co-creators and stars Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, both 33 years old in real life, play their 13-year-old selves among a cast populated primarily by child actors. It sets the tone of this zany comedy produced by The Lonely Island, which depicts school life in all its awkward glory, never shying away from cringeworthy moments.

Sally4Ever

Sally4Ever is a critically acclaimed sitcom from the mind of writer-director Julia Davis, which picked up the award for Best Scripted Comedy at the 2019 television BAFTAs. The series follows Sally (Catherine Shepherd), who finds herself bored by quiet suburban life with her boyfriend, so she embarks on an exciting affair with seductive actress Emma (Davis). Be warned: viewer discretion is advised. Sally4Ever contains an awful lot of inappropriate and absurd humour, but there’s something engrossing about its bizarre love story.

Yonderland

This fantasy sitcom comes from the comedy team behind Horrible Histories and BBC One’s Ghosts, delivering more of the family friendly fun they have become well known for. This time, the action centres around Martha Howe-Douglas as suburban housewife Debbie Maddox, who finds herself yearning for some adventure. She gets just that, when an elf appears in her cupboard telling her that she’s destined to be the saviour of a magical realm known as Yonderland. As you might expect, chaos ensues.

Miracle Workers

Adapted from humorist Simon Rich’s novels and short stories, Miracle Workers is a conceptual anthology series which is criminally underrated, with both seasons available to watch on NOW. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lolly Adefope among others, the first series of this witty comedy follows low-level angel Craig (Radcliffe), who works in the Prayers Department in Heaven and together with recent transfer from the Department of Dirt, Eliza (Viswanathan) must achieve a seemingly impossible miracle to convince an apathetic God (Buscemi) not to destroy Earth.

Parks and Recreation

Amy Poehler stars in this beloved sitcom as dedicated public servant Leslie Knope who works tirelessly for the parks department of Pawnee, Indiana. Across its seven seasons, the show accumulated a die-hard fanbase and it isn’t hard to see why. There’s a colourful cast of characters here to get acquainted with, including Chris Pratt as the dim-witted Andy Dwyer and Nick Offerman as the legendary Ron Swanson. This is feel good television at its best. The series recently returned for a quarantine special, which is yet to make it to the UK.

Peep Show

David Mitchell and Robert Webb star in this acclaimed sitcom, which takes a delightfully cynical look at the modern world through the eyes of Mark Corrigan and Jeremy Usbourne. One is cold, pessimistic and desperate to climb the corporate ladder, the other is selfish, lazy and considers the washing-up to be a good day’s work. It’s a classic odd couple pairing played perfectly, with some of the sharpest writing to ever grace a British sitcom.

• Peep Show star Isy Suttie on the sitcom’s legacy and where it’s characters could be today

Gavin and Stacey

This beloved British sitcom needs no introduction, but we’ll give it one anyway. Essex lad Gavin (Matthew Horne) falls in love with Stacey, a young woman living in Barry Island, South Wales. If their romance is to last, they’ll need to battle long distance, culture differences and two zany families. Created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, who also co-star as Nessa and Smithy, the series recently returned to screens in 2019 for a Christmas special which broke recent viewing records. The original series is available on NOW right now…

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