The 7 unmissable TV shows coming to completely free UK streaming service
There's something for everyone!
The next few months will see a stream of must-watch TV shows released on a free UK streaming service.
ITVX launched in 2022 as ITV’s catch-up platform, serving as a replacement for ITV Hub.
Since then, it’s provided viewers with the chance to catch up on all ITV programmes, as well as providing access to countless other shows.
Some uploaded recently have included The Bay, Minx and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
However, many more are on their way soon, including a ground-breaking crime drama, a medical thriller, a touching factual series and a brand-new quiz show.
Here are our picks of the best shows to keep an eye out for…
Code of Silence Rose Ayling-Ellis is starring in upcoming crime drama Code of Silence (Picture: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock for BIFA)After taking out Strictly in 2021, Rose Ayling-Ellis is back on our screens again, this time with the starring role in crime drama Code of Silence.
The EastEnders star, who last appeared in an episode of Ludwig last year, plays Alison Brooks (Rose Ayling-Ellis), a ‘smart and determined Deaf woman’ who after spending years working in a police canteen and secretly observing conversations, sees her life take an unexpected turn.
Her lip-reading skills catch the attention of DS Ashleigh Francis (Charlotte Ritchie) and DI James Marsh (Andrew Buchan) who then bring her on board for a covert operation – which sees her watching a dangerous gang as they plot a ‘high-stakes heist, thrusting her into a world of crime, deception, and risk like never before’.
The series was created by Catherine Moulton, who used her own experiences with lip-reading and hearing loss when developing the storyline.
Malpractice season 2 Malpractice is a gripping medical drama (Picture: Photographer: Peter Marley)The first season of medical drama Malpractice starring Niamh Algar as a doctor caught up in a medical scandal was called a ‘masterpiece’ by fans.
This time around the lead of season 2 is Tom Hughes as Dr James Ford, an on-call psych consultant who is also wrapped up in a tragic incident when tasked with carrying out an anxious new mother’s postnatal check-up and the sectioning of a psychotic patient.
With his career already hanging in the balance following a string of ‘apparently damning mistakes’, James becomes the focus of an investigation that also raises questions of whether he has a God complex or is also a victim himself.
In the follow-up, only the medical investigators were brought back, with an otherwise completely new cast at the centre. Writer Grace Ofori-Attah (a former doctor herself) explained the decision to Radio Times, saying: ‘I think Niamh, she’s such a star, it would be hard to bring her back as a sort of background character, and to do another story focused on her would be difficult if it’s still a medical malpractice thing, because we sort of dealt with her malpractice. So, yeah, easier I think to look at a different area and different central doctor.’
Ridley season 2 If you love crime dramas, you’ll love Ridley (Picture: ITV)Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar is the star of police drama Ridley, which also returns for its second season soon.
Created and written by Vera’s Paul Matthew Thompson, the first season aired in 2022 and followed Alex Ridley, a former detective inspector who is brought back in as a consultant around 18 months after an early retirement.
His career ended early due to a nervous breakdown that was sparked by the shocking deaths of his wife and daughter in a house fire.
The first season was labelled ‘excellent’ by fans. This time around Ridley resumes his partnership with former protégée DI Carol Farman (Bronagh Waugh) who is now in charge of investigations.
In the premiere episode, he is given the responsibility of helping an investigation surrounding a jewellery heist, that then leads to a murder.
The Assembly Michael Sheen appeared in the last season of the hit show (Picture: BBC/Rockerdale Studios)Last year a one-off special called The Assembly was released.
An adaptation of the French show Les Rencontres Du Papotin, the UK series celebrated Autism Acceptance Week.
It saw 35 interviewers who are autistic, neurodivergent or learning disabled, question Michael Sheen who was in the hot seat in a chat where no question was off limits (some grilled him about his ex-girlfriends and on-screen kisses).
It’s now returning, with a full season that will see different celebrities ‘forced to cast aside everything they were ever taught by their media trainers as they face their most honest, funny, chaotic – and heartwarming – interview yet’. Those who have put their hand up are Gary Lineker, David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall and Danny Dyer.
Other ITV shows to tune intoTrigger Point
Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Des
Breathtaking
Joan
Too Close
Changing Ends
Genius Game A cross between a quiz show and Taskmasters, Genius Game has something for everyone (Picture: ITV)Watch out Ant and Dec, Bradley Walsh and Jeremy Clarkson – there’s another celebrity stepping up as a quiz show host.
Doctor Who star David Tennant is ‘inviting the country’s most brilliant minds to take part in the ultimate TV challenge’ – Genius Game.
The brand-new reality game show will see strategically minded players, chosen not just for their high intellectual prowess but also their social IQ, face the ultimate battle of survival.
The format follows contestants as they participate in a series of games designed to test their intellect and manipulation skills to outwit their opponents and take home a cash prize. As The Creator, David will guide them throughout the challenges too.
Fake This Australian drama – starring Asher Keddie – will have you on the edge of your seat (Picure: ITV)Since it launched, ITV has regularly released a range of Australian TV series’, most recently including Critical Incident, North Shore and The Twelve.
The next is set to be Fake – which is based on a jaw-dropping true story.
First released last year, the eight-part series starred Asher Keddie as Birdie Bell, a writer who thinks she’s finally found her perfect match when meeting a successful farmer on a dating app. However, their relationship is anything but smooth sailing and she eventually uncovers a web of lies he’s created.
Critics called it ‘insidious and nuanced’, ‘gripping’ and said it ‘evoked a visceral response’.
Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure will document Edmonds as he sets out to build New Zealand’s first energy garden (Picture: ITV)Over the past 56 years, Noel Edmonds has become known for his work on BBC Radio and presenting shows including Top of the Pops, Top Gear, Noel’s House Party and Deal or No Deal.
However, in 2019 the now 76-year-old relocated to the other side of the world, emigrating to New Zealand with his wife Liz Davies.
Two years ago, they bought land around Ngatimoti – a small rural town on the South Island – and have since focused their attention on building a hospitality business in the heart of the community including a vineyard, coffee cart, general store, and a restaurant and pub which is about to reopen to the public for its second season.
Their efforts have been captured by cameras in the series Noel Edmonds’ Kiwi Adventure, which will also follow their latest idea – to build New Zealand’s first energy garden. But along the way they face ‘unseasonal weather, bad press and the feelings of being an outsider’.
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