“Better than Shetland”: 9 “outstanding” TV shows to watch on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more this August

What do you do when you’ve been aimlessly scrolling though every TV channel in search of something decent to watch, and still haven't found anything? You turn to Good Housekeeping, of course. We’ve been busy combing through the schedules to find the very best shows to watch this August - and the good news? There are some very good series coming our way.

From Anna Maxwell Martin’s eagerly anticipated return to our screens in the BBC’s beloved detective drama, Ludwig, to the best police drama we’ve seen in ages (Hit Point, if you’re wondering) and a detective drama that’s better than Shetland, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into, wherever your mood takes you. So, remotes at the ready for the 9 outstanding dramas to watch this August on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.

Bookish

Audiences loved Mark Gatiss’s cosy crime series when it arrived on U&Alibi last July, so of course it’s returning for a second run. Gabriel Book (Gatiss) is back in his bookshop in Archangel Lane and he’s drawn into the world of spiritualism when he’s asked to help solve the mysterious case involving medium, Harold Sneed (Jason Watkins). He also has a puzzling murder at a gentleman’s outfitters to solve, as well as a thieving Duchess (played by Miranda Richardson) to deal with. Expect another glorious instalment. Series 2 is coming to U&Alibi this August.

Ludwig

It was the BBC’s biggest new scripted show of 2024 and now, rather pleasingly, Ludwig is getting a second run. Now a fully-fledged police consultant, puzzle genius John “Ludwig” Taylor (David Mitchell) will once again use his unique skillset to hunt down criminals in rural Cambridgeshire, while also trying to find out exactly what happened to his brother, who inexplicably vanished and abandoned his family. Anna Maxwell Martin also returns, with Fleabag’s Sian Clifford and Celebrity Traitors’ Mark Bonnar joining the cast. Series 2 is coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this August.

Murder in a Small Town

Netflix has snapped up this popular Canadian series, which follows the escapades of big city detective Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland). When he relocates to an idyllic harbour town, Karl expects a fresh start and a chance to reset after the psychological toll that policing has had on him – but what he gets is far from it. The town has its fair share of secrets, and Karl must call upon all the skills that made him a world-class detective to solve the murders wash up on his shore. If you’re a Shetland fan, Murder in a Small Town is marginally better. Series 1 and 2 are coming to Netflix on Saturday 1^st August.

The Bombing of Pan Am 103

This brilliant BBC drama has just landed on Netflix and it's a deeply impactful watch. From the producers of Line of Duty, the drama tells the harrowing real-life story of the bombing of a passenger flight over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 in moving detail. The tragic event, which was the worst ever terror attack on British soil, killed 270 people and for the families who lost loved ones, the devastation didn’t end there. We follow the untold story of the Scots-US investigation into the attack and the devastating effect it had on the small town and the bereaved families. Available to watch now on Netflix.

Professor T

After three too-good-to-miss series featuring the OCD-suffering genius criminologist Professor Jasper Tempest (Ben Miller), he's back for a fourth instalment. Series 4 is set six months after the shocking series 3 finale and the team must overcome their grief to tackle a dangerous new crime wave that’s making its way through town. There’s also romance on the cards for his mother, Adelaide (Frances de la Tour), and therapist, Helena Goldbery (Juliet Stevenson). Series 4 is coming to ITV1 and ITVX this August.

Lioness

Nicole Kidman’s megahit spy series is making its eagerly anticipated comeback. If you’re new to the series, the drama follows an all-female crew of undercover CIA operatives (known as, you guessed it, the Lionesses) who are tasked with infiltrating terrorist organisations using subversive tactics - think befriending the wives and girlfriends of dangerous terrorists. Leads Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman all reprise their roles and things aren’t exactly about to get any easier for them. Series 3 is coming to Paramount+ on Monday 3^rd August.

My Life is Murder

If Midsomer Murders is your idea of the perfect detective drama, you'll enjoy My Life is Murder. The long-running mystery series first aired in Australia in 2010 and follows the fearless former detective turned private investigator Alexa Crowe (Lucy Lawless). Despite leaving her detective past behind, Alexa simply can't help solving crimes and when her former colleague and longtime friend Detective Inspector Kieran Hussey (Bernard Curry) asks her to consult on his trickier cases, she can't say no. And when Alexa isn't solving crime? She's baking bread, which helps her think through the many unusual cases she's faced with. Series 5 is coming to U&Alibi on Monday 10^th August at 8pm.

Hit Point

If you enjoyed Line of Duty or Blue Lights, U&Dave’s first original drama is one you won’t want to miss. The six-part series follows Leo (Nick Blood) and Bella (Saffron Hocking), two 30-something detectives who are tasked with a case that pulls them into dangerous West London underworld. The result is an gripping blend of personal and professional betrayal, romance and heart-stopping action. Coming to U&Dave on Thursday 13^thAugust.

Sunny Nights

Loved Netflix’s Big Mistakes? Then we’d highly recommend giving Sunny Nights a watch. The darkly comic drama introduces us to brother and sister, Martin (Will Forte) and Vicki Marvin (D’Arcy Carden), who move from America to Australia with dreams of making it big with their spray tan business. As the business struggles and they find themselves strapped for cash, their financial woes turn out to be the least of their problems as they soon find themselves on the wrong side of Sydney’s criminal underworld. Brilliantly escapist viewing. Coming to ITVX on Sunday 16^th August.