“More watchable than Shetland”: 8 “superb” TV shows to watch this weekend on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more

Do you ever get to the weekend and think, “I can’t find anything decent to watch on TV”? If the answer’s yes, then we’ve come to your rescue. We’ve previewed all the good (and bad!) shows available to watch this weekend to bring you to ones that are genuinely superb.

From a detective drama that’s more watchable than Shetland to the return of a beloved workplace drama and the perfect Downton Abbey replacement, we’ve got something great to watch no matter what mood you're in. So, remotes at the ready for the 8 best shows to watch this weekend on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.

Murder in a Small Town

Netflix has finally snapped up this popular Canadian series, which follows big city detective Karl Alberg (Rossif Sutherland) who has his sights set on a quieter life – and gets nothing of the sort. When he relocates to an idyllic harbour town, his plan is to reset after the psychological toll that policing has had on him – but he soon discovers that the town has its fair share of secrets, and he must call upon all the skills that made him a world-class detective to solve the murders wash up on shore. Available to watch now on Netflix.

Ann Droid

If you haven’t yet caught up with Diane Morgan’s new BBC comedy, may we recommend you do so this weekend. The series takes us to the future - 2029, to be specific - and sees Diane step into the shoes of a robot named Linda who’s been developed to keep elderly people company and remove some of the burden from the overwhelmed NHS. She’s gifted to Sue (played by Sue Johnston) as a “surprise” to help her live independently - only she's Sue’s worst nightmare. Hilarious and heartwarming. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

Lioness

Nicole Kidman’s megahit spy series recently made its eagerly anticipated comeback – and it didn’t disappoint. If you’re not familiar, 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 – in other words, by befriending the wives and girlfriends of dangerous terrorists. Leads Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman and Morgan Freeman all reprise their roles in the third instalment and things don’t exactly get any easier for them. Series 3 is available to watch now on Paramount+.

Ted Lasso

Workplace dramas don’t get much better than Ted Lasso, which is no doubt why it’s now in its fourth series. In the new instalment, the titular Ted (Jason Sudeikis) finds himself coaching a second division women’s football team - and it’s, well, interesting. The cast is stronger than ever with Hannah Waddingham reprising her role as Rebecca Welton and a host of new stars from Adolescence (Faye Marsay), Sex Education (Tanya Reynolds) and Peaky Blinders (Abbie Hern). Available to watch now on Apple TV.

The Brokenwood Mysteries

If you’re a fan of Shetland, you’ll love this New Zealand-set drama, which is, in our humble opinion, even more watchable. Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) are the unlikely duo who team up to investigate vineyard deaths, local scandals, stag party disappearances and more. It’s entertaining - yes, even though it is about murder - quirky, and just a little bit addictive. Available to watch now on U.

The Boy That Never Was

One that’ll stay with you long after you’ve watched it, The Boy That Never Was follows the story of an Irish couple whose three-year-old son disappears during an earthquake in the Moroccan city of Essaouira. While he's eventually assumed dead, three years later, his dad Harry (Colin Morgan) spots a boy who he believes is his son – but how could it possibly be him? Think the psychological anguish of The Missing combined with the twist-filled rollercoaster of I Will Find You. Available to watch now on Channel 4.

Belgravia

This Downton Abbey-esque period drama has just been added to Disney+ and it’s well worth a watch. Created by the man behind Downton himself (Julian Fellowes), the series follows the lives of the Trenchard family in 1841 as they grapple with an eventful ball from two decades prior. Starring Philip Glenister and Tamsin Greig as James and Anne Trenchard, we follow the decades-long consequences of the soirée on their adult children, Oliver and Sophia, played by Richard Goulding and Emily Reid. Brilliant fun. Available to watch now on Disney+.

The Staircase

First released on Sky in 2022, ITV has nabbed this fantastic true crime drama – but it’s not for the faint-heated. The eight-part series revolves around Michael Peterson (Colin Firth) who’s on the trial for the murder of his wife Kathleen (Toni Collette). Prosecutors believe he attacked his wife, who was discovered at the bottom of the stairs of their home, but he maintains it was a terrible accident – so did she fall or was she pushed? Available to watch now on ITVX.