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35 Brilliant Box Sets to Watch for FREE Right Now

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There are some incredible free box sets you can watch from the comfort of your own home. It doesn’t matter whether you like crime dramas, comedies, or nature documentaries there is something for everyone. Sit back, relax, grab some popcorn and watch something new today.

Seven Worlds One Planet

BBC

Seven Worlds One Planet is the perfect nature documentary for when you’re itching to travel but can’t. Listen to the soothing voice of Sir David Attenborough and visit seven colourful environments as you explore a colourful world of life and drama. Stare in awe and wonder at the majestic animals of Africa, the beautiful creatures of Europe and the hardy life of Antarctica. Watch Seven Worlds One Planet on BBC iPlayer today.

Peep Show

Channel 4

Peep Show follows the lives of two dysfunctional friends who live together in Croydon, London. Mark is a socially awkward loan manager, and Jeremy is a talentless and unemployed slacker. If down-to-earth and at times awkward social comedy is your thing then you’ll love Peep Show. The show has received consistent critical acclaim and ranks as one of the best British sitcoms in the Radio Times. Fortunately, you can catch the whole thing on All4.

Killing Eve

BBC

Killing Eve is a high-strung cat and mouse story that follows a security operative as they hunt down a lethal assassin. Dark and action-packed, you’ll end up binging Killing Eve in mere days. Watch Killing Eve on BBC iPlayer today.

My Mad Fat Diary

E4

A story about a 16-year-old girl named Rae who struggles with her mental health and body image. My Mad Fat Diary is both funny and moving, and an uncompromising portrayal of adolescent angst. The show’s gimmicks aren’t for everyone but there’s nothing quite like My Mad Fat Diary. Grab a brew and watch it on All4.

Humans

Channel 4

Humans is a critically acclaimed science-fiction drama that takes place in a parallel present tense. The series explores the social, psychological and cultural implications of the invention of anthropomorphic robots known as “synths”. Critics have praised Humans for its well-drawn characters, its emotional intrigue and universal appeal. Don’t miss out, catch Humans on All4 while you still can.

Derry Girls

Channel 4

The show is a multi-award winning black comedy that follows a group of teenagers in Derry, Northern Ireland towards the end of the Troubles. Derry Girls has received critical acclaim and is the most-watched series in Northern Ireland since records began in 2002. It has won a plethora of awards and renowned for its raw writing and dark humour. Derry Girls is well worth a look on All4.

The Missing

BBC & Starz

The Missing is a British anthology drama series about lost children. In the first series, the story follows Tony Hughes, who works with a retired detective to search for his son Oliver. Tony Hughes and his wife Emily lose sight of their son who goes missing on holiday in France. Eight years later, fresh evidence appears, and the case reopens. In the second series, a similar event occurs in Germany and retired detective Julien Baptiste gets to work to find Alice and solve the mystery. You can watch the first series on BBC iPlayer, don’t miss it.

The Inbetweeners

Channel 4

The Inbetweeners is a hilarious and memorable sitcom that follows a group of teenage boys led by Will McKenzie at the fictional Rudge Park Comprehensive. It involves school life, friendship, and embarrassing encounters with the opposite sex. The group’s social awkwardness and misadventures will cause you to cringe and laugh, often simultaneously. The Inbetweeners has high ratings and won two awards. Check it out on All4.

His Dark Materials

BBC

His Dark Materials is a fantasy drama based on the eponymous novel by Philip Pullman set in a multi-world reality. It follows the life and adventures of a young orphan girl named Lyra who lives with the scholars at Jordan College in Oxford. Lyra discovers a dangerous secret involving Lord Asriel and his former lover Marisa Coulter, a series of kidnappings and a mysterious substance called Dust. The show is praised for its visuals, child-like wonder and rigour, and is well-received by critics. With Season 2 just starting, it’s worth catching up on the first season now on BBC iPlayer.

Gavin & Stacey

BBC

Gavin & Stacey is a British sitcom about two families. It follows the romance between Gavin from Essex and Stacey from Wales and details the stages in their relationship including their first meeting, engagement and marriage. The show has won several awards and has been lauded by critics for its good humour and excellent acting. You can watch Gavin & Stacey on BBC iPlayer.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Channel 4

If you miss the 90s and early 2000s, then channel 4 has a treat for you. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an iconic American supernatural drama that follows a young woman called Buffy Summers. She is the latest in a long line of women chosen by fate to battle against the forces of darkness, as she desperately tries to make sense of her destiny. You can catch the unique and critically acclaimed series on My4.

Shameless

Channel 4

Shameless is an English black comedy series inspired by British working-class culture. Set on a fictional council estate in Manchester, the show follows Frank Gallagher and his dysfunctional family. Shameless has won a myriad of awards including the Best Continuing Drama Award and is well worth a look on All4.

Scrubs

Channel 4

An incredible American medical comedy-drama, Scrubs follows the staff at the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. The series is known for its surreal vignettes, slapstick comedy and the main character’s daydreaming and critics praise it for its humour, fantasy sequences, cast and characterisation. You can watch it on All4.

Fleabag

BBC

Fleabag is a British comedy-drama which follows a seemingly nameless, free-spirited, sexually active and troubled woman who lives in London. The series is distinctive, as the protagonist often breaks the fourth wall to give running commentary, exposition and internal monologues. It received widespread critical acclaim, especially for its unique characterisation, acting and writing. Don’t miss out and watch it on BBC iPlayer today.

Luther

BBC

If you’re looking for a brilliant crime drama with superb performances, then look no further. Luther follows an eponymous chief detective as he investigates serious crimes while trying to avoid being corrupted by them. The grisly mystery show has high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and is known for its captivating drama and dark atmosphere. You can watch it on BBC iPlayer.

The IT Crowd

Channel 4

The IT Crowd is a multi-award winning British sitcom that follows three staff members who work in the IT department of a fictional London company. It has received critical acclaim, garnered a cult following and has an 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re looking for a highly-rated comedy with a quirky feel, then look no further than The IT Crowd on All4.

Mary Kills People

Global

Mary Kills People is a dark comedy-drama that follows a doctor that moonlights as a physician who helps terminally-ill people end their lives. The Canadian series has won a multitude of awards and been praised for its intelligent narrative, comedy and exceptional lead performance. It is an absolute must-watch for anyone who loves entertainment that makes them think, so don’t miss out and catch it on All4 today.

Normal People

BBC

Normal People is an Irish drama series which follows a young couple as they move from secondary school to university and try to navigate adult life. Praised for its writing and performances, the show has received critical acclaim and several Emmy nominations. The series is a superb relationship drama and well worth a watch on BBC iPlayer.

Cardinal

BBC

A multi-award-winning Canadian crime series based in Ontario, Cardinal follows a troubled and brooding police officer as he strives to unravel a mysterious murder. The case becomes increasingly sinister, and a dark secret from Cardinal’s history reemerges. It is an intriguing series and has won a multitude of awards, watch it on BBC iPlayer today.

Black Books

Channel 4

Black Books is a British sitcom based on a misanthropic bookstore owner and his friends, Fran and Manny. Most of the episodes centre around Fran and Manny’s attempts to push the shopkeeper into a more socially acceptable lifestyle. The series is a critical success, winning multiple awards, and well worth a watch on All4.

Robot Chicken

Adult Swim

A dark and creative animated sketch comedy, Robot Chicken, is a must-watch show for anyone looking for adult humour. It has won six Emmy Awards and an Annie Award. The show is satirical and pokes fun at popular culture including fads, movies, television and video games in a quirky stop motion style. Be sure to catch it on All4.

Spooks

BBC

Spooks is a renowned spy drama centred on a group of MI5 operatives based at the service’s Thames House headquarters, in a highly secure suite of offices dubbed The Grid. It is noted for its stylistic touches and intriguing plot, winning eight awards. If you haven’t seen it, you need to watch it on BBC iPlayer.

Life on Mars

BBC

An award-winning supernatural drama like no other, Life on Mars follows a police officer named Tyler who wakes up in 1973 after a car accident in 2006. The plot is unusual, in that it is unclear if Tyler is unconscious, dead or an unwilling time traveller. Critics praise Life on Mars for its imaginative take on an old genre, exciting plot and solid writing. It is an absolute must-watch on BBC iPlayer.

Torchwood

BBC

Doctor Who for adults, Torchwood is an excellent series and is more than capable of standing alone. It follows a small group of alien hunters in Cardiff headed by an immortal con-man from the future, who make up the Torchwood Institute. The institute works to protect humanity from human and extraterrestrial threats. Critics praise the series for its thoughtful plot and potent acting. It’s well worth a watch on BBC iPlayer.

Chewing Gum

Channel 4

Chewing Gum is an award-winning British sitcom centred on a 24-year-old named Tracey, from a restrictive religious background who wants to learn more about the world. The show is highly rated and has a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If you’re looking for a hilarious melodrama, then look no further than Chewing Gum on All4.

Angel

Channel 4

A newly rated Buffy spin-off, Angel follows a vampire with a restored soul who lives in remorse for the crimes he has committed. After his failed relationship with Buffy, a vampire slayer, he heads to Los Angeles and works as a private detective to “help the helpless”. Critics praise the show for its characterisation, humour and dark and brooding setting. Catch it on All4 today.

Misfits

Channel 4

In misfits five juvenile offenders, who have nothing in common, work together on a community service project. Their personalities clash and a freak electrical storm hits the group, who soon develop superpowers. The award-winning series follows the group as they attempt to grapple with teenage life, their community project and their new powers. You can watch Misfits on All4.

Dracula

BBC

A highly-rated new take on the original story, Dracula boasts a subtle sense of humour, excellent acting and a modern twist on the classic. The show is unusual as it sheds light on Dracula’s motivations and underlying vulnerabilities. The truth about Dracula becomes apparent as he fights Van Helsing and her female descendent, in both a historic Transylvania and contemporary England. Check it out on BBC iPlayer today.

Justified

Channel 4 & FX

Justified is a must-watch American Western crime drama, that follows a US Marshal who returns to native town to ensure that justice prevails. The show is critically acclaimed and widely praised for its writing, direction, acting and art direction. If you’re looking for something exceptional, you can watch the incredible series on All4.

Devs

BBC

A stellar science fiction mini-series that will leave you wanting more, Devs follows a software engineer who sets out to investigate the death of her boyfriend and uncovers a conspiracy beyond her wildest dreams. It is intriguing and provocative with a unique plot that explores free will and determinism. Catch the series on BBC iPlayer today.

Ghosts

BBC

Described as a silly supernatural romp; Ghosts is the perfect sitcom for an easy-watch or a bad day. It follows a number of specters from different historical periods who inhabit a country house with its new living occupants. The series has a high joke rate, and critics praise it for its strong acting. If you’re looking for some highly-rated giggles with a twist, then check out Ghosts on BBC iPlayer now.

Blackadder

BBC

Blackadder is both ridiculous and classic. The pseudohistorical sitcom follows the misfortunes of Edmund Blackadder, a member of British royalty, in his different carnations over various historical periods. In each season, Blackadder is accompanied by his servant Baldrick. The series has been ranked among the best TV shows of all time and is well worth a watch on BBC iPlayer.

One Tree Hill

Channel 4

A guilty-pleasure teen drama for when you’ve had enough of real life, One Tree Hill initially follows two half-brothers who compete for positions on their school basketball team and the related romantic drama. The show has excellent reviews with Cosmopolitan and Digital Spy listing it as one of the greatest teen dramas of all time. Forget the every-day and watch it on All4 asap.

Malcolm in the Middle

Channel 4

Malcolm in the Middle follows a dysfunctional working-class family including a genius teenager called Malcolm. It is an American comedy sitcom that received critical acclaim and won a number of awards including a Grammy award, seven Emmy Awards, and a Peabody award. If you’re looking for family-friendly background-television, then watch it on All4 today.

Doctor Foster

BBC

Doctor Foster is a BBC drama that revolves around a doctor named Gemma Foster who suspects that her husband is having an affair. After she investigates, her life unravels. The show received critical acclaim with critics praising its tense atmosphere solid script. Watch it on BBC iPlayer and fulfil all your drama-needs.

There are more brilliant TV box sets to watch than ever, but they might not be available forever. All of these recommendations were available to watch for free at the time of writing.

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