binge

The comedy, which originally aired on the BBC in 2019, stars Martin Clunes and Lisa Millett

Martin Clunes ‘breath of fresh air’ sitcom is available to stream for free.

The 6-part show Warren, which first aired on BBC back in 2019, is the perfect one-night binge if you have a few hours to spare.

The comedy features Martin portraying a discontented 50-something driving instructor, Warren Thompson, who is compelled to relocate up north after his partner’s father falls seriously ill.

Despite craving a peaceful existence, Warren finds himself in a place he detests, undertaking a job he’s unsuited for with a family he never anticipated caring for – and is repeatedly drawn into self-created problematic scenarios.

. The synopsis adds: “Warren has a way of knowing best and speaking his mind that inevitably leads to conflict, chaos and disaster for those around him – and especially for himself.

“Warren doesn’t embrace the concept of growing old gracefully. He’s quite happy to keep railing against the world and trying to right perceived wrongs against him. There are no happy endings for Warren as he grapples with the problems and misunderstandings of his own making.”

Starring alongside Martin is Lisa Millett (Robin Hood), who portrays his partner, Anne. The cast also features Tim Preston (One Day) as Charlie, Oscar Morgan (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) as Danny and Neil Edmond (Ghosts) as Ian.

While the programme got mixed critical responses, it’s still worth the watch if you’re a Martin Clunes fan and fancy seeing him embody a grumpy, discontented character not far from his legendary role as Doc Martin in the ITV medical drama.

The programme was scored comparatively unfavourably by critics, who collectively rated it at 17 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.

In its one-star assessment, The Telegraph wrote: “Warren is at once underwritten and, worse, overwritten. There is a failure to follow through with the comic potential in a southerner trapped in the north.”

Meanwhile The Times added: “[Clunes’] nuanced comic turn deserved something rather better than Warren, with its overreliance on comedy staples – a shonky clairvoyant and a competitive next-door neighbour.”

Despite the negative critical response, the show proved more of a hit with viewers and currently holds a 69 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“This comedy is really well written and a breath of fresh air,” remarked one viewer. “I wasn’t expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. I seldom laugh out loud, even when humorous, but this had me really laughing.”

Another commented: “Absolutely hysterical, so well written, I don’t understand why they are not making a series 2!”, while a third noted: “It takes an episode or two but it does grow on you. Interesting premise and quite funny. I’m sorry that there isn’t a second series.”

All six episodes of Warren are available to stream on Prime Video

The tense series features an A-list cast and left viewers hooked by the tense plot.

A gripping thriller that left viewers on the edge of their seats is free to binge.

The Widow is available to watch on ITVX, and stars Kate Beckinsale in a tense role.

It follows the Underworld actress as Georgia Wells, who has believed her husband died in a plane crash.

However, three years later, having lived as a recluse and grieving widow, she sees him in a news report following a riot in the Democratic Republic of Congo and hunts to find him, travelling to Kinshasa for the truth.

As she looks for answers, she’s left questioning why her husband may have faked his own death.

The synopsis teases: “Kate Beckinsale leads as a grieving woman in this gripping drama.”

It adds: “A woman’s search to uncover the mystery of what happened to her husband leads her to the Congo, where she’s forced to seek the truth about what happened to the man she loved.”

The series first aired on Amazon Prime Video in 2019, before being added to the free streaming service.

Parts of The Widow were filmed in South Africa, with Kate suffering from the heat and later revealing she “fainted” while filming because it was “really, really, really hot”.

The cast also included Game of Thrones star Charles Dance, Strictly star Alex Kingston, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Matthew Le Nevez, and Shetland actress Louise Brealey.

Viewers were left hooked by the programme, with one admitting they were “glued to this show”, while several others echoed that they “binged” it.

Another person said: “It kept me on the edge of my seat each show. I really enjoyed the series.”

Reflecting several fans’ pleas for a second season, one person said: “The acting and cinematics are phenomenal. I cannot wait to see season 2!!”

“It was thrilling and entertaining,” someone else said, as another called it “nail-biting”.

Someone else called it “absolutely magnificent”, adding: “The setting was breathtaking and the dialogue was phenomenal.”

Yet another hailed Kate’s “outstanding” performance, while one person added: “A bit slow to start but a gem of a series.”

Despite fans begging for a second season, writers Harry and Jack Williams previously told Express.co.uk that they have no plans to take it forward.

They explained: “By the time we get to the end, it’s a one-off. It’s very satisfying. There’s no secret pilot. There’s no following season.

“It’s really exciting for the eight parts, it’s almost like a movie really.”

The writing duo and brothers behind The Missing and Liar continued: “I think there isn’t scope for more.”

The Widow is available to watch on ITVX

Fans of The Other Bennet Sister looking for their next period drama fix should watch the BBC’s gripping sequel to Pride and Prejudice available on iPlayer

The Other Bennet Sister has made a significant impression on period drama fans but as they complete the first and only season, they’re desperately searching for another Jane Austen tale.

Within the same universe Austen crafted, they can opt to watch Death Comes to Pemberley, a narrative that begins exactly where Pride and Prejudice concluded.

Much like the 2026 series, The Other Bennet Sister, this 2013 standalone series is also a follow-on from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, penned by a different author.

It’s adapted from P.D. James’s 2011 novel, which employs the same characters and style of the original 1813 work.

Over three episodes, it pursues a murder mystery angle, featuring the characters that Austen devotees recognise and adore but in a somewhat different setting.

The Guardian said its production was “respectful” of Austen’s iconic work while managing to “stand out” and be its own “very different” entity.

Though it also shares similarities with the Pride and Prejudice adaptation, as Chatsworth House in Derbyshire served as the exterior location for Pemberley. This was the identical setting used for the estate in the 2005 film.

A viewer headed to IMDB to post their assessment of Death Comes to Pemberley, stating: “If you are like me and enjoy your Pride and Prejudice and a good murder plot, then you would love this series!”

They continued: “Elisabeth in particular is just like I would have imagined; she is the same spirited, outspoken person we know and love, while Darcy is more brooding, quiet and responsible (while I may have chosen other actors in terms of appearance, I think they portray the characters very well as reactions).”

A PopMatters critic also weighed in, writing: “Death Comes to Pemberley, a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by P.D. James, is a worthy addition to Austen’s original, and the BBC adaptation makes that case wonderfully.”

Set in 1803, the drama kicks off six years after the wedding of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, when a mysterious disappearance unsettles the entire community. Wickham and Denny quarrel before departing in a horse and carriage, and shortly afterwards, two gunshots ring out.

Upon being informed of the incident and the two men’s disappearance, Darcy dispatches a search party. They find Wickham frantically clutching Denny’s lifeless body, setting in motion the tale of how this devastating death came about.

Naturally, venturing into Austen’s world carries considerable weight, as the cherished author’s work is regarded as sacred by legions of devoted fans.

As a result, the series has faced its fair share of criticism over its depiction of certain Austen characters which have since been reimagined by other writers.

One critical IMDB reviewer wrote: “When you use well-known and loved characters from something as famous as Pride and Prejudice, they should at least stay faithful to their original characters. Which it does, mostly, but the portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett was just really off.”

Anna Maxwell Martin takes on the role of Elizabeth, alongside Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Jenna Coleman as Lydia Wickham and Matthew Goode as George Wickham.

For those seeking their next Austen-inspired drama, this compact three-episode series makes for an ideal binge-watch; Death Comes to Pemberley is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.