Another weekend arrives, bringing with it the familiar dilemma: what television show should you binge while relaxing at home? While streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer new releases such as The Night Agent season 3, BBC iPlayer provides a treasure trove of thrilling content at no cost. If you're seeking action-packed suspense, here are seven of the best BBC thrillers available for free streaming right now.
The Tourist
Starring Jamie Dornan as an Irishman who awakens in an Australian hospital with amnesia, The Tourist plunges viewers into a mysterious quest for identity. Premiering in 2024, this series quickly captivated audiences with its gripping narrative. On Reddit, user RobotIcHead praised it as "gripping" with "great comedy bits," while aduong recommended bingeing it over a weekend, noting that Jamie "carries the show through and through."
The Fall
Marking a decade since its conclusion, The Fall features Gillian Anderson as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson and Jamie Dornan as serial killer Paul Spector. This crime drama earned numerous accolades, including a best lead actor win for Dornan at the 2014 Irish Film and Television Awards. Gillian Anderson highlighted the "unpredictable" writing of creator Allan Cubitt, describing the scripts as "so much more interesting, unlikely, unsettling and out of left field."
The Night Manager
After a decade-long hiatus, The Night Manager returned for a second season earlier this year, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Jonathan Pine, a former hotel night manager turned spy. The espionage drama, also starring Hugh Laurie, will conclude with a third and final season. Writer David Farr explained that the series has an "epic trilogy feel," focusing on the complex relationship between two men and a battle of good versus evil.
Doctor Foster
Premiering in 2015, Doctor Foster stars Suranne Jones as Gemma Foster, a doctor who suspects her husband Simon, played by Bertie Carvel, of infidelity. The psychological thriller delves into a web of lies, with a second season airing in 2017. Rumors suggest a third season is in development, with a source noting the show's "unfinished business" and its high viewership of around eight million per week.
The Missing
This anthology series introduced French detective Julien Baptiste, later featured in Baptiste. Season one follows Tony and Emily Hughes, portrayed by James Nesbitt and Frances O'Connor, as they search for their missing son. It holds a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times admitting to watching all eight hours in one sitting. Season two, starring David Morrissey and Keeley Hawes, scored even higher, described by John Doyle of Globe and Mail as "a sobering, haunting and profoundly complex crime drama."
Happy Valley
Widely regarded as one of the best British TV dramas, Happy Valley stars Sarah Lancashire and James Norton. Its finale in 2023 was hailed as a "masterpiece," with Metro's review praising creator Sally Wainwright for subverting expectations. Reddit user SarcasticDevil called it "incredible" and "one of the very best dramas I've ever seen," while Hillbert noted its "masterclass in how to tie up a finale."
Luther
Created by Neil Cross, Luther aired from 2010 to 2019, starring Idris Elba as Detective Chief Inspector John Luther. The franchise expanded with the 2023 film Luther: The Fallen Sun, and a second film is planned, featuring Ruth Wilson's return as Alice Morgan. Director Jamie Payne praised Cross for creating a "wonderfully dark tale" and expressed joy at reuniting with the cast.
All these thrilling series are available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer, offering perfect weekend entertainment for suspense lovers.
