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Tripwire Finds Ten Wonderful British Shows From 2026 To Enjoy For Free On UK Streaming Apps
Free Streaming Goodness
Very few of us in the UK can have failed to notice the sheer number of streaming services available that require a monthly subscription. It seems enjoying great television can be an expensive hobby these days.
With this in mind Tripwire’s contributing writer Paul N Neal decided to dig a little deeper into some of the streaming apps that do not charge a monthly fee for some great shows to enjoy.
Tripwire is willing to concede the BBC is obviously not technically a totally free advert-based service because of the BBC TV Licence fee, but we have decided to include it on this occasion for the purposes of this top ten list.
TRIPWIRE NOTE: All the details provided are correct at the time of writing and apply to the details of the streaming sites mentioned in the UK only…
10. Can You Keep A Secret?
Can You Keep a Secret? is a brand-new sitcom created and written by Simon Mayhew-Archer that finally brought Dawn French back to the BBC. The series premiered in January 2026 and it has already been renewed for a second series.
For genre fans it also features Mandip Gill from Jodie Whittaker’s tenure as Doctor Who.
This is a gentle comedy that boasts wonderful charm, engaging characters and a genuinely calm and relaxed style of comedy. In truth it likely owes more than a little inspiration to the true story of John Darwin, the “man in the canoe” that occupied many headlines in 2002. To say any more would be approaching dangerous spoiler territory.
Series One is Available now to view for free on BBC iPlayer.
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9. Benidorm Is Murder
This is a series that, under any other circumstances, would not feature in this top ten, or frankly a top twenty, and yet it does.
Here we have a tired old format. A slightly fish out of water character, an ex-cop with a few secrets, a spunky sidekick and a colourful sunny location. We have seen it all before, right? Yes we have.
This is nothing terribly new or original, yet it offers up a lovely unpredictable form of comedy combined with blunt whimsy. There is only one reason this series holds itself together so well and warrants a mention…
John Hannah may be instantly recognisable to many for his roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Mummy movies, but he is far more versatile than that, and he should be recognised as one of the UK’s best character actors.
Here he may may play to his strengths as a slightly slovenly unkempt expat, but he strolls through the role with such aplomb it is infectious. Combined with some puzzling murder mysteries, this series has a relaxed Sunday afternoon binge watch written all over it.
Series One is available to view for free on the Channel 5 app.
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8. Dirty Business
Dirty Business is a three-part docudrama that was broadcast in February 2026. It portrays the historic investigations into the negligence of several UK Water Authorities. On paper this may not sound terribly gripping but with key performances from David Thewlis and Jason Watkins this is a series that builds tension and disgust in equal measure. Taskmaster veteran Asim Chaudry is notable for a dramatic role as a long-suffering water board employee.
This is a series that is essential viewing if you ever drink tap water in the UK. It is far more entertaining than it sounds, but it is always worth watching after you have eaten.
All Three Episodes are available to stream for free on the 4 on Demand app.
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7. The Undeclared War
The second series of Channel Four’s fascinating drama about GCHQ’s efforts to protect the world from numerous cyber-attacks premiered during July of this year. It is of note for the standout performances by Simon Pegg, Mark Rylance and Kerry Godliman.
It is a drama that is topical, relevant and far too close for comfort. In the second series especially, it tackles the thorny of issue of “Fake News.”
This is a series that comes highly recommended. If you ever watch the news, this is a series for you.
Series One and Two are available to enjoy for free on Channel Four On Demand.
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6. Professor T
Professor T is an ITV gem that does not get enough credit that returned for a fourth series of mysteries this August. It stars Ben Miller as Professor Jasper Tempest as a genius criminologist who suffers from OCD.
It is in fact an adaptation of a successful Belgium series of the same name but internationally this English language version has become far more successful.
Series three featured a dramatic cliffhanger, and with news that a fifth and indeed sixth series are to be expected this is ideal binge worthy detective gold.
Series one through four are available to view for free on the ITVX app. ***
5. Bookish
Bookish is a uniquely British crime series created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Forget the days of The League of Gentlemen, Co-creating Sherlock, appearing in the Mission Impossible movies or his many and various awards, this is (to date) the gentleman’s finest hour.
It is based on the premise of the quirky book shop owner, Gabriel Book, who helps police solve crimes in 1946 London. Beyond that, it is the story of Gabriel’s marriage to a female friend in what was known at the time as a lavender marriage. The first series was released in 2025 to great acclaim. The second six-part series was launched on 26th August this year with remarkably little fanfare, and a two-part Christmas special is planned for December this year. It is a little strange a show of this quality has received so little advertising.
For fans of Inspector Morse or Foyle’s War this is a series well worth your time.
Series One and Two of Bookish are currently available for free of the U-Alibi app. (A word of warning, do not pause during the adverts, the app tends to get upset if you do that.)
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4. Ann Droid
Ann Droid is another example of why the BBC is currently leading the way with regard to British sitcoms. This is a series that has heart, social commentary, top quality performances, stellar writing and one final vital ingredient to make it a successful comedy.
It is actually laugh out loud genuinely funny.
Diane Morgan astonishes in a really difficult role as the Android and Sue Johnston plays everyone’s Mum who just so happens to be at a point in her life when she truly needs a new friend but doesn’t realise it. A second series has been commissioned. The BBC have been on an absolute roll in 2026… See the next entry.
Series One is available to view for free on the BBC iPlayer.
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3. Small Prophets
Continuing the theme… When Small Prophets was released on BBC2 during February of this year it was an absolute revelation to many unsuspecting viewers.
On paper the story of a depressed middle-aged man working in a hopeless DIY store, who yearns for answers about his long-lost girlfriend and decides to grow weird little demon homunculi creatures in oversized jam jars in his garden shed does not instantly scream television classic!! Strangely it just works.
Mackenzie Crook may be best known for his acting roles in The Office, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or perhaps even Game of Thrones but far more interestingly he is fast becoming one the most interesting new television writers for a very, very long time.
It is reasonable to suspect BBC4’s The Detectorists was the writer simply warming up because here is a series that has it all. The practical effects are mesmerising, the jokes are clever AND subtle plus it features a beautifully understated performance from Michael Palin.
Also, if you don’t find the blue bucket joke funny, you are dead inside. A second series of this truly magical series hasn’t been officially announced as such but based on critical acclaim and impressive viewing figures it is surely just a formality before the cameras begin to roll once again for this most wonderful of TV shows.
All of Season One of Small Prophets is available to view for free on the BBC iPlayer.
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2. Trigger Point
It is not hyperbole to state that Vicky McClure is probably the finest British actress to grace our screens in decades. Not since Dame Helen Mirren’s role as DCI Jane Tennison in ITV’s equally acclaimed series Prime Suspect has an actress so firmly stamped their mark on a role.
Trigger Point comes from the producers of Line of Duty, but this series is no casual afterthought. McClure’s character, bomb disposable genius (EXPO) Lana Washington is a battered and emotionally scarred warrior. This series has it all. Emotional stakes, ticking time bombs, twists, credible science and so much incredible tension you will find yourself eating other people fingernails.
Think The Hurt Locker meets 24, put that idea in a blender and then turn the dramatic volume up to a hundred. This is ITV at the top of its game.
Series 1-3 of Trigger Point are available for free on the ItvX app. Series 4 will be available in full as of Sunday 30th of August.
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1. Ludwig
When was the number one spot in any doubt?
Ludwig has returned!
Series one of this wonderful puzzle orientated murder mystery series debuted in 2024 and it became an overnight ratings success. In the interest of avoiding spoilers, it may be best not to mention any ongoing plotlines except to say, each episode can still be enjoyed on its own merits and once you immerse yourself in these characters you won’t want to leave them.
The fact season two was produced so quickly and a third series has been ordered by the BBC should demonstrate their faith in their new programme. In an era when the BBC is cutting costs this is a production that helps renew their commitment to quality programming,
Rather unsurprisingly the secret ingredient here is the comedian, writer (and obviously, actor) David Mitchell. This is the role he was born to play. The casting could not be more perfect. Here you have an almost constantly befuddled genius solving impossible puzzles, while wondering if he would be able to load a dish washer properly on his own. He certainly can’t drive! He excels and awards surely beckon.
Crucially the supporting cast are exceptional as well.
Series One of Ludwig is available on BBC iPlayer.
Episodes 1-3 of series two have recently been added to the iPlayer and episodes 4-6 are expected on the site on Thursday the 10th of September.
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Has Tripwire missed any of your favourite television treats of 2026?
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