Brilliant TV drama series don’t come along very often, and there’s a veritable wasteland during the summer months when the best we can hope for is a decent repeat.

No offence Vera, we love you. But we’re desperate for some new blood! The next few weeks of 2025 are great if you love sport – Wimbledon, Tour de France, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 (to name a few). But, if you’re not a fan, then there’s little to be enthused about.

So what better time than now, to catch up on some of the best TV drama series you might have missed over the past few years? Here’s our pick of the top 10 hidden gems you should watch (in no particular order) if you haven’t already… Oh, and all of these are free on streaming, so you won’t be out of pocket.

Best TV drama series you can stream for free: The Gathering on Channel4.com

Six-part series The Gathering first aired on C4 in 2024. A gripping thriller, it focused on a Merseyside community in the aftermath of a heinous crime. When someone violently attacked a teenager at an illegal beach rave, it sent shockwaves through the tidal islet.

As the islanders became increasing suspicious of each other, the police focused on a group of teenagers from very different backgrounds – each of whom could have committed the crime, along with their parents. Come on, this is a thriller, you know the drill!

Needless to say, the residents of the islet (actually filmed in Liverpool) had more secrets than the whole of Albert Square, Emmerdale, and Weatherfield put together. The cast included Boiling Point’s Vinette Robinson, Trigger Point‘s Warren Brown, and Coupling’s Richard Coyle as Jules.

Producer Simon Heath called the series “an exploration of toxic teenagers – and their even more toxic parents”. The viewers score on Rotten Tomatoes currently stands at 81%. Meanwhile, The Guardian reviewer Lucy Mangan said: “Urban acrobatics! Teen angst! A potential murder! It’s all happening in this story about two athletes from both sides of the tracks. Sure, it’s a little confused – but it will make you feel alive.”

The One That Got Away on BBC iPlayer

This brooding Welsh crime drama followed DI Ffion Lloyd as she reluctantly returned to her small hometown, Pembroke Dock, to investigate a murder. When a nurse was found dead in the woods, the crime scene resembled a case she solved 12 years ago. However, she was forced to work alongside local officer DS Rick Sheldon who was not happy about her return. Probably because she was his ex-fiancée, and there was CLEARLY unfinished business between them.

The 2025 six-part series starred Elen Rhys and Richard Harrington, who were “forced to face a killer as well as their pasts”. The Guardian called it “an irresistible treat for thriller fans”, while The Sydney Morning Herald said it was “a deeply haunting British drama”. One tip, though. Give it a couple of episodes, it’s a slow burn.

See also Welsh drama Hidden (2018-2022), which is the better of the two, but we’re taking a bet you’ve already watched it. Three brilliant series are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Sian Reese-Williams stars as DI Cadi John in this dark detective drama.

The Inheritance on Channel5.com

Four-part thriller The Inheritance is arguably one of the best TV drama series of its kind on Channel 5. Like the more recent The Game, and The Feud, this series pulled in an impressive cast of TV’s most bankable names. But the similarities end there.

We know Channel 5 thrillers can often be beyond bonkers, but the channel finally nailed it with The Inheritance. The series introduced three siblings who were horrified to discover they weren’t in line to inherit their father’s estate after his suspicious death. And every episode delivered a potent punch of twists and eye-popping revelations.

It first aired in 2023, and starred Robert James-Collier, Gaynor Faye, and Jemima Rooper as the distraught siblings. Samantha Bond, Kevin Whately, Adil Ray, Larry Lamb, and Pauline McLynn completed the brilliant ensemble cast.

This is not to be confused with the Channel 4’s upcoming The Inheritance. That’s a reality series in which Elizabeth Hurley plays The Deceased, opposite Robert Rinder’s The Executor.

Ellis on Channel5.com

DCI Ellis was the latest detective to arrive on our TV screens in late 2024, with heavyweight actress Sharon D Clarke taking on the meaty role for Channel 5. And she was a class act.

The gritty feature length episodes (three in total), introduced tenacious cop Ellis who was “parachuted into failing investigations”. Each two-hour episode saw Ellis – accompanied by her right-hand man DS Harper – arrive at a different police station, where she had to win over the local detectives and immerse herself in the cases she had been asked to solve.

Channel 5 told us at the time: “As a black female cop, Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked, but she is a first-class murder detective, with a determination for justice and a deep well of compassion for those who need it.”

Radio Times said: “Ellis is the British detective drama that the genre has been crying out for. You can’t overstate the significance of Ellis as a primetime police drama.”

Unsurprisingly, the series has now been recommissioned for a series 2. Channel 5 said: “We could not be more excited to dive in on a second season of unpredictable, edge-of-your-seat cases with this dynamic pair.”

Best TV drama series you can stream for free: Patience on Channel4.com

Crime drama Patience aired on Channel 5 this year (2025), but didn’t get half of the attention it deserved – largely as a result of some snobby TV reviews. However, the viewers loved it, and it’s now set for a series 2.

The intriguing six-part series set in York starred Ella Maisy Purvis as Patience Evans, a brilliant, self-taught criminologist who worked in the criminal records department of the Yorkshire Police Force. Patience, who was autistic, entered an unpredictable world when detective DI Bea Metcalf (Laura Fraser) spotted her unique crime-solving skills.

An English language adaptation of the French series Astrid et Raphaëlle, Patience followed detective Bea Metcalf as she formed an alliance with Patience. Together, the unlikely duo proved an incredible team, as they helped solve complex murders within the historic city of York.

The always likeable Mark Benton also starred as Calvin Baxter, alongside Adrian Rawlins as Douglas Gilmour. Fans loved the show, with one typing: “A superb, subtle, often laugh-out-loud police drama. As the main eponymous character is autistic this will not likely appeal to those seeking cheap thrills, but I have loved every episode. Pay no attention to the nay-sayers – this show is brilliant, clever funny, poignant and engaging at many levels.”

And, yes, before you ask – Ella Maisy Purvis is autistic in real life.

After the Party on Channel4.com

This acclaimed drama from New Zealand first aired on Channel 4 in 2024, and easily featured some of the best acting we’d seen on TV that year.

Brilliant Kiwi actress Robyn Malcolm starred as Penny, a teacher who lost everything when she accused her husband of a sex crime against her daughter’s teenage friend. The trouble was, no-one believed her.

The always superb (and often menacing) Peter Mullan played Penny’s husband Phil, now ex, who returned to town five years after the fallout. The stunning mid-life drama starred real-life couple Peter Mullan and Robyn Malcolm as the bitterly estranged exes.

The six-parter got rave reviews, including this from The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan: “Peter Mullan is perfectly cast and Robyn Malcolm delivers the performance of 2024 in this dark, provocative drama about a woman who accuses her husband of a sex act with a minor.

“After the Party is brilliantly executed and the supporting characters are uniformly well-rounded and immaculately played. But Malcolm is the centrepiece. What a role. What an actor, and what a performance.” It gained 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty rare in this age of dissatisfaction.

Deep Water on ITVX

This compelling series from 2019 was an emotional thriller set in the Lake District. Described as a “mysterious drama about mothers wrestling with dark secrets”, it starred Anna Friel, Sinéad Keenan, and Rosalind Eleazar. That’s three reasons to watch right there.

In the stunning scenery of Cumbria, three “ordinary mothers” struggled with extraordinary moral and ethical dilemmas. Physiotherapist Roz faced dire financial problems, while chaotic but lovable Lisa yearned for more from her overworked life. Only glamorous Kate seemed to have it all… But, of course, she didn’t. And, when her daughter Lucinda went missing, her web of lies began to unravel.

The six-part series also starred TV favourite including Ten Pound Poms‘ Faye Marsay, The Split‘s Gerald Kyd, and Andor‘s Alastair Mackenzie. Critic Emine Saner described Deep Water as “Britain’s answer to Big Little Lies”.

The series, adapted from the Windermere novels by Paula Daly, is not to be confused with the Ben Affleck film of the same name.

Best TV drama series you can stream for free: Informer on BBC iPlayer

This character-driven thriller from 2019 starred the brilliant Nabhaan Rizwan as Raza, a young second-generation British-Pakistani man living in London.

He found himself in some pretty serious [bleep] when he was arrested for possession of a Class A drug after a night out. That’s when he encountered counterterrorism officer Gabe, who saw him as a potential source and coerced him into informing for them. Basically, Raza was left with no choice. Especially when the police found out that Raza’s mum (Sunetra Sarker) was undocumented.

They dropped the charges against Raza, and forced him to enrol in their informant program. But Raza was only too aware that if gang member Dadir Hassan “rumbled him as a snitch, he’d be dead”.

A Class A drama – pun intended – starring Mobland’s Paddy Considine, Industry‘s Nabhaan Rizwan, A Small Light’s Bel Powley, Call the Midwife‘s Jessica Raine, Line of Duty‘s Arsher Ali, and Ellis’ Sharon D. Clarke.

Black Snow on BBC iPlayer

Top Dog on Channel4.com

Dept Q viewers will know that Swedish actor Alexej Manvelov was the unsung star of the show. His portrayal of Syrian refugee Akram Salim raised his profile through the roof in the UK, but he was already pretty famous back home.

In fact, he’s been a star of Swedish TV for years. More recently, Alexej is famous for playing Teddy Maksumic in the Nordic noir Top Dog. The series, which ran from 202o to 2023, finally landed on UK screens last year. It was created by the producers of The Bridge.

Based on the novels of Jens Lapidus, the show revolved around an unlikely double act – lawyer Emily and recently released convict Teddy. In series 1, the mysterious disappearance of Philip Schale – the son of one of the richest men in Sweden – joined the odd couple together.

His father enlisted the help of his lawyers, instead of the police, to find his son. Emily Jansson (Josefin Asplund) was the ambitious young attorney who was appointed to track him down.

Meanwhile, Teddy Maksumic had just been released from prison after serving 10 years for kidnapping and murder. They ended up working together to solve the riddle. Expect plenty of plot twists that will keep you guessing until the end.

Read more: Vicky McClure psychological thriller Insomnia finally arrives on free streaming

Our pick of the best TV drama series are currently available to stream for free, including Top Dog on Channel4.com.