Just when you thought it was safe to scrimp on subscriptions, we’ve assembled our five best British TV shows still to stream this year. Yes, if you want to see James Bond’s Ben Whishaw playing out his true 007 fantasies on Netflix, whether Gary Oldman goes for chilli sauce and salad with his next doner on Apple TV+, or if Eddie Redmayne can pull off playing Frederick Forsyth’s ‘The Jackal’ on Sky Atlantic, we suggest you read on.
[xhead] House of the Dragon
After filming in locations as glamorous as Surrey and Hertfordshire, HBO’s House of the Dragon heads back to Sky Atlantic for eight episodes this summer. Returning for round two of medieval Eastenders are Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Rhys Ifans and more as the Targaryen dynasty spreads its wings 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
Loaded loves: A rumoured return to Winterfell and dragons just generally ‘kicking off’.
Release date: June 2024
[xhead] The Responder
One minute Martin Freeman is a hobbit, the next he’s inappropriately flirting with teen students in Miller’s Girl. Not bad for an actor with apparently no range, and he’s also got a hit TV series on his hands with The Responder. We’ve had a wee gap since season one premiered in 2022, but season two of the graveyard shift cop drama set in Merseyside will be with us soon.
Loaded loves: The misguided idea that Martin Freeman could survive a graveyard shift in Merseyside.
Release date: Summer 2024
[xhead] The Day of the Jackal
Based on the 1971 spy thriller by British author, Frederick Forsyth, The Day of the Jackal sees Eddie Redmayne star as ‘The Jackal’, an assassin hired to take down a foreign leader, who in turn is being hunted by an MI5 agent played by No Time to Die’s Lashana Lynch. The 10-episode series comes to Sky Atlantic later this year.
Loaded loves: The 1973 movie adaptation… so this better be f*cking good.
Release date: Autumn 2024
[xhead] Black Doves
From one spy caper with a Bond connection to the next, Black Doves stars Keira Knightly, Ben Whishaw (he of ‘Q’ fame) and a newly Happy Valley-free Sarah Lancashire. The Netflix six-parter centres on a spy keeping her identity secret from her partner – and before assuming that’s the shy and retiring Whishaw, think again. He plays a suave, Champagne-swilling assassin.
Loaded loves: Bond’s face after learning ‘Q’ got a promotion.
Release date: November 2024
[xhead] Slow Horses
If you’re yet to dip into Apple TV+’s adaptation of Mick Herron-penned spy novels, firstly pull your finger out, and secondly, we’re insanely jealous at what awaits you. With Gary Oldman living his best, and in many cases worst life as a supposedly washed-up spook with appalling levels of personal hygiene, get yourself caught up before season three drops for Christmas.
Loaded loves: Gary Oldman’s booze-addled method acting. To think he was Loaded’s original cover star back in May 1994. Makes us tearful thinking about it.
Release date: December 2024
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