Top 8 Dramas Streaming Free On SBS On Demand To Fill Your Series Void
So you’ve binged all the latest pop-culture faves; Emily’s been in Paris for a hot minute, and now you’re left with a TV watching void the size of Ryan Murphy’s ego.
Well, lucky for you, the good folk at SBS On Demand have quietly cultivated the perfect streaming catalogue of tantalising, gob-smacking drama, so us TV-lovers can finally find a new series to fill that empty screen.
Of course, picking a show can be stressie at the best of times, especially when you’ve just come off a series that had you completely gripped, and now you’re left wondering what’s next?
Having been an SBS connoisseur for many years, I have decided to formulate the perfect list of shows to add to your watch list, so you can spend 2026 enjoying good content, rather than returning to the same ‘comfort-watch’ you’ve had in the background for the past five years.
You’re welcome in advance!
Trespasses
If you’ve been hoping for a politically minded and deeply powerful show, look no further.
Set against the backdrop of the troubles in Ireland, Trespasses follows Catholic schoolteacher Cushla (Say Nothing’s Lola Petticrew) as she begins an affair with married protestant barrister Matthew (Downton Abbey’s Tom Cullen). Exclusive to SBS and starring Sex Education’s Gillian Anderson, this star-studded drama explores the intricate relationships marred by the political and cultural pressures of 1970s Belfast, making it a powerful watch for anyone seeking a new show.
In Flight
Faced with the unimaginable, In Flight follows a mother who will stop at nothing to save her 19-year-old son, imprisoned for a murder he claims he did not commit. Step into a dark underbelly of drama, blackmail, intrigue, and family bonds that serve as the ultimate motivator, with this emotionally gripping series that cranks up the tension so high, you’ll need to stop for a breather between episodes.
Little Fires Everywhere
Brought to you by Reese Witherspoon‘s production company, Hello Sunshine (the same company that produced Gone Girl and Big Little Lies), Little Fires Everywhere is the latest emotionally gripping series, led first and foremost by interesting female characters.
With stellar performances from Witherspoon and Scandal’s Kerry Washington, this series is a must-watch for any drama fans out there. If you’ve been looking for your next binge and loved slow-burn shows like The Sinner or How To Get Away With Murder, Little Fires Everywhere is the perfect option for you.
The Old Man
If you’ve been dying for a series with equal parts action, suspense, and old men speaking in serious voices, look no further.
A cat-and-mouse game for the ages, Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow shine in this action-filled drama about an absconded CIA agent (Bridges) forced back into the action, as an FBI team (Lithgow) tries to track him down. Oh, and Arrested Development’s Alia Shawkat is in it too, if you needed any more motivation to give it a watch. For fans of True Detective, Broadchurch, or Taken, The Old Man will scratch that content itch, for sure.
Why Women Kill
Finally, some female rage on this list!
Why Women Kill follows three women, living in one house, in different decades, all struggling with infidelity in their marriages. Complete with hilarious one-liners and badass feminine energy, this drama has everything one could need from a new series to keep them entertained.
For anyone longing for a bit of comedy and some stylish violence on their screens, I promise you will not regret watching Why Women Kill. Unless, of course, you binge the whole thing in one night and go to work on zero sleep, but that’s hardly my fault.
Boiling Point
From the mind of Stephen Graham OBE, the award-winning actor and writer who last year brought the world to a halt with his show Adolescence, comes Boiling Point, a four-part series set inside the incredibly tense inner workings of a London kitchen. A must-watch for any hospo workers, step inside the chaos of a fine-dining restaurant as the staff are pushed to their limits. If you loved The Bear and have been looking for your next show while you wait for season five, then this gritty UK drama should be at the top of your list.
Alone USA
So you want drama AND reality TV? Consider it done!
Alone USA will give you tension and authentic storytelling, as you watch real-life people battle the elements in their attempts to survive the great outdoors. A testament to the strength of human nature and our innate perseverance, this show will have you gripped from the moment they’re dropped into the wild, all the way through to the final winner being crowned.
Safe Home
While I may personally love a silly comedy in the evenings to distract me from the stress of the real world, I know many of you are, in fact, after a show with some depth that you can really sink your teeth into. Well, Safe Home is just that. Starring Australia’s own Aisha Dee, the series follows Phoebe, a young lawyer who leaves her corporate life to work in a family violence centre. Poignant, emotionally gripping and deeply touching, this is a must-watch series that will ensure your evenings are spent watching some of the best performances TV has to offer.
From tense dramas to real-life issues and a touch of levity sprinkled throughout, this list has a series for everyone. I’d even go so far as to say that, if your TV void is still left unfulfilled after all this, I will eat my hat (it’s a Sister Studios cap, so I really hope all your watching wishes have been answered).
Try your luck at these series and remember, next time you’re struggling for a new show and are longing for some intrigue to fill your evening, there’s a whole world of gripping content waiting for you on SBS. It’s time to flex those muscles and explore some new destinations, because critically acclaimed, premium drama is only a click away.
Happy watching!
