Feeling overwhelmed with all the shows on offer? Below is a list of highly rated shows covering varying genres.
An alien crashes onto Earth and hides in a remote Colorado mountain town. After he assumes the identity of the town doctor, Harry Vanderspeigle, his nefarious mission to kill all humans is threatened when he realises that one of the townspeople, a nine-year-old boy, can see his true alien form.
Genre: Quirky sci-fi comedy
Season: The first three seasons are on Showmax. The fourth has dropped internationally and will be on Showmax soon.
Best thing about it: Resident alien is a quirky sci-fi dramedy that balances mystery, alien intrigue and small town charm. Although the ensemble cast is outstanding, it’s Alan Tudyk’s comedic brilliance that truly makes the show soar. As the alien Harry Vanderspeigle, Tudyk delivers a masterclass in physical comedy, timing and bizarre yet endearing awkwardness. His portrayal of an extraterrestrial struggling to mimic human behaviour is both hilarious and oddly poignant.
Worst thing about it: It might be too sweet for some.
In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot secretly gains free will; to stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet, even though it just wants to binge soap operas.
Genre: Sci-fi comedy
Season: One
Best thing about it: Murderbot is a sharp, darkly funny sci-fi series that makes one thing painfully clear: the humans are, frankly, useless. Their good intentions are often eclipsed by their inability to grasp danger or follow basic instructions. The show cleverly questions the relationship between humans and bots by making the machine the most competent, self-aware and ironically relatable character.
Worst thing about it: A little more depth would have been nice.
Follow the story of Rebel spy Cassian Andor’s formative years with the Rebellion and his difficult missions for the cause.
Genre: Star wars
Season: One and two
Best thing about it: Andor takes a bold step by centring its story around Cassian Andor, a relatively obscure character from Rogue one, and casting the unlikely Diego Luna in the role. His performance strips away the glossy heroism of the Star wars universe and replaces it with grit, doubt and quiet rebellion.
The show tackles the rise of fascism with unflinching clarity, exploring how fear, control and oppression take hold in a galaxy under Imperial rule. The result is not just a powerful character study, but really good entertainment – gripping, smart and far more emotionally rich than you'd expect from a galaxy far, far away.
Worst thing about it: Bix, played by Adria Arjona, is little more than Cassian’s girlfriend. She is simply there to enable him.
The narrow road to the deep north (Prime)
Follow the story of Dorrigo Evans, an army surgeon whose short but forbidden affair with his uncle’s wife sustains and haunts him through his darkest days in a Thai-Burmese prisoner of war camp in WWII.
Genre: Drama
Season: One
Best thing about it: The narrow road to the deep north is a brilliantly crafted drama that lays bare the horrors of war with unflinching honesty and emotional depth. Its storytelling, performances and cinematic vision are nothing short of masterful, drawing viewers into a haunting exploration of love, survival and human cruelty.
Worst thing about it: Despite its undeniable brilliance, the show is nearly unwatchable at times due to its relentless bleakness – each scene is heavy with despair, suffering and moral darkness. I have not made it past episode two.
Jeremy Clarkson attempts to run a farm in the countryside.
Genre: Reality TV
Season: Three
Best thing about it: Clarkson’s farm is a refreshingly honest and often hilarious look at the trials and triumphs of modern farming through the eyes of Jeremy Clarkson, the famously outspoken TV presenter. Far from his usual fast cars and flashy antics, Clarkson dives headfirst into the muddy, unpredictable world of agriculture, revealing just how tough – and unexpectedly rewarding – running a farm can be. The show blends humour, frustration and genuine affection for the land and its people, making it both entertaining and surprisingly insightful.
Worst thing about it: It is fluffy entertainment.
A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh’s cold cases.
Genre: Noirish whodunit
Season: One
Best thing about it: Dept Q skilfully blends dark, twisting mysteries with deep character work, exploring the personal demons and complexities of the investigators alongside the chilling crimes they pursue. Its moody atmosphere, sharp storytelling and strong performances create a tense, immersive experience that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.
Worst thing about it: Carl’s brashness is a tad stereotypical. Grumpy. Sullen. Wants to work alone. We’ve seen it before.
In the 1970s, a getaway driver encounters a tenacious FBI agent who wants to take his crime family down.
Genre: Sexy ’70s caper
Season: One
Best thing about it: Duster is a stylish and suspenseful thriller that transports viewers back to the gritty underbelly of 1970s America. Blending crime, mystery and a touch of noir, the show follows a getaway driver caught up in a dangerous web of crime and corruption. Its sharp writing, period-perfect atmosphere and complex characters create a tense, immersive ride that keeps you guessing at every turn.
Worst thing about it: Josh Holloway’s charm at times comes across as smug, even creepy.
After a deadly snowstorm kills millions, John Salvo and a group of survivors battle an alien menace.
Genre: Sci-fi
Season: One
Best thing about it: The eternaut is a masterclass in post-apocalyptic storytelling. The show’s production values are exceptional, with haunting visuals and a stripped-back, atmospheric take on classic sci-fi. The storytelling is deliberate, emphasising character over chaos, and silence over exposition. The sparse dialogue and subdued performances draw you into the tension and isolation felt by the protagonists. It’s a refreshingly patient piece of science fiction that leaves the viewer holding the dread in the pit of their stomach.
Worst thing about it: Nothing.
The righteous Gemstones (Showmax)
Well into the second generation of a grand televangelist tradition, the world-famous Gemstone family is living proof that worship pays dividends in all sizes. Patriarch Eli, the man most responsible for the tremendous success of the family’s megachurch, is in mourning over the loss of his wife. Jesse, the eldest of the three grown Gemstone siblings, looks to lead in his father’s footsteps, but finds his past sins jeopardising the family ministry. Next in line comes middle sister Judy, who secretly lives with her fiancé and dreams of escaping the Gemstone compound. Rounding out the dysfunctional trio is pseudo-hipster Kelvin, the youngest of the preachers and a thorn in Jesse’s side. As the family battles numerous threats to their renowned religious empire, they continue to spread the good word – and make a solid buck doing so.
Genre: Scathing comedy
Season: All four
Best thing about it: The righteous Gemstones is a darkly comedic series that dives into the chaotic, money-fuelled world of a televangelist family whose public piety hides a web of greed, dysfunction and scandal. With sharp satire and outrageous humour, the show exposes the absurdities of faith, fame and family loyalty, led by a brilliantly dysfunctional cast that brings equal parts charm and menace to their roles. It’s a wild ride full of outlandish dialogue, over-the-top antics and surprisingly heartfelt moments – making it a biting yet oddly relatable look at power and hypocrisy in modern America.