The best TV shows to stream on Stan
UPDATE: Bound to become a new TV obsession for many, the Kevin Costner-starring series Yellowstone is now in its second season on Stan – read more about it on Page 2!
Anyone who's used the streaming service Stan knows that there's a veritable smorgasbord of great content available to stream at any given moment, which can make the decision of what to watch an overwhelming prospect.
That's why we've created the TechRadar guide to the greatest TV shows on Stan right now (in no particular order). We'll keep this best TV show list constantly updated with the latest television series that you should be watching – and also explain why they're worth your time.
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Yellowstone
A series that's essentially The Godfather on horseback, Yellowstone sees Kevin Costner play John Dutton, patriarch in a fractured family of ranchers that goes back six generations. The Duttons own and operate the largest contiguous ranch in the United States, a fact that grants them a great deal of power in the region. This power will prove to be of the utmost importance as businessmen and politicians attempt to wrestle that land away from them. Not helping matters is the hostile relationship the Duttons have with the Indian reservation within its borders. Written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, the mind behind Sicario, Wind River and Hell or High Water, Yellowstone is as muscular and hard-hitting as television gets.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Killing Eve
One of the most popular new shows on Stan sees MI5 officer Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) on the trail of a brilliant – and psychopathic – assassin known as Villanelle (Jodie Comer) in a brilliant game of cat and mouse that keeps ratcheting up in terms of intensity. The two women become obsessed with each other despite being on opposite sides of the law, resulting in Eve chasing the murderous Villanelle across Europe. Killing Eve's premise may not sound all that revolutionary or original, but the show makes up for its familiarity by coming up with its own surprising twists on the well-worn formula. It also helps that the show is very funny, and is able to juggle that humour and the show's violent, dark theme masterfully. Fans of murder mysteries and crime shows will likely find themselves binging through Killing Eve's eight-episode first season in a weekend.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Veronica Mars
After several years missing from TV screens and the release of a crowd-funded movie, Veronica Mars is back in living rooms with a brand new season that's exclusive to Stan in Australia. Kristen Bell plays the titular private detective, who finds herself investigating a bombing in the town of Neptune that results in the deaths of several spring breakers. A wealthy parent of one of the victims hires Veronica to get to the bottom of this tragic incident, and you can bet there will be plenty of twists and turns along the way.
Seasons on Stan: 1
City on a Hill
Image credit: Showtime
Playing like a small-screen version of Ben Affleck's bank robber drama The Town (Affleck also produces here alongside long-time partner Matt Damon), City on a Hill also deals with Boston's criminal underworld (specifically the suburb of Charlestown). Set in the early '90s, the show tells a fictionalised account of true story – namely the events surrounding Operation Ceasefire (aka the 'Boston Miracle'), which implemented a 'problem-oriented policing approach' that saw a huge decrease in youth-related gun crimes in the city. In City on a Hill, this operation is spearheaded by District Attorney Decourcy Ward (Aldis Hodge), an African American outsider who teams up with corrupt FBI agent Jackie Rohr (Kevin Bacon) to take on a family of armoured truck robbers (Jonathan Tucker, Mark O'Brien and James Michael Cummings) only to eventually bust open Boston's corrupt legal system. If you like movies like The Town and shows like The Wire, chances are you're going to love this.
Seasons on Stan: 1
All American
Image credit: The CW
From the makers of Riverdale and Arrow comes the new sports drama All American, which is inspired by the real life story of retired NFL player Spencer Paysinger. The show follows an African American football star who transfers from his high school in South L.A. to the swanky Beverly Hills High. Before long, he begins to experience how different the two worlds are despite being in the same city. Fans of Friday Night Lights are bound to enjoy All American. Stars Daniel Erza and Taye Diggs.
Seasons on Stan: 1
I Am The Night
Image credit: Stan/TNT
From Patty Jenkins, director of Monster and Wonder Woman, comes I Am The Night – a true crime thriller which explores the famously unsolved Black Dahlia murder that sent shockwaves through Los Angeles (and the world) in the 1940s. The series sees Jenkins reunite with her Wonder Woman star Chris Pine, who plays Jay Singletary, a reporter who's still haunted by the case several years later. Jay teams up with Fauna (India Eisley), a young woman who hopes to find answers about her mysterious past. Unfortunately, this leads them right into the orbit of an infamous Los Angeles gynecologist, Dr. George Hodel (Jefferson Mays), who may or may not be connected to the Black Dahlia case. Like many other Stan exclusives, new episodes of I Am The Night are fast-tracked direct from the US.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Get Shorty
Somewhat different to the John Travolta-starring movie and Elmore Leonard-penned book the show is based on, Get Shorty still sticks to the same beats while bringing its own unique take to the source material, with a new cast of characters and a grittier Breaking Bad-inspired style and black sense of humour. Instead of Chilli Palmer, we get Miles Daly (Chris O'Dowd) a discontent criminal who wants out of his murderous lifestyle. Through work, he meets Rick Moreweather (Ray Romano), a washed-up producer who owes money to Daly's boss. Sensing the movie business might just be his ticket out, Daly teams up with Moreweather to devise a plan that will (hopefully) solve all their problems. Darkly funny and stylish, Get Shorty is a terrific show (once you get over your original idea of what Get Shorty is meant to be).
Seasons on Stan: 1
Better Call Saul
Due to the immense success of his previous show, Breaking Bad, creator Vince Gilligan was given the opportunity to create this prequel spin-off series set six years prior. The show follows the fan favourite character Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) and the events of his life which led him to become the delightfully crooked lawyer we know as Saul Goodman. Similar in style and tone to Breaking Bad (though not quite as grim), Better Call Saul is a welcome continuation of a beloved franchise. Now in its fourth sesson, Better Call Saul is getting very close to the events of Breaking Bad, with characters like Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) appearing much more regularly. After the shock ending of the show's third season, it's clear that things are about to get very dark moving forward, and we personally can't wait to see Jimmy go off the rails.
Seasons on Stan: 4
Condor
Based on the classic Robert Redford-starring political thriller Three Days of the Condor (or alternatively, the original novel Six Days of the Condor), this TV reimagining brings the action to a modern day setting and sees CIA analyst Joe Turner (Max Irons) who stumbles into a secret plan that could threaten the lives of millions of people in the name of national security. Before long. everyone in his office is assassinated, and now Joe must keep hits wits about him if he has any chance at survival. Featuring William Hurt, Mira Sorvino and Brendan Fraser in supporting roles, Condor is a thrilling show that's not to be missed.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Billions
Exploring the high-stakes world of high finance and hedge-fund managers, Billions follows an epic battle between two New York City titans. U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) is on a mission to take down hedge-fund king Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis), though the line between right and wrong is not as clearly defined as their roles would have you think. With terrific performances and exceptional writing, Billions is must-see prestige television at its finest.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Friday Night Lights
Every once in a while, a television show will transcend the film or book it's based on to become something truly special. The TV adaptation of Friday Night Lights does both of these things. The series follows the lives of football players and coaching staff in a small Texas town. Kyle Chandler does the best work of his career as Coach Taylor, and he's ably supported by a rotating cast of young actors who will eventually go on to become big stars, such as Michael B. Jordan, Taylor Kitsch and Jesse Plemons. Even if you don't know a thing about American football, it's easy to get swept up in the lives of these characters, which is the sign of a truly great sports film or TV show, in our opinion. Friday Night Lights is now available to stream on Stan in its entirety.
Seasons on Stan: 5
Romper Stomper
Based on the incendiary 1992 Australian movie of the same name, Romper Stomper brings the discussion around racism in Australia back to the forefront in this confronting and provocative Stan Original series. Turning its attention on white nationalism instead of neo-Nazis this time around, this slickly-produced series stars Lachy Hulme as the heinous leader of Patriot Blue, a racist anti-Muslim group. Hard-hitting and (unfortunately) ripped from the headlines, Romper Stomper is the kind of high-quality Australian drama that we don't get very often anymore.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Breaking Bad
One of the most successful and critically-acclaimed shows of all time, Breaking Bad follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high-school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with cancer. With death on the horizon, Walter assumes the alter-ego Heisenberg and puts his chemistry knowledge to use in the production of crystal meth, with help from his drug dealing ex-student Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul). How far will Walter go to provide for his family, and will they even be around when all is said and done? Truly, one of the most riveting television shows to ever hit the small screen, Breaking Bad is essential viewing.
Seasons on Stan: 5
Justified
A western series set in the modern day, Justified sees tough-as-nails U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) return to his hometown of Kentucky to dole out some seriously old-school justice. He'll also have to deal with his old acquaintance Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), a petty criminal posing as a white supremacist who may or may not get a chance to turn his life around. Seriously good stuff.
Seasons on Stan: 6
Sherlock
A fantastic reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, the series Sherlock brings world's most famous detective (played magnificently by Benedict Cumberbatch) to modern-day London where he solves crimes with his friend, Watson (Martin Freeman). Cumberbatch plays Sherlock with a borderline personality disorder, maybe even reaching into the realm of Asperger’s Syndrome. When combined with Watson's more grounded influence, the pair become an inseparable crime-solving duo. Exclusive to Stan, Sherlock is now in its fourth and final season, each consisting of three movie-length episodes. If you love these characters or British mystery shows in general, Sherlock is required viewing.
Seasons on Stan: 4
Flesh and Bone
Those who've seen the Oscar-winning film Black Swan know just how cutthroat the world of professional ballet can be, with the immense pressure placed on dancers and the constant backstabbing that takes place. Flesh and Bone explores similar territory, following an incredibly talented ballerina named Claire (Sarah Hay) who at first seems uptight and sexually repressed, but is actually hiding some seriously dark secrets some deep emotional problems. Created by Moira Walley-Beckett (producer of Breaking Bad) and with direction from David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), Flesh and Bone is a beautiful, tragic and shocking show that is worth your time.
Seasons on Stan: 1
The Shield
A cop show with a difference, The Shield follows a tactical strike team headed by Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) that is as violent and corrupt as the street gangs it faces on a daily basis. Set in the fictional Los Angeles district of Farmington, Mackey and his crew (which includes Justified's Walton Goggins) must cover their tracks so that their ghastly exploits aren't discovered by detectives Claudette (CCH Pounder) and Dutch (Jay Karnes). Somewhat of a precursor to the show Sons of Anarchy, which also deals with gangs in a fictional Californian town, stars many of the same people and is also written by Kurt Sutter, The Shield is hard-hitting drama at its finest.
Seasons on Stan: 7
Dawson's Creek
If you're in your early thirties, chances are that Dawson's Creek played a significant part in your high school years. Whether you identified with these impossibly good-looking and verbose supposed teenagers, or you just had the hots for Dawson (James Van Der Beek), Joey (Katie Holmes), Jen (Michelle Williams) or Pacey (Joshua Jackson), Dawson's Creek was surprisingly compelling viewing for a teenage melodrama. Relive your youth by watching Dawson's Creek in its entirety on Stan.
Seasons on Stan: 6
This is England '86 and '88
Following on from director Shane Meadows' semi-autobiographical masterpiece This is England (also available to stream on Stan), This is England '86 and '88 see all of the film's cast members return to continue their characters' stories in the longer format of television. With the whole skinhead scene left behind them, Shaun (Thomas Turgoose), Woody (Joseph Gilgun) and Lol (Vicky McLure) each try to find their place in the world, all to the backdrop of the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Fans of the film will love these two follow-up shows, and if you haven't seen the movie they're based on, we highly recommend that, too. So far, only This is England '86 and '88 are available on Stan, though we expect that the third and final series, This is England '90, will eventually make its way to the service.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Black Monday
If you love The Wolf of Wall Street, you're bound to love Black Monday, a new Showtime comedy series from creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Superbad, Preacher). Set one year before Wall Street's catastrophic Black Monday event in 1987 (the worst fall since The Great Depression), this hilarious series recounts the events that led up to that fateful day. Starring Don Cheadle (Avengers: Infinity War) and Andrew Rannells (Girls), the show is a blisteringly funny takedown of 1980s excess and greed. Exclusive to Stan in Australia, each new episode will be fast-tracked to the service as it airs.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Who is America?
You would think that comedian Sacha Baron Cohen would be too famous at this point to dupe people into giving him ridiculous interview material, but somehow, the Borat / Ali G / Bruno creator has devised a new batch of characters that will cause his subjects to play directly into his hilariously devious hands. Who is America? aims its sights squarely on US politics, with Cohen interviewing the likes of Sarah Palin, Bernie Sanders and Dick Cheney, as well as a number of everyday Americans. His goal is the same as it's always been: to systematically reveal hypocrisy. Whether Cohen's new characters will be as successful as his previous creations is anyone's guess, but it's great to have him back and doing what he does best. As this is a Showtime production, Stan has the exclusive rights to it in Australia — that means you can expect new episodes to be fast-tracked as soon as they air overseas.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Parks and Recreation
An Amy Poehler-led comedy series that made stars out of Chris Pratt, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza and Aziz Ansari, Parks and Recreation follows Leslie Knope (Poehler), an ambitious Parks Department worker who consistently tries to make her small town a better place. Unfortunately for her, she is usually impeded by her disinterested boss, Ron Swanson (Offerman), as well the usual governmental bureaucracy that stands in the way of change. Fans of shows like The Office and 30 Rock will love Parks and Recreation.
Seasons on Stan: 7
Will & Grace
A trailblazing series that fostered equality during its initial run, Will & Grace has returned in 2017 with the reunion that fans of the sitcom have been wanting for years. The show follows a gay lawyer named Will (Eric McCormack) and his straight interior decorator roommate Grace (Debra Messing) as they struggle to find love in New York. Along for the ride are Will's flamboyant friend, Jack (Sean Hayes), and Grace's well-off assistant, Karen (Megan Mullally). The new series beings the foursome directly into today's turbulent political climate with expectedly zany results. On top of being the exclusive Australian home of the new Will & Grace series, Stan also hosts all eight seasons of the original series, so fans will be able to binge their hearts out. Now, if we could only get a Friends reunion...
Seasons on Stan: 9
The Other Guy
A refreshing Australian comedy/drama series, The Other Guy has more in common with the likes of Netflix's US series Master of None than just about any Australian show in recent memory. Starring comedian Matt Okine, The Other Guy tells dramatised versions of real relationship stories from Okine's own life – sometimes funny, other times heartbreaking, With terrific writing that focuses on character over punchlines, you should definitely give the Stan Original series The Other Guy a shot.
Seasons on Stan: 1
I'm Dying Up Here
From Executive Producer Jim Carrey comes I'm Dying Up Here, a new dramedy series that follows a group of sardonic Los Angeles comedians in the '70s, all of which are hoping to get their big break, maybe even landing a couch spot on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Funny and quick-witted, yet sad and thoughtful, the show offers a glimpse into the struggle and dedication that goes into pursuing a career in stand-up comedy. As you'd expect from a Showtime series, the show does not shy away from the sex, drugs and hard-living lifestyles of its characters. Get on board this one early, because these kinds of shows have a tendency of not sticking around too long.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Community
Following the exploits of a particularly low-rent community college, Community is a geeky, pop-culture obsessed delight. Community's homaging of all things movies, television and video games is spot on and incredibly realised, due to top notch direction, writing and performances. Best of all, the entire series is available on Stan, with new episodes appearing on the service as soon as they air in the United States.
Seasons on Stan: 6
Friends
We all fell in love with Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Joey and Phoebe during the '90s, and now we can revisit every single one of their hilarious antics exclusively on Stan! Completely remastered in HD and presented in widescreen, this is the definitive way to watch all 10 seasons of Friends – quite frankly, the fact that we're able to watch a '90s sitcom in this kind of quality is astounding. We wish all our favourite shows from yesteryear were treated with this kind of loving attention.
Seasons on Stan: 10
Seinfeld
Perhaps the greatest sitcom ever made, Seinfeld has finally made its way onto Stan in its entirety. Not only that, the "show about nothing" has been completely remastered, presented here in both widescreen and high definition – not bad for a sitcom from the early '90s! A revolutionary series that took a few seasons to initially catch on with audiences, Seinfeld follows a group eccentric and self-absorbed friends from New York who relentlessly pick apart the people they meet and the situations they happen to find themselves in – all in the observational style of comedy that made comedian and star Jerry Seinfeld famous in the first place . Featuring enough classic characters to give The Simpsons a run for its money, Seinfeld is required viewing for comedy fans.
Seasons on Stan: 9
Angie Tribeca
From creators Steve and Nancy Carell comes Angie Tribeca, a hilarious spoof comedy series that parodies modern cop procedural shows like CSI, Law and Order and NCIS with a nodding wink to Police Squad, The Naked Gun and Loaded Weapon 1. Rashida Jones is particularly fantastic as the titular detective, though the show is also filled with celebrity cameos, including Bill Murray and James Franco. Some may find the constant stream of goofy (and somewhat predictable) jokes a little overbearing, but if you long for the return of this kind of thing, you'll have an absolute blast with Angie Tribeca.
Seasons on Stan: 3
The IT Crowd
It's safe to assume that if you're reading this website, you're quite tech-savvy, so you'd probably have an intimate knowledge of what it's like to deal with computer illiterate people. The IT Crowd understands this frustration in a way that only those who've actually lived it can – and it's absolutely bloody hilarious. The show follows the misadventures of tech support officers Jen (Katherine Parkinson), Roy (Chris O'Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade), both in the office and out in the real world – spurred on in part by their eccentric boss, Douglas Reynholm (Matt Berry). It's like a geeky, British version of Seinfeld.
Seasons on Stan: 4
Key and Peele
With a hilarious partnership that began on the old sketch comedy series Mad TV, bi-racial comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele shot to superstardom with their own Comedy Central series, Key and Peele. Tackling a range of issues including relationships, race and celebrity, Key and Peele will leave no stone unturned in their quest to make you laugh uncontrollably. Featuring brilliant impersonations, observations and characterisations, Key and Peele is essential viewing for fans of sketch comedy.
Seasons on Stan: 5
Party Down
Another show that was taken from us far too soon, Party Down is a comedy about group of out-of-work actors (and one hard science fiction writer) who are forced to take on jobs at a catering service. Each episode takes place at a different party, furthering the characters' relationships in the process. Featuring hilarious turns from Adam Scott, Lizzy Caplan, Martin Starr, Ken Marino and Jane Lynch, Party Down is most certainly the kind of show that deserves to be rediscovered on Stan.
Seasons on Stan: 2
No Activity
Taking a page out of Netflix's successful playbook, Stan opted to produce its own original series this year in No Activity, a hilarious improvisational cop show in which almost nothing at all happens. Patrick Brammall and Darren Gilshenan play two detectives on stakeout who pass the time with oddball observations and banter. That's pretty much the entire gist of the series, though there is an overarching story in there, too. Highly recommended, Stan's first original series is a wonderfully inventive and funny show.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Spaced
Before they hit the big time with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and director Edgar Wright made a splash with Spaced, a hilarious comedy series about a man (Pegg) and woman (Jessica Hynes) who pretend to be a professional couple in order to get a good deal on a flat. Not only would they have to keep up the facade, but they'd also have to deal with their crazy new neighbours. Filled with geeky references and the kind of quick-fire humour that made Pegg, Frost and Wright famous, Spaced is a delightful series that many people of a certain age will immediately empathise with.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Penny Dreadful
Cancelled as it may be, Penny Dreadful still provides us with three magnificent seasons of Victorian-era horror, fantasy and mystery. Seamlessly interweaving with classic literary horror characters, like Victor Frankenstein and Dorian Grey, Penny Dreadful is not afraid to go extremely dark and gruesome. The plot sees explorer Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) and the powerful medium Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) recruit an American gunslinger (Josh Hartnett) in their quest to save Murray's daughter, who may have been taken by creatures of the night. A must-watch for horror fans.
Seasons on Stan: 3
Wolf Creek
A few years ago, it would've been unthinkable to imagine that one of Australia's highest quality television shows would be small screen version of Wolf Creek, complete with the legendary John Jarratt returning to the character that made him an international star. But thanks to Stan, that's exactly what's happened, and now we've got a second season to sink our teeth into. The first season followed a woman whose family was murdered by the Outback serial killer Mick Taylor (Jarratt), leading to an epic game of cat and mouse between the two. Now, Mick is back, and this time he's set his deadly gaze on a bus full of tourists. Who will survive and what will be left of them? You'll have to watch to find out!
Seasons on Stan: 2
Supernatural
It's hard to argue with 12 seasons (and counting) and an enormously devoted fanbase – Supernatural is sometimes dark, sometimes fun and sometimes spooky fantasy show that follows the Winchester brothers as they travel around hunting demons, ghosts and creatures of all kinds. What's not to like? With its leading actors sharing an incredible chemistry that makes them come across as real brothers, Supernatural is the kind of show that fans of Buffy and Angel would totally get a kick out of. With so many episodes already available, Supernatural is the perfect binge-worthy show for fans of all things creepy and mysterious.
Seasons on Stan: 12
Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams
An ambitious sci-fi anthology series, Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams adapts ten of the famous author's short stories for the small screen. Even if his name is unfamiliar to you, chances are you've watched one of the many films adapted from Dick's classic works, such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report and A Scanner Darkly. Available exclusively through Stan in Australia, Electric Dreams tells a different story each episode, and has an incredible cast including Steve Buscemi, Terrence Howard, Anna Paquin and Bryan Cranston, who also acts as executive producer. A thought-provoking series that tackles a number of important ethical and political issues, Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams has all the makings of a new science fiction classic.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Dexter
A show with an absolutely killer premise, Dexter is a police procedural with a twist – what if the Miami P.D.'s most talented forensics expert was also the most notorious serial killer in the city's history? Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) can't help but indulge in his murderous urges, which involve chopping people up and collecting their blood for his microscope slide collection. However, thanks to the tutelage of his cop adoptive father (James Remar), Dexter is able to focus his bloodlust on people who deserve it, in this case, murderers of innocent people. But how long can Dexter remain undetected within his department? And will his detective sister Deb (Jennifer Carpenter) find out about his horrendous hobby? The first four seasons of Dexter are absolutely magnificent, and while the show takes a bit of a dive after that, it remains required viewing at all times. Bloody good.
Seasons on Stan: 8
Preacher
From the surprising creative team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, more famous for writing comedies such as Pineapple Express and Superbad, comes Preacher, a violent adaption of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's classic comic series of the same name. Jesse (Dominic Cooper), a troubled Texas preacher with a criminal past, discovers that he has the power to speak as if channeling the voice of God, which in turn causes people to do whatever he says. Problem is, sometimes they take his words all too literally, often with gruesome consequences. To make matters worse, the arrival of an ex-girlfriend named Tulip (Ruth Negga) and a wise-cracking Irish vampire named Cassidy (Joe Gilgun) threaten to push Jesse back over the edge into darkness. A slow burn horror show with a dark sense of humour, Preacher is now in its second season, with new episodes fast-tracked from the US.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Twin Peaks
One of the most classic and mind-blowing television shows of all time, Twin Peaks redefined the general public's perception of what a television drama was supposed to be like. Creator David Lynch presented the world with a standard murder mystery scenario, which would go on to become more bizarre and out there with every episode. When popular high school student Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) is found murdered, FBI agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) arrives in the town of Twin Peaks with two agendas – to find out who killed her, and to eat some damn fine cherry pie. Peppered with a range of eccentric characters, Twin Peaks is one-of-a-kind. Also, with the new Twin Peaks reboot currently streaming on Stan, now's as good a time as any to get yourself caught up.
Seasons on Stan: 2
Twin Peaks: The Return
Sure, the original Twin Peaks series has been on this list for quite some time, so you may be asking yourself why the much-hyped series return would warrant its own entry. Those who have seen the 2017 version however, can certainly attest to this being an entirely different animal indeed. Darker and more twisted than before, the new Twin Peaks eschews the soap opera stylings of the '90s version in favour of something more akin to co-creator David Lynch's cinematic accomplishments. Prone to long stretches without dialogue and numerous trip-out sequences, this Twin Peaks recalls Lynch's own films Lost Highway, Inland Empire and even his feature-length debut, Eraserhead. Of course, Lynch has also stated that his polarising Twin Peaks follow-up, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, is the key to understanding this new series, so that may offer some insight into what this new show is attempting to do. Both the original TV series and its cinematic sequel are available to stream on Stan, so you may want to catch up on those before jumping straight into this mind-bending revival. The new Twin Peaks is bound to divide audiences once again, but the only way you'll only know which side you fall on is to take the plunge into this tenebrous abyss.
Seasons on Stan: 1
iZombie
This wild series from Rob Thomas, the man behind Veronica Mars, has an absolutely unique premise – after having been turned into a zombie, Olivia "Liv" Moore (get it? Live more?) takes on a job at a morgue. With no control over her hunger, Liv takes starts eating the brains of murder victims, only to discover that this gives her a look into the final moments of the victims' lives. Now, her boss is encouraging her to eat brains, so that she can use her new-found powers to solve crimes (see? I told you this crazy show was unique). Based on a Vertigo comic, iZombie is one of the coolest new shows of year. Best of all, each new episode of the show is fast-tracked on Stan, with Season 3 having just kicked off in all its ghoulish glory.
Seasons on Stan: 4
Hannibal
Possibly the most gorgeously grotesque show on television (American Horror Story doesn't even come close), Hannibal follows the world's most famous cannibal psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen), as he attempts to evade discovery by his friends, FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) and FBI director Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne). Fans of serial killer thrillers owe it to themselves to check out Hannibal, as the show manages to be even more horrifying than the Thomas Harris novels and films it's based on. It also happens to be the best-looking show currently on the air, with an operatic flair that puts most films to shame.
Seasons on Stan: 3
11.22.63
Based on the terrific Stephen King novel of the same name, 11.22.63 is the story of Jake (James Franco), a high school teacher who is tasked with travelling back in time to prevent the assassination of JFK, thus preventing the Vietnam War from ever happening. Jake arrives 3 years before that fateful day and he'll need all that time to unravel the mystery and make sure he takes out the right target. Produced by JJ Abrams and with heavy involvement from King, 11.22.63 is a riveting thriller that will have you counting the days between each fast-tracked episode.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Ash vs Evil Dead
If you're a devoted fan of the Evil Dead series of films, then Ash vs Evil Dead is enough to warrant a Stan subscription all on its own. Bruce Campbell returns as Ash, the heroic jackass who keeps letting 'Deadite' demons into the world, only to have to violently dispatch them with his trusty boomstick and chainsaw hand. Director Sam Raimi also returns, directing the visually spectacular pilot and producing with his partner since the beginning, Robert Tapert. Just as hilarious and gory as the movies that preceded it, Ash vs Evil Dead does not disappoint in the slightest.
Series on Stan: 3
The Flash
The CW has done a terrific job with its DC Comics properties, kicking off its own small screen DC Universe with the popular series Arrow. In the five years since that series came to be, the North American network has brought a number of interconnected DC shows into its stable, including Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow. However, we'd argue that the strongest show in its impressive lineup is The Flash – it absolutely nails the Scarlet Speedster in a way that even the upcoming big screen version of the character looks unable to top. We put this down to Grant Gustin's incredibly charming and likeable performance as the fastest man alive, as well as the terrific ensemble cast that joins him on his adventures every week. Funny, dramatic, action-packed and filled with terrific visual effects work, The Flash is the best DC Comics show currently on television.
Seasons on Stan: 2
The Tudors
Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point), Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) and Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones), The Tudors is a lavishly-produced drama that tells of the reign and marriages of King Henry VIII. You might be thinking "oh great, another costume drama", but The Tudors is far from your average period piece. Expect a story filled with sex, obsession, betrayal and political intrigue.
Seasons on Stan: 4
The White Queen
Set during one of the most turbulent times in England's history, The White Queen follows three relentless women as they vie for the throne. To do this, they will scheme, manipulate and seduce anyone who will help them get to the top. With exquisite period detail and terrific performances (Rebecca Ferguson of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is exceptional as Queen Elizabeth), The White Queen is a must-watch for those interested in 15th Century England.
Seasons on Stan: 1
Spartacus
Before he was the showrunner for Marvel's Daredevil, Steven DeKnight worked on the gratuitously violent and sexual series Spartacus. At first glance, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there's nothing more to the show than meat-headed beefcakes fighting and screwing in a 300-aping manner, but there's so much more going on – we follow Spartacus (the late Andy Whitfield and his replacement, Liam McIntyre) as he is taken into slavery and forced to do cruel and unimaginable things in the gladiatorial arena, just waiting for the day that he can finally get his revenge on slave-owners Batiatus (John Hannah) and Lucretia (Lucy Lawless). All of this culminates in one of the most satisfying season finales in recent memory. Be warned – this show is filled with grotesque violence and an immense amount of sex and nudity. It's like Game of Thrones times ten.
Series on Stan: 4
Deadwood
HBO's western series Deadwood was devastatingly cancelled before its time, but thankfully we can relive the show's harsh and brutal world on Stan in its entirety. Ex-lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant, clearly loving his status as a modern day western hero) arrives in the lawless town of Deadwood to start a hardware business and provide for his dead brother's family. Before long, the crime and corruption of this town, headed by bar owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), forces Bullock back into the life he tried so desperately to leave behind. Deadwood is an utterly fantastic show.
Seasons on Stan: 3
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