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As 2025 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the TV shows that kept us laughing, crying and glued to the screen this year. From hilarious comedies to gripping new dramas, there’s been no shortage of unforgettable moments. Here, we take a look at the best TV shows of 2025 that truly stood out.
We’ve rounded up the standout series that made this year one to remember, from brilliant spin-offs, heartfelt stories and edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Whether you’re planning a New Year binge or just want to catch up, these are the shows you won’t want to miss!
The best TV shows of 2025
11. Last One Laughing UK
Similar to Taskmaster, the aim of the game is not laugh on Last One Laughing, which is hard when you're all comedians! They're left in a Big Brother-esque house (ran by Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty) and must do skits to make the others chuckle.
Starring: Jimmy Carr, Roisin Conaty, Bob Mortimer, Rob Beckett, Daisy May Cooper, Richard Ayoade, Joe Wilkinson, Sara Cox, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Lou Sanders and Harriet Kemsley
Stream it on: Prime Video
10. Amandaland
She seemingly had it all - a handsome husband and a chic shop - but when divorce hits, Amanda must relocate her now-teenage children and adjust to life “slumming it” in SoHa, where nothing goes quite as planned...
One of the year’s most delightful spin-offs, Amandaland takes everything we loved about Motherland and adds focuses on Amanda, played by Lucy Punch. With Joanna Lumley reprising her iconic charm alongside a cast of brilliant newcomers, it’s an effortlessly funny, binge-worthy watch. Now, all we need is an Anneland spin-off!
Starring: Lucy Punch, Joanna Lumley, Philippa Dunne, Miley Locke, Alexander Shaw, Samuel Anderson, Siobhán McSweeney, Rochenda Sandall, Ekow Quartey, Peter Serafinowicz, Anya McKenna-Bruce and Jack Veal
Stream it on: BBC iPlayer
9. Adolescence
Thematic and sadly all too relevant, this one-shot drama focuses on the effects of toxic masculinity and was perfectly executed, opening up many vital discussions.
Starring: Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Christine Tremarco, Mark Stanley, Faye Marsay, Jo Hartley, Hannah Walters and Amélie Pease
Stream it on: Netflix
8. Until I Kill You
We all know her from Motherland and Line of Duty, but Anna Maxwell Martin gave an award-worthy performance in Until I Kill You, which is based on Delia Balmer's autobiographical book Living with a Serial Killer.
Starring: Anna Maxwell Martin, Shaun Evans, Kevin Doyle, Amanda Wilkin
Stream it on: ITVX
7. Big Boys (series 3)
Funny and emotional, Jack Rooke has created the perfect ending to his coming-of-age comedy about a group of friends from Brent Uni. Based on Jack's life, the series focuses on grief, mental health, friendship, family, sex and 2010s pop culture references
Starring: Dylan Llewellyn, Jon Pointing, Izuka Hoyle, Olisa Odele, Camille Coduri, Harriet Webb, Annette Badland and Katy Wix
Stream it on: Channel 4
6. Down Cemetery Road
Down Cemetery Road isn’t your average cop show. Led by the iconic Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson - the duo of our dreams - as private detective Zoë Boehm and art restorer Sarah Trafford, they investigate a mysterious house explosion that leads to the disappearance of a little girl named Dinah. If you loved Slow Horses, this gripping dark thriller, with brilliant one-liners, is based on Mick Herron’s debut novel, is a must-watch.
Starring: Ruth Wilson, Emma Thompson, Fehinti Balogun, Addel Akhtar, Darren Boyd, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Ella Bruccoleri, Aaron Neil, Lydia Leonard, Sinead Matthews, Ken Nwosu and Ivy Quio
Stream it on: Apple TV
5. Blue Lights (series 3)
Not many crime dramas get better after the first few series, but Blue Lights is one of them. Set in Belfast, we got laughs, tears, drama and injustices.
Starring: Siân Brooke, Katherine Devlin, Nathan Braniff, Martin McCann, Dearbháile McKinney, Michael Smiley, Andi Osho, Cathy Tyson, Joanne Crawford, Frank Blake, Charlie Maher, Aoife Hughes, Andrea Irvine and Abigail McGibbon
Stream it on: BBC iPlayer
4. Toxic Town
If you haven't watched Toxic Town, a shocking true-crime series about the Corby poisonings, you need to. From acclaimed screenwriter Jack Thorne, it centres around three mothers (played by Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood and Claudia Jessie) who discover that their children's birth defects and limb differences have been caused by negligence.
Starring: Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, Robert Carlyle, Brendan Coyle, Michael Socha, Karla Crome, Ben Batt, Joe Dempsie, Mathew Durkan and Stephen McMillan
Stream it on: Netflix
3. I Fought the Law
Sheridan Smith's gives the performance of a lifetime in I Fought the Law, the true crime drama about Ann Ming's remarkable fight for justice for her daughter Julie who was brutally murdered. It has to be one of the most moving shows we have ever watched.
Starring: Sheridan Smith, Daniel York-Loh, Victoria Wyant, Jack Ryan, Jake Davies, Enzo Cilenti, Marlowe Chan-Reeves. Buddy Wignall-Ho, Olivia Ng, Ron Cook and Ann Ming
Stream it on: ITVX
2. The Celebrity Traitors
Tip-top Scottish castle escapism with an excellent group of players, The Celebrity Traitors had the nation gripped! From Celia Imrie's fart to Alan Carr's treachery, it provided some of 2025's top TV moments.
Starring: Claudia Winkleman, Alan Carr, Celia Imrie, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, Cat Burns, Paloma Faith, Kate Garraway, Joe Marler, Nick Mohammed, David Olusoga, Mark Bonnar, Joe Wilkinson, Tameka Empson, Charlotte Church, Clare Balding, Tom Daley, Ruth Codd, Lucy Beaumont and Niko Omilana
Stream it on: BBC iPlayer
1. Riot Women
After the finale of Happy Valley, Sally Wainwright proves she’s still at the top of her game with Riot Women. Set in Hebden Bridge, it follows five women who form a punk band to blow off steam about work, family, and the ups and downs of midlife and menopause.
It’ll have you full of fury one moment, in tears the next and laughing out loud, all while celebrating female friendship, self-expression and the power of music.
Starring: Rosalie Craig, Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig, Lorraine Ashbourne, Amelia Bullmore, Taj Atwal, Ben Batt, Anne Reid, Chandeep Uppal, Sue Johnston, Claire Skinner, Peter Davison, Johnny Green, Ellise Chappel and Jonathan Pryce
Stream it on: BBC iPlayer
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. A devoted bookworm and TV fan, she’s always immersed in the latest shows or catching the newest films and theatre productions. When she’s not writing, Arabella enjoys cooking and exploring the outdoors with her three dogs.