From Frozen Planet to Fargo: the best TV shows to cool you down in a heatwave

When the BBQ’s all finished, the last drop of suncream has been used up and the heat is getting just that little bit too oppressive, there’s no shame in heading back indoors, out of the scorching sun, and switching on the TV.

In fact, in a reverse situation of watching a burning log fire film on your TV (always a massive hit in the winter for Netflix), watching frosty- and snowy-themed shows could just help in bringing sweaty, sticky temperatures down. From icy, Arctic-set wildlife documentaries like Frozen Planet to the snowscapes of black comedy crime dramas like Fargo, here are the best television shows to watch to help you cool down during a heatwave – pair with an ice lolly and a fan on high-speed setting for the ultimate indoor cool-down session.

Frozen Planet

Natural history legend Sir David Attenborough’s 2011 documentary series was filmed to show the plight of the Arctic and Antarctic circles – and the animals who live within it – as the climate crisis takes further hold of Earth. The Emmy award-winning series features majestic polar bears and Arctic wolves strolling across glaciers in the North Pole, and cute Adélie penguins and albatrosses down south, as the two extremes of the planet are amazingly captured via Sir David’s unique storytelling. Available to watch on BBC here.

True Detective: Night Country

The fourth series of the gripping True Detective series ventured way up north – Alaska to be exact – where the detective duo of Chief Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Trooper Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) investigate the disappearance of eight men from a research station. The fact that much of the series is set in the polar night gives it a properly chilling feel. Available to watch on Sky and NOW TV here.

Yellowjackets

The group of high-school teens whose airplane crashed in Canada are stranded so long that the season soon turns into winter, and to say it’s cold is an understatement – according to the production designer, they ran out of fake snow so much was needed for filming realistic-looking winter scenes. The result is an icy, chilling watch, as the teens have to navigate life in the wilderness, and all the icicles, snow-drifts and white-out storms as part of it. Available to watch on Sky and NOW here.

Fargo

This darkly funny series – a spin-off from the hit 1996 film of the same name by the Coen brothers – once again takes place primarily in the freezing climes of winter in Minnesota. Series 1, released in 2014, features a star turn from Brit Martin Freeman as a hapless insurance salesman, bumbling about the cold scenery in an excellent selection of winter hats and coats in a murder-mystery thriller that’s still as cool as ice. Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video here.

Fortitude

A psychological thriller set in a fictional settlement in Svalbard, Norway, that will truly send a chill to your bones. First airing in 2015, the show tells the story of a series of mysterious deaths in the freezing northern location, with the dark crimes eventually revealing even darker secrets of this ice-cold community. Available to watch on Sky and NOW TV here.

The Great

This historical comedy-drama about Empress Catherine The Great is a must-watch for many reasons – including the costumes, the wild royal storylines and a stellar performance from Elle Fanning as Catherine – but its setting in Russia means there are also some lovely wintry scenes throughout. Season 3 actually takes place partly in Sweden, but Catherine’s horse-and-carriage ride through a winter wonderland is made even more decadent by her luxury winter coat and hat outfit – high fashion, even in the depths of freezing weather. Available to watch on Channel 4 here.

Snowpiercer

The apocalypse has arrived in the shape of the big freeze and the only surviving humans are packed into a huge, luxury train – separated by class – that chugs perpetually around the Earth’s surface. Then, the murders begin. The 2020 TV version of the 2013 film of the same name has some incredible footage of the freezing, desolate world outside the train – and the explosive action shots set among the snow are also incredibly cool. Available to watch on ITVX here.

Game Of Thrones

Winter is coming, the hit series threatened ominously, and it delivered on that cold, callous promise. The scenes of Jon Snow (Kit Harington) wrapped in his bulky, fur-covered warrior gear, covered in snow, are now iconic shots of the TV franchise, while the idea of winter is not just a time of extreme cold and darkness, but of the threat of mortal enemies who choose to strike in this brutal season. Available to watch on Sky and NOW here.