No more searching! 9 “can’t miss” dramas to watch on ITV, the BBC, Netflix and more this August

What do you do when you’ve been aimlessly scrolling though every TV channel in search of something decent to watch, and still haven't found anything? You turn to Good Housekeeping, of course. We’ve been busy mining the schedules for the best shows to tune into this August – and the good news? There are some very good series coming our way.

From Playing Nice star James Norton’s eagerly anticipated return to our screens in the BBC’s King & Conqueror to Sheridan Smith’s new true-story drama I Fought the Law and Suranne Jones’s star turn as the British Prime Minister, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into, wherever your mood takes you. And to make things a little easier, we’ve rounded up 9 can’t-miss dramas to watch on ITV, the BBC, Netflix and more this month. Remotes at the ready…

I Fought the Law

Brace yourselves for this one. Firstly, Sheridan Smith is making a very welcome return to our screens and secondly, she’s playing real-life double jeaopardy campaigner Ann Ming whose story will seriously astound - and move - you. Based on her 2008 book, For the Love of Julie, the drama recounts the mother-of-three’s 15-year battle to ensure her daughter’s murderer finally faced justice, having been acquitted following two mistrials. Read our interview with Sheridan about the drama here. Arriving on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player this August.

Hostage

Suranne Jones as Prime Minister? Yes please! Netflix’s much-anticipated drama stars Suranne as Abigail Dalton, the newly-elected PM whose time in office is far from straightforward. With a major healthcare crisis on her hands, a fierce rivalry with French President Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy) and a kidnapping (involving her husband, no less) to deal with, it's safe to say we can expect quite the action-packed series. Arriving on Netflix on Thursday 21^st August.

King & Conqueror

It’s about time James Norton took on a royal role and from the looks of things, it suits him down to a tee. King & Conqueror takes us back to the 11^th century and sees James play Harold, Earl of Wessex, as he prepares to face Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s William, Duke of Normandy, at the famous Battle of Hastings. He’s also rather conveniently produced the series and despite saying he's “very nervous” about it, we think a BAFTA might well be on the cards for him. Arriving on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this August.

Ridley

If you thought Line of Duty was as good as Adrian Dunbar roles got, you obviously haven’t watched Ridley yet. The second four-part instalment will see Dunbar reprise his role as retired detective turned police consultant, Alex Ridley, and he’s got a mysterious vanishing, a major shooting and even a jewellery heist to deal with. He also co-owns a jazz club, which he sings at… and yes, Adrian Dunbar actually sings! Arriving on ITV1 and ITVX this August.

In Flight

From Protection to The Crow Girl, she’s been in some of this year’s biggest dramas and now, Katherine Kelly is back with another one. This six-parter sees Katherine play flight attendant Jo, whose whole life is turned upside down when she finds herself blackmailed into using her job to smuggle drugs. With her son’s life at the centre of negotiations, it’s a situation no mother would ever want to find themselves in. The question is, can she find her way out of it without losing everything? Arriving on Channel 4 on Tuesday 12^th August.

Wednesday

The Nevermore Academy is opening its doors once again as Netflix’s hit series returns for series 2. Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is plunged into a new bone-chilling mystery, while her parents, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez Addams (Luis Guzmán), are back, too, and will have an increased presence on campus. The new series will also introduce us to some very exciting guest stars, including Joanna Lumley, who joins the cast as Hester Frump, Morticia’s mother and Wednesday’s closest ally. We can't wait! Part 1 is arriving on Netflix on Wednesday 6^th August.

One Night

This Big Little Lies-esque series stars Toxic Town’s Jodie Whittaker as one of three women (Nicole da Silva and Yael Stone play the other two), whose bond was all but destroyed by the traumatic events of one night 20 years ago. Now, at the age of 40, Nicole da Silva’s Simone has written her debut book, which has become an unexpected overnight success – but it soon becomes apparent that the devastating storyline is just a little bit similar to the tragedy these women experienced all those years ago. Tune in for a brilliantly compelling watch. Arriving on ITV and ITVX this August.

Mudtown

This Welsh crime series, which we're calling the new Keeping Faith, centres around Newport’s Magistrates Court where experienced Magistrate Claire Lewis Jones, played by Erin Richards, faces a series of moral dilemmas when her past catches up with her. When Ned Humphries, a childhood friend of Claire’s daughter Beca, faces arson charges, Claire's loyalty to her community is put to the test. And things only get worse when local criminal kingpin Saint Pete (Tom Cullen) appears on the scene, because Claire and Saint Pete go way back. Expect a high-stakes drama that’ll quite literally leave you on the edge of your seat. Arriving on U&Alibi on Wednesday 20^th August.

Butterfly

Prime Video's latest spy thriller will play on every emotion as it delves into the complexities of family relationships within the messy world of international espionage. The six-part series follows former US intelligence operative David Jung (Daniel Daw Kim) who finds his life suddenly blown to pieces when the consequences of a difficult decision from his past catches up with him. Suddenly, he finds himself pursued by Rebecca (Reina Hardesty), a sociopathic young agent who’s assigned to kill him. Arriving on Prime Video on Wednesday 13^th August.