This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
As we head into April, there’s no shortage of great TV to watch. Whether you’re looking for thrilling dramas, hilarious comedies, or something in between, there’s a show for everyone. With so many options available across various streaming platforms, deciding what to tune into next can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the must-watch TV shows airing this April. From highly-anticipated new series to returning favourites, these shows will keep you entertained all month. So grab your popcorn, settle in on the couch, and get ready to binge-watch through April with these top TV picks.
SUCCESSION: The Final Season | SKY
Who will finally come out top in this highly unlikeable and dysfunctional family?
Entering its final season, Succession is as biting as ever, with the family drama between patriarch Logan Roy (Brian Cox) and his children reaching a boiling point. This season opener solidifies the warring factions in this billion-dollar skirmish. It brings together plot threads from the preceding seasons for an endgame none of us may be prepared for. Succession‘s final season begins in a way that does not feel like the start of the final chapter but just another start for one of the best series on television.
WILD ISLES | BBC
As you would expect of a BBC natural history series presented by Sir David Attenborough, Wild Isles brimmed with spectacular imagery. Leaping orcas, twirling eagles, and psychopathic seagulls were among the stars of this gorgeous valentine to the nature of the UK and Ireland.
But in the first of five episodes, the most memorable scene was also one of the more unadorned. It came at the very end when Sir David leaned on some rocks and gazed at a group of puffins.
Sir David, still nimble and twinkling at 96, radiated warmth and curiosity. The puffins huffed about, unaware they were in the presence of an icon, and yet there was an unmistakable moment of connection. Man and bird enjoyed a shared moment on a lonely outcrop off the Pembrokeshire coast.
BLUE LIGHTS | BBC
Belfast based drama Blue Lights follows new police recruits Grace, Annie, and Tommy, as they learn the ropes in a high-pressure environment. Grace is a former social worker who has decided to switch careers in her forties, Annie has had to leave everything she knows behind, and Tommy finds it challenging to be on the frontline. The team deal with divided communities, criminal gangs, and struggle to know who to trust, all while wondering if they have made the right choice in joining the PSNI.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS | BBC
This old story is given a new twist by Steven Knight, so prepare for the unexpected. Gillian Anderson, Helena Bonham Carter, Charlotte Rampling – it is a rite of passage for brilliant actresses to play the doomed spinster. It was only a matter of time before Olivia Colman threw her hat in the ring. Amongst the cast, there is colour-blind casting and an addition to this well-known tale of drug addiction, swearing, blood and dirt. Not one of the BBC’s best but still good viewing.
THE BIG PRIZE DOOR | APPLE TV
A small town is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears, promising to reveal everyone’s true potential; soon, residents start changing jobs, rethinking relationships and questioning long-held beliefs.
The Big Door Prize takes our general nervousness about life and apprehension to dream big and repurposes them into one of the best comedy debuts in years. I love Chris O’Dowd and his comic timing in this series is brilliant. This will make everyone laugh out loud.
TED LASSO | APPLE TV
Season 3 will continue to deliver the heartfelt humour and uplifting message that has made the show such a standout. With Jason Sudeikis’ charming performance as the titular character and a talented supporting cast, “Ted Lasso” has become one of the most beloved shows in recent memory, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the next season.
DAISY JONES & THE SIX | AMAZON
“Daisy Jones and the Six” is a captivating and authentic portrayal of the rock music scene in the 1970s. The series, based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, follows a fictional band’s rise and fall as they navigate through the complexities of fame, addiction, and relationships. It is meant to be based on Fleetwood Mac.
The performances are outstanding, particularly from the lead actors Riley Keough and Billy Magnussen, who bring a raw and emotional depth to their characters. The show’s mockumentary-style format adds an extra layer of intrigue and allows the audience to feel like they are part of the band’s story. With a killer soundtrack and visually stunning cinematography, Daisy Jones and the Six is a must-watch for music fans.
THE POWER | AMAZON PRIME
The Power tells the story of what would happen if women and girls gained a power that allowed them to emit electricity. Based upon the 2016 novel of the same name by Naomi Alderman, the show captures many of the broad aspects of how this plays out while exploring some new elements of its own. It stars Toni Collette.
A TOWN CALLED MALICE | SKY
You don’t get more 80s than this crime drama set in Spain.
Not only are the police spectacularly incompetent, but the outfits are fabulous, the music is banging – and at the first whiff of the law, you can scarper off to Spain to avoid extradition entirely.
This is the premise of Sky’s latest show. We start in Bermondsey, where the Lord crime family are past their best days – and prodigal son Gene (Jack Rowan) attempts to escape his family’s shadow and go straight.
But where’s the fun in that? When his family rope him into a scrap with a rival gang, Gene gets into trouble with the law – only for his new girlfriend, Cindy, to promptly mow over the policeman attempting to arrest him.
Job done, only now the policeman is in hospital, and the pair must flee to the Costa del Crime – ie. Malaga. Stranded abroad but never ones to be idle, Gene and Cindy’s scheming escalates, and pretty soon, the pair are swimming in bodies and lies in their attempts to seize a piece of the burgeoning Spanish property boom.
THE NIGHT AGENT | NETFLIX
The Night Agent on Netflix is a gripping and intense espionage thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The series follows the story of a former FBI agent named Will Chase, who finds himself caught in a complex and dangerous conspiracy involving high-level government officials and a network of powerful spies. The show’s superb cast, including Barry Sloane and Jennifer Carpenter, deliver top-notch performances that bring their characters to life and add to the show’s suspenseful atmosphere. If you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers with plenty of twists and turns, The Night Agent is definitely worth checking out on Netflix.
THE RECRUIT | NETFLIX
A fledgling CIA lawyer gets caught up in a dangerous game of international politics when a former asset threatens to expose the nature of her relationship with the agency unless they clear her name.
MAESTRO IN BLUE | NETFLIX
I turned this series on because it is filmed on the island of Paxos, Greece which I know well. I can guarantee that by the end you will want to visit one of the Ionian Islands.
A musician travels to an island during the pandemic to set up a music festival. He begins a romance and finds himself embroiled in other people’s problems.
YOU | NETFLIX
I am late to this series, so I have started on Season 1. Netflix is currently showing season 4 so it must be popular.
YOU on Netflix is a psychological thriller that delves into the disturbing mind of a charming and obsessive bookstore manager named Joe Goldberg. The series follows Joe’s twisted journey as he becomes fixated on a young woman named Guinevere Beck and goes to extreme lengths to insert himself into her life. Penn Badgley delivers an outstanding performance as the troubled protagonist, making Joe both captivating and deeply unsettling. The show’s unique narrative style, which incorporates Joe’s internal monologue and perspective, adds intrigue to the already suspenseful storyline. YOU is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers, offering a chilling look at the dark side of human nature.
THE LAW ACCORDING TO LIDIA POËT | NETFLIX
While the cases are fictional the series is based on how Italy’s first female battled a male dominated law system.
Lidia Poet really existed in Italy at the end of the 1800s. She lived in Turin, a member of a wealthy family. After being barred from practising law because she was a woman, she fought to have women allowed to work in traditionally male professions, like lawyers. She was finally registered as a lawyer in 1919 when Italian law changed. While the show is a romanticised version of her life, with each episode a new criminal investigation, the main features and history are actually correct.
RABBIT HOLE | PARAMOUNT +
Did you ever watch ’24’? The one-time Jack Bauer is having the time of his life alongside Charles Dance in this high-tension conspiracy drama
Nothing is what it seems when John Weir, a master of deception in corporate espionage, is framed for murder by powerful forces with the ability to influence and control populations.
GRACE | BRITBOX
GRACE starring John Simms is a captivating crime drama that will keep you hooked until the very end. Simms portrays the titular character, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, a seasoned detective with a haunted past tasked with solving some of Brighton’s most challenging cases. The show’s well-crafted plot, combined with Simms’ masterful performance, makes for an immersive viewing experience that is both thrilling and emotionally charged. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from Richie Campbell and Rakie Ayola. If you’re a fan of crime dramas with complex characters and intricate storylines, GRACE is worth watching.
THE DRY | ITVx
A comedy-drama from the producers of Normal People. It follows the attempts of a woman to remain sober when she returns to Dublin after years of partying in London. It opens with a wake. Shiv Sheridan (Roisin Gallagher) is five months, 17 days, six hours sober and poised at that critical juncture where a weekend with your dysfunctional – and just-about-functionally drunk – family might be exactly the thing to fling you off the wagon.
Grace introduced me to this series and it is highly entertaining.
A COUPLE OF DOCUMENTARIES
AUDREY: MORE THAN AN ICON
Audrey: More Than an Icon is a touching and insightful documentary on the life and legacy of Audrey Hepburn, one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses. The film explores Hepburn’s rise to fame, her humanitarian work, and her impact on fashion and pop culture. Through rare archival footage and interviews with her family, friends, and colleagues, viewers are treated to an intimate and revealing portrait of the legendary actress. The documentary is a heartfelt tribute to Hepburn’s enduring legacy and is sure to leave fans and newcomers alike with a newfound appreciation for her contributions to the world of cinema and beyond.
FIRST LADIES | SKY DOCUMENTARIES
First Ladies originally on CNN, now on Sky Documentaries, is an insightful and thought-provoking documentary series that explores the lives and legacies of some of the most influential women in American history. Through a combination of expert interviews, historical footage, and dramatic reenactments, the series offers a fascinating look into the personal and political lives of these groundbreaking first ladies, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, and Michelle Obama. The show’s attention to detail and nuanced approach to its subject matter makes it a must-watch for anyone interested in American history or women’s rights. With its powerful storytelling and compelling narrative, First Ladies is a captivating and engaging documentary series.
AND TO LOOK FORWARD TO – QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY | NETFLIX coming 5th May
You can also check out Annabel’s previous viewing recommendations here