29 Of The Best TV Shows On SBS On Demand Right Now (October 2025)
Siriol Dafydd
Entertainment Writer | Urban List, Sydney
Cozzie livs ridiculousness shouldn’t get in the way of a great TV binge. That’s why we love, love, LOVE all the free shows and movies we can smash on SBS On Demand. Stacked with home-grown hidden gems from Australia as well as award-winning dramas and documentaries from all over the world, we're constantly blown away by the calibre this completely free streaming service serves up on the sly.
With some killer British crime dramas, stunner travel docos, and a ton of everyone's cult fave seasons in between, we recommend having a snoop around their back catalogue pronto—we can guarantee you'll be rather pleasantly surprised. From gritty Finnish crime dramas like Reindeer Mafia to intense psychological thrillers like The Patient, here are some of the best shows on SBS On Demand to check out this October.
King & Conqueror
The Patient
The Old Man
Starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, this is an intense action-thriller with a healthy dollop of emotional depth on the side. Season 1 received high praise from critics and fans alike, particularly for its blend of high-octane spy antics and emotionally driven character development. While still enjoyable, Season 2 got mixed reviews, with critics saying it didn’t quite live up to the pacing and momentum of the first season. Both seasons are available to stream in full now, and it’s only 15 episodes in total, so you can smash it all in a weekend if you feel like it (no judgment here).
Late Bloomer
Based on the life of comedian and YouTube star Jus Reign, Late Bloomer follows a turban-wearing millennial content creator as he struggles to balance his ambitions for online success in a Western world with the cultural and familial expectations of his Punjabi-Sikh roots. All eight episodes of Season 1 are available to stream now. And, although it takes a few episodes to find its feet, this Canadian comedy series has been praised by fans and critics alike for its relatability, authenticity, and blend of heart and humour.
Reindeer Mafia
Although this Finnish crime drama is set in Lapland, you won’t be getting warm Santa jelly belly vibes from this one—in fact, quite the opposite. The story follows an ex-convict who returns home for his mother’s funeral, only to find himself embroiled in a savage power struggle over her huge family estate. And, as things get increasingly tense, alliances shift, betrayals emerge, and dark family secrets come to light. So, if you love yourself a bit of Nordic Noir with some dark comedic infusions, Reindeer Mafia is probably a safe bet.
Code of Silence
There’s no shortage of British crime dramas out there. But this one, centred around a deaf woman (played by deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis), is a little bit different for all the right reasons. The story follows a deaf canteen worker in a police station who is roped in to a criminal investigation due to her lip-reading skills. As she gets more and more involved in the case, she goes undercover and faces all kinds of risks. Critics and viewers have praised the show for its innovative approach to crime storytelling combined with an authentic portrayal of the deaf experience. It’s already been renewed for Season 2, so you'd better smash through all six episodes of Season 1 pronto.
Love/Hate
In the mood for a gritty Irish crime drama? Check out Love/Hate. Although it originally aired on RTÉ One from 2010 to 2014, it more recently became available to stream in Australia on SBS. If you’re a Robert Sheehan fan (The Umbrella Academy, Misfits, and the Aussie-made comedy-romance, Three Summers), he’s as brilliant as ever in this. The story follows Darren Treacy (played by Sheehan) as he returns from exile in Spain and gets caught up in the gangland rivalries of Dublin’s criminal underworld. It was a huge hit in Ireland, with critics calling it an addictive gangster drama reminiscent of The Wire. So, if that’s your thing, you can stream all 28 episodes of Love/Hate across 5 seasons right this minute.
Thelma & Louise - Born To Live
Full disclosure: Thelma & Louise, the Oscar-winning 1991 Ridley Scott movie starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, is one of our favourite movies. (Like, seriously, of all time.) So when we saw this one-hour doco pop up to stream for free, we simply had to add it to our list. The documentary explores the groundbreaking feminist themes of the original movie, along with its ongoing impact on female representation in film. With mature themes including sex and violence, it’s not one to watch with the kids. And, if you haven’t already seen the movie, we recommend watching that first, as this documentary promises to be as rife with spoilers as it is thought-provoking.
The Good Ship Murder
Love a good murder mystery with a side of glamour? Look no further than The Good Ship Murder. The story follows a former detective-turned-cabaret singer who somehow ends up solving a different murder every episode. Basically, imagine Murder She Wrote on a luxury Mediterranean cruise liner, and you’re good to go. You can binge all of Season 1 and smash the first few episodes of Season 2 right now, and catch brand new episodes every Friday.
Safe Harbor
Not to be confused with the 2018 Aussie series, Safe Harbour…. Safe Harbor is a dark and gritty crime drama about European drug trafficking. Following two ambitious computer hackers who get unexpectedly sucked into the Irish mob (as you do), the eight-episode thriller explores the violent criminal underworld surrounding some of Europe’s biggest ports. All eight episodes are available to stream now. Expect some familiar faces from Game of Thrones, Peaky Blinders, and Gangs of London, along with plenty of action and some gruesome violence.
Great Australian Road Trips
Cozzie livs stopping you from travelling as much as you’d like? Urgh, same. But fear not, with a travel doco like Great Australian Road Trips, you can tour all over Straya from the comfort of your own sofa. The six-part series follows food critic Melissa Leong, comedian Nazeem Hussain, and actresses Claudia Karvan and Steph Tisdell as they cover the Red Centre, Tasmania, the Fleurieu Peninsula, and Kangaroo Island, to name just a few iconic destinations. It’s as much about people and culture as it is about the breathtaking scenery, so if you want a feel-good Aussie education that’ll get you excited about your next holibob, you can stream the first episode now and catch new episodes every Thursday.
SurrealEstate
Love all things paranormal? Or maybe you have a soft spot for Canadian TV shows with a lazy pun in the title…either way, you may want to give SurrealEstate a go. Essentially, it’s about a small real estate agency that specialises in haunted or possessed homes (yes, you read that right). It sounds a bit naff, but critics and fans have generally praised it for being character-driven with the right balance between spooky and funny. So if that sounds like something you can get on board with, Seasons 1-3 are available to binge in full now.
Under the Bridge
Calling all true crime lovers—this one’s for you. Based on the 1997 murder of a 14-year-old Indo-Canadian girl in British Columbia, Under the Bridge explores how racism, prejudice, and systemic biases led to the tragic death of a teenager. The 8-episode mini-series is well-made and covers a lot of complex social dynamics. All episodes are available to stream now, but remember it’s based on a real and brutal murder, so it may be a tough watch that you want to space out over a few sittings.
The Unusual Suspects
We dug into the relatively recent archives to find some homegrown goodness this week and found The Unusual Suspects. For those of you who didn’t come across this 2021 mini-series during lockdown-induced binge sessions, it’s a comedy-drama about the duplicitous antics of Sydney’s super-wealthy and the long-suffering staff that serve them. After a robbery at an obnoxiously over-the-top kids’ birthday party, the story follows the events leading up to the party along with the subsequent police investigation, uncovering dodgy business deals, torrid affairs, and insane rivalries along the way. It’s dark yet glossy and ridiculous yet surprisingly real, all at once. And it’s only four episodes, so you can easily smash it in one weekend.
Homecoming Queens
Missed this when it first came out in 2018? No wakkas. You can binge all 7 episodes of this messy, dark comedy right this minute. Loosely based on the real-life experiences of its creators, Homecoming Queens follows two childhood friends struggling with cancer and alopecia in their early twenties. It was generally well-received by critics who called it everything from “hilariously funny” to “bitingly honest” to “gross” (in a good way). Despite the seemingly depressing subject matter, this is a laugh-out-loud comedy about friendship and young adulthood. The episodes are super short (ranging between 9 and 16 minutes), so you can literally smash the whole thing in one night if you want?
The Man Who Died
In the mood for a Finnish comedy thriller? We got you, boo! Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, The Man Who Died follows a poisoned mushroom entrepreneur (yes, apparently that’s a thing) who races against the clock to find his would-be killer before his inevitable death. Whether you love a good who-done-it thriller or just need to know what Nordic noir meets dry Finnish humour looks like, you can catch both seasons of The Man Who Died on demand now.
Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Although we Google it every year, we still can’t quite explain why Australia’s part of the Eurovision Song Contest. But we are where we are… and that is bang slap in the middle of a gloriously bonkers multicultural singing competition like no other. Whether you genuinely love the music, play along with drinking games, or just love a good old celebration of wild self-expression and spicy political voting, you can catch the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest live on SBS from 5 am on Sunday, 18 May. For those who like Eurovision, but aren’t quite committed enough to wake up at ridiculous o’clock, the show will be available to stream shortly after the live broadcast ends. And, if you just can’t wait for the live finals, you can also catch the semi-finals from 14 May, plus all sorts of behind-the-scenes clips and content on demand now.
Couples Therapy
In an age where we’ve watched people’s romantic lives explode spectacularly in all sorts of crazy yet oh-so-heavily-produced scenarios, you might be surprised to learn that the smash hit, Couples Therapy, is a refreshingly genuine portrayal of couples in actual real-life therapy. But, don’t be fooled by its classification as a documentary rather than reality TV—it’s surprisingly gripping. If you haven’t already seen it, you can stream seasons 1 to 4 now.
The Handmaid’s Tale (The Final Season!!!)
If you’ve been addicted to this glorious adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel since it first aired in 2017, you’ll be thrilled (and potentially a bit sad) to know that the sixth and final season of this award-winning show is here at last! The first three episodes dropped on April 8, with new episodes released every Tuesday at 2 pm AEST until the season finale on Tuesday, May 27. And, if you need a little refresher on the madness so far, there’s a handy recap of seasons 1-5, too.
Memory Bites
Want a break from true crime, thrillers, and the depressingly erratic news cycle? This cooking series with Aussie chef, Matt Moran might be just what you need! Featuring guests like actors Richard Roxburgh (Rake) and Pia Miranda (Looking for Alibrandi), singer-songwriter Christine Anu, and comedian Ross Noble, each episode explores the personal stories of famous Australians through the lens of food. It’s light, inoffensive, and interesting dinner-time viewing for when you just need to decompress and relax. New episodes of Memory Bites with Matt Moran drop on SBS Food every Monday from 7.30 pm until April 14th, with catch-up streaming available on SBS On Demand.
Icebreaker
If you love a good mystery thriller and want to get your dose of culture with some subtitled Finnish goodness, check out Icebreaker. This award-winning series follows Coast Guard, Sanna Tanner as she investigates the disappearance of crew members on a stranded arctic icebreaker during the darkest night of the year. With threats still looming and some disturbing—potentially supernatural—forces in the mix, Sanna needs to solve the mystery quick-sharp, before she becomes the next victim. All six episodes of Icebreaker are now available to watch on SBS On Demand.
Rogue Heroes
When you hear the words “from the creators of Peaky Blinders” and “based on a true story” you know you’re probably in for a treat. And, when you add high-calibre British actors like Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones) and Jack O’Connell (Back to Black, Skins) into the mix, Rogue Heroes is the gift that keeps on giving. Based on the book SAS: Rogue Heroes by Ben Macintyre, the show follows the mostly true story of how the British Army’s Special Air Service (SAS) was established during the Western Desert campaign of World War II. Big, bold, and brash, it’s packed with comedy, violence, and plenty of action. You can watch season 1 of Rogue Heroes in full now on SBS On Demand. The first ep of season 2 dropped on February 26, with new episodes arriving every Wednesday at 9.30 pm.
Travel enthusiasts and foodies alike will be captivated by Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, a delightful exploration of Italian culture and cuisine. Join the charming actor and author Stanley Tucci as he journeys across Italy, from the bustling streets of Rome to the serene landscapes of Tuscany, uncovering the culinary secrets of each region. Tucci's passion for food and storytelling shines through as he meets with local chefs, artisans, and families, tasting traditional dishes and learning about the rich history behind them. Whether you're a fan of Italian food or simply love a good travelogue, this series offers a feast for the senses and a deeper appreciation of Italy’s diverse culinary heritage. Watch it on SBS On Demand. Watch it here.
Alone Australia
Experience the raw challenge of survival with Alone Australia, the latest installment of the hit global series. This local adaptation takes ten brave contestants and drops them into the unforgiving wilderness of Tasmania, equipped with only basic survival gear and a camera to document their journey. With no crew, no gimmicks, and no second chances, the participants must survive in isolation, battling the elements, hunger, and their own mental fortitude. As they strive to outlast each other, viewers are treated to an authentic portrayal of human resilience and the profound challenges of living in the wild. How long will they last? Find out by watching Alone Australia on SBS On Demand. Watch it here.
The Responder
It's no secret that we *love* a good British drama, and The Responder serves up action and suspense in spades. The plot follows Chris, a Liverpool first responder working nightshifts constantly facing crime, violence and confronting addiction every evening until his own mental health begins to plummet and chaos ensues. Based on the real-life experiences of former police officer (and creator) Tony Schumacher, there's two easy-binge seasons (season two has just dropped) for you to make your way through this weekend. You're welcome. Watch it here.
Safe Home
Safe Home is a gripping drama, from the award-winning producer behind Puberty Blues, that looks at the stories behind the headlines of the family violence epidemic. The four-part series follows Phoebe (Aisha Dee), a twenty-something professional who leaves her job at a prominent law firm to work at a struggling family violence legal centre. Watch it here.
Latecomers
As editor in chief at Missing Perspectives, writer and disability advocate Hannah Diviney really needs no introduction. While you may know Diviney from her global pursuit of calling out ableist lyrics from the likes of Lizzo and Beyonce, this uber talented human is now starring in her very first TV show and it's an absolute must-watch for everyone. The plot for Latecomers follows two complete strangers, Frank and Sarah, living with cerebal palsy. Taking on a comedic twist, their carers end up hooking up at a bar and from here, Frank and Sarah take it upon themselves to explore sex for themselves. Watch it from December 3.
True Colours
So, True Colours is NITV's first foray into long form drama and to be honest, we're all about it. This four-part crime drama is unmissable—what starts as an investigation into a car accident, soon turns into an epic hunt for a killer. It’s a murder mystery like no other exploring culture, community, family and one woman’s pursuit to find her place within it. It's also set against the backdrop of the Northern Territory’s Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and Yeperenye (East MacDonnell Ranges). Rarriwuy Hick spearheads a stellar cast including Luke Arnold, acclaimed singer-songwriter Warren H. Williams and Miranda Otto. Watch it from July 7.
Why Women Kill
The anthological dark comedy drama returns for a second season with a glamorous new story, this time taking place in 1949. Starring Fargo's Alison Tollman, Shaun Of The Dead's Nick Frost, and Once Upon A Time's Lana Parrilla, the sinful series follows housewife, Alma who yearns to mix in high society. The plot follows the murderous lengths Alma will go to be a part of the glitz and glamour. Packed with dark secrets and sassy one-liners with numerous twists and turns, it's a must-watch on your next night in. If you haven't already, the first series is also well worth a watch, following the lives of three different women across three decades—the 60s, 80s and present day. Lucy Liu, with an incredible 1980s wardrobe and Alexandra Daddario (who you should remember from this year's cult hit The White Lotus) lead the first season's outstanding cast in a show that blends humour with some darker, more confronting themes. Watch both seasons here.
Image credit: SBS On Demand
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