The Best Shows On Stan To Stream In 2024
— Updated on 28 December 2023

The Best Shows On Stan To Stream In 2024

— Updated on 28 December 2023
Chris Singh
WORDS BY
Chris Singh

Out of all the streaming services on the market right now, it seems Stan Australia is still one of the best-rated when it comes to TV shows. Yes, there’s a hefty amount of quality movies on Stan as well but you’re really spoilt for choice when you’re trying to track down the best shows on Stan.



Top 10 Series On Stan Right Now

  1. Breaking Bad
  2. Mad Men
  3. Gangs of London
  4. Yellowstone
  5. Better Call Saul
  6. Billions
  7. Southcliffe
  8. Parks and Recreation
  9. Fargo
  10. The Walking Dead: Dead City

The Best Shows On Stan To Stream Right Now


Gangs of London

Gangs Of London Season 2 Has A Ridiculously R-Rated Trailer
Rotten Tomatoes Score
85%
IMDB
8.1
MA15+
Genre: Crime drama
Stars:
Actors: Joe Cole, Sope Dirisu, Michelle Fairley, Mark Lewis Jones, Lucian Msamati
Showrunner: Gareth Evans, Mike Flannery

Possibly one of the best crime dramas to emerge in the past few years has been Gangs of London, sliding in seemingly out of nowhere but winning over both critics and fans almost immediately. Driven by a simple murder mystery plot, with numerous crime family members trying to find out who ordered to hit on big boss Finn Wallace, the TV show is a relentless look at the seedy underbelly of London.

With a second season of Gangs of London now out, it’s looking like now is the perfect time to binge through this intricate, bloody web of mob ties and absolute carnage and catch up on what really is one of the more exciting exclusive Stan series out right now.

Personally, it’s my top pick of what to watch on Stan if you’ve got the stomach for it. The action sense are some of the most tense I’ve seen on TV in recent memory and yet they feel well-connected to the overarching story. It may seem gratuitous at first, but the story Mike Flannery and Gareth Evans are telling demands it.


Yellowstone

Yellowstone is now one of the best shows on Stan
Rotten Tomatoes Score
84%
IMDB
8.7
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Kevin Costner, Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Jacki Weaver, Piper Perabo
Showrunner: Taylor Sheridan

You know a show has got to be good when it has inspired no less than four spinoff shows, right?

Although Yellowstone fans could be forgiven for being a bit exhausted by the franchise by now, it’s hard to deny the incredibly complex and immersive world Taylor Sheridan created when Yellowstone Season 1 first aired back in 2018.

Across generations, the show follows the trials of the Dutton family as they control the largest ranch in the US and have to constantly deal with the numerous threats to its borders. That’s about the most top-line description we can offer for a show that digs into wider American history (and modern-day America) in such a deep and productive way while still offering enough to keep you hooked across four seasons.

And yes, the various Yellowstone spin-off shows are well worth your time as well so you’ve got plenty of content ahead of you if you decide to start binging Yellowstone from the start.


Mad Men

Mad Men is definitely one of the best shows on Stan
Rotten Tomatoes Score
94%
IMDB
8.7
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Jon Hamm, Christina Hendricks, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, John Slattery
Showrunner: Matthew Weiner

Jon Hamm is still the perfect embodiment of a deeply complex man of influence and assertion in all five seasons of Mad Man. Following the story of The Sterling Cooper Ad Agency, the period drama bites into the 60s and 70s aesthetic with ease, illustrating pitch-perfect performances from series standouts like Hamm, Christina Hendricks, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones and John Slattery.

Mostly hinged on the personal life of Hamm’s Don Draper, Mad Men takes a dream job and squeezes every inch of nuance, tension and trauma out of it to show you a man struggling with the weight of history on his shoulders. Consistently excellent, it’s a must-watch any time of day.


Better Call Saul

better call saul is one of the best things to watch on Stan
Rotten Tomatoes Score
98%
IMDB
9.0
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Michael Mando, Giancarlo Esposito
Showrunner: Vince Gilligan

A Breaking Bad spinoff that has now outlasted its predecessor. Better Call Saul is yet another genius move from Vince Gilligan, who tells a story of corruption, greed and regret as he follows Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) and Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) as two incredibly different lawyers who are tested by the being on the fringes of a looming drug war, both preceding and following the events of Gilligan’s masterful Breaking Bad.

I’m rarely satisfied with a series finale, just like most other emotionally-invested fans. Gilligan has two masterstrokes to his name now, given both the Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul finales were pretty much perfect.


Breaking Bad

A couple of people that are eating some food
Rotten Tomatoes Score
96%
IMDB
9.5
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris
Showrunner: Vince Gilligan

I wouldn’t feel right recommending Better Call Saul as one of the best shows to watch on Stan without also giving a nod to its predecessor, Breaking Bad. The series, widely considered one of the best shows ever made, focuses on a high-school chemistry teacher, Walter White (Bryan Cranston), who turns to cooking meth in order to provide for his family following a diagnosis of stage III lung cancer.

It’s worth watching for Cranston’s methodical metamorphosis from desperate high school teacher to ballsy drug lord. That and the stalwart actor’s palpable father-son chemistry (pun intended) with Aaron Paul as Jessie Pinkman.


Luther

Luther is one of the best shows on Stan right now
Rotten Tomatoes Score
88%
IMDB
8.4
MA15+
Genre: Crime drama
Stars:
Actors: Idris Elba, Ruth Wilson, Warren Brown, Rose Leslie, Indira Varma
Showrunner: Neil Cross

Idris Elba shines in the titular role as DCI John Luther, a modern-day Sherlock Holmes who has a notable knack for dealing with grossly murder cases and tracking down serial killers in rough-and-tumble London.

That’s the long-short of it, and while the plot doesn’t sound particularly unique, Elba brings such a genuine warmth to the screen and the crew do a tremendous job at keeping these short seasons highly engaging throughout.

I’ve always been thrown off by just how short each season is, some even spanning just two episodes. But this is more a case of British media typically preferring quality over quantity as opposed to overlong US shows.


The West Wing

Martin Sheen wearing a suit and tie looking at the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
75%
IMDB
8.9
PG
Genre: Political drama
Stars:
Actors: Martin Sheen, Allison Janney, Dute Hill, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney
Showrunner: Aaron Sorkin

Iconic political drama, The West Wing is a no-brainer if you’re looking for the best Stan series to watch. Although you’ll need more than just a few sittings to churn through this highly detailed, artful look at the lives of various staffers in the West Wing of The White House.

There have been plenty of attempts at similar shows since – like Netflix’s House of Cards – but virtually none has managed to outpace the unfettered brilliance, patience and consistency of this classic drama.


Ash vs Evil Dead

Ash VS Evil dead is one of the best horror shows on Stan.
Rotten Tomatoes Score
99%
IMDB
8.4
MA15+
Genre: Horror comedy
Stars:
Actors: Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago, Ted Raimi, Lucy Lawless
Showrunner: Sam Raimi

Over the top and ridiculously bloody, Ash vs Evil Dead has Bruce Campbell reprising his role as Ash (from the Evil Dead movies), leaning completely into the bonkers world of blood, guts and the undead that Sam Raimi created decades ago.

The man-child versus a barrage of all types of ghouls and demons excels due to the fact that Ash has a chainsaw for a hand, hammering it straight home for any viewers still caught on the post-apocalyptic wish-fulfilment that powered the popularity of shows like The Walking Dead and Jericho. It’s easily one of the best horror series on Stan.


Orphan Black

Rotten Tomatoes Score
93%
IMDB
8.3
MA15+
Genre: Sci-fi drama
Stars:
Actors: Tatiana Maslany, Jordan Gavaris, Kristian Bruun, Dylan Bruce, Ari Millen
Showrunner: John Fawcett, Graeme Manson

Tatiana Maslany is truly unstoppable as she slips into numerous lead roles throughout the twisted story of Orphan Black, which spirals rapidly into a complex conspiracy drama about clones, experiments and deadly secrets.

The dramatic changes thrust upon Sarah (Maslany) are a testament to how firm the script’s grasp is on genuine intrigue, making this a compelling binge-watch on a weekend and one that’s consistently excellent well into the third season.

It kind of all falls apart in the end though. The show ends up jumping the shark and getting rather boring, but the first two seasons are still worth the investment as long as you aren’t one of those watchers who needs closure.


Sherlock

A person standing in front of a building talking on a cell phone
Rotten Tomatoes Score
78%
IMDB
9.1
PG
Stars:
Actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mark Gatiss, Andrew Scott
Showrunner: Mark Gatiss, Steven Moffat

As one of the best shows on Stan, Sherlock should easily whet the appetite if you’ve just finished binging through Luther and find yourself longing for something meatier to sink your teeth into. Although maybe not quite as gritty.

Benedict Cumberbatch is at his charming best as Sherlock Holmes, deeply sarcastic and ill-tempered while Martin Freeman really disappears into his role as Watson, a former army doctor who finds himself sharing a flat with the eccentric amateur detective.


Fargo

Chris Rock stars in Fargo Season 4, which is streaming on Stan right now.
Rotten Tomatoes Score
93%
IMDB
8.9
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Chris Rock. Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks, Carrie Coon, Ewan McGregor
Showrunner: Noah Hawley

Although it’s nothing like the classic Coen Brothers movie, the wildly entertaining TV adaptation of Fargo is easily one of the best shows on Stan. Using the Fargo universe as a palette, the anthology show is cold and dreary like the 1996 black comedy, but throws in creative, darkly humourous twists to complicated crime plots that change by the season.

All of them are well worth watching, from Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton in the hilariously awkward Fargo season one straight up to Chris Rock as a mob boss in Fargo season four.


Hannibal

A person standing in a kitchen preparing food
Rotten Tomatoes Score
92%
IMDB
8.5
MA15+
Genre: Horror
Stars:
Actors: Mads Mikkelson, Hugh Dancy, Hettienne Park, Gillian Anderson, Laurence Fishburne
Showrunner: Bryan Fuller

Forensic drama meets arthouse gothic horror in this incredibly unique three-season interpretation of Hannibal. Though it’s based on the same novels as The Silence of the Lambs, the show takes a different turn with an eerily charming Mads Mikkelson in the lead role as Hannibal the (very affable) Cannibal.

While Hugh Dancy’s Will Graham strikes up an ambiguous friendship with the killer, things become a bit more complicated than the incredibly violent game of cat-and-mouse the show starts off as. Fuller goes full arthouse with Hannibal, managing to spin a truly avant-garde masterpiece of horror and one of the most unique shows you could possibly watch on Stan.


Line Of Duty

Vicky McClure, Kelly Macdonald standing in front of a building
Rotten Tomatoes Score
96%
IMDB
8.7
PG
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar, Kelly Macdonald, Stephen Graham
Showrunner: Jed Mercurio

Running across six seasons but just 36 episodes, Line of Duty takes a very close look at Detective Seargent Steven Arnott (Martin Compston) who leads the police procedural with a witty, solemn performance from Martin Compston.

There’s a lot of backstory for Compston to draw on, painting Arnott as a very troubled police which creator Jed Mercurio uses to explore the many different facets of corruption. I found the series a bit tedious towards the middle but it ends up quite nicely and the first few seasons are exceptional TV.

https://youtu.be/OiKzf4EF7xk

The Walking Dead: Dead City

The Walking Dead: Dead City is one of the best shows on Stan.
Rotten Tomatoes Score
71%
IMDB
7.9
MA15+
Genre: Thriller
Stars:
Actors: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohen, Zeljko Ivanek, Jonathan Higginbotham
Showrunner: Eli Jorne

Now that the mainline The Walking Dead series has come to an end, AMC is starting to roll out numerous high-profile spin-offs with some of the show’s best characters. The Walking Dead: Dead City is the first to hit, with Lauren Cohen reprising her role as Maggie Rhee and Jeffrey Dean Morgan returning as Negan.

Given the complicated dynamic between them (Negan murdered Maggie’s husband in front of her, while she was pregnant), Dead City already has plenty of tension caked into the storyline. Throw in a crumbled New York City as the setting as you’ve got a recipe for a fascinating evolution for this increasingly stacked “cinematic” universe.

RELATED: The Walking Dead – Dead City Review


UnReal

A group of people standing in a room
Rotten Tomatoes Score
81%
IMDB
7.8
MA15+
Genre: Satirical drama
Stars:
Actors: Shiri Appleby, Constance Zimmer, Freddie Stroma, Adam Demos
Showrunner: Michael Rady

There are very few punches pulled as Michael Rady gets aggressive with this biting satire of modern reality TV shows like The Bachelor and Married At First Sight.

UnREAL is a vibrant, often funny look at the type of manipulation that happens behind the camera of these “unscripted” reality shows. Though it may, ironically, become a bit of a satire of itself in the weaker latter seasons, the first few runs of UnREAL are hard not to love.


Wolf Creek

Wolf Creek is one of the best shows on Stan
Rotten Tomatoes Score
73%
IMDB
7.1
MA15+
Genre: Drama comedy
Stars:
Actors: John Jarratt, Lucy Fry, Dustin Clare, Andy McPhee
Showrunner: Greg McLean

John Jarratt reprises his role as backpacker murderer Mick Taylor in outback Australia, hunting and brutally killing tourists while fueled by his own ego and self-righteousness.

Given the success of the Wolf Creek movies, Greg McLean’s attempt to turn it into a two-season Stan Original makes sense. Though the show can fall flat at times but is still largely entertaining for fans who like a bit of backwoods horror.


Mr Robot

A person sitting in front of a door
Rotten Tomatoes Score
94%
IMDB
8.5
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Rami Malek, Carly Chaikin, Portia Doubleday, Christian Slater
Showrunner: Sam Esmail

Rami Malek’s idiosyncratic, slightly dead-pan Elliot Alderson is a genius hacker and cybersecurity engineer who is swiftly recruited to join a group of hacktivists.

If that sounds a bit like Anonymous to you, then that’s by design. Show creator Sam Esmail was inspired by the anarchistic group of hackers, sketching a bit of that technological warfare across four great seasons that dig deep and hard into the complicated world of cybersecurity.


Justified

Justified is one of the best shows on Stan.
Rotten Tomatoes Score
97%
IMDB
8.6
MA15+
Genre: Western
Stars:
Actors: Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, Joelle Carter, Jacob Pitts
Showrunner: Graham Yost

Across six seasons, Justified is able to give Timothy Olyphant his most defining role to date as Raylan Givens, a hard-as-bricks US Marshal with a very unique and off-the-books sense of justice. The American Western atmosphere is built beautifully here, illustrating the Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky to give Justified the perfect setting.

With a follow-up spinoff series, Justified: City Primeval, currently filming with Olyphant reprising his lead role, now is the best time to jump on Stan and binge through what is one of the best TV shows if you’re looking for something aesthetically similar to Yellowstone and Deadwood.


The Last Ship

A group of people posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
83%
IMDB
7.4
PG
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Adam Baldwin, Eric Dane, Marissa Neitling, Travis Van Winkle
Showrunner: Hank Steinberg

A nuclear war has wiped out virtually all of humanity except a team of Navy SEALs on what is quite literally The Last Ship. It’s a plot that sounds like it was concocted by Michael Bay. And that’s because it was.

The bombastic action-obsessed director serves as executive producer for this series, which starts off slow but picks up quite fast with sturdy performances from Adam Baldwin and Eric Dane.

The action sequences are always on point here, and though the plot may veer towards ridiculous territory quite often, there’s always the requisite gunfight to look forward to if you want something to stream in the background that’s at least highly entertaining.


Billions

Damian Lewis Exits Billions 1
Rotten Tomatoes Score
91%
IMDB
8.4
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Paul Giamatti, Asia Kate Dillon
Showrunner: Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin

Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti are at their best throughout Billions, an ascendence to the top of the world of high finance through the lens of ambitiously aggressive hedge fund manager Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis).

The ongoing conflict with US Attorney Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) helps elevate the plot constantly throughout the show’s six seasons, avoiding any monotony that can come with watching a Wall Street showdown for that long.


The Last O.G

Best shows on Stan
Rotten Tomatoes Score
78%
IMDB
6.9
MA15+
Genre: Comedy
Stars:
Actors: Tracy Morgan, Ryan Gaul, Dante Hoagland, Tiffany Hadish
Showrunner: John Carcieri, Jordan Peele

Tacy Morgan is in fine form as an ex-con who is released after serving 15 years in prison, reconciling with modern life in Brooklyn while dealing with the fact that his ex-girlfriend is raising their children with another man.

Created by John Carcieri and Jordan Peele, the comedy drama always manages to find ways to keep things fresh when the plot threatens to turn stale – and it does, quite a lot – making The Last O.G one of the best streaming TV shows on Stan Australia.


From

Harold Perrineau holding a camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
96%
IMDB
7.7
MA15+
Genre: Horror
Stars:
Actors: Harold Perrineau, Eion Bailey, Hannah Cheramy
Showrunner: John Griffin

Despite the involvement of Jack Bender and Jeff Pinkner, From manages to avoid some of the dense mysteries of Lost and goes straight for the jugular. Show creator John Griffin offers us a series with huge potential, exploring a small town in Central America wrapped in a slightly Lovecraftian horror vibe and a genuine sense of adventure.

The first two seasons have proven From has some staying power. I found the second season a bit harder to follow, but this is a show that clearly rewards patience. Much like Lost did.


Gaslit

A person sitting on a table
Rotten Tomatoes Score
89%
IMDB
7.3
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Sean Penn, Julia Roberts, Betty Gilpin, Dan Stevens
Showrunner: Robbie Pickering

Academy Award winners Julia Roberts and Sean Penn do most of the heavy lifting in Gaslit, a new political drama that takes a very close, very detailed look at the Watergate Scandal. Adapting the Slow Burn podcast, creator Robbie Pickering manages to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of political dramas as he tells the story primarily through the lens of the eccentric Martha Mitchell (Julia Roberts).


Wu-Tang: An American Saga

Nas & Wu-Tang Clan Announce Australian Tour For May 2023
Rotten Tomatoes Score
73%
IMDB
8.3
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Ashton Sanders, Shameik Moore, Siddiq Saunderson, Dave East
Showrunner: RZA, Alex Tse

The scene is New York City. The context is the formative crack cocaine epidemic of the early 90s. The group? Wu-Tang Clan.

Ashton Sanders confidently slips into his role as Bobby Digs, AKA The RZA, as he sets out to unite a dozen young black men to form what will become one of the most influential and anticipated collections of rappers in the industry.

Sounds like a Wu-Tang documentary, right? Wrong. This scripted TV show chronicles the birth of the Wu-Tang Clan and does a pretty decent job of digging deeper into the many characters that make up the rap collective. It may not have the polish of Netflix’s The Get Down, but what it lacks in production, it makes up for with a very engaging script and, of course, a nice little bump of nostalgia for hip hop heads.


Underbelly

Les Hill, Vince Colosimo are posing for a picture
Rotten Tomatoes Score
IMDB
8.1
MA15+
Genre: Crime
Stars:
Actors: Rodger Corser, Caroline Craig, Gyton Grantley, Kat Stewart
Showrunner: Des Monaghan

Is Underbelly Australia’s version of The Sopranos? Look, it’s a bit of a crude comparison to make but unless you count Animal Kingdom, then this raw look at Sydney’s crime lords and their lecherous offspring is the closest thing we’ll ever get to HBO’s masterpiece. At least on the surface.

Underbelly lacks the kind of layers that make up The Sopranos, but it certainly has the tension, which is why the original series makes it onto our round-up for the best shows on Stan. The numerous spin-offs, however, are more miss than hit.


Top Gear

A man and a woman standing in front of a car
Rotten Tomatoes Score
69%
IMDB
8.7
PG
Genre: Adventure
Stars:
Actors: Jeremy Clarkson, Andy Wilman
Showrunner: Chris Harris, Patrick McGuinness, Andrew Flintoff

Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman have made one of the most beloved shows for motor enthusiasts in history with Top Gear. After being bought back after the original show that aired throughout the 70s and 80s, the series offers a very insightful and admirable look at the world of (mostly) cars.


Power Book II: Ghost

Mary J. Blige, Naturi Naughton, Method Man posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
78%
IMDB
7.4
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Michael Rainey Jr, Paige Hurd, Joseph Sikora, Mary J Blige
Showrunner: Courtney Kemp

While Power Book III: Raising Kanan is without any doubt the superior show in the Power franchise, Ghost still offers an impactful look at the everyday struggle for supremacy and the tension between street life and formal education. It’s easily one of the best shows on Stan for gritty crime action.


Power Book III: Raising Kanan

A man and a woman standing in front of a building
Rotten Tomatoes Score
100%
IMDB
7.6
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Patina Miller, Mekai Curtis, Joey Bada$$, Hailey Kilgore
Showrunner: Sascha Penn

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is the best of the Power spin-offs. Acting as a prequel to the original show, this intense offshoot is an even tighter and more action-heavy look at lead character Kanan (Mekai Curtis) and his slow, steady rise as a low-level drug dealer in a very aggressive and violent environment.

Don’t give this one a miss if you’re after the best shows on Stan.


Godfather of Harlem

A man wearing a suit and tie standing in front of a building
Rotten Tomatoes Score
87%
IMDB
8.1
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Nigel Thatch, Forest Whitaker, Antoinette Crowe, Lucy Fry
Showrunner: Markuann Smith

An Emmy Award-winning show based on the life of Bumpy Johnson, Godfather of Harlem is another successful attempt to explore the crime-addled context of old-school New York City and the crime families that run the town.

Although, unlike similar shows, Godfather of Harlem is powered by a very fine performance from Forest Whitaker. The veteran actor is in fine form, morphing into the influential crime figure as he contends with rivals for control of the “French Connection” pipeline of heroin that runs between Marseilles and New York Harbor.


The Lazarus Project

A man wearing a suit and tie
Rotten Tomatoes Score
100%
IMDB
7.1
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Paapa Essiedu, Tom Burke, Charly Clive, Anjli Mohindra
Showrunner: Aleksandar Hemon

Paapa Essiedu (Gangs of London) gets another shout-out for our round-up of the best new shows on Stan, this time chewing up scenes as part of the time-travelling psychological thriller The Lazarus Project.

And it may be vastly different territory for the intensely watchable actor but The Lazarus Project is very similar to Gangs of London. That is, the show tends to resist the slow burn and throws out plenty of cards early on to keep you thrilled as protagonist George finds himself re-living days from his past.


Skins

Mike Bailey, Hannah Murray posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
95%
IMDB
8.2
MA15+
Genre: Coming-Of-Age Drama
Stars:
Actors: Kaya Scodelario, Hannah Murray, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Cole, Joe Dempsie
Showrunner: Bryan Elsley, Jamie Brittain

With the immense popularity of Euphoria, it could be worth your time visiting (or revisiting) the classic, drug-addled coming-of-age drama that inspired the hit show. UK classic Skins burns through generations of reckless teenagers as it tells sensitive cautionary tales of drugs, sex, mental illness and growing pains.

Quality may dip dramatically in the latter seasons, but even if you’re just in it for the first two generations, Skins is definitely something you want to watch on Stan.


Dr Death

joshua jackson dr death trailer
Rotten Tomatoes Score
93%
IMDB
7.6
MA15+
Genre: Thriller
Stars:
Actors: Joshua Jackson, Christian Slater, Grace Gummer, Alec Baldwin
Showrunner: Patrick Macmanus

Joshua Jackson has come a long way since Dawson’s Creek and yet those who grew up knowing him as Pacey Witter would still find his intensity as an actor quite surprising.

In Dr Death, Jackson plays a narcissistic surgeon who leaves his patients worse off through a series of malpractice incidents that are sold so ridiculously well by Jackson’s scarily cold performance. With only eight episodes in the first season, it’s an easy watch as well.

Dr Death season two has already been given the greenlight so now is a good time to catch up.


Darklands

A group of people posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
33%
IMDB
5.9
M
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Thomas Kane-Byrne, Judith Roddy, Bernieas Bernie, Mark O’Halloran
Showrunner: Mark O’Connor

A six-part drama series requiring very little investment, Darklands follows a young MMA fighter trying hard – and largely unsuccessfully – to escape a tough Irish neighbourhood. When his brother goes missing, 16-year-old Damien Dunne is forced back into the endless loop of suburban gang crime, making Darklands a nice little miniseries for anyone who likes bleak, nihilistic stories.


Killing Eve

A man and a woman standing on the side of a road
Rotten Tomatoes Score
80%
IMDB
8.2
PG
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jodie Comer, Sandra Oh, Fiona Shaw, Kim Bodnia
Showrunner: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Phoebe Waller-Bridge has built an unflappable name for herself with Fleabag, but Killing Eve the visionary showrunner and lead actor offers something much different to the Amazon Prime show.

A rich and intelligent spy thriller, Killing Eve is both subversive and serviceable knowing exactly what kind of pace to throw at the viewer to keep them involved across all seasons.


The Handmaid’s Tail

A man wearing a hat
Rotten Tomatoes Score
83%
IMDB
8.4
MA15+
Genre: Thriller
Stars:
Actors: Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Ann Dowd, Yvonne Strahovski
Showrunner: Bruce Miller

A dystopian drama about the dangers of a deeply misogynist totalitarian society, The Handmaid’s Tale revives the story of the fictional world of Gilead in which women are treated as property of the state in brutal, incredibly oppressive ways.

The parallels are clear, and showrunner Bruce Miller holds nothing back when it comes to giving modern society a mirror via an excellent performance from Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men).


The Girl From Plainville

A woman standing in front of a window
Rotten Tomatoes Score
91%
IMDB
6.4
M
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Elle Fanning, Chloe Sevigny, Cara Buono
Showrunner: Liz Hannah, Patrick Macmanus

Based on an article published in Esquire, The Girl From Plainville tells a different kind of true crime story. The limited series follows the true story of the notorious Michelle Carter and the texting-suicide scandal which led to the death of Conrad Roy III, exemplifying the major issues surrounding social media and bullying.


The Great

A group of people wearing military uniforms
Rotten Tomatoes Score
96%
IMDB
8.2
PG
Genre: Historical drama
Stars:
Actors: Elle Fanning, Nicholas Hoult, Phoebe Fox, Adam Godley, Gillian Anderson
Showrunner: Tony McNamara

Loosely based on the real-life story of Catherine the Great, is a historical comedy that attempts to take a lighter, more entertaining look at the Empress and Emporer of Russia, played reasonably well by Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, respectively.

The inclusion of Gillian Anderson as Catherine’s mother certainly adds a bit of weight and seniority to the project, but a sometimes overzealous, forced humour can easily ruin a lot of the episodes.

Regardless, The Great is still well worth watching if you’re looking for something to stream in the background that occasionally throws out those pops of brilliant, original writing.


Hacks

A person standing in front of a car
Rotten Tomatoes Score
100%
IMDB
8.2
MA15+
Genre: Comedy drama
Stars:
Actors: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins
Showrunner: Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs, Jen Statsky

Emmy Award winner Jean Smart commands the screen as Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance, forming a rather dark and twisted mentor relationship with an outcast 25-year-old, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) as they both explore the wasteful, incredibly shallow world of show business on The Strip.

Hacks can be a bit flat at times but for the most part, this highly underrated show manages to pull out more than a few very interesting developments.


The Midwich Cuckoos

A person standing in front of a building
Rotten Tomatoes Score
71%
IMDB
6.6
MA15+
Genre: Horror drama
Stars:
Actors: Keeley Hawes, Max Beesley, Synnove Karlsen
Showrunner: David Farr

Based on John Wyndham’s 1957 novel, The Midwich Cuckoos is a sci-fi drama based in the fictional small English village of Midwich, where women all fall pregnant at the same time once they hit the “right” childbearing age.

The overarching idea can sometimes align with The Handmaid’s Tale, again building a very tense, oppressive atmosphere that’s leaning more heavily towards horror. A harrowing watch for sure, but cleverly written and very well-acted.


Southcliffe

Shirley Henderson, Eddie Marsan standing in front of a crowd posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
IMDB
G
Stars:
Actors: Sean Harris, Joe Dempsie, Anatol Yusef, Rory Kinnear, Kaya Scodelario
Showrunner: Tony Grisoni

Cold and brutal. Southcliffe is a masterclass in the type of bleak world-building Tony Grisoni excels in, tracking the fictional town of North Kent Marshes where a mass shooting leaves residents broken.

Via a journalist and the victims, the nonlinear story is pieced together as a nihilistic tale of tragedy, grief and redemption. The miniseries is only made up of four episodes, so it’s not much of a commitment – just make sure you’re in the right mood, considering how impactful and depressing the show can be.

If you can get past the darkness, this is easily one of the best shows on Stan for something that’s only four episodes long.


Extras

Ricky Gervais et al. that are standing in a room
Rotten Tomatoes Score
88%
IMDB
8.3
PG
Genre: Comedy
Stars:
Actors: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Ashley Jensen, Shaun Williamson
Showrunner: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

Although it’s only two seasons long, Ricky Gervais’ Extras made a huge impact in the world of British comedy and solidified the comedian as one of the world’s greatest satirical minds.

The show follows a bunch of extras working in television, film and theatre, particularly Gervais who plays a disgruntled out-of-work actor who constantly tries to rationalise his failures as he loses roles to much bigger stars.


The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

fresh prince on Stan
Rotten Tomatoes Score
95%
IMDB
7.9
PG
Genre: Sitcom
Stars:
Actors: Will Smith, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell
Showrunner: Andy Borowitz

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, springboarding Will Smith to superstardom and giving us plenty of memorable episodes across an excellent six-season run.

You already know what the deal is here. Will is forced to move to the upmarket neighbourhood of Bel-Air and reconcile his street-minded philosophies, stemming from being West Philadelphia born and raised, with “polite society.”

Fresh Prince is a no-brainer if you’re looking for the best shows on Stan.


The Tourist

A man standing in a parking lot
Rotten Tomatoes Score
97%
IMDB
7.0
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Jamie Dornan, Danielle Macdonald, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Kamil Ellis
Showrunner: Harry Williams, Jack Williams

An Irishman wakes up in an Australian hospital with amnesia, the result of a car accident, ignorant of the fact that someone is trying to kill him.

With only six episodes, writers Harry and Jack Williams explore the idea of memory loss in a literal life-or-death situation, presenting plenty of action but also allowing the faster-paced moments to breathe a little and let the acting really shine through.


Heels

Stephen Amell, Alexander Ludwig posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
96%
IMDB
8.0
MA15+
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Stephen Amell, Alexander Ludwig, Alison Luff, Mary McCormack
Showrunner: Michael Waldron

Set in small-town Georgia, Heels is a fascinating drama about two brothers engaging in a small-town pro wrestling promotion to try and keep their late father’s legacy alive.

One plays a villain, while the other plays a hero, each performing scripted matches which writer Michael Waldron uses to build up the show’s most compelling angles. The universal acclaim this show’s first season attracted throughout its run in 2021 is well-deserved.


Parks and Recreation

parks and recreation
Rotten Tomatoes Score
93%
IMDB
8.6
PG
Genre: Satirical Comedy
Stars:
Actors: Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, Rashina Jones, Nick Offerman
Showrunner: Greg Daniels, Michael Schur

Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Office may be standard fodder when you’re looking for something hilarious to replay in the background, but not much can match up to the incredible wit and constant creativity of Parks & Recreation.

Now considered a classic, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the characters sketched so brilliantly by the cast, from Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope to Chris Pratt’s Andy Dwyer.


Robot Chicken

A person standing in front of a statue
Rotten Tomatoes Score
91%
IMDB
7.7
PG
Genre: Comedy
Stars:
Actors: Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Tom Root, Seth McFarlane
Showrunner: Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Mike Fasolo

One often overlooked benefit of owning a Stan subscription is the generous access to Adult Swim. The swathe of mature animated content helps prop up the streaming service when considered against rivals like Netflix and Prime, and the best of them is the dependable Robot Chicken.


The Office UK

A couple of people that are standing in a room
Rotten Tomatoes Score
97%
IMDB
8.5
M
Genre: Satirical comedy
Stars:
Actors: Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Lucy Davis, Mackenzie Crook
Showrunner: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant

For many, The Ofice is the greatest British comedy of all time. Certainly one of the most influential, with Ricky Gervais playing a socially awkward and largely inappropriate boss as he steers a team of bitter and frustrated paper merchants. It’s always worth a rewatch so no matter how many times you’ve seen it, The Office is always there for you whenever you need a good laugh.


The Office US

'The Office' Australia Remake Greenlit By Amazon Prime Video
Rotten Tomatoes Score
81%
IMDB
9.0
M
Genre: Satirical comedy
Stars:
Actors: Steve Carrell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski
Showrunner: Greg Daniels

One of the very (very) rare circumstances where a US adaptation of a UK show is actually good. Ricky Gervais is swapped out for Steve Carrell, again playing an incredibly stupid boss with the Anchorman actor proving how masterful he can be when it comes to uncomfortable humour.


The Girlfriend Experience

A woman sitting on a bench
Rotten Tomatoes Score
73%
IMDB
7.0
M
Genre: Drama
Stars:
Actors: Riley Keough, Amy Seimtz, Anna Friel, Julia Goldani Telles
Showrunner: Lodge Kerrigan, Amy Seimetz

Following a high-end escort in Manhattan, The Girlfriend Experience adapts Steven Soderbergh’s 2009 film of the same name into a more dense, complex and beautifully acted anthology on under-the-table deals and transactional relationships. It’s empty at times, but the acting, particularly from season one lead Riley Keough, really sells the show.


The Nest

A man and a woman standing in front of a coat
Rotten Tomatoes Score
93%
IMDB
6.3
M
Genre: Thriller
Stars:
Actors: Mirren Mack, Martin Compston, Sophie Rundle, Fiona Bell
Showrunner: Nicole Taylor

Five-part BBC One miniseries The Nest is a sensitive, beautifully constructed look at surrogacy.

There’s not much more to it than that, rather really biting into a simple plot that follows a married couple unable to conceive and the 18-year-old surrogate that helps them. If you’re in it for the straight-shooting drama and an examination of grief and hope, The Nest is well worth considering as one of the best shows on Stan Australia.


Safe House

Stephen Moyer standing next to a car
Rotten Tomatoes Score
53%
IMDB
6.7
MA15+
Stars:
Actors: Stephen Moyer, Zoe Tapper, Jaston Watkins, Christopher Eccleston
Showrunner: Michael Crompton

Stan really likes those under-the-radar British crime dramas, and Safe House is one of the better ones.

Both seasons are completely different from one another, but sport the same idea – a married couple, both of whom are ex-police, are forced to turn their new guest house into a safe house after a Detective Chief Inspector shows up with a family in need of protection.

It can be a bit boring at times, but the conceit is solid and Safe House has more than enough compelling drama to get this onto our round-up of the best Stan series.


The First Team

A group of football players posing for a picture
Rotten Tomatoes Score
IMDB
6.1
PG
Genre: Comedy
Stars:
Actors: Jake Short, Shaquille Ali-Yebuah, Jack McMullen, Chris Geere
Showrunner: Damon Beesley, Iain Morris

Trying to aim for something a bit similar to The Inbetweeners, The First Team follows the lives of young players working their way through life while playing as part of a fictional Premier League football team.

Masculinity and insecurity are the major plays here, giving this coming-of-age comedy a great deal of material to work with as the young cast does an excellent job keeping the laughs frequent and genuinely hilarious.

When you’re looking for the best shows on Stan, it’s easy to skip past this one. Don’t. It’s often as good as Beesley and Morris’ fantastic work on The Inbetweeners.


iZombie

A woman posing for the camera
Rotten Tomatoes Score
92%
IMDB
7.8
M
Genre: Sci-Fi
Stars:
Actors: Rose McIver, David Anders, Malcolm Goodwin, Rahul Kohli
Showrunner: Rob Thomas

Creator Rob Thomas (no, not the lead singer of Matchbox Twenty) offered something endearingly refreshing when he brought iZombie to the world back in 2015, crawling away from the seriousness of The Walking Dead for an interesting, ridiculous take on the trending genre.

The lead character Olivia Moore (Rose McIver) is a crime-solving zombie whose keen insights come from eating people’s brains, which is about as out-there as you can get when it comes to conceit surrounding yet another zombie apocalypse series.


Hightown

Monica Raymund standing in front of a window
Rotten Tomatoes Score
80%
IMDB
6.8
M
Genre: Crime
Stars:
Actors: Monica Raymund, Atkins Estimond, Riley Voelkel, Tonya Glanz
Showrunner: Rebecca Cutter

Tied as it may be towards the end, Hightown starts off rather solid and remains entertaining enough as it fills out a bleak atmosphere in Cape Cod, tracking a young woman and her path to sobriety. Of course, it’s not as simple as that, as the woman (Monica Raymund) is quickly dragged down by a murder investigation. It may not be one of the very best shows on Stan, but it’s a reasonably good watch on a lazy Sunday.


Minx

A woman standing in a room
Rotten Tomatoes Score
97%
IMDB
7.6
M
Genre: Comedy
Stars:
Actors: Ophelia Lovibond, Jake Johnson, Jessica Low, Michael Angarano
Showrunner: Ellen Rapoport

Minx is about the troubled creation of the very first erotic magazine for women, driven confidently by a feminist touch without being didactic. The HBO Max American comedy can dip in quality at times, but it’s still well worth binging through this Stan series if you’re after an endearing plot and some terrific acting.


Our Final Thoughts On Stan’s TV Show Selection

From crime drama essentials like Gangs of London and Fargo to iconic dramas like The West Wing, Mad Men and Breaking Bad, Stan has some of the best TV you could possibly ask for. And it’s a wide range too, offering a scope that’s damn near unrivalled when we’re talking about the best streaming services in Australia.

Stan Originals don’t quite match the quality of a program like Netflix Originals. Yet, the Australian streaming service has a firm enough grip and a very well-trained curatorial eye when it comes to mining some of the best TV shows of the past few decades.

That goes double if you like the blunt, more straight-shooting approach of British TV – Stan seems to favour British classics, as well as – obviously – the Australian screen industry, with Stan Originals including TV adaptations of Romper Stomper (which isn’t good) and Wolf Creek (which is decent). Stan loves a good Aussie drama original – usually based on an already existing property – so you can always expect more in this regard.

Some of the most popular shows on Stan include RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Billions and Yellowstone. But they aren’t always necessarily the best. Below you’ll find some really underrated gems worth searching for, including Southcliffe, The Lazarus Project and Heels.

And if you’re the type to hop around streaming services, testing free trials before you decide what to subscribe to, Stan at least has a generous trial period. You’ve got a full 30 days to watch Stan before the subscription price kicks in.


How Boss Hunting Chose The Best Shows On Stan

How else? We watched these shows. Either before they hit Stan or when they started streaming on the service. The Boss Hunting team is made up of rabid entertainment consumers and we regularly discuss what we’re watching in the office. Our best recommendations are included here and these are what we’d suggest to our mates if they are wondering what to watch on Stan.

If you want to know what’s coming to Stan next month, check out our monthly release schedule.

Not interested in the best shows on Stan? Check out our other “best of” streaming roundups:

Related Articles

The Best Shows On Stan Right Now – Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best shows on Stan right now?

The best shows to watch on Stan right now include Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, Yellowstone, Billions, Gangs of London, Southcliffe, Parks & Recreation and The West Wing.

What are some other good shows on Stan?

Some good shows on Stan that didn’t make this round-up include Everything I Know About Love, The Undeclared War, Wolf Like Me, The Honourable Woman, Doctor Who and Black Sails

How many seasons does Yellowstone have?

Yellowstone has four seasons but there are also numerous spinoffs in the works – Yellowstone 1883, Yellowstone 1932 and Yellowstone 6666. Not all of these will stream on Stan.

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Chris Singh
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Chris is a freelance Travel, Food, and Technology writer. He has had work published by The AU Review, Junkee Media and Australian Traveller Media and holds tertiary qualifications in Psychology and Sociology.

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