Come for the cartoons, stay for the cerebral sci-fi and brutal dramas about feudal Japan … Here’s our pick of what to watch on Disney+
Disney+ might be great for children but it’s by no means just for them. It not only owns the LucasFilm and
The 27 best TV shows on Disney+
By Michael Hogan
Daily Telegraph UK·
14 mins to read
Atlanta. starring LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, Donald Glover and Brian Tyree Henry, is just one of our 27 picks of the best shows available on Disney+.
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2. Shardlake (2024)
CJ Sansom’s historical whodunits have long been ripe for screen adaptation, and this morally murky four-parter does them justice. Tudor barrister the crookbacked Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes) and his rogueish sidekick Jack Barak (Anthony Boyle) are dispatched by Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean) to investigate a murder at a remote monastery. Cue an atmospheric crime thriller full of flickering candlelight and chewy intrigue. Think Wolf Hall meets The Name of the Rose. Author Sansom sadly died four days before the series premiered but it’s a worthy memorial.
3. Grey’s Anatomy (2005-present)
Yes, Shonda Rhimes’ Seattle-set hospital drama really is still going strong after almost two decades. All 430 episodes can now be found on Disney+. The ensemble piece begins with protagonist Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) as a surgical intern, alongside Alex (Justin Chambers), George (TR Knight), Izzie (Katherine Heigl) and Cristina (Sandra Oh). Among their mentors are Meredith’s love interest, neurosurgeon “Dr McDreamy” (Patrick Dempsey). Twenty series later, Meredith is now the hospital’s surgical chief but the lives and loves at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital are still soapily tangled.
4. Renegade Nell (2024)
Screenwriter Sally Wainwright switched gear from the social realism of Happy Valley to create this swashbuckling romp. It injects a bracing dose of comic fantasy into the playful historical approach of her period drama Gentleman Jack. In the early 18th century, Nell Jackson (Derry Girls’ Louisa Harland) returns from war blessed with superpowers, thanks to a magical sprite named Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed). Framed for murder, fugitive Nell turns to highway robbery to make ends meet. A stylish, family-friendly adventure in which Harland shines.
5. Shōgun (2024)
One of the top TV dramas of the year took many by surprise when it landed in February. James Clavell’s bestselling door-stopper had already been adapted into a 1980 miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain. However, streaming budgets, historical authenticity and glossy location filming give this 10-part epic the appropriate scale. After surviving a shipwreck in early 17th-century feudal Japan, sailor John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) is taken prisoner by samurai warriors, forms an alliance with a powerful lord and becomes embroiled in a devastating civil war. It has been renewed for two more series, so catch up while you can.
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6. Abbott Elementary (2021-present)
Part of the “nicecore” US sitcom trend, alongside Ted Lasso, Superstore and The Good Place, this upbeat school mockumentary follows the plucky teachers at an underfunded Philadelphia state school. As the big-hearted team navigate staffroom politics, educational bureaucracy and a gaffe-prone principal, it makes for workplace comedy of the highest calibre. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson – whose mother’s 40-year teaching career inspired the series – it deftly mixes whip-smart dialogue with uplifting moments. A crowd-pleasing treat.
7. Homeland (2011-2020)
The spy thriller, originally based on an Israeli series, remains electric, especially in its early series. Claire Danes won two Emmys for playing CIA ounterterrorism agent Carrie Mathison, who becomes convinced that Sgt Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a rescued US Marine who was held captive by al-Qaeda, was turned by the enemy and now poses a threat. Can she prove her theory? Or is bipolar Carrie paranoid and unfairly persecuting a war hero? The outstanding leads play a riveting game of cat-and-mouse, classily supported by the likes of Mandy Patinkin, David Harewood and F Murray Abraham.
8. Only Murders In The Building (2021-present)
This giddy crime caper unites veteran comedy duo Steve Martin and Martin Short. They play luvvie-ish residents of an affluent Upper West Side apartment block who discover they share an obsession with true crime. When they find themselves implicated in a murder, they team up with another nosy neighbour (Selena Gomez) and start their own investigative podcast. The charming trio have since reunited for two more cases, with the likes of Meryl Streep, Mel Brooks, Paul Rudd and Tina Fey joining the fun. A fourth run arrives in August.
9. The Simpsons (1989-present)
The platform’s enviable animated roster boasts Family Guy, American Dad, Bob’s Burgers and this, the doughnut-scoffing, Duff-guzzling daddy of them all. Viewing American life via a blue-collar family in the everytown of Springfield, Matt Groening’s sprawling sitcom started out as segments on The Tracey Ullman Show, graduated to its own half-hour series and remains an institution 35 years later. There’s slapstick for youngsters, subtle satire for adults and knowing celebrity cameos to add stardust. Quality might have dipped since its nineties pomp but it still delivers belly laughs. Dip in for all-time favourite episodes or discover new ones. D’oh.
10. A Murder At The End Of The World (2023)
Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij’s previous collaboration, sci-fi head-scratcher The OA, was hailed by some viewers as a masterpiece, others as a confusing mess. This stylised whodunit is cut from more conventional cloth. The Crown’s Emma Corrin stars as Darby Hart, a Gen-Z computer hacker-cum-amateur sleuth who is invited to the futuristic Iceland retreat of a reclusive billionaire (Clive Owen). When one of her fellow guests dies, Darby sets out to prove it was murder. Imaginative, intelligent and seductive.
11. Extraordinary (2023-present)
There’s a tradition of gritty urban superhero series – see Misfits and Supacell – but this British creation is as much an odd-one-out comedy. Shop worker Jen (Máiréad Tyers) lives in a world where everybody develops a superpower aged 18 – except she’s 24 and still hasn’t discovered hers. Will an ability ever manifest? And will it be a cool one like flight, speed or rewinding time? Or a rubbish one, like the bloke with a 3D-printing backside? Slyly funny and cleverly plotted, it quickly became a firm cult favourite.
12. Fleishman Is In Trouble (2022)
Author Taffy Brodesser-Akner brings her own watercooler 2019 novel to the screen in this unrepentantly wordy eight-parter. Manhattan doctor and father-of-two Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg) is plunged into the brave new world of dating apps and one-night stands after emerging from a 15-year marriage to the seemingly ghastly Rachel (Claire Danes). He rekindles old friendships but is forced to re-evaluate everything when his ex-wife disappears. A zesty relationship drama with insightful themes of social class, mental health and mid-life love.
13. Culprits (2023)
A Hollywood-style heist thriller with a distinctly British flavour, thanks to Yorkshire-born showrunner J Blakeson and a homegrown cast. Ex-enforcer Joe (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett) is now a family man in Middle America, with his fiancée blissfully unaware of his criminal history. Back in London, he was a member of a hand-picked elite crew who pulled off a daring high-stakes raid, masterminded by the enigmatic Dianne (Gemma Arterton). When the past catches up with them and gang members start getting picked off by a ruthless assassin (Niamh Algar), Joe is sucked back into his old life.
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14. The Mandalorian (2019-2023)
The streamer’s first breakout hit was this gun-slinging adventure set in the Star Wars universe, helping repay the US$4 billion Disney shelled out for Lucasfilm. Following the fall of the Galactic Empire, helmet-clad bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) is hired to retrieve precious cargo - namely the meme-spawningly cute Baby Yoda. Showrunner Jon Favreau crafts a spaghetti western in space with fatherhood themes. Its success led to a proliferation of live action spin-offs - The Book Of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Acolyte - but apart from Andor (see number 29), none are a patch on “Mando”.
15. The Old Man (2022)
The mighty Jeff Bridges returned to the small screen for the first time in 60 years to star in this hard-bitten spy drama. Bridges plays a former CIA officer who’s living off-grid. When a hitman breaks into his remote Vermont cabin, he finds himself forced out of retirement and on the run - with his old sparring partner (John Lithgow) charged with catching his rogue ex-colleague. A brooding cat-and-mouse thriller, full of knotty back story and buried secrets, with its two veteran leads having a ball.
16. Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023-present)
Nearly 20 years after the publication of Rick Riordan’s beloved YA novels based on Greek mythology, they get a screen adaptation that captured their spirit. When seemingly ordinary 12-year-old Percy discovers he’s the product of a romance between his mortal mother and Poseidon, god of the sea, the young demigod is sent to Camp Half-Blood to harness his powers. Cue a coming-of-age quest involving satyrs, gorgons and stolen lightning bolts. A Harry Potter-esque teen adventure, brimming with youthful energy and impish wit.
17. Scrubs (2001-2010)
The cheeky younger cousin of Grey’s Anatomy. This noughties medical sitcom, set at the fictional Sacred Heart teaching hospital, chronicles the stethoscope-wielding careers of geeky intern JD (Zach Braff), his best buddy Turk (Donald Faison) and will-they-won’t-they love interest Elliot (Sarah Chalke). Scene-stealing eccentrics on the staff include the snarling hospital janitor, suicidal lawyer and heartless chief of medicine but all the best lines go to JD’s sarcastic mentor Dr Cox (John C McGinley). Combining nimble character comedy with surreal slapstick daydreams, it’s a real tonic.
18. Reservation Dogs (2021-2023)
The first US series with all-indigenous writers and directors, not to mention the vast majority of the cast and crew. Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi’s spirited comedy-drama follows the exploits of four indigenous North American teens who are grieving the fifth member of their gang and dream of swapping their rural Oklahoma community for a new life in Los Angeles. To escape, our heroes must save enough money, address unresolved issues in their lives and outsmart the local drug dealers. Silly, sweet and poignant, it fully deserves the raft of awards it has won.
19. Marvel’s Agent Carter (2015-2016)
Rather like the Star Wars stable, Disney’s takeover of the Marvel universe led to a raft of TV spin-offs. The pick of the bunch - for us, narrowly eclipsing Loki and WandaVision - is this period spy drama set in 1940s New York. It follows the superb Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, back when she worked with SHIELD founder Howard Stark, aka Iron Man’s father. Fleshing out the character beyond being Captain America’s love interest is long overdue. As Peggy teams up with butler Edwin Jarvis (James D’Arcy) to crack cases, it’s rich with period detail and zippy dialogue.
20. Atlanta (2016-2022)
Donald Glover’s bold, brilliantly unique series has been compared to Fleabag and I May Destroy You in the way it hops between genres and rips up the rulebook. As aspiring music mogul Earn (Glover) tries to steer the rap career of his cousin Alfred, aka Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry) and they get into scrapes on the hip-hop scene. Eccentric friend Darius (LaKeith Stanfield) and Earn’s ex-girlfriend Van (Zazie Beetz) come along for the ride. Laced with biting humour and cutting social commentary, it’s like a collection of surreal short stories. It has now finished its run but all four glorious series are available to watch.
21. 24 (2001-2010)
The show that gave a highly adrenalised shot-in-the-arm to TV espionage drama. Each episode covers one hour of real-time action as we follow maverick federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) through a day from hell as he races to thwart terrorist attacks and political conspiracies. Using split-screen and a ticking clock to maintain momentum, it moves like a racehorse, becoming known for killer cliffhangers and head-spinning plot twists. It got a bit daft eventually but the first five series are an addictive, propulsive thrill ride.
22. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
The much-loved sitcom begins in the year 2030 with narrator Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor) telling his teenage children about how their parents got together. Cue flashbacks to the young Ted’s romantic adventures in Manhattan with best mate Marshall (Jason Segel), his long-term girlfriend Lily (Alyson Hannigan), TV reporter Robin (Cobie Smulders) and playboy Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). Like Friends meets The Wonder Years, HIMYM is a comforting comedy pleasure - all the way to the controversial finale, which drew 13 million viewers.
23. Gravity Falls (2014-2015)
The fanastic Phineas & Ferb is also on the streamer but our favourite cross-generational cartoon is this Emmy-winning cult hit. When loveable 12-year-old twins Dipper and Mabel Pines are sent to stay with their great-uncle (aka “grunkle”) Stan for the summer in the eponymous Oregon town, they discover all manner of paranormal incidents and supernatural mysteries. Like Twin Peaks meets Stranger Things with a pinch of South Park, it’s winningly surreal and cleverly crafted, with plenty to enjoy for adults too.
24. The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
The universally lauded docuseries from New Zealand film-maker Peter Jackson is very heaven for Fab Four fans. Featuring unused studio footage shot in early 1969, unfolding across eight hours and split into three parts, it immersively chronicles the creation of the band’s final album, Let It Be. It makes for an unprecedented insight into the quartet’s alchemy – one spine-tingling sequence sees Paul McCartney conjuring the titular song out of thin air – while dispelling the myth that their working relationship had irretrievably broken down. A classy slice of pop history, climaxing with the full 42-minute rooftop concert.
25. Welcome to Wrexham (2022-present)
When Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought a neglected non-league North Wales football team for £2 million during lockdown, it sounded like the stuff of filmic fairytale. So it has proven across three series (so far) of this cockle-warming docuseries. As Wrexham AFC rise up the league and chase promotion, it’s an irresistible rags-to-riches story. This charming show’s secret weapon, though, is its focus on the club’s devoted fanbase and how the upturn in fortunes has brought positive change to the local community. “Wrex-mania” indeed.
26. Andor (2022-present)
Just as Rogue One is the best of the recent Star Wars films, its prequel series is superior to most of the TV spin-offs. This refreshingly subtle, sophisticated drama explores how thief-turned-revolutionary spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) became radicalised against the evil Galactic Empire and how the Rebel Alliance was formed. Heavyweight support comes from Stellan Skarsgård, Fiona Shaw and Andy Serkis. Gritty, mature sci-fi with a political dimension and rich production design.
27. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)
Joss Whedon’s teen classic blended supernatural thrills with coming-of-age drama, becoming a major influence on everything from the Twilight saga to Doctor Who’s reboot. Following reluctant heroine Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her trusty “Scooby gang” as they fight the forces of darkness in their Californian hometown of Sunnydale, it subverts horror tropes while reminding us that adolescent problems can be monstrous and high school is hell. It became a pop culture phenomenon, memorably including musical and near-silent episodes, spawning an entire “Buffyverse” - but the original has the most bite.
