Recently the CW Seed, The CW’s free, ad-supported digital network, had announced that it had acquired non-exclusive streaming rights to fourteen shows from BBC Studios. The new deal between the studios will bring 200 episodes and 150 hours of scripted content to the CW Seed.
The mostly genre shows that have been brought over to the digital platform have a high degree of talent and star power both behind and in front of the camera. Here are the best BBC shows that are either currently streaming on CW Seed or will be launched on the streaming service from late January to mid-February.
The Intruders
Starring Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and a young Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things, Intruders is a gripping psychological paranormal thriller. The series follows Jack Whelan, a former LAPD cop who investigates a secret society that is fixated on immorality. Whelan later has to deal with the sudden disappearance of his wife, and the terrifying revelations that he uncovers regarding the enigmatic group called Qui Reverti.
The Intruders was developed by Glen Morgan, known for his work with both the X-Files and Final Destination franchises. Julie Anne Gardner, who served as an executive producer for the 2005 revival of Doctor Who and its Torchwood spin-off, was an executive producer for Intruders.
The Fades
The Fades is an exciting, thrilling, and intelligent supernatural thriller that is a must-see on CW Seed. A college student named Paul, unpopular in his school, is haunted by apocalyptic dreams. He begins to see vengeful spirits of the dead, known as The Fades. Paul finds himself pulled into a conflict between The Fades and the few that can perceive them, which ultimately determines that future of humanity.
The Fades stars Iain De Caestecker from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Oscar-nominated star Daniel Kaluuya from Get Out, Lucifer star Tom Ellis, and Game of Thrones stars Natalie Dormer and Joe Dempsie.
House of Cards (1990)
Easily one of the most popular UK shows ever made and inspiration behind the hit Netflix series of the same name, the original BBC House of Cards miniseries will soon be available on CW Seed. The series follows Francis Urquhart, a scheming and manipulative Chief Whip of the Conservative Party. Urquhart, who frequently breaks the fourth wall to speak to audiences, was modeled after Richard III and Macbeth according to legendary Shakespearean actor Ian Richardson.
Richardson won the BAFTA in 1991 for his critically acclaimed portrayal of Urquhart. The original House of Cards BBC miniseries has two sequels, To Play The King and The Final Cut.
Gavin and Stacey
Written by and starring Late Late Show host James Corden, Gavin and Stacey is often regarded as one of the greatest British sitcoms ever made. The sitcom follows two quirky families, one from Essex and one from Wales, that come together after a young couple falls in love. Mathew Horne and Joanna Page play the titular characters, while writers Corden and Ruth Jones play star as Gavin and Stacey’s friends.
While Gavin and Stacey ran for 21 episodes and three seasons from 2007 to 2010, the show’s 2019 special attracted a record-breaking seventeen million viewers for the BBC. Gavin and Stacey was the most nominated series in the 2007 British Comedy Awards.
Atlantis
Starring Mark Addy from Game of Thrones, Atlantis is a hit British-fantasy series from the BBC. The series follows Jason, who washes up on the shores of the ancient Atlantis while investigating a deep-sea disturbance that led to the disappearance of his father. Jason meets the ruler of the ancient city, King Minos, as well as his power-hungry and ambitious wife Queen Pasiphae.
For those who love swash-buckling adventures or Greek mythology, Atlantis is the perfect show to binge-watch next. Atlantis was created by Howard Overton, who created the enormously successful series Misfits in 2009 as well as the horror-comedy series Crazyhead.
The Secret of Crickley Hall
Based on the best-selling novel by horror author James Herbert, The Secret of Crickley Hall is a chilling haunted house BBC adaptation starring Tom Ellis from Lucifer and Maisie Williams from Game of Thrones. After the disappearance of their young child, Gabe and Eve Caleigh decide to move to Crickley Hall with their young daughters in order to escape their past.
The series also partially takes place during 1943 and follows orphans who find refuge at Crickley Hall after they were forced to leave London during World War II. The Secret of Crickley Hall was written and directed by Joe Ahearne.
Bedlam
Starring Theo James from the Divergent franchise and award-winning pop star Will Young, Bedlam is a critically acclaimed supernatural series. The series focuses on Bedlam Heights, a newly converted apartment building that was formerly a mental asylum. Kate, who works and lives at Bedlam Heights, is a skeptic of ghosts and the paranormal until her mentally ill adopted cousin Jed visits her. Jed claims to see visions of the dead and is convinced that Kate is in danger at Bedlam.
Bedlam is produced by The Detail and Last Tango in Halifax executive producer Nicola Shindler.