Category: Techradar

If you live in Europe and love technology, IFA 2019 should be on your radar. It’s Europe’s largest tech-filled tradeshow and acts as a showcase for all the cool tech like 4K TVs, soundbars, speakers and smartphones that are coming later this year.

Now, if that sounds awfully familiar, it might be because you’ve heard of CES, the US equivalent that takes place in Las Vegas Nevada every year in January. While the two shows are definitely similar in a number of ways, IFA focuses more on the European tech scene – that means tons of TVs from Philips, Panasonic and Hisense, plus new smartphones from Huawei, Honor and LG. 

So what should you expect from IFA 2019? Which manufacturers will be bringing the big guns, and will there be any surprises in store for us? Let the TechRadar editors talk you through one of the biggest tech shows of the year.

What you need to know

• What is IFA? Held annually in Berlin, IFA is Europe’s largest consumer tech conference, showcasing the upcoming launches from some of the world’s biggest electronics brands. Its origins date back to 1924, when it began as a radio convention.
• When is IFA 2019? IFA 2019 will be held over September 6 to 11, 2019. However, press get early access to the site, and some launches are revealed prior to the show too, so expect to see news coming out of IFA a week or so earlier than that, ramping up from September 4.
• Which brands are exhibiting? If it’s a consumer-tech focused company, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be there, from Acer to ZTE and everyone in between. Some companies may host separate events away from the main Messe conference center in Berlin, but almost all will have a presence. The only big name missing will be Apple, which always chooses to skip IFA and CES.

Latest IFA 2019 news and rumors

Hundreds, if not thousands, of exhibitors will be lining the halls of Berlin’s Messe conference center for IFA 2019. It’s an all-encompassing show, where you’ll have drone designers rubbing shoulders with microwave makers.

Navigating the show and all its news can be a nightmare. So, in the run up to the flood of announcements set to soak the newswires, here’s a run down of what we’re expecting to see from all the major players.

Acer

Computing company Acer always puts on a show during IFA, and for 2019 it’s even hosting a keynote session where we’re expecting a large chunk of its upcoming line-up to be revealed. 

IFA tends to be the place where Acer’s Predator gaming lineup receives updates, and is often where Acer debuts concept products, such as the Predator 21X gaming laptop or the Acer Predator Thronos gaming chair. Expect to see a strong showing from the company.

AMD

With its Ryzen 3000 CPUs riding high, and its Navi rDNA graphics architecture expected to power the Xbox Project Scarlett and PS5 consoles, AMD has its hands full at the moment. Though it usually has a presence at IFA, we’re not expecting any big announcements from the company this time around.

BlackBerry

BlackBerry! Yep, remember those handsets? They’ve not gone completely the way of the dodo just yet. There was activity around the BlackBerry brand with a new handset (now made by TCL) arriving in 2018 in the form of the BlackBerry Key2 LE.

But with no sign of the Key3 in 2019 so far, and the brands’ overall fortunes showing no sign of recovery any time soon, we’d say it’s pretty unlikely we’ll see a handset bearing the BB name at IFA this year.

Dell

We expect to see plenty of new products from Dell at IFA 2019. Dell could surprise us with another XPS product reveal or use this opportunity to catch its other product lines up to speed with current computing trends. 

Dell and Alienware truly have been wild cards at IFA in years past – if there’s one area it might steal the headlines, it’d be on its gaming hardware, so keep an eye on the Alienware gear coming out of the show.

Fossil

Wearables continue to have a strong showing at IFA, and Fossil often announces new watches at the show. Could the Fossil Sport 2 make an appearance? If not, expect other brands like Michael Kors or Diesel to fill in that watch-shaped gap around your wrist.

Garmin

As with Fossil, Garmin likes to hit IFA with a range of sports-focused wearables. But it’s in a slightly different position this year, coming into the show hot on the heels of a busy period of announcements. Expect to see variants of Garmin’s existing lines, rather than anything brand spanking new.

HP

The Houston-based computer maker generally doesn’t make a big splash at IFA, preferring the halls of Computex or CES. We might see one or two new products launch at the show, but not much more than that. Stranger things have happened.

Hisense

With its first range of OLED TVs finally hitting store shelves, Hisense will be doubling down on the technology at IFA 2019 we’d imagine. It’s current top-tier OLED TV has a high asking price, but lacks some of the more premium features that its competition offers.

Though the brand tends to lean towards the affordable and budget end of the market, we’re hoping to see at least one grandstanding set that aims towards more luxurious features at a more attainable price point.

Honor

Here’s one that could turn out to be a bit of a surprise. Honor announced the Honor Magic 2 at IFA in 2018, but did further promo around the already-announced Honor Play at the show, too. 

The Honor 9X, 9X Pro and Honor Band 5 have just launched in China, so IFA could IFA perhaps be their European debut? Regardless, as the company sits under the Huawei umbrella, expect the parent brand to do most of the talking.

Huawei

Last year, Huawei saved its big-hitting Mate 20 / 20 Pro launch for after IFA, but it did however introduce the range with the Mate 20 Lite in Berlin. We could see something similar here, with a mid-range handset launched, maybe with the Mate 30 name. You’re unlikely to see a flagship launch though, with the company now favoring its own solo shows.

The company also has been dabbling with smart speaker tech, its AI Cube being both audio device and 4G router. Could a 5G update be on the cards?

We could also see Huawei unleash a new MateBook at the tech event. Its laptops, like the Huawei MateBook 14 are some of our favorite laptops, so we’re looking forward to maybe seeing some more computing products from the company.

Intel

Intel will be showing at IFA 2019. With the competition against AMD tougher than its been for quite some time, we’re expecting them to go relatively big at IFA. We think Intel might have some 10th-generation Comet Lake processors to show off, as well as Project Athena laptops.

Lenovo

The company behind Yoga laptops and Motorola phones has a major nighttime event planned for IFA 2019 called “Tech Life,” which will play host to a number of product unveilings. It’s likely that more of Lenovo’s flagship products for 2019 could be unveiled here, including new Yoga and ThinkPad devices.

Keep in mind that Lenovo increasingly steps into the smart home arena too. We were very impressed earlier this year with the Lenovo Smart Clock, for instance. Don’t be surprised if it adds more to its smart home line up as a result.

LG

TV and home cinema tech will be the main attractions of LG’s IFA showcase, no doubt, as the company (being the only actual manufacturer of the technology) continues to sign the praises of its OLED TV tech.

It also tends to have mid-range handsets at the show. In 2018 is was the LG G7 One and LG G7 Fit – building off the flagship line at lower price points. In terms of audio, we’d be hoping to see further fruits from its partnership with UK experts Meridian Audio.

But LG is a giant of the industry, and has its hand in essentially every technological consumer space imaginable, from freezers to laptops, monitors to robotics. Last year its CLOi bots were future-gazing highlights of the show.

Motorola

The phone branch of Lenovo has become a bastion of hope for those looking for high-end smartphone features on a tighter budget. Usually Moto has a phone or two to show at IFA – in 2018 we got the Motorola One, a respectable mid-range handset, for instance. Though it’s unlikely to have a new flagship in Berlin, more mid-rangers are certainly on the cards if past exhibitions are anything to go by.

Philips

With the European (read: better) arm of Philips TV division unable to show at CES, we’re expecting big, big things from the brand at IFA 2019. It’s the manufacturer’s time to shine, and we’d expect a snazzy new OLED Ambilight flagship to launch at the show.

In addition, Philips is once again ramping up its audio offering, dusting off its long-neglected Fidelio range. It was once a mighty player in headphones – could it come back to reclaim its position?

Samsung

IFA used to be a huge phone show for Samsung – quite literally, as it’s where it first revealed its then-massive Note smartphone range. That won’t be the case for 2019 as the company has already unveiled its Note 10, Note 10 Plus, Watch Active 2 and Galaxy Tab S6 at its own show in early August.

Expect Samsung to instead focus on its blindingly-bright QLED TV sets. 

As with LG, Samsung has a hand in many consumer-tech brackets. So if you’re on the market for a washing machine or new connected fridgefreezer, wait until you’ve seen what the company’s IFA 2019 press conference has to offer.

Sony

IFA tends to be a big show for Sony, where it has historically launched smartphones. Previous years introduced the Xperia Z3, so don’t rule out the appearance of the Xperia 2 (leading on from the 21:9 ratio Xperia 1 launched earlier in 2019). There’s also a chance we’ll see mid-range devices too.

In 2018 it also used the show to launch the odd FES Watch U wearable. There’s a chance we may see more wearables this year, or at least some intriguing concept designs.

Sony will of course also have plenty of Android TV-powered OLED sets on display. But what are we really the most excited about? We’re holding out hope for a follow up to the world-beating noise cancelling headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM3 cans, which were revealed at last year’s show.

The shadow of the PS5 will be looming over the event but, alas – we will eat our laptops if the company chose IFA as its new console launchpad.

• CES 2019: all the big news from this year’s other giant tech show

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Many people are aware of the need for a firewall on their personal computer, either as a standalone package or as part of an anti-virus or internet security suite.

However, there has been both an increasing need and demand for something similar to protect websites and their users from similar malicious activity. The solution? A cloud-based firewall know as a Web Application Firewall (WAF).

WAFs have become increasingly necessary due to various attacked vectors. These include Cross Site Scripting (XSS) attacked in which a malicious user or bot tries to leverage code executions in your database or scripting software to gain access to the underlying database, and so have a direct way into your server.

Another known threat is Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacked, in which a botnet tries to flood a server or network with too much information for it to be able to handle, thus crashing the server and taking down your network and website presence with it.

There are also other user-based attacks, such as phishing, credential stuffing, and clickjacking, in which malicious software comes into play between your visitor’s browser and your website itself, allowing hackers to steal information that should be secure, such as passwords or even credit card information.

These are all issues that Web Application Firewalls aim to prevent and protect against. However, a WAF should be invisible to users, so they will never know it’s there. 

Usually, WAFs come with dynamic rules that are constantly updated to keep abreast of the latest threats, along with a backend dashboard to provide analytics of how it’s working.

There are a number of WAFs on the market, and here we’ll look at some of the best available now. 

• We’ve also highlighted the best cloud antivirus

• Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.  

CloudFlare is a company that provides content delivery services, DDoS mitigation, Internet security and distributed domain name server providers. It was founded in 2009.

The solution monitors the internet on a regular basis for any new updates such as attacks and vulnerabilities. Anything that is considered a threat to the majority of their clients automatically have WAF (Web application Firewalls) rules enabled. These will protect all internet properties. Constant updates ensure that CloudFlare’s protection is in place at all times.

Cloudflare deals with a huge number of requests every hour with the solution identifying and blocking new threats. Due to their large customer base, the platform is able to rely on a collective intelligence when it comes to eradicating threats. This means that when one customer creates a new WAF rule, CloudFlare decides whether it applies to all other domains on their network.

CloudFlare has a free tier. This includes unmetered mitigation of DDoS, global CDN, shared SSL certificate and 3 page rules. Additional rules can be purchased through CloudFlare’s dashboard.

The ‘Pro’ package is $20 per month which includes Web application Firewall (WAF) with CloudFlare rulesets, mobile optimizations with Polish and 20 page rules.

For $200 per month, the ‘Business’ plan comes with WAF with 25 custom rulesets, 50 page rules and custom SSL certificate upload. 

The ‘Enterprise’ tier includes 24/7 enterprise grade phone, chat and email support, 100 page rules, named solution and customer success engineers.

Some users have reported delays with analytics and log systems.

• You can sign up for CloudFlare WAF here

Amazon Web Services is part of Amazon.com. It provides on-demand cloud computing platforms to individuals and businesses. As part of this subscription, users have access to AWS WAF. 

AWS WAF is a web application firewall which protects web applications from threats which could compromise their security or consume resources. The solution itself is straight forward and easy to use. 

Users can create custom made rules designed to block common attack patterns such as cross-site scripting. The solution has a full featured API which allows users to automate the creation, deployment and maintenance of all rules in use.

AWS WAF works by charging you for each new rule you create. You are not charged a set price every month but you do have to be subscribed to Amazon Web Services to access this feature.

Amazon Web Services include a 12 month fully featured free trial.

• You can sign up for Amazon Web Services WAF here

Sophos is a British security software and hardware company. It develops products for communication endpoint, encryption, network security and unified threat management.

Sophos XG Firewall is a unified threat manager which also acts as a firewall. It also acts as application security and wireless gateway.

Users can manage settings from Sophos’ ‘Control Center’. From here subscribers  can access the utilities dashboard. This allows you to view your network, users and applications. You can also add Sophos ‘iView’. This provides centralized reporting across multiple firewalls.

The XG Firewall management interface gives users an overview on features such as traffic insights, system statistics and firewall rules.

Sophos offers users a 30-day free trial. This includes IPS, ATP, Sandboxing, Dual AV, Web and App Control, Anti-phishing and Web Application Firewall. Subscribers need to contact Sophos directly to receive a quote.

Some commentators have complained the UI is not intuitive and cannot be customized.

• You can sign up for Sophos XG Firewall here

Akamai Technologies is a content delivery network and cloud service provider. It was founded in 1998.

Akamai Kona Site Defender integrates DDoS protection with its web application firewall. DDoS services identify and neutralize threats from IP addresses by using a scale system from 1 to 10. These scores are based on the IP addresses ability to source suspicious traffic. Scores are then used to allow, alert or block based on the severity of the score. Users can also customize settings so they can choose which IP addresses they want blocked.

The web application firewall inspects individual traffic. Any malicious attacks are eradicated. This tool only works against web-based attacks.

Users can use the management dashboard to access information such as reports and attack rates. The utility requires very little customization.

Subscribers will need to contact Akamai directly in order to start their free trial and to get a quote.

Online commentators have said they regret more information about the product isn’t available on Akamai’s website.

• You can sign up for Akamai Kona Site Defender here

Imperva is a cloud-based Web Application Firewall (WAF).  It provides web application security, DDoS mitigation, content caching, application delivery and load balancing through a global content delivery network.

The Imperva Web Application Firewall works as a gateway for all traffic coming to your online services. It filters out malicious visitors and requests such as SQL injections and XSS attacks.

The solution uses several layers of security policies to identify threats. These are maintained by a security team. Imperva uses attack information from their network to provide protection for their users.

Imperva has 25 data centers around the world which ensures 24/7 monitoring.

• You can sign up for Incapsula here

Signal Sciences was founded five years ago by the security developers at Etsy, and since then the company has grown and developed with a string of high-profile clients.

A key promotional point of the Signal Sciences WAF is that too many existing services don’t properly service modern IT infrastructures, especially where there is extensive use of cloud technology, as opposed to being reliant on legacy hardware.

Setting up is so easy and quick it can be done in minutes, as there are no agents to deploy with all traffic being redirected through the Signal Services Cloud Engine, where it can be monitored and filtered as required.

There’s a single management console with built-in analytics that provides real-time monitoring, so there’s no need to work through multiple interfaces. There are also DevOps integration options available, not least for Slack, PagerDuty, and Jira.

Although built to cater for cloud applications, the Signal Sciences WAF can work with hybrid clouds and server hardware directly. It can also function on premise, in containers, or in the cloud.

In terms of security, it blocks all common OWASP attacks, as well as misbehaving bots, and denial of services attacks. The software is fully PCI 6 compliant.

Overall, the Signal Sciences WAF doesn’t just focus on security, but also performance, reliability, as well as overall management operability.

• You can sign up to Signal Sciences WAF here

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Fans of the old Blackberry devices rejoice because the physical keyboard is back – what a comeback story. The BlackBerry KEYone landed on the phone scene almost two years ago and (whisper it quietly) it’s still actually rather good.

We’ve been keeping a keen eye on the best Blackberry bargains out there, and the prices continue to slowly fall. Unlike when it was released, you can now get the KEYone on contract for way less than £20 per month – and now even under the £20-mark! And you don’t have to scrimp on data either. Check out our price comparison tool and you’ll see that these BlackBerry deals compare handsomely with some of the other best mobile phone deals out there.

Equipped with an updated version of that keyboard, Full HD screen and 12MP main camera, the Blackberry KEYone runs off Android. It may not quite be a match for the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, but it’s not far off and it’s way cheaper. 

More options: Samsung Galaxy S9 deals | LG V30 deals | Best iPhone deals | Best SIM only deals | Mobile phone deals

The BlackBerry KEYOne is the smartphone for anyone who has ever said ‘I miss my old BlackBerry.’ We can’t fault it for admirably resurrecting the best of BlackBerry: a physical keyboard, sophisticated-looking, two-tone design and smart, secure software. It looks and feels like it’s meant for business. 

Exiled BlackBerry users who have felt forced to trade their physical keyboards for on-screen keyboards will undoubtedly rejoice.

Read TechRadar’s full BlackBerry KEYone review

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If you’ve ditched regular TV and you’re getting your fix online, we bet you’re using Netflix. The online streaming platform has more than 140 million subscribers worldwide, so it’s made sure there’s a diverse range of Netflix shows, as well as exclusive Netflix TV series, for viewers with a range of tastes to enjoy.

And what a month it’s been. Not only did we get the third season of the 80s-infused Stranger Things landing on the service – with the town of Hawkins getting a pastel-colored summer makeover – but also Neon Genesis Evangelion, the iconic Japanese anime that refreshed an entire mecha genre. 

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Netflix offers a huge number of TV shows, from old classic sitcoms and soaps to the site’s own Netflix Originals, produced in-house and birthing the likes of Bojack Horseman, Orange is the New Black, and the brilliantly quirky Russian Doll – which has just been renewed for a second season!

But long gone are the days when there’d be one big show everyone was talking about at the water cooler – now there’s all sorts of big-hitters and cult hits competing for your eyeballs, with TV shows being added and removed from Netflix on almost a daily basis. 

The streaming platform will need to keep up its winning streak of great TV content, with rising subscription prices and fierce competition from the likes of Disney Plus, and Apple TV Plus when they launch later in the year.

We’ve put together this guide to the best Netflix shows that you can watch in the UK right now – and so you can keep up-to-date with Netflix’s busy release schedule, which we’ll be updating you on once a week. You can check out the box to the right for the best Netflix shows by category – comedy, drama, sci-fi, Netflix Originals, and the like – or read on below for what’s coming and going on the service.

If you’re more of an Amazon Prime fan, and there’s a lot to love about this Netflix rival at the moment, then you can see all the best Amazon Prime TV shows in our separate guide.

New Netflix TV shows

There’s a great selection of new shows to watch on Netflix right now, including the second season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which is even stronger, darker and spookier than the first, as well as a new season of Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi future shock series Black Mirror.

Last month our top pick was When They See Us, the hard-hitting new drama miniseries from Ava DuVernay, which is a powerful look at systemic racism in the US featuring some exceptional performances. In fact, since its release earlier this month, the show has become the most popular series Netflix has ever featured on the platform – in short, it’s a must-watch. 

Netflix has also welcomed the third and final season of Jessica Jones, the season season of Dark (a German language Netflix Original series) and, finally the third season of Stranger Things – which could just be the best yet. 

And if you just can’t get enough of Stranger Things star David Harbour, you’ll be happy to hear he’s released a mockumentary on Netflix called Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster: Frankenstein. From the trailer (below), it looks like a funny spoof, with great acting from Harbour. 

• The best VPN for Netflix 2019

What’s coming soon to Netflix?

For Netflix TV shows, there’s a lot to look forward to later in the year too. 

The final season of Orange is the New Black will arrive on the streaming platform on July 26, 2019 and the third season of GLOW will land on August 9, 2019. Not to mention further seasons of Bojack Horseman, The Crown, Manhunter, Lucifer and Sex Education on their way.

For fans of Jim Henson’s puppetry classic, The Dark Crystal, Netflix’s 10-part prequel series Age of Resistance will be landing on August 30. They’ve even stuck with real puppets.

More details have also been revealed about The Witcher TV show. The Netflix adaptation of The Witcher game and book will be released before the end of 2019, the company has now confirmed.

Neil Gaiman fans will be happy to hear that it looks like Netflix and Warner have agreed on a deal to bring Gaiman’s fantastical Sandman horror stories to life. Early reports suggest there will be 10 episodes based on the award-winning comic books and Gaiman himself will be co-writing at least one of the episodes. Get ready to enter The Dreaming!

Here’s some of the brilliant Netflix UK shows you can expect in 2019:

• Orange is the New Black, Final Season – July 26, 2019
• Dear White People, Volume 3 – August 2, 2019
• GLOW, Season 3 – August 9, 2019
• Mindhunter, New Season – August 16, 2019
• The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance – August 30, 2019
• Disenchantment, Part 2 – September 20, 2019
• The Witcher – late 2019
• Bojack Horseman, New Season – Date Unknown
• The Crown, New Season – Date Unknown
• Lucifer, New Season – Date Unknown
• Sex Education, New Season – Date Unknown
• Ozark, New Season – Date Unknown
• Umbrella Academy, New Season – Date Unknown
• For more, read our round up of the best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix

Netflix UK FAQ: quick questions answered

How much does Netflix cost in the UK? There are a few different plans you can choose from in the UK, depending on whether you want to watch in SD, HD, or Ultra HD (4K) – dependent on the strength of your internet – and how many separate devices you want to watch on.

Basic– £5.99 per month – With the cheapest membership option, you can watch one one screen at a time in Standard Definition, and download videos to one mobile device. 

Standard – £7.99 per month – This membership allows you to watch in HD on two screens at a time and download videos to two mobile devices.

Premium – £9.99 per month – The most expensive subscription allows you to watch in HD and Ultra HD on four screens at a time, and download videos to four mobile devices. 

• Confused? Check out our guide to which Netflix plan you should choose

How can I get a free Netflix account? Netflix offers new customers a free month of the service as a trial period – simply choose a membership type and payment plan and your first month will be free.

At the end of this period, if you choose to continue watching Netflix, you’ll be charged one “low monthly fee” regardless of how much you used the service and on how many devices you watched videos on. 

Netflix will send you a reminder towards the end of your trial period – if you want to cancel your membership, you can do so at any time during this period and you won’t be charged. 

Can I watch live TV on Netflix? No – you can only watch films and TV series from Netflix’s rather extensive library. If you want to watch live TV in the UK, you can try services like Sky’s Now TV, BBC iPlayer, or ITV Hub.

Is Amazon Prime better than Netflix? The answer to that question really depends on the shows and movies you want to watch. Check out our roundup of the best Amazon Prime Video TV Shows for an idea of what you can watch on Amazon Prime. You can also read our Amazon Prime review for more information on what the service offers.

Do you get Netflix free with Sky Q? Netflix can be accessed on a Sky Q box, but it doesn’t come for free – you’ll still need to sign in with a paid-for Netflix subscription. However, if you opt for Sky’s Ultimate on Demand package, it will integrate Netflix billing with your Sky bill, while reducing its cost and unlocking Netflix recommendations within the Sky Q interface. If you’re paying for both services, it’s well worth combining them in this way as a result.

• Check out our in-depth and completely updated Netflix review
• Want to test out the rival? Here’s our best Amazon Prime Video TV Shows
• Want know the best movies on Netflix. Then this is your in-depth guide
• The best Netflix sci-fi movies you can stream right now
• Watching from abroad? You’ll need the best Netflix VPN

Best Netflix Original series  

Some of the best Netflix series worth watching today are ones the streaming site has produced itself – often with stellar results. There’s been a lot of money pumped into creating original content, even if Netflix may get a bit pickier about what it funds going forward.

While many of the Netflix Original shows out there were committed to the dustbin of viewing habits pretty quickly, these ones are definitely worth your attention.

When They See Us

Created by Ava DuVernay for Netflix, this hard-hitting drama follows the story of five teens – four African American men and one Hispanic – who were accused of attacking and raping a woman in New York in 1989. It’s a gut-wrenching story that shines a light on the systemic racism in the US.

Just a few weeks after its release, this show has garnered a lot of media attention, as well as a lot of viewers. Netflix has revealed it’s actually the most popular series that’s ever been featured on the platform to date. In other words, it’s a must-watch.

Season on Netflix: 1

Russian Doll

Orange Is The New Black’s Natasha Lyonne stars in this dark comedy as Nadia, who keeps dying and reliving her 36th birthday party in a surreal time loop – much like Groundhog Day. 

With it’s cynical and witty examination of living and dying, Russian Doll switches rapidly between laugh-out-loud hilarity and devastating sadness – it’s a must-watch. In June 2019, Netflix announced it would be renewing Russian Doll for a second season – more details to come soon.

Seasons on Netflix: 1 

Maniac

A bizarre new sci-fi series based on a Norwegian TV show of the same name. It’s about Annie and Owen, played by Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, two troubled strangers who are brought together during some strange pharmaceutical trials. Dr. James K. Mantleray claims that a new series of pills he’s created can solve all kinds of mental illness and heartbreak, but there’s something much deeper and more sinister going on too. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Bojack Horseman

Yes, Bojack Horseman is hilarious. Yes, it’s the best thing Will Arnett has done since Arrested Development. And, yes, it should be the next thing you watch if you are into anthropomorphic comedy about a once great TV star who has fallen on hard times. It’s all of that but it’s also a pretty accurate portrayal of depression and should be celebrated as such.

For those who are worried it may be too dark for them, fear not – there’s loads of slapstick humor, word play, and stunning animation to keep everything balanced.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

The Crown

Is The Crown Netflix’s crowning glory? It could be, as a sumptuous look at one of the world’s most famous families: the Royal family. Charting the early years of the relationship between the Queen (Claire Foy) and Prince Philip  (former Doctor Who Matt Smith), the show was written by Peter Morgan and, at £100 million, is one of the most expensive TV series ever made. Which means there’s enough pomp and ceremony to keep those pining for a Downton Abbey replacement happy.

The second season is now on Netflix and is a nice improvement on the first series – it’s also the last that stars the current cast, with Olivia Coleman and Helena Bonham Carter slated to appear as the Queen and Princess Margaret respectively in the next couple on seasons.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Orange is the New Black

Orange Is The New Black is back for its sixth season and is a show that consistently one of the best to watch, with its superb tale of life in a women’s prison. 

It’s so popular that it is now the most watched series on Netflix – although the makers have announced that the show’s next season will be its last.

The show has returned for a sixth season and things are looking pretty bleak for the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary. Tensions and issues with the US prison system brought to the fore. While the comedy is still there, it’s slathered with a fair bit of drama and darkness.

Seasons on Netflix: 6

GLOW

The long-awaited second season of the female wrestling comedy GLOW is finally here. The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling have returned and this time they’ve been commissioned for a full series of their trashy, hot-pink, hairspray-fuelled wrestling show led by their coked-up director (played by Marc Maron). The fantastic second season could potentially even outshine the first for its refreshing female-fronted cast and writers, and its brilliant balancing act between empowerment and exploitation. It’s a must-watch.

Keep your eyes peeled for the highly-anticipated third season, which should land on Netflix any day now.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

• The best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix

Best drama series on Netflix

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is must-watch TV and one of the reasons Netflix has risen to the popularity it has. Before Breaking Bad, Netflix was seen as a fairly decent streaming service. After it got the rights to show the final season of Breaking Bad in the UK, Netflix propelled itself to superstardom. Not bad for a show that’s ostensibly about a high-school teacher with cancer who goes on to sell meth to pay for his hospital bills. 

It goes without saying, if you haven’t yet spent time with Walter White and Jesse – do so now! But, be warned, the show is as addictive as the stuff Walter is peddling. 

Seasons on Netflix: 5

Sherlock

This contemporary BBC remake of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic is dark, funny, and intricately written, and it’s brought Victorian sleuth Sherlock Holmes bang up to date for the modern age. 

With stellar performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Dr Watson respectively, this BBC adaptation is an absolute must-watch. Storylines packed with intrigue and nail-biting tension are offset by moments of genuine humor, so even the scaredy-cats in the family will find something to love about this series.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

The End of the F***ing World

Adapted from the comic book of the same name (mins the ***), The End Of The F***ing World is f***ing brilliant. It tells the tale of two teenagers on a journey; both are loners on the run but one of them just happens to be a bit of a psychopath. It’s funny, but brutal TV. It’s British and co-funded by Channel 4 and there’s a fantastic edge to everything in it – and it’s perfectly bite-sized, too at just under 20 minutes an episode. It’s so good, it’s destined to get a second season. The first ends so perfectly, though, it’s actually a real shame that this will happen.

Seasons on Netflix: 1 (and it needs to stay that way)

Mad Men

On the face of it, Mad Men is about advertising execs – lead by the ever-conflicted Don Draper – in the Sixties but it’s much much more. Each episode lingers, taking time to tell its tale, but it’s worth the wait. Superb television that you can get caught up in.

Seasons on Netflix: 7

Best comedy series on Netflix

That’s right: Netflix has become a brilliant hub for the funnies. Whether that’s Netflix’s range of stand-up specials, or the TV comedies below, there are few streaming sites as sure to get a laugh out of you.

Easy

All three seasons of Easy are now available on Netflix. It’s a US comedy set in Chicago  all about love, relationships and sex. There are some characters that crop up again as protagonists, but sometimes they’re background characters in other stories. We like that comedian and WTF podcast creator Marc Maron is making an appearance in the third season.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Sex Education

This British comedy series sees socially awkward sixth-former Otis (who lives with his sex therapist mother) team up with the smart and rebellious Maeve, to create a sex clinic for the school’s sexually frustrated students.

It’s equally funny as it is heartfelt, and offers a frank and uncensored view of teen sexuality and the social quagmire that is sixth-form education. 

Don’t be put off by the Americanisation of this high school comedy that’s apparently set in a seemingly quaint British village – the temporal and physical ambiguity is what gives this fantastic series part of its charm. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Good Place

Comedy is in a good place right now and, funnily enough, The Good Place is a perfect example of that. Starring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, this off-the-wall comedy focuses on a recently deceased woman who is sent to a heaven-like utopia called the Good Place completely by accident. In order to stay there she goes to any lengths to hide what a terrible person she was when living. 

Season 1 and 2 have already aired in the UK through Netflix, with new season 3 episodes being added each week in line with their US release. The fourth season is expected to land later in 2019, which unfortunately will be the last.

A great cast, clever writing and an original concept make this a must-watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Peep Show

All nine seasons of Peep Show are now on Netflix – and if you haven’t seen the show, then you are in for a treat. Charting the rather mundane lives of two flatmates Jez (Robert Webb) and Mark (David Mitchell), the show is a wry look at adults trying and failing to be adults. 

All shot in first person – hence the name – Peep Show doesn’t shirk from sex, drugs and political incorrectness but it does it all in such a brilliantly British way, that you don’t mind at all when you are watching some of the most awkward TV moments, including one of the characters serving up a dead dog for dinner. 

Don’t ask, just watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 9

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Initially made on a shoe-string budget, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia first season had a cult following, but low viewing figures meant it was destined to be a one-series wonder. Thankfully, everything changed when Season 2 was eventually green-lit, thanks to some big-time star power. Danny De Vito joined for a 10-episode run that was extended because he loved it so much. 

He’s still in the show that’s now in its 13th season, bringing with him huge viewing figures. The antics of Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney, the show’s creator), Charlie (Charlie Kelly) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) won’t be for everyone – at its darkest the show’s ‘comedy’ themes range from nazism to drug abuse – but stick with it and this deliciously depraved classic will reward you.

Its 13th season has finally arrived on Netflix, and we’re happy to say, it’s just as funny as the previous 12. 

Seasons on Netflix: 13

Arrested Development

Arrested Development is one of the best comedies ever made. So it made sense that Netflix would want to resurrect it for a fifth season. The fourth season was funny, but it wasn’t perfect – primarily because most of the cast were too busy to get into the same room.

But the first half fifth season brings back some of that Bluth magic, which is full of in-jokes, jokes that run for entire seasons and more, well, jokes, this is essential TV.

[Update: The second half of season 5 is here as of March 15, 2019. Do the chicken dance!]

Seasons on Netflix: 5 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Following the brilliant but immature NYPD detective Jake Peralta, this Golden Globe-winning series is a laugh-a-minute, with plenty of deadpan jokes, physical comedy, and crackpot characters. 

With around 20 episodes per season Brooklyn Nine-Nine is totally bingeable, and the latest fifth season is now available to stream on Netflix.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

Best sci-fi / fantasy series on Netflix

Stranger Things

When it comes to TV and movies, the ’80s is the nostalgia decade of the moment. Whether it’s Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special that plays like a Steven Spielberg film, if Spielberg still made films like he did in the Eighties, or The Goldbergs and Red Oaks mining the decade for laughs, filmmakers can’t get enough of the shell suits and Sony Walkmans.

Stranger Things is another brilliant homage to this era. Leaning heavily on Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King – so much King – the story revolves around a small town, a group of friends, a missing person and a dodgy science lab. Writing anything else would give away the myriad twists in a show that is full of brilliant creepy fun.

The third season has just arrived on Netflix and it’s probably the best one yet, bringing everything we know and love about the show and adding in even more spooky science, drama between the characters and heaps of colourful 80s nostalgia.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

The OA

Co-created by and starring the ever-brilliant Brit Marling, The OA consists of eight episodes that rival Stranger Things for, well, strangeness. 

Marling is a blind woman who comes back after disappearing for many years. Her sight is restored and she has a tale to tell. The whole thing has been made to make you feel uneasy and it does a great job of that – and with the second season now on Netflix, there’s more to binge than ever before.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Star Trek: Discovery

Well, this series went to places we never thought it would. Set before the exploits of the Starship Enterprise, the show is filled with Roddenberry characters. But while the original series had shades of light this is a much darker look at space exploration. Sonequa Martin-Green is great as the first officer who has a past intrinsically linked to Star Trek characters of the past – we can’t wait to see where this series goes.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Black Mirror

Season 5 of Black Mirror is out now and, although we’re sure we said the same thing for the fourth season, this one could be the darkest, most varied season of the show yet. 

Before Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker was best known for his snarky look at the news in Weekly Wipe and his fantastic, caustic look at ‘meeja’ types in London’s Shoreditch. 

Now, the show has given him superstar status. For good reason, it’s fantastic TV with each episode taking on a different dystopia topic, mostly framed around technology going very long. The third season was commissioned by Netflix and is in 4K, with most of the episodes being feature length.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

New season added: Dark

Dark is a German-language supernatural thriller in which the disappearance of two children in a small town brings the fractured relationships and dark pasts of the people living there to the surface. 

Adding a touch of Scandinavian crime thriller to American drama, this 10-part series has been renewed for a second season, which landed on Netflix in June 2019.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

The Umbrella Academy

Based on the comic books written by My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way and illustrated by Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy is Netflix’s latest Original series. 

After 43 babies are born to women who showed no signs of pregnancy, seven are adopted by billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who trains them to save the world using their powers. 

After the family becomes estranged, they are reunited once more when their father dies and are forced to come to terms with their past and the danger that lurks in their future. 

Fronted by Ellen Page, The Umbrella Academy is flamboyant, dark, and gratifyingly violent – all the ingredients you need for a great superhero series.

• Best horror movies: scary films to stream or buy in 2018

Best animated series on Netflix

Netflix has made no secret of its desire to cater to all tastes – including those after some high-class animation. There’s been a flurry of kids’ cartoons, adult satires, and Japanese anime making its way to the service: here’s our pick of the very best.

Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty has enjoyed an almost obsessive cult following since its release in 2013, and with three seasons on Netflix, there’s a lot to catch up on if you haven’t seen it yet. 

The series follows the crazy inter-dimensional adventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his timid grandson Morty, as they navigate both the multiverse and fraught family relationships.

Part of it’s wide appeal is creator Dan Harmon’s masterful combination of side-splitting humor with sometimes devastating emotional depth, meaning Rick and Morty is a series you will unlikely be able to stop watching once you start. 

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Neon Genesis Evangelion

This critically-acclaimed Japanese anime has landed on Netflix, with all 26 episodes of the original series as well as two additional tie-in films, Death True and The End of Evangelion. Given how hard it’s been to get hold of in recent years, the anime coming to Netflix is nothing short of a miracle.

Charting a battle between giant human mechs (piloted by high schoolers, of course) and invading monsters known as Angels, this is an anime that spends as much time looking at the internal lives of its protagonists as the flashy action sequences they find themselves in. Dark, raw, and unafraid of facing emotional trauma, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a must-watch for any anime fan.

Final Space

Another sci-fi entry here: after human prisoner Gary meets a planet-destroying alien, they must go on an interstellar mission to save Earth. Alongside a ragtag team of misfits, Gary embarks on a journey through space to find out the true meaning of ‘final space’, or where the universe ends.

Laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly emotional, the series was picked up for another season in May 2018.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

F is for Family

Based on the life of comedian Bill Burr, F is for Family is a funny and endearing cartoon set in 1970’s American suburbia, and centres around Burr’s father Frank Murphy. 

A little like an even more adult version of The Simpsons, the series is all about 70’s nostalgia, with musical, costume, and cultural throwbacks interspersed with Frank’s profane rants at his misbehaving children and long suffering wife Sue.

Full to the brim with laugh-out-loud moments, the series is just as heartwarming as it is hilarious – and it’s back for a brilliant third season.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Archer

Archer is back on Netflix for its penultimate ninth season, and like the previous season, the characters are playing different versions of themselves as Archer still lies in a coma.

This time Archer is a drunken co-pilot alongside Pam, who crash their plane onto the verdant Pacific island of Mitimotu, with the series paying homage to the short-lived television series Tales of the Golden Monkey and the Indiana Jones films. 

Seasons on Netflix: 9

Attack on Titan

Based on the manga of the same name by Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan is an action -packed anime that’s set in a world where humans live in cities protected by enormous walls to protect them from gigantic humanoid monsters called Titans who devour them at any opportunity. 

When a Titan breaks through the wall of protagonist Eren Yeager’s hometown, he vows to get revenge by joining a group of soldiers who battle them. Although the show has a dedicated fan following, though the second and third seasons are yet to be released on Netflix. (You can find the rest on Crunchyroll.)

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Over the Garden Wall

Now something for the kids – originally aired on Cartoon Network, Over the Garden Wall is a charming mini-series that centers on two half brothers Wirt and Greg (voiced by Elijah Wood and Collin Dean respectively) who must find their way home through an enchanted forest. 

Stalked by an evil ancient creature called ‘The Beast’, the two boys encounter the strange and sometimes wonderful inhabitants of the forest along their way.

With stunning animation inspired by Victorian illustrations and postcards, Over the Garden Wall is the perfect watch for adults and children alike.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

• Want to know more? Here’s our top 12 Netflix cartoons

Best documentaries on Netflix

Our Planet

Narrated by everyone’s favourite nature expert, David Attenborough, the new Our Planet documentary is a beautiful and breathtaking look at planet Earth in all its glory. 

Produced in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, the new eight-part series took more than four years to make and is Netflix’s first nature documentary. 

Although the scenes are truly wonderful, the documentary was made to address issues of conservation and show the impact climate change has on animals across the globe.

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

The latest true crime documentary to land on Netflix is this fascinating insight into the crimes of notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy. The four-part series features present day interviews, archival footage of Bundy, and audio recordings made with the killer on death row. 

With chilling images and descriptions of Bundy’s crimes, it’s not a watch for the faint-hearted. But, if you can stomach it, this documentary is completely captivating.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann

It might be one of the most famous unsolved missing person cases ever in the UK and now the story of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance has been given the Netflix documentary treatment.

The new documentary is reported to contain testimonies that haven’t been heard before and it’s bound to reignite discussion about what really happened to Maddie.

As with all documentaries on Netflix that deal with sensitive issues, be warned before watching this one. We haven’t had chance to watch it yet but imagine it’ll be triggering and upsetting. If you’re looking for something light, this most certainly is not it. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Making a Murderer

The world’s fascination with real crime seems to be at its highest at the moment and it’s all thanks to the podcast Serial. Now on to its second series, Serial highlights cases of crime in forensic detail. Making a Murderer is in a similar vein. This 10-part series looks at Steven Avery, someone who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and is then accused of a different crime. The show has been ten years in the making and is gripping stuff.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Evil Genius

If true crime is your thing, then you’ll want to get stuck into Evil Genius this weekend. It’s about the very odd story of a pizza delivery man who robs a bank with a bomb tied around his neck. And that’s all we can really say without ruining some of the more baffling details. 

Described by numerous review sites as “unnerving” and “Lynchian”, this isn’t one for rom-com lovers or those looking for a chilled Sunday evening watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Planet Earth II

Nature buffs will have likely already watched this breath-taking documentary series when it first premiered on the BBC back in 2016, but you can rewatch it all again now the entire second season has landed on Netflix.

Following on from the super popular Planet Earth, this beautiful, breath-taking and at times brutal look at our planet and the plants, animals and people that thrive on it is made even more compelling because it’s narrated by David Attenborough and the main music is composed by Hans Zimmer. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Last Chance U

ESPN might’ve had the world of sports documentaries well in hand with its 30 for 30 series. But that was before Netflix got the crazy idea to make one of its own. Inspired by an article in GQ magazine, Last Chance U follows student athletes who are one step away from never playing football again. On top of the pressures on the field, students face problems in the classroom where class absences and the fear failing hit harder than a defensive lineman. It’s gritty, heart-wrenching and exactly the kind of series that gives you something to root for all while biting your nails.

Just in time for football season, the third season of the show – which follows a new team in Independence, Kansas – is now available.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Explained

Created by Netflix and Vox Media, this handy and smart series takes a look at some of the most popular ideas and tech around today and explains them in a way that’s poignant in its presentation without feeling overwhelming to take in. 

From the racial wealth gap, cryptocurrency and why diets rarely work through to K-Pop and the stock market, it’s an insightful look at the problems, ideas and trends around today and the stuff that could shape tomorrow. At the very least, it gives you enough knowledge to have a really good debate down at the pub. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Best reality series on Netflix

Tidying up with Marie Kondo

Does this item spark joy? Marie Kondo is Japanese organizing consultant, and in this series, she visits families and helps them to re-organise their lives. 

Using her KonMarie method, she instructs her students to go through their belongings, only keeping things that “spark joy”. Relaxing and uplifting, this show is the perfect thing to watch before a spring clean. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Queer Eye

Need a dose of feel-good TV to help cope with today’s rocky political landscape? Check out Queer Eye, a show about being the best you with help from five of the coolest dudes on the planet. The show has just entered its third season and we’re still loving the premise of taking people stuck in a rut and hoisting them to the self-respecting, self-loving person we all want to be. Werk.

[Update: As of March 15, 2019 the third season of Queer Eye is here! Yasss hunny!]

Seasons on Netflix: 3 

The Great British Bake Off

Everyone’s favourite baking show is on Netflix and ready to stream. If you didn’t binge on baking as you binged on chocolate eggs, head on over to the streaming site now to watch seven seasons of GBBO. For those not in the know (seriously, how?), Great British Bake Off is a baking reality show that follows wannabe bakers through a series of challenges week after week. Each time, someone is eliminated and it’s made all the more addictive by judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

The reboot of the series by Channel 4 (with an entirely new lineup apart from Hollywood) isn’t yet available on Netflix, but the rights have been acquired by the streaming giant so it shouldn’t be too long now.

Seasons on Netflix: 7

It’s been going strong for 10 years and 11 seasons, but RuPaul’s Drag Race is still giving fierce fans a heavy dose of fabulous. For those not already in the know, the elimination-style reality show sees RuPaul go on the hunt for America’s next drag superstar – expect lots of glitter, drama, and fun. 

Now that the show has been picked up by Netflix, it’s sister show Untucked is also available to stream. 

Season 11 has just landed, with a new episode dropping every Friday – in time for some seriously sickening bingeing. 

Seasons on Netflix: 11

Nailed it!

If watching The Great British Bake Off makes you feel inadequate, you should try Nailed It!, the baking show for people who suck at baking. The series sees three contestants per episode take on two impossible baking challenges, with the winner receiving $10,000.

Hosted by the infectiously upbeat Nicole Byer and suave French pastry chef Jaques Torres, this show is guaranteed to make you smile.

[Update: The Christmas edition, Nailed It: Holiday is out now…perfect watching for a cosy night in.]

Seasons on Netflix: 2

Ultimate Beastmaster

If you were a fan of Takeshi’s Castle back in the day, or more recently, Ninja Warrior, you’re going to love Ultimate Beastmaster. The competition sees 2 contestants from six to nine countries take on ‘The Beast’, a ridiculously challenging obstacle course that only the fittest will be able to take on. 

What sets this series apart from other obstacle course shows is that Netflix produces six localized versions, featuring “select television hosts, actors, comedians and athletes as commentators from the six countries competing in the show”.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

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