Traitor
This stylish and thrilling cat-and-mouse drama from Estonia is inspired by real-life espionage scandals. Alfred is a Ministry of Defence official, all riled up with office politics and a tangled personal life. A combination of angst and umbrage leads to his agreeing to work for Russian intelligence. Major Arrak is a determined young Estonian counter-intelligence officer who’s chasing Alfred’s tail. The year is 2004, Estonia is about to join NATO, and neighbouring Russia is keeping a very close eye on things.
Six-part spy drama Traitor premieres exclusively in Australia and is now streaming .
House of Maxwell
UK media mogul Robert Maxwell and his family are forever linked with scandal. This comprehensive yet concise BBC documentary spans five decades, exploring the exponential rise and dramatic downfall of the Maxwell dynasty. Covering such scandals as mysterious deaths and criminal trials, up to the recent conviction of sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, the three-parter tells the staggering story of this notorious family, and reflects on society’s shifting attitudes to money, sex and power.
All episodes of House of Maxwell are now available.
A Class Apart
Class is in session at Sweden’s most elite boarding school. But only super-rich kids can hope to join the top-secret Zebra Club. The day after two prospective members are hazed, one ends up dead. Met with silence from the school community, accusing eyes look to public school kids. When one of her disadvantaged students is accused, Sara Boden (Aliette Opheim, Patriot, Fortitude) lashes out on social media, prompting the exclusive school to offer her a job to quieten critics. Embracing a chance to take down the power structure from within, Sara accepts. This is a thrilling eight-part drama from masters of television.
You Shall Not Lie
From Spain comes this drama with a twist. It starts off with a sex scandal – a video is leaked, revealing that high school teacher Macarena is having an affair with a student. Her reputation is shot to pieces, but then she also becomes the prime suspect when a body turns up at the bottom of the cliffs in the idyllic coastal town where her life is falling apart. Irene Arcos, who SBS viewers might recognise from , stars as Macarena.
The Runaway
Set in Paris, teenager Léa runs away from home when her parents attempt to shift her focus away from nightclubs and back onto her studies. She throws herself into the arms of Nico, a rapper who wants her in his music videos. She falls for him hard, and he takes advantage of her lovestruck state. How can Léa’s parents get her back when she’s in the throes of an obsession with Nico, blinding her to his shady dealings? This thrilling French Canadian drama is packed with superb performances, including from Sylvie Testud (La Vie en Rose) as Léa’s mother Isabelle and Romane Jolly as Léa.
The Runaway is now streaming.
Algiers Confidential
In this thrilling spy drama set in modern-day Algeria, a German police investigator is sent to Algiers in search of two countrymen – arms dealers – who’ve been kidnapped. Beginning a steamy affair with an Algerian prosecutor investigating the case for her country probably wasn’t the best idea, but as the pair go deeper, they uncover a corruption scandal testing their loyalty to their nations and to each other. There are plenty of subplots and mysteries to unravel to keep you hooked in this French-language German production.
The Unusual Suspects
If you haven’t caught it yet, this four-part Australian heist drama is an entertaining, satisfying must-watch, with all-female leads, played by Miranda Otto, Michelle Vergara Moore, Aina Dumlao, Susana Downes, Heather Mitchell and Susie Porter. Supporting actors including Peter O’Brien, Matt Day and Toby Leonard Moore. We love this warm and funny series, which features Filipino leads for the first time on Australian television.
The Unusual Suspects is now streaming . You can also stream the series with subtitles in , , , , and .
Miss S
A beautiful, witty socialite and a focused, serious detective inspector form an unlikely crime-fighting duo, and is that mutual attraction we see? If that premise sounds familiar, it’s because Miss S is the Chinese adaptation of Australia’s popular Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Set in 1930s Shanghai, the costumes are just as glamorous as those sported by Essie Davis in our homegrown version, and the leads are perfectly cast to deliver chemistry that sizzles off the screen, as they investigate crimes and scandals of the era.
READ MORE
Miss S vs Miss F
Browse other scandal-infused drama and documentary series now streaming , including , and , , and .
More from The Guide
'The Handmaid's Tale' season 5 is on the way
