The 8 best things to watch on free-to-air TV right now.

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There's nothing better than unearthing an enthralling TV series, especially when you've run out of shows to watch.

And even better, if you can stream it for free. Thankfully, in Australia we have loads of incredible (and free!) streaming services with heaps of content ready for all your bingeing needs. Hop on it, folks.

From thrilling book-to-screen adaptations to period dramas and dramatic reality TV, we've got you covered (and your weekend plans, sorted).

The Family Next Door.

ABC iView.

Image: ABC iView.

Based on the Sally Hepworth novel, the Australian drama The Family Next Door follows the enigmatic Isabelle (Teresa Palmer) as she moves into a seemingly perfect seaside cul-de-sac.

Her arrival and secret investigation into a local mystery unravel the community's dark secrets. The drama, also starring Bella Heathcote, has been praised for its strong performances and slow-burn mystery that explores the complexities hidden beneath the perfect suburban facade.

Watch the trailer. Post continues after video.

Married at First Sight UK.

9Now.

Image: 9Now.

Okay, hear me out. You need to watch the UK version of the Aussie phenomenon.

Matched by experts Mel Schilling (yep, she's on this too!), Paul C. Brunson, and Charlene Douglas, a bunch of singles marry total strangers moments after meeting. And yes, there's heaps of drama!

The plot follows these couples as they navigate their instant marriage through honeymoons, moving in together, and explosive group dinner parties.

Start at Season 7 and strap in for a wild ride that's the perfect way to kill time until the Aussie MAFS returns in 2026.

Fake.

10Play.

Image: Paramount Plus.

Run, don't walk to one of the best Australian dramas in recent memory — this series is sensational.

Based on Stephanie Wood's memoir, Fake stars Asher Keddie as Birdie Bell, a writer who falls for a seemingly perfect grazier, Joe Burt (David Wenham), after meeting him on a dating app.

The plot follows Birdie as she ignores her instincts and red flags, only to discover Joe is (you guessed it) not the man she thinks he is. The series has been lauded as a gripping, tense thriller and praised for the powerhouse performances of Keddie and Wenham, two acclaimed actors who have never been better.

The Traitors US.

10Play.

Image: 10Play.

You've probably heard the buzz that surrounds this show and believe me, it's worth the hype.

Hosted by a hilariously camp Alan Cumming, The Traitors US pits TV personalities, influencers and reality TV stars against each other in a Scottish castle.

The kicker? A handful of contestants are secretly Traitors who "murder" the others (aka the Faithfuls) one by one. The group must identify and banish the Traitors to win a cash prize.

The US season just gets better and better, but the UK and Aussie versions are well worth the watch, too.

The O.C.

9Now.

Image: 9Now.

As much as we love new TV shows, sometimes you need a hit of comfort that only a nostalgic '00s show can bring, and you don't get more comforting than The O.C..

Oh, and you can stream all four seasons for free.

Revolving around troubled teen Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), he is adopted by the wealthy Cohen family and thrust into the dramatic world of Newport Beach. He bonds with nerdy foster brother Seth (Adam Brody) and falls for the (literal) girl next door, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton).

The O.C. is beloved for creating the playbook for teen TV, with witty dialogue and a killer indie-rock soundtrack that defined a generation.

Little Fires Everywhere.

SBS On-Demand.

Image: SBS On-Demand.

This Reese's Book Club-approved TV adaptation is a must-see.

In 1990s Shaker Heights, Ohio, the lives of picture-perfect suburban mother Elena Richardson (Reese Witherspoon) and enigmatic artist Mia Warren (Kerry Washington) become intertwined.

Their opposing views on motherhood, race and class ignite a feud that divides their families and the community.

The series is elevated by the incredible performances by Witherspoon and Washington, and its compelling exploration of the racial tensions simmering beneath the surface of a seemingly idyllic town.

Miss Austen.

ABC iView.

Image: ABC iView.

Based on Gill Hornby's novel, this BBC drama follows Cassandra Austen (Keeley Hawes) years after the death of her famous sister, the prolific writer Jane Austen.

On a mission to protect Jane's legacy, Cassandra searches for letters that hold family secrets. Co-starring Jessica Hynes and Rose Leslie, the series boasts a stellar cast and a poignant perspective on the Austen world, exploring the quiet woman who knew the literary icon the best.

Girlfriends' Guide To Divorce.

7Plus.

Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce follows Abby McCarthy (Lisa Edelstein), a self-help author who navigates life in Los Angeles after separating from her husband.

She leans on her divorced friends — played by Janeane Garofalo, Beau Garrett, and Necar Zadegan — for advice. The show was praised for its sharp, funny, and refreshingly honest take on divorce, dating and female friendship after 40.

This is the perfect show to binge with a bunch of girlfriends.

Feature image: 10Play.