Editor’s Note: This piece was first published last January 2025 and has been updated for the current season.
January is the month for staying in. The festive rush has passed, it’s cold outside, money is tight, and most evenings feel better spent at home than anywhere else.
When the days are short and energy is low, what we watch matters more than usual. January isn’t for complicated plots or anything that feels like hard work; it’s simply for comfort, familiarity, shows that are entertaining and will give you something to look forward to after a hard day at work
This is our January watch list: what we’re turning to when the evenings feel long, the weather is cold, and there is no place better than home!
Bridgeton (Part 1)
Premiere: Part 1 – January 29th, Netflix
For fans of the series, this one has been a long wait. At the end of January, Bridgerton returns with Benedict’s story, bringing the show back to its familiar mix of romance, longing, and beautifully staged escapism. Expect masked balls, attraction, and lavish costumes. It’s classic Bridgerton: comforting, glossy, and perfect for January staying-in TV.
Running Away
Premiere: 1st Jan, Netflix
Perfect for those who love thrillers. It’s a tense mystery built around a family pushed to its limits when a loved one disappears. What starts as a search quickly unravels into something darker, exposing secrets, strained relationships, and the uncomfortable question of how well we really know the people closest to us. It’s the kind of slow-burning show that suits January evenings, gripping enough to keep you watching, without demanding too much energy.
The Traitors (Season 4, UK)
Premiere: 1st Jan, BBC Iplayer
The Traitors has established itself as essential viewing for January. With its castle setting and constant backstabbing and manipulation, it fits neatly into the staying-at-home mood of the month. Watching loyalties shift and alliances crumble is strangely comforting this time of year; familiar, addictive, and best enjoyed one episode at a time.
His & Hers
Premiere: 8th January, Netflix
A twisty psychological thriller based on Alice Feeney’s novel, His & Hers follows two estranged spouses whose lives collide when a murder draws them back into each other’s orbit. Anna, a reclusive former news anchor, is pulled back to her hometown when a shocking crime breaks, and the detective assigned to the case is her ex-husband, a man who’s just as suspicious of her motives as he is determined to find the truth. With secrets, tension, and shifting perspectives, this limited series makes for compelling January viewing when you want something that keeps you guessing without demanding too much energy.
Will Trent ( Season 4)
Premiere: 6th January, ABC
This returning crime drama mixes procedural twists with deeply human storytelling. Based on Karin Slaughter’s novels, it follows Special Agent Will Trent; a brilliant investigator whose past and personal life are almost as complicated as the cases he solves. Season 4 picks up in January with new threats, old enemies, and emotional stakes that pull at both the mystery and the characters’ lives.
People We Meet On Vacation
Premiere: 9th January, Netflix
Based on Emily Henry’s bestselling novel, this rom-com-meets-heartfelt drama brings Poppy and Alex’s decade-long friendship to the screen. She’s free-spirited and spontaneous; he’s thoughtful and routine-loving, and every year they take a vacation together. When a long break from their tradition ends with one last trip, it forces them to confront feelings they’ve never quite admitted. It’s lighthearted, emotionally grounded and perfect for those January evenings, when you just don’t want anything too serious.
What’s Coming Soon (Late January)
The beauty
Premieres: January 22nd, Disney+/FX
When a miraculous beauty-enhancing drug begins turning ordinary people into visions of physical perfection, but with deadly consequences, FBI agents are pulled into a global investigation that spirals far beyond the runway. Equal parts mystery, social commentary and suspense, The Beauty blends glamour with a chilling sense that perfection may come at a terrifying price. It makes it a compelling choice for January nights when you want something bold and different to sink into. I cannot wait for this one!
Wonder Man
Premiere: January 27th, Disney+
This Marvel-adjacent series brings a playful twist to the superhero world. When aspiring actor Simon Williams unexpectedly inherits superpowers just as he’s chasing a breakout role, his life and identity swing between everyday ambition and extraordinary responsibility. Wonder Man blends humour, heart, and superhero spectacle in a way that feels lighter and more fun than traditional comic-book fare, perfect for a cosy late-January watch when you want something entertaining without too much heaviness.
Tell Me Lies (season 3)
Premiere: January 13th, Disney+/Hula
For those who were hooked on season 1 and 2, this drama series continues the complicated story of Lucy and Stephen, two young adults whose intense, messy connection blurs the line between love and self-destruction. With its sharp focus on the emotional fallout of choices, communication, and desire, Tell Me Lies is as much about the characters’ inner lives as it is about the relationships they navigate. We love that it’s gripping, but not so heavy that it demands nonstop attention.
