“Incredible” and “addictive”: 10 seductive TV shows about affairs to watch on BBC, Netflix, and more

Viewers are fascinated by forbidden topics, and nothing captivates quite like infidelity. It’s tempting to watch someone else step outside their commitments, and even more satisfying when those actions lead to trouble. After all, television often dictates that wrongdoing must have consequences.

Okay, so I’ve been diving into these dramas, and wow, they are something else! They really don’t hold back – expect a lot of intense emotions, twists you won’t see coming, and some seriously captivating storylines. Plus, they’ve got some huge names starring in them. If you’re looking for a show that’s passionate, mysterious, and full of revenge, you absolutely need to check these out. Everyone’s calling them incredible, addictive, and totally gripping – and honestly, I’d agree!

Perhaps not ones to watch with your partner, in case they start getting ideas…

1. The Affair (Paramount+)

The TV series The Affair, often considered the best in its genre, centers around Noah Solloway, a teacher and writer played by Dominic West. Though he appears to have an ideal life in New York with his family, Noah secretly feels unfulfilled.

Noah meets Alison Bailey (Ruth Wilson delivers a stunning performance), and they begin a passionate relationship. But the show, The Affair, doesn’t stop there. Each episode is presented twice – once from Noah’s point of view, and again from Alison’s – and the two versions often have slight, but important, differences.

This story offers a fresh perspective on the unreliable narrator, revealing the truth as something complex and uncertain, lying somewhere between different accounts.

2. Sex/Life (Netflix)

I’m already hooked on Sex/Life! It’s one of those shows where everything looks perfect on the surface, you know? Like, the main character, Billie, seems to have it all – a beautiful house in the suburbs, a successful husband named Cooper, and these incredibly cute kids. But of course, that perfect life is about to get seriously shaken up.

Lately, feeling trapped in her luxurious life, Billie has been idealizing her time in college, when she openly explored relationships in New York City, as she puts it. Hoping to recapture that feeling, she begins an affair with her former boyfriend, Brad (Adam Demos).

The show features frequent nudity and explicit sexual content. While Sex/Life aims to delve into female desire, it often prioritizes sensational scenes over thoughtful character development. The characters, like Cooper (who is kind but unremarkable) and Brad (a stereotypical ‘bad boy’), lack depth.

3. Obsession (Netflix)

Richard Armitage plays William Farrow, a well-respected surgeon, and Indira Varma is his wife, Ingrid, a successful lawyer. Their seemingly perfect marriage begins to fall apart when William becomes fixated on his son’s fiancée, Anna, played by Charlie Murphy.

This show features a lot of longing looks and passionate chemistry, quickly leading to very steamy and frequent intimate scenes – some of the most intense available on Netflix. Prepare to see actor Richard Armitage in a whole new light, especially if you’re familiar with his more wholesome roles!

4. Doctor Foster (BBC iPlayer)

Suranne Jones is consistently a first choice for leading roles in TV dramas, and her performance in Dr Foster is a major reason why.

Gemma Foster seems to have a wonderful life – a successful career, close friends, and a loving family. But everything is thrown into question when she discovers a blonde hair on her husband Simon’s scarf.

This discovery sparks a relentless focus on whether Simon is being unfaithful, and to whom. Jodie Comer delivers a brilliant performance as the seemingly innocent and attractive Kate, but Bertie Carvel truly shines as the deceitful Simon – his charming but untrustworthy behavior makes you want to smack him.

5. The Split (BBC iPlayer)

Award-winning writer Abi Morgan crafted this compelling series about divorce lawyers navigating both difficult cases and their personal lives.

Nicola Walker is brilliant as Hannah, the oldest sister, whose husband, Nathan (played by Stephen Mangan – the actors’ real-life friendship adds to their chemistry), has an affair. While The Split explores infidelity and relationships from every side, it’s the complex and fascinating relationships within the Walker family that will truly captivate you.

Instead of a typical, serious legal show, this series is surprisingly captivating and enjoyable. Later this year, a new spin-off called The Split Up, set in Manchester, will be released.

6. Scandal (Disney+)

Shonda Rhimes is known for creating popular shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton. But before those hits, she created Scandal: a fast-paced political drama starring Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope. Olivia is a professional fixer who handles scandals for powerful people, all while having a complicated romantic relationship with the President of the United States.

The show starts off incredibly strong, showcasing Shonda Rhimes at her best. However, later seasons take a turn and get bogged down in a confusing spy storyline.

7. Big Little Lies (Now TV)

No list of compelling dramas would be complete without a Nicole Kidman thriller, and we’ve included a couple! First up is this visually stunning and sleek adaptation of the popular novel by Lianne Moriarty.

The seemingly perfect lives of Madeline, Celeste, and Jane are shattered when a murder occurs at their children’s school. As the investigation unfolds, the secrets hidden within their wealthy community begin to surface.

One of the hidden storylines involves Madeline having an affair with Joseph, the director of a local theatre, while she’s married to Ed (Adam Scott). The first season focuses on how this affair causes distance between Madeline and Ed, and the secret quickly begins to fall apart in the second season.

8. Mistresses (Prime Video)

In 2008, the show Mistresses was groundbreaking for openly and honestly portraying women’s perspectives on sex and relationships – a surprisingly uncommon approach at the time.

The series centered on four friends in their thirties living in Bristol and dealing with messy relationships. A key plotline involved Dr. Katie Roden (played by Sarah Parish) and her affair with a patient, John Grey, who was terminally ill – ultimately, she helped him end his life.

After John’s father dies, his son, Sam (played by Max Brown), finds solace in a passionate, but uncertain, relationship with Katie. While the third season of Mistresses becomes more somber, the show was important for paving the way for dramas centered around women on British TV.

9. The Undoing (Prime Video)

Nicole Kidman stars in a new project where she plays a married woman, alongside Hugh Grant, and lives in a luxurious home in New York City’s beautiful Upper East Side.

When Elena, a parent at Henry’s school, is found murdered, it’s revealed that Jonathan was leading a double life and having a secret relationship with her.

The Undoing is a brilliantly crafted story about the surprising secrets hidden within even the most intimate relationships, and how easily lies can destroy everything we thought we knew.

10. A Teacher (Disney+)

This one’s a bit of a heavier, more intense movie. It stars Kate Mara as a teacher who seems pretty reserved, and you quickly learn her marriage is falling apart because she and her husband are having trouble starting a family. It’s definitely a sadder story than some others I’ve seen.

Claire’s improper flirtation with a student, Eric, quickly becomes a damaging sexual relationship. As the affair consumes her life, Claire begins to fall apart. A Teacher powerfully portrays the dangers of grooming, the devastating impact of abuse, and the long-lasting consequences for everyone affected.

The latest issue of Living Legends magazine, a vibrant, full-color tribute to Harry Styles, is now available! You can find it at newsstands or order it online.

2026-03-08 11:21