What to watch on Peacock: The best shows streaming right now

We know, we know—it’s tough to subscribe to yet another streaming platform. Still, NBC Universal’s service is worth the sacrifice, and not just because Peacock is home to network standouts like The Office, 30 Rock, and more irreverent comedies. They’ve also got a cascade of true-crime docuseries, underrated shows like Smash and We Are Lady Parts, and buzzy reality TV options. Here’s The A.V. Club‘s guide to what to watch on Peacock.

Note: This list is in alphabetical order. It was last updated on November 3, 2024. It will update monthly. 

November spotlight: Homicide: Life On The Street

tk

30 Rock (NBC: 2006-2013)

Stars: Tina Fey, Jane Krakowski Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin, Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, Judah Friedlander

Number of seasons: 7

Tina Fey’s 30 Rock, based on her experiences as an SNL writer and performer, captures the pop culture era it aired in—and it’s still a tremendous time capsule today. The workplace comedy follows Fey’s Liz Lemon, the head writer of an NBC sketch comedy, and her eccentric coworkers. It uses surreal humor to dig into the company’s corporate shenanigans, offering acerbic and incisive takes on the media and Hollywood. The ensemble is a gift that keeps on giving, with Krakowski’s Jenna Maroney being an all-timer of a performance.

American Auto (NBC: 2022-2023)

Stars: Ana Gasteyer, Harriet Dyer, Jon Barinholtz, X Mayo, Michael Benjamin Washington, Tye White, Humphrey Ker

Number of seasons: 2

If you’re missing Justin Spitzer’s Superstore, American Auto might fill the void. Instead of the working class, though, this workplace comedy digs into the messy shenanigans of corporate culture. The new CEO of an automobile company (Gasteyer) knows nothing about cars—but she can be a good leader when she wants to be, especially with the help of her team as they battle various crises. Watch the two lovely seasons on Peacock since NBC decided not to renew it for a third.

Angelyne (Peacock: 2022)

Stars: Emmy Rossum, Martin Freeman, Lukas Gage, Hamish Linklater, Alex Karpovsky, Molly Ephraim, Phillip Ettinger, Michael Angarano

Number of seasons: 1

You’ve never seen Emmy Rossum like this before. The Shameless star transforms into the singer, actor, and media personality Angelyne, who became known throughout Los Angeles in the ’80s for her billboard advertisements. Angelyne is a five-part series exploring her rise to fame. In 2010, entertainment journalist Jeff Glaser attempted to uncover her life story, which is full of conflicting accounts from those who know her.

Baking It (Peacock: 2021-)

Stars: Maya Rudolph, Andy Samberg, Amy Poehler

Number of seasons: 2

Who doesn’t love a wholesome television experience, especially this close to the holidays? It’s exactly what Baking It is here to provide. In the reality competition series, bakers team up to create outstanding savory and sweet creations for themed challenges to win a cash prize. Sure, it sounds like every other Food Network show. But the winning formula is Maya Rudolph, who hosts both seasons. (In season one, she teamed up with Andy Samberg, while the second batch featured her and BFF Amy Poehler.)

Bates Motel (A&E: 2013-2017)

Stars: Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Olivia Cooke, Max Thieriot, Nicola Peltz, Nestor Carbonell, Kenny Johnson

Number of seasons: 5

Bates Motel is a riveting contemporary prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Here, Norma and Norman Bates move to a coastal Oregon town for a fresh start after the death of Norma’s husband. However, as Norman’s mental illness starts becoming dangerous, it threatens to unravel their lives as Norma tries her best to protect her son. The show successfully reinvents a classic thriller and features Farmiga and Highmore’s career-best performances. And look out for an MVP turn from House Of The Dragon’s Olivia Cooke.

Battlestar Galactica (Sci-fi Channel: 2004-2009)

Stars: Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Michael Trucco, Jamie Bamber, Michael Hogan

Number of seasons: 4

Developed by For All Mankind’s Ronald D. Moore, Battlestar Galactica picks up after the three-part miniseries that aired in 2003. For any fans of space-set TV shows, this one is a must-watch. Set in a distant star system, humans live on a group of planets called the Twelve Colonies of Kobol—but they’re bombarded by a devastating attack. Thousands of survivors flee on the Battlestar Galactica, led by President Laura Roslin and Commander William Adama, in search of a fabled colony known as Earth.

Bust Down (Peacock: 2021-)

Stars: Chris Redd, Jak Knight, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, Freddie Gibbs, Phi Tan

Number of seasons: 1

Co-created by the four lead actors, Bust Down is a biting comedy about a group of friends working a low-income job at the Diamondback Casino in Gary, Indiana. The irreverent series follows them as they explore opportunities in and out of the workplace while dealing with domestic disputes, boundary-violating bosses, and the challenges of climbing the corporate ladder.

Chucky (Syfy: 2021-2024)

Stars: Zackary Arthur, Björgvin Arnarson, Jennifer Tilly, Devon Sawa, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Teo Briones, Brad Dourif, Barbara Alyn Woods

Number of seasons: 3

Who doesn’t love a good dose of fun from this legacy murderous doll? Don Mancini returns to the Child’s Play franchise he created with the spectacular slasher series Chucky, which follows an unwitting teen who buys the figure only to discover it inhabits the soul of serial killer Charles Lee Ray. Despite the show’s White House-set third season, Syfy canceled it earlier this year. But we encourage you to enjoy the ride anyway.

Columbo (NBC: 1968-1978; ABC: 1989-2003)

Stars: Peter Falk, Mike Lally, Catheen Calvert, Vito Scotti, John Finnegan, Bruce Kirby

Number of seasons: 10

The amusing, immersive detective drama Columbo, led by a top-notch Peter Falk, continues to win hearts. Richard Levinson and William Link’s series centered on the LAPD’s disheveled titular Lieutenant inverted tropes in the ’70s, and there’s still plenty to love about it today. (For a nifty episode breakdown, check out our deep dive into the 10 best installments of the show).

Dr. Death (2021-)

Stars: Joshua Jackson, Edgar Ramirez, Christian Slater, Grace Gummer, Mandy Moore, Luke Kirby, Judy Reyes

Number of seasons: 2

Based on a podcast of the same name, each season of Dr. Death follows a different real medical criminal case. The first unpacks the story of neurosurgeon Christopher Duntsch, who was convicted of mutilating his patients. Season two delves into Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, who gets romantically involved with an investigative reporter while also fatally experimenting on patients. It’s fun fodder for fans of the true-crime genre, with an ace ensemble to boot.

A Friend Of The Family (Peacock: 2022)

Stars: Jake Lacy, Anna Paquin, Colin Hanks, Lio Tipton, Hendrix Yancey, McKenna Grace, Austin Stowell, Patrick Fischler, Philip Ettinger

Number of seasons: 1 

A Friend Of The Family expands on the wild real-life story explored in the 2019 documentary Abducted In Plain Sight. In excruciating but well-plotted detail, the drama unpacks how a teenage Jan Broberg was kidnapped twice in the ’70s by a family pal who was obsessed with her. As per The A.V. Club‘s review: “In a rare feat, AFOTF actually justifies its lengthy runtime of nine hourlong episodes. Peacock’s series is an alarming, thought-provoking, and vital deep dive into a true story that, on the surface, appears outlandish.”

Girls5eva (Peacock: 2021-)

Stars: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, Busy Phillips, Daniel Breaker, Andrew Rannels, Ashley Park, Erika Henningsen

Number of seasons: 2

Created by Meredith Scardino, Girls5eva is a great time. The musical comedy follows four members of a ’90s one-hit-wonder girl band who reunite in the present day for their second shot at fame. It means Girls5eva is chock-full of hilarious original songs, from “Famous 5eva” to “Dream Girlfriends” to “New York Lonely Boy”—they’re all instant earworms. It carries the effortless energy of co-producer Tina Fey’s other projects, including 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The show moved to Netflix for season three, but the first two are still available to enjoy on Peacock.

Grand Crew (NBC: 2022-2023)

Stars: Nicole Byer, Echo Kellum, Carl Tart, Justin Cunningham, Aaron Jennings, Grasie Mercedes

Number of seasons: 2

Continuing the tradition of NBC’s impressive ensemble comedies, Grand Crew is a fun sitcom from Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Phil Augusta Jackson and Dan Goor. The show follows a group of longtime friends who frequent their favorite wine bar as they navigate relationship and career problems. Not only is it hilarious, but GC is one of the few network TV shows that features a primarily Black cast. Much like American Auto, NBC decided not to continue it after two fun seasons.

John Wayne Gacy: Devil In Disguise (Peacock: 2021)

Number of seasons: 1

The six-part docuseries marked Peacock’s first foray into true crime when it premiered in 2021. It’s an in-depth, creepy, and propulsive look at the investigation into Chicago’s serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a.k.a. the Killer Clown. Produced by Tracy Ullman and Alison True, the show looks at Gacy’s political ambitions and how he was able to evade authorities for as long as he did. Crucially, Devil In Disguise features a lengthy, previously unseen interview with Gacy while he is in prison as he unpacks his own crimes. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a worthwhile endeavor for fans of the genre.

Killing It (Peacock: 2021-)

Stars: Craig Robinson, Claudia O’Doherty, Scott MacArthur, Stephanie Nogueras, Tim Heidecker, Zach Grenier

Number of seasons: 2

Co-created by Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Dan Goor and Luke Del Tridici, Killing It is an enjoyable, irreverent comedy. In it, Craig, who is a divorced single father, fails to secure a loan for his new business. However, he learns from his Australian Uber driver, Jillian, that there’s a lot of money to be made by hunting snakes. So they both enroll to participate in the South Florida Python Challenge for a $20,000 prize, showcasing a funny dynamic along the way. In season two, they finally start their farm only to be met with a barrage of new challenges.

Law & Order: SVU (NBC: 1999-)

Stars: Mariska Hargitay, Christopher Meloni, Richard Belzer, Michelle Hurd, Kelli Giddish, Ice-T, Peter Scanavino

Number of seasons: 25

Say what you will about Law & Order: SVU but this show is built to last. It has survived an incredible amount of change in the TV industry. It’s going strong 24 seasons and has been renewed for a landmark 25th. Olivia Benson is on track to become one of TV’s most pivotal figures. So it’s always a good time to catch up on how the officers of the Special Victims Unit are solving tough cases. All you need is weeks upon weeks of free time.

Monk (USA Network: 2002-2009)

Stars: Tony Shalhoub, Bitty Schram, Ted Levine, Jason Gray-Stanford, Stanley Kamel, Traylor Howard, Melora Hardin, Hector Elizondo

Number of seasons: 8

Tony Shalhoub became synonymous with the name Adrian Monk thanks to his terrific work in, well, Monk. He plays a San Francisco detective who suffers a breakdown and doesn’t leave his house for four years. Finally, though, he starts working as a private investigator. While Monk features several fun cases in its episodes, the show is an even better exploration of its hero. Shalhoub returned to the character in Mr. Monk’s Last Case, a film that dropped on Peacock in 2023.

Mrs. Davis (Peacock: 2023)

Stars: Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman, Margo Martindale, Elizabeth Marvel, Andy McQueen, Tom Wlaschiha, Katja Herbers, Chris Diamantopoulos

Number of seasons: 1

Damon Lindelof and Tara Hernandez’s Mrs. Davis is nothing if not unexpected (read: brace yourself for plenty of exciting twists). The timely sci-fi dramedy follows a recently-turned nun as she teams up with her ex-boyfriend in a battle against AI that takes them on a globe-spanning journey. Mrs. Davis is an unpredictable ride that ends with a satisfying conclusion. And hopefully, it will remain the rare limited series that doesn’t mess about with a second season.

Murder, She Wrote (CBS: 1984-1996)

Stars: Angela Lansbury, Tom Bosley, William Windom, Ron Masak, Louis Herthum

Number of seasons: 12

There’s no better way to toast the legendary Angela Lansbury, who died in October 2022, than by revisiting one of her most iconic performances. In Murder, She Wrote, she starred as mystery scribe and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher, who gets caught up in several cases, and the actor earned 12 Emmy nominations during the show’s lengthy run.

New Girl (Fox: 2011-2018)

Stars: Zooey Deschanel, Hannah Simone, Max Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, Damon Wayans Jr., Nasim Pedrad

Number of seasons: 7

If you weren’t obsessed with “Who’s that girl? It’s Jess!” when New Girl aired, now is your chance to catch up. Fox’s ensemble sitcom follows Zooey Deschanel’s Jessica Day, who moves in with three guys in an L.A. loft after a breakup. Jess and her BFF, Cece (Hannah Simone), find friends and their soulmates with this crew. New Girl remains an ultimate comfort favorite, and let’s not forget that it gave us TV’s best first kiss with Nick and Jess. (We said what we said.)

The Office (NBC: 2005-2013)

Stars: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, Angela Kinsey, Mindy Kaling, B.J. Novak, Brian Baumgartner, Ed Helms, Ellie Kemper

Number of seasons: 9

One of NBC’s most iconic sitcoms, The Office is a breezy binge-watch. The mockumentary, inspired by the British series of the same name, follows the employees of a fictional paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The workplace comedy features excellent performances, running gags, and the World’s Best Boss, Michael Scott. The Office is great whether it’s your first or fifth time watching it.

Parks And Recreation (NBC: 2009-2015)

Stars: Amy Poehler, Adam Scott, Nick Offerman, Retta, Aubrey Plaza, Rashida Jones, Rob Lowe, Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari

Number of seasons: 7

Much like The Office, Parks And Recreation is an unmissable TV show for any fans of the mockumentary genre. Treat yourself to it! Greg Daniels and Mike Schur created another winning comedy with it. Set in the fictional Pawnee, Indiana, P&R follows the parks department, led by an overenthusiastic Leslie Knope (Poehler). Come for Knope and her undeniable chemistry with Ben Wyatt (Scott), and stay for a star-making performance by Plaza.

Paul T. Goldman (2023)

Stars: Paul T. Goldman, Melinda McGraw, Christopher Stanley, Michael Dempsey, Dennis Haysbert, James Remar

Number of seasons: 1

Directed by Jason Woliner, Paul T. Goldman is Peacock’s answer to HBO’s The Rehearsal. It’s wacky and weird yet endlessly enjoyable. Part comedy, part docuseries, the show revolves around the titular character who uncovers his ex-wife’s fraud and deception. Thrust into the criminal world, he has no idea what to do next. Woliner tries to keep the series he thought he was making from going off the rails as Goldman stars in reenactments, changes the script, and challenges Woliner’s vision.

Poker Face (2023-)

Stars: Natasha Lyonne, Benjamin Bratt, Ellen Barkin, Megan Suri, Chloë Sevigny, Tim Blake Nelson, Tim Meadows, Adrien Brody, Dascha Polanco

Number of seasons: 1

Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne are a match made in TV heaven. Lyonne leads this case-of-the-week show as Charlie Cale, who goes on the run when her wealthy casino boss seeks revenge on her. With an uncanny ability to detect lies, Charlie goes from city to city to solve murders. The show, in turn, boasts an impressive guest cast with each episode. Poker Face‘s first season wrapped in 2023, but don’t worry, the second is on its way.

Resident Alien (SYFY: 2021-)

Stars: Alan Tudyk, Sara Tomko, Alice Wetterlund, Corey Reynolds, Elizabeth Bowen, Levi Fiehler, Judah Prehn, Linda Hamilton

Number of seasons: 3

At the center of Chris Sheridan’s delightful sci-fi show Resident Alien is the great Alan Tudyk, who plays an extraterrestrial creature who lands on Earth intending to destroy it—but changes his mind after spending time with humans. As written in The A.V. Club‘s recommendation of the show: “At its core, the show is a breezy watch because of its ability to lightheartedly appraise, empathize with, and laugh about what it’s like to simply exist in the world.” The third season wrapped up in April.

The Resort (Peacock: 2022)

Stars: Cristin Milioti, William Jackson Harper, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Skyler Gisondo, Nina Bloomgarden, Gabriela Cartol, Nick Offerman

Number of seasons: 1

The Resort is a weirdly compelling and suspenseful comedy. Despite introducing multiple mysteries (bordering on the mystical), the show succeeds thanks to an impressive cast, all of whom pull off the nuanced balance between humor and tragedy. The show follows married couple Noah and Emma, who get roped into solving a 15-year-old cold case of two missing teens while on vacation in the Mayan Riviera. As put in The A.V. Club‘s review: “The delightful ensemble makes The Resort a breeze, even if the payoff leaves something to be desired.”

Rutherford Falls (Peacock: 2021-2022)

Stars: Ed Helms, Jana Schmieding, Michael Greyeyes, Dustin Milligan, Jesse Leigh, Beth Stelling, Bobby Wilson, Devery Jacobs, Dana L. Wilson

Number of seasons: 2

Peacock executives really didn’t know how good they had it with Rutherford Falls. Even though the comedy was canceled after two seasons, it will remain one of their top-tier originals. Co-created by Sierra Teller Ornelas, Mike Schur, and series star Ed Helms, it follows childhood best friends Nathan and Reagan, who find themselves at a crossroads when a crisis hits their small town. Moreover, the show is a joyful exploration of the Indigenous community, with scene-stealing performances from Greyeyes and Schmieding.

Smash (NBC: 2012-2013)

Stars: Katherine McPhee, Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Megan Hilty, Christian Borle, Anjelica Huston, Raza Jaffrey, Jeremy Jordan, Leslie Odom Jr., Krysta Rodriguez

Number of seasons: 2

Smash, an undersung hero of NBC, is now available for your pleasure on Peacock. The musical drama from Theresa Rebeck and Robert Greenblatt revolves around a group of folks creating Broadway musicals. As specific as it sounds, Smash balances the chaos (and comedy) of theater with an excellent crop of characters. (Megan Hilty, in particular, is a standout here.) What’s more, the show boasts the right mix of melodrama, fun original music, and a subversive twist on the network drama.

Superstore (NBC: 2015-2021)

Stars: America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, Nico Santos, Nichole Sakura, Colton Dunn, Mark McKinney, Kaliko Kauahi

Number of seasons: 6

Everything about Superstore screams quintessential American workplace comedy. Hailing from Justin Spitzer, the talented and diverse cast of this sitcom plays employees of big-box retail chain store Cloud 9 in Minnesota. Through the lens of their working-class jobs, the show explores their friendships and livelihoods. While series star Ferrera exited before the last season, Superstore goes out with an emotionally charged final bow as it tackles the pandemic.

Top Chef (Bravo: 2006-)

Stars: Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, Kristen Kish

Number of seasons: 21

Top Chef has been going strong for more than 20 seasons, so it’s safe to say the cooking reality competition has figured out the secret sauce. And now the streamer has every episode of the series, so there’s no better time to catch up and appreciate these fantastic toques and some stiff competition. Kristen Kish took over from Padma Lakshmi as a host in the Wisconsin-set season 21, which wrapped up in June.

The Traitors (2023-)

Stars: Alan Cumming

Number of seasons: 2

Hosted by Alan Cumming, this reality show chronicles 20 contestants in a castle in the Scottish Highlands who hope to win a $250,000 prize. Among the “faithful” players are some “traitors”—that is, people selected by the host whose goal is to eliminate the rest and claim the prize for themselves. It’s an unexpectedly great time, and Cumming is as charming as ever.

Vanderpump Rules (Bravo: 2013-)

Stars: Lisa Vanderpump, Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix, Brittany Cartwright, Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval

Number of seasons: 11

The phrase “Scandoval” has taken over the internet and infused renewed interest in Vanderpump Rules, Bravo’s reality TV offshoot of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, for the past two years or so. While the show has been on for a decade, Tom Sandoval’s cheating scandal is the biggest thing to happen to it—the show is still relying on it for drama in season 11, which ended this May.