“A 5-star detective drama”: 7 “superb” TV shows to watch this week on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more

Welcome to your weekly rundown of all the shows that are actually worth watching over the next 7 days. With the TV schedules jam-packed with shows, we’re here to deliver your hand-picked list of what to watch and when. And if we don’t consider them to be absolutely superb? They don’t make the cut.Top of our list is the return of ITV’s 5-star detective drama, Van der Valk – no spoilers, but it’s easily the best series yet. We’ve also got Hannah Waddingham’s return to our screens in Ted Lasso, a powerful new BBC drama with real-life roots and a psychological thriller that's more than a little creepy. So, forget the endless scrolling, because these are the 7 best shows to watch this week on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.Van der ValkITV’s hit reboot is returning for what the show's stars have teased is an “elevated” new series – and they’re quite right! Marc Warren returns in the titular role as the street smart but unapologetic Dutch detective, Van der Valk, who’s faced with a fresh set of cases, from the murder of a scientist on the verge of a major cancer treatment breakthrough to the disappearance of a famous singer. Expect more twists and turns than ever. Arriving on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm on Sunday 2nd August. KabulThe BBC has just acquired this moving fictional drama, which is set against the backdrop of the real-life events of August 2021 in Afghanistan. The series takes place in the titular Kabul as American troops withdraw and the Taliban enter the city. The Nazany family is forced to flee in fear of retaliation, and with the looming threat of an attack by ISIS overshadowing them, their lives have never been more at risk. As powerful as you’d expect. Arriving on BBC iPlayer on Sunday 2nd August.Celebrity HuntedThe reality show that sees celebrities go on the run and vanish into mainland Britain is back. For 14 relentless days, they must stay hidden, think fast and trust no one as Ray Howard and his elite team of Hunters drawn from policing, military and intelligence backgrounds are on their tails. This year’s contestants include Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, and Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy. Arriving on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday 3rd August.The Color PurpleThe powerhouse musical adaptation of The Color Purple is making its Netflix debut – and it’s as brilliant as films come. The story follows Celie (Fantasia Barrino), a Black woman in the early 1900s American South who endures decades of abuse and separation from her sister and children. But through the unbreakable bonds of a incredible female sisterhood, Celie finds a path towards self-worth, independence, and, ultimately, healing. Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg also star. Arriving on Netflix on Monday 3rd August.Ted LassoThe surprise fourth series of Apple TV’s hit workplace drama is here – and it involves an exciting pivot. The titular Ted (Jason Sudeikis) now finds himself coaching a second division women’s football team - and it remains to be seen just how well he’ll fare. The cast is stronger than ever with Hannah Waddingham returning as Rebecca Welton and a host of new stars from Adolescence (Faye Marsay), Sex Education (Tanya Reynolds) and Peaky Blinders (Abbie Hern). Series 4 is arriving on Apple TV on Wednesday 5th August. Possession Sky’s gripping new five-part thriller takes us to Jamaica where Claudia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), an ambitious young mixed-race lawyer, is challenging an inheritance claim made by a local man, Cudjoe East (Sheldon Shepherd), against Oliver Connaught (Jonny Lee Miller), a wealthy white aristocrat. The case takes a rather unsettling turn when Claudia discovers the disputed estate is the very place that’s haunted her nightmares: Hope Hill, the Connaught family’s former plantation. It’s eerie, to say the least. Arriving on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Thursday 6th August. EvilPsychological thriller fans will enjoy Evil, which examines science vs. religion and the origins of evil. A trio of unusual detectives - sceptical female psychologist Dr Kristen Bouchard (Katja Herbers), priest David Acosta (Mike Colter) and carpenter Ben Shakir (Aasif Mandvi) - investigate the Church's backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings. Their mission? To assess if there's a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work. Series 1-3 is arriving on Paramount+ on Thursday 6th August.