Top new series in July 2023

July brings us a ream of international drama, new Australian documentaries and the biggest cycling event of the year. Let's get stuck in.

(L–R) ‘Kin’, ‘Who The Bloody Hell Are We?’, Tour de France, ‘Anne Boleyn’. Source: SBS

Tour de France

The Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes begin from 1 July and 23 July respectively. Source: SBS

For this year’s prestigious cycling race, SBS On Demand is launching a dedicated Hub for all things Tour de France. There, you can livestream all 21 stages of the Tour, and all 8 stages of the women’s tour, Tour de France Femmes, which begins immediately after the men’s race. The Hub will also house catch-up replays, highlights and extended highlights videos from the month-long event. Get the coffee supplies ready!

Bookmark this link for all the latest updates and information on how to watch.

Tour de France kicks off on Saturday 1 July, from 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand. Tour de France Femmes kicks off from Sunday 23 July.

Count Abdulla

Jaime Winstone and Arian Nik in ‘Count Abdulla’. Source: SBS / Adam Lawrence

You’ll be glad to suspend your disbelief for this UK sitcom, in which British Pakistani Muslim junior doctor, Abdulla, is bitten by Kathy, thirsty for halal blood. Abdulla already has enough going on, between his mother’s expectations and the demands of his hedonistic friends. Oh, and he’s also trying to win the object of his affection and find a cure for a mysterious illness that has beset him. Kathy’s attack adds a new kind of appetite to his world. Charming, unique and funny.

Count Abdulla premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 6 July.

Being Human – seasons 1–5

Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey and Lenora Crichlow in ‘Being Human’. Source: SBS / BBC/Todd Antony/Touchpaper

From 2009 to 2013, UK series Being Human brought viewers an oddly winning combination: share house comedy and vampire thriller. A bunch of mates – who happen to be a vampire and werewolf – soon discover their new home is already occupied by a ghost who was killed in mysterious circumstances. That makes for truly unique conversations around the kitchen table, and adds to the challenge of attempting to be human. This cult series is one to watch, for its witty, sexy vibe as much as its blending of genres. Russell Tovey, Aidan Turner and Lenora Crichlow star.

All five seasons of Being Human premiere at SBS On Demand on Thursday 6 July.

Firebite

Rob Collins and Shantae Barnes-Cowan in ‘Firebite’. Source: SBS / Ian Routledge/See-Saw Films/AMC+

Adding to the vampirical vibe this month, we’re proud to premiere Australian series, Firebite, co-created by Warwick Thornton and Brendan Fletcher. In the middle of the South Australian desert, Indigenous Australian hunters Tyson and Shanika (Rob Collins and Shantae Barnes-Cowan) are on a quest to battle the last colony of vampires. Yael Stone and Callan Mulvey also star. We cannot wait for this one!

Firebite premieres at 9.30pm on NITV on Thursday 6 July. Episodes air weekly and will be available at SBS On Demand after they go to air.

Going Places With Ernie Dingo – season 5

Bianca Hunt, Rae Johnston, Narelda Jacobs and Aaron Fa’Aoso join Ernie Dingo in season 5 of ‘Going Places With Ernie Dingo’. Source: SBS

National treasure Ernie Dingo is back for season 5 of Going Places and this time, he is joined by fellow travellers, Aaron Fa’Aoso, Narelda Jacobs, Rae Johnston and Bianca Hunt. In each of the 12 episodes, we’re taken to three new and exquisite locations, including Kakadu National Park and the Great Barrier Reef. As always, we meet the locals and learn of their symbiotic relationship with the natural wonderland they call home.

Season 5 of Going Places With Ernie Dingo premieres exclusively at 7.30pm on SBS and NITV on Saturday 8 July. Episodes air weekly and will be available at SBS On Demand each Saturday after they go to air. Catch up on previous episodes while you wait.

De Gaulle

Samuel Labarthe in ‘De Gaulle’. Source: SBS / Rémy Grandroques

This six-part French period drama takes a look at both the private and public life of General Charles De Gaulle. With the governance of his country crumbling under Nazi weight at the start of the 1940s, De Gaulle demands an audience with British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. While he goes on to cement his place in history, leading the French to victory, this series is enriched by its focus on the private man behind the public figure. (If you’re keen on a deep-dive, 2020 French film also titled De Gaulle is now streaming at SBS On Demand.)

The full season of De Gaulle premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Wednesday 13 July.

Who The Bloody Hell Are We?

John Safran, Cal Wilson and Adam Liaw, hosts of 'Who the Bloody Hell Are We?'. Credit: SBS

We’re proud to present another SBS Original series. In this playful and revelatory three-parter, John Safran, Cal Wilson and Adam Liaw take us time-travelling to Australia’s multicultural past, and uncover stories not to be found in our history books. The trio focus on the impact of Jewish, Kiwi and Chinese immigration on our nation. What emerges is a welcome and refreshing new portrait of Australia.

Three-part SBS Original series Who The Bloody Hell Are We? airs weekly, premiering at 7.30pm on SBS on Wednesday 19 July. All three episodes will be at SBS On Demand on the same day.

Cell 8

Freddie Wise in ‘Cell 8’. Source: SBS / Kalle Veesaar.

Taking us from Ohio, USA to Stockholm, Sweden, this mostly English-language crime series follows police officers Ewert Grens and Mariana Hermansson as they investigate the worst possible consequences of handing down a death penalty. It’s a gripping addition to SBS On Demand’s stable of Nordic Noir, and brings strong credentials, being based on a book by Swedish crime novelist duo, acclaimed journalist Anders Roslund and former criminal Börge Hellström.

Cell 8 premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 20 July. While you wait catch-up on Roslund & Hellström Box 21 at SBS On Demand.

The Movies

Director Paul Thomas Anderson is in ‘The Movies’. Source: SBS / Cable News Network, Inc.

Immerse yourself in American cinema in this six-part series executive produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman. There are in-depth interviews with screen legends, such as Steven Spielberg, Angelica Huston, Ellen Burstyn, Tim Burton, Ridley Scott, Paul Thomas Anderson, and many more, and deep-dives into such acclaimed films as ET, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Back to the Future. A real treat for movie lovers.

The Movies premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 20 July.

Anne Boleyn

Jodie Turner-Smith is ‘Anne Boleyn’. Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh/Photographer Parisa Taghizadeh / Fable / The Falen Falcon Ltd / ViacomCBS/Sony Pictures Television

Jodie Turner-Smith (After Yang) stars as Anne Boleyn in this emotionally loaded depiction of the final months of Boleyn’s life, which is put to an end in proceedings instigated by her husband, Henry VIII (Mark Stanley) and not long after Boleyn births Elizabeth, who will go on to be queen. This compelling British period drama is all the more sharply poignant for the standout performances of the ensemble cast.

Anne Boleyn airs weekly on Wednesdays on SBS, premiering 26 July. All episodes will be at SBS On Demand the same day.  

Kin

Charlie Cox in ‘Kin’. Source: SBS

Frank Kinsella (Aiden Gillen, Project Blue Book, Game of Thrones) and Eamon Cunningham (Ciarán Hinds, The Dry, now streaming at SBS On Demand) are the patriarchs of two gangland families at war. When Frank’s son is released from prison and resumes “work”, there is a massive fallout that will spill plenty of blood. This Irish crime drama set in Dublin’s underworld asks just how unbreakable are the bonds of blood and family?

Kin premieres on SBS on Thursday 27 July, airing weekly. Episodes will drop weekly at SBS On Demand from the same day.

Headhunters

Axel Bøyum in ‘Headhunters’. Credit: Lillian Julsvik

Based on Jo Nesbø’s bestselling crime novels and the BAFTA-nominated feature film, this Norwegian series centres on corporate headhunter Roger Brown (Axel Bøyum). After manipulating his way to success both in business and in love, Brown’s lies begin to catch up with him, and he soon becomes a danger to himself and the people closest to him. Strap in for a thrilling ride.

The full season of Headhunters premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Thursday 27 July.

Bad Education – seasons 1–4

Jack Whitehall as Alfie Wickers and some of his students in ‘Bad Education’. Source: SBS

Get nostalgic or open your world for the first time to BBC3’s number 1 sitcom, Bad Education. Jack Whitehall stars as Alfie Wickers, who was a loser at school but who’s managed to scrape his way to being a teacher. His first gig is running a support class, which will be a challenge given he’s about as (im)mature as his students.

Seasons 1–4 of Bad Education will be at SBS On Demand from Thursday 27 July.