Netflix brings fresh drama and romance to UK screens as My Oxford Year and Wednesday return this August

Netflix brings fresh drama and romance to UK screens as My Oxford Year and Wednesday return this August

As summer winds down, the long, lazy days of August offer the perfect excuse to take a break from the sunshine, pour yourself a chilled drink, and dive into something binge-worthy.

Whether you’ve spent the last few weeks sipping rosé in the park or hopping between pub gardens, Netflix has your wind-down sorted with a stacked lineup of new series and films.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll want to add to your must-watch list this August.


A Romance Set Against Oxford’s Dreamy Backdrop

My Oxford YearStreaming from August 1

Adapted from Julia Whelan’s bestselling novel, My Oxford Year stars Sofia Carson as Anna, a young American scholar who lands the chance of a lifetime: studying at Oxford for a year.

Enter Jamie, a brilliant professor played by Corey Mylchreest, who changes the course of her life in ways she never saw coming.

The film is directed by Iain Morris, the BAFTA-nominated talent behind The Inbetweeners, so expect romance with a splash of sharp, British humour.

“Comedy is his language,” Carson says, describing the story as timeless, heartfelt, and just a bit devastating.


Wednesday Addams Is Back and Ready for Trouble

Wednesday Season 2Streaming from August 6

Nearly three years after smashing Netflix records, Jenna Ortega is back as the brooding and brilliant Wednesday Addams.

Season 2 takes us back to Nevermore Academy where Wednesday must juggle old enemies, new allies, and the usual dose of family drama.

Alongside Ortega, we’ll see Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emma Myers, and Hunter Doohan return, while Billie Piper joins the cast for an added twist.

And yes – Thing is definitely still around.


Love Gets a Blind Makeover, UK Style

Love Is Blind UK Season 2Streaming from August 13

Emma and Matt Willis are back to guide a fresh batch of romantics through the social experiment that is Love Is Blind.

Strangers fall in love, get engaged, and plan a wedding – all before ever laying eyes on each other.

This time, the stakes are higher, the emotions even more intense, and the drama? Let’s just say it’s going to be a wild ride from the Pods to the altar.


A High-Stakes Thriller With a Race Against Time

Night Always ComesStreaming from August 15

Thriller lovers, this one’s for you. Directed by Benjamin Caron (Andor), this gritty, single-night drama stars Vanessa Kirby as Lynette – a woman trying desperately to keep her family’s home.

The catch? She only has a few hours to pull it off.

Caron says he was drawn to the film’s themes of sacrifice and survival, asking: Who really gets to feel safe in this world – and what does it cost them?


Revisiting One of Hollywood’s Most Controversial Scandals

The Truth About Jussie SmollettStreaming from August 22

From the producers behind Don’t F** with Cats* and The Tinder Swindler, this gripping documentary dissects the Jussie Smollett saga.

The actor claimed he was the victim of a hate crime – then was later accused and jailed for staging the attack himself.

This 90-minute special features exclusive interviews with police officers, journalists, attorneys, and Smollett himself, allowing viewers to decide where the truth really lies.


Teen Drama, Small Town Chaos, and a Lot of Boys

My Life With the Walter Boys Season 2Streaming from August 28

If you loved The Summer I Turned Pretty, you’ll be hooked on this coming-of-age love triangle.

Season 2 picks up with 15-year-old Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) returning to her guardian’s chaotic home full of Walter boys after a summer in NYC.

Back in rural Colorado, Jackie finds that love isn’t so straightforward – especially with Alex and Cole both still very much in the picture.


Murder, Mayhem, and Four Cheeky Retirees

The Thursday Murder ClubStreaming from August 28

Fans of cosy murder mysteries, rejoice. This star-studded adaptation of Richard Osman’s beloved book stars Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie as a gang of pensioners who casually solve cold cases in their spare time.

But when a real murder lands on