While 2024 may have felt like a chaotic year for many, the silver lining is that there’s no shortage of subject matter for incredibly insightful documentaries. From an emotional look inside Australia’s struggling public hospitals to a cherished journalist planning his own funeral, there’s a documentary for every mood. Whether you want a serious look at international politics, or to just relax while a charming actor showcases the best Italian cuisine he can find, you’ll find it in SBS On Demand’s . Here are some highlights.
The Jury: Death on the Staircase
In the Australian criminal justice system, jury members aren’t allowed to speak publicly about their experiences in court – and while there are arguably valid reasons for this, it has the unfortunate downside of making jury deliberations seem mysterious and opaque. Fortunately, this fascinating five-part series offers a unique look behind that veil of secrecy, by re-enacting a manslaughter trial in front of the cameras. The show’s trial takes a real case (with the details changed for anonymity), where a couple had a heated argument before one of them ended up falling to his death on a staircase – and a jury of 12 Australians from all backgrounds is tasked with weighing the evidence, holding the fate of the accused in their hands. It’s a twisting, suspenseful trial that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat as you ponder whether the jury will deliver the same verdict as the original case.
The Jury: Death on the Staircase is now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
The Jury: Death on the Staircase
series • crime
M
series • crime
M
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
Whether you’re an Italian food expert or you don’t know your amatriciana from your carbonara, it’s a true delight to watch affable actor Stanley Tucci eat his way through Italy’s different regions. Tucci is definitely more of an enthusiast than an expert, and it’s this approach that sets Searching for Italy apart from your average celebrity chef-helmed food documentary – rather than being told what’s good and what’s not, the vibe is much more like you’re part of the journey with him, including bumbling yet human moments that anybody who has travelled can relate to. In the second series, which arrived on SBS On Demand in 2024, Tucci ventures to Sardinia, Liguria and Puglia (among other places), discovering classics like Genovese pesto, alongside arguably lesser-known recipes like lemony Catalan lobster and spicy ‘assassin’s spaghetti’, ensuring that any home cook can pick up some tasty tips.
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy seasons 1 and 2 are now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
series • cooking
M
series • cooking
M
The Hospital: In The Deep End
Even if you’re only a casual news reader, chances are you’ve heard that Australia’s public hospital system is struggling. This three-part series pulls back the operating curtain, sending three Aussies — Gardening Australia host Costa Georgiadis, actor Samuel Johnson, and writer/TV host Melissa Leong – to shadow hard-working medical staff at a phenomenally busy Sydney hospital. The three bring emotional connections to the hospital system (for example, Leong’s mum was an emergency room nurse, while Johnson had been hospitalised in a recent accident), yet also fresh eyes – and this combination makes it easy to put yourself in their shoes as they see what goes on in operating theatres and mental health wards. It certainly gets emotional – scenes where Georgiadias discovers a childhood friend in palliative care won’t keep your eyes dry – but it’s also a great journey in learning to appreciate what public healthcare does for us.
The Hospital: In The Deep End is now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
The Hospital: In the Deep End
series • documentary
M
series • documentary
M
Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye
In this documentary, beloved journalist Ray Martin explores what can be a deeply fraught topic: death. Don’t worry – he doesn’t die in this three-part series, but he does set about planning his own funeral. Martin manages to walk the perfect line between seriousness and levity – after after, while dying is hardly a light topic, there’s an element of absurdity to seeing him sit upright in his own coffin, mid-funeral service. The series no stunt, though: Martin is formidably thoughtful in his consideration of different cultural and religious approaches to death, with a sensitive yet no-nonsense approach on a tricky topic. It’s also downright useful, offering insight on what can be a daunting industry where options range from being buried in the nude to cryogenic freezing. Dying has never been so engaging.
Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye is now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye
series • documentary
M
series • documentary
M
Red Flag: Music's Failed Revolution
If you’re a fan of stories about genius business ideas gone wrong, this documentary about an Australian startup that wanted to revolutionise the music industry will captivate. Over two parts, the affable Marc Fennell investigates Guvera, a Gold Coast company that offered free, legal music streaming to Australians before Spotify even set foot in the country. It initially looked like a runaway success, magnetising tens of millions in investment dollars, and throwing splashy parties with champagne and ice sculptures – before promptly collapsing. Far from a boring account of balance sheets, it’s a twisting, turning tale of corporate malfeasance and the mistakes of people who thought they were saving the music industry.
Red Flag: Music's Failed Revolution is now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Red Flag: Music's Failed Revolution
series • bus./financial
M
series • bus./financial
M
Dateline
No matter what corner of the globe you’re curious about, there’s an episode of Dateline that will pique your interest. For 40 years, this current affairs program has aired original documentaries on international topics big and small — in 2024, that meant issues including overtourism in Venice, how South Korean schools trying to train the next generation of teen popstars might actually be harming them, and a look inside the world of Romania’s adult webcam model industry. Not just an in-depth look at these issues, Dateline is also an immersive journey, whether its journalists are filming on a freight train transporting migrants through Mexico to the U.S. or in gang-controlled territory in Venezuela. If that wasn’t enough, SBS On Demand also has an archive of Dateline episodes going back to 2010.
Dateline is now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Dateline
series • Current Affairs
series • Current Affairs
Couples Therapy
Over four seasons, Couples Therapy has struck a tidy balance between voyeurism and tastefulness – after all, who wouldn’t be curious to know what struggling couples talk about in the privacy of a therapist’s office? The fourth season introduces three new couples and a polyamorous trio, who aim to put the wisdom of American psychotherapist Dr. Orna Guralnik to work, resolving all manner of problems around trauma, infidelity, promiscuity and the challenges of unconventional relationships. More than just a titillating fly-on-the-wall experience, Dr. Guralnik’s sage guidance ensures that anyone watching can also learn from these couples’ experiences.
Couples Therapy seasons 1 to 4 are now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Couples Therapy
series • documentary
MA15+
series • documentary
MA15+
Did your favourite make the list? Find out in the at SBS on Demand. You can also discover the year's most popular films and TV series and some hidden gems in the .
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