How to watch Maigret online for free from anywhere

The new Maigret brings Georges Simenon’s celebrated Paris detective into a contemporary setting, with Benjamin Wainwright starring as Chief Inspector Jules Maigret. Season 1 is a six-part crime drama following Maigret and the serious-crimes unit La Crim as they investigate cases across Paris. Season 2 begins on PBS Live TV on Sunday, October 18th, 2026, at 9:00 PM ET.

Official free streaming options depend on where you are. In the US, Maigret is available on PBS.org and the PBS app. Australian viewers can stream the full first season through ABC iview, while UKTV has acquired the first two seasons for its free U streaming service and U&DRAMA channel, with season 1 due in December 2026.

If you want to watch season 2 of Maigret online for free, you can catch new episodes live on PBS. However, the availability depends on where you're located, so if you're traveling outside the US, you will need a VPN to connect to a live stream while abroad.

Where to watch Maigret online

Country	Streaming service	Price	Availability	Notes
United States	PBS	Free	Season 1 streaming	Maigret is on PBS.org and the PBS app. Season 2 premieres on PBS Live TV.
Australia	ABC iview	Free	All season 1 episodes	An ABC Account is required for on-demand viewing. ABC iview access is generally limited to Australia. No season 2.
United Kingdom	U	Free	Season 1 arrives in December 2026	UKTV has acquired both seasons for its free U service and U&DRAMA channel.
Canada	—	—	No official free option verified	No confirmed Canadian free streaming service.

How to watch Maigret for free with a VPN

To watch Maigret for free online, use PBS Live TV if your local station participates. This is a free, legitimate way to watch the local PBS feed live without a cable subscription. However, you must be located within the relevant US station’s coverage area. If you’re traveling and want to use an official streaming service you normally access at home, a VPN can help you get around location-based restrictions.

1. Select a reputable VPN with US servers. NordVPN is a good option thanks to its fast speeds and dependable connections.
2. Install the VPN app on your streaming device.
3. Connect to a US server (New York or Los Angeles work well) to access PBS Live TV.
4. Visit PBS Live TV each Sunday at 9:00PM ET to watch Maigret online for free.

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Why you need a VPN to watch Maigret

Broadcast and streaming rights are licensed by region, which is why Maigret is available through PBS in the US but may not be accessible elsewhere. When I looked for the livestream on PBS’s official website, the Live TV tab wasn’t available to me. After connecting to NordVPN’s US server and refreshing the page, however, I could access PBS Live TV and found Maigret in the schedule.

For a broader comparison of providers, protocols, device support, and streaming features, see our best VPNs for streaming guide.

Best VPNs for watching Maigret

1. NordVPN - best overall for streaming. NordVPN starts at $3.49/month and operates thousands of servers across 225 locations. Its NordLynx protocol retained about 84% of baseline speeds in testing, and Smart DNS can be helpful for compatible TVs. It supports major desktop, mobile, and streaming platforms. Read the full NordVPN review for current pricing and features.
2. Surfshark - best budget option for households. Surfshark starts at $2.49/month, supports unlimited simultaneous connections, and has more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries. Its WireGuard protocol retained about 83% of baseline speeds in testing, which can help maintain smooth HD playback on supported services. See the Surfshark review for the latest plans and device details.
3. Proton VPN - best for privacy-focused viewers. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, has a free plan, and its paid plans start at $2.99/month. The service lists more than 20,700 servers in 149 countries and supports commonly used streaming devices. Its free plan is useful for basic privacy needs, while paid plans provide broader server access. Read the Proton VPN review for full details.

How to watch Maigret on phones, TVs, and streaming devices

PBS supports its app on Roku, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Fire Stick, Android phones and tablets, Android TV, Google TV, Chromecast, supported Samsung TVs, and VIZIO SmartCast TVs.

Device	PBS	VPN setup
Desktop or laptop browser	Web	Use the VPN’s desktop app where permitted
iPhone or iPad	App	Use an iOS VPN app; an IP change does not change your App Store country
Android phone or tablet	App	Use an Android VPN app
Android TV or Google TV	App	Native VPN app where supported
Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick	App	Native VPN app where supported
Apple TV	App	Native VPN app where supported
Samsung TV	App on supported models	Smart DNS or a router-level VPN may be needed
Roku	App	Router-level VPN or Smart DNS if appropriate

For the simplest setup, use a desktop or mobile browser and open the official service directly. PBS supports a broad range of connected-TV platforms.

On iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, a VPN does not change the country tied to your Apple ID. If an app is unavailable in your regional app store, the browser version is often the simplest legitimate option. For devices without native VPN apps, such as many Roku, Samsung, and LG models, a router-level VPN or Smart DNS may be the practical setup, but it does not override a broadcaster’s terms or rights restrictions.

Maigret preview and season 1 recap

Maigret reimagines the classic detective as a younger, ambitious Chief Inspector leading La Crim, the elite Paris police unit responsible for serious crime. Benjamin Wainwright plays Maigret, while Stefanie Martini portrays Madame Louise Maigret.

Season 1 consists of six episodes and tells three connected two-part stories. The opening case places Maigret between a high-profile bank-robbery investigation and the murder of thief Honoré Cuendet, creating pressure from both the public and his own institution. The final two episodes, Maigret Comes Home, bring the detective back to Paris, where his interactions with a killer create escalating personal consequences.

Season 2 premieres on PBS on October 18th, 2026. PBS’s preview says Maigret faces public outrage and a department eager to cut him down to size, raising the stakes for the detective and La Crim.

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