How to watch The Gold online for free from anywhere
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The Gold returns for its second and final season on PBS MASTERPIECE on Sunday, October 18th, 2026, at 10/9c. The crime drama, inspired by the 1983 Brink’s-Mat robbery, follows the police investigation and the criminals attempting to profit from the stolen bullion. Hugh Bonneville, Jack Lowden, Dominic Cooper, Charlotte Spencer, and Emun Elliott are among its ensemble cast.
US viewers can watch through PBS, including local PBS Live TV where their member station carries the show. PBS also offers The Gold on PBS.org and in the PBS app, though some on-demand episodes require PBS Passport. Local PBS livestream availability depends on your station and whether you are within its service area, so if you're traveling outside the US, you will need a VPN to access your home stream.
Where to watch The Gold online
PBS is the main US home for The Gold. A local PBS station may offer the series via its free livestream, but the schedule differs by station. PBS Passport members can access season 1 and all six episodes of season 2 from October 18th, 2026.
| Country | Streaming service | Availability | Cost and access |
| US | PBS | Local PBS Live TV, PBS.org, and PBS app | A local livestream is free where offered, but it is limited to viewers in the station’s service area. A browser does not require an account, while streaming-device apps do. |
| US | PBS Passport | Season 1 and season 2 from October 18th, 2026 | Passport is an on-demand member benefit available through participating local PBS stations. |
| UK | BBC iPlayer | Both series on demand | Free UK streaming option, subject to BBC account and TV license requirements. BBC lists 12 episodes across the two series. |
How to watch The Gold for free with a VPN
To watch The Gold for free online, use PBS Live TV if your local station carries it. This is a free, legitimate way to stream your 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.
- Choose a reputable VPN with US servers. NordVPN is a strong option thanks to its fast speeds and reliable connections.
- Install the VPN app on the device you’ll use to stream.
- Connect to a US server, such as New York or Los Angeles, to access PBS Live TV.
- Visit PBS Live TV each Sunday at 10:00 PM ET to watch The Gold online for free.
Why you need a VPN to watch The Gold
Streaming and broadcast rights are granted on a country-by-country basis, so The Gold can be watched through PBS in the United States but may be unavailable from other locations. When I checked PBS’s website from outside the US, the Live TV option didn’t appear. Once I connected to NordVPN’s US server and reloaded the site, PBS Live TV became accessible, and The Gold showed up in the schedule.
Best VPNs to watch The Gold
The following services offer broad device support and US server options that can help protect your streaming connection.
- NordVPN: best overall for device compatibility.NordVPN offers US server locations, including virtual locations across all 50 states. It supports native apps on Android TV, Fire TV, and compatible Apple TV models, as well as router and Smart DNS setup options for certain devices. Read our NordVPN review.
- Surfshark: best for households with many devices. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription and offers US server locations. That makes it a practical option for households that stream across phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs. Read our Surfshark review.
- Proton VPN: best privacy-focused option. Proton VPN’s Plus plan supports up to 10 simultaneous device connections. The provider also offers a global server network and streaming-focused guidance for supported platforms. Read our Proton VPN review.
How to watch The Gold on phones, TVs, and streaming devices
PBS supports a wide range of devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Google TV, Chromecast, eligible Samsung TVs, and VIZIO SmartCast TVs.
Phones and tablets: Install the PBS app on iPhone, iPad, or Android, sign in to a free PBS account if needed, and look for *The Gold* or Live TV. If you use a VPN on mobile, it can protect the connection, but it does not change the PBS station service-area rule.
Browsers: A computer browser is the easiest route for local PBS Live TV. PBS says no account is required to watch a local livestream on PBS.org, provided the viewer is eligible and the station offers it.
Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, and Google TV: Download the PBS app, sign in, select your local station, and open Live TV. PBS specifically lists Live TV access through the app on Roku and Apple TV, among other supported devices.
Samsung and VIZIO TVs: PBS supports Samsung TVs from 2017 onward and VIZIO SmartCast TVs. If the PBS app is unavailable on your television, use a browser-capable device or a supported streaming stick instead.
TVs without a VPN app: Some televisions and consoles do not support native VPN apps. In those cases, a VPN router setup or Smart DNS may be available, depending on the VPN provider and device. These methods still do not alter a broadcaster’s account, location, or membership requirements.
The Gold preview
The Gold dramatizes the aftermath of the 1983 Brink’s-Mat robbery, in which armed thieves stole gold from a security depot. The series follows both the police task force investigating the case and the criminal network trying to process and profit from the stolen bullion.
Hugh Bonneville plays DCI Brian Boyce, with Charlotte Spencer and Emun Elliott portraying fellow investigators Nikki Jennings and Tony Brightwell. The cast also includes Jack Lowden, Dominic Cooper, Tom Cullen, Stefanie Martini, and Amanda Drew.
The second season continues the search for the remaining stolen gold. PBS describes it as the show’s final season, and PBS Passport members can stream all six episodes beginning October 18th, 2026 or each Sunday for free via PBS Live TV streams.
FAQ
Is The Gold available on PBS?
Yes, PBS confirms that The Gold is available through PBS.org and the PBS app. Live and on-demand availability can differ by local station and by episode.
When does The Gold season 2 start on PBS?
Season 2 premieres on PBS MASTERPIECE on Sunday, October 18th, 2026, at 10/9c.
Can I watch The Gold live on PBS for free?
Yes, you can watch through your local PBS station’s livestream if it carries the show. PBS says browser-based local livestreams do not require an account, but access is limited to viewers within the station’s service area.
Do I need PBS Passport to watch The Gold?
PBS Passport is required for its extended on-demand library. PBS states that season 1 and all six season 2 episodes will be available through Passport starting October 18th, 2026.
Can I watch PBS Live TV from outside my local station’s service area?
Yes, you can watch PBS Live TV outside your local station’s service area by using a VPN. Connect to a US server in or near your home station’s region, then reload the PBS Live TV page. This can make the service to recognize your location as within the station’s coverage area. Choose a reputable VPN with fast US servers, such as NordVPN, install its app on your streaming device, and select a nearby US location.
How many episodes of The Gold are there?
The Gold has 12 episodes across two six-episode seasons.
What devices can I use to watch PBS?
PBS supports web browsers, iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, Google TV, Chromecast, select Samsung TVs, and VIZIO SmartCast TVs.
