How to Watch Shardlake Online: Stream the Murder Mystery Series from Anywhere

Shardlake is a crime TV series adapted from the first novel in C.J. Sansom’s historical murder mystery book series. The original series premieres on May 1, 2024, on Hulu in the US and via Star on Disney Plus in the UK, Canada, and Australia. 

Both these platforms are geo-restricted. For instance, since this title is exclusive to Hulu’s US library, people who live in another country or travel abroad see an error message. All streaming platforms see your physical location via your IP address, but don’t worry; you can use a legal workaround to overcome this. 

A VPN is your best bet to remove the error message safely. To stream Shardlake, you must run the app on your device while connected to a US server. This step changes your IP address to a US one and bypasses the geo-restrictions by making you seem to be where the server is.

That said, let's check out how to stream Shardlake, why you need a VPN, the series preview, episode guide, cast, trailer, and more.

How to Watch Shardlake Online with a VPN

You can watch Shardlake online on Hulu with a VPN connected to a US server. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Get a VPN that unblocks Hulu (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN app for your device.
3. Open and switch on the VPN via a US server.
4. Load Hulu and start streaming.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Shardlake?

You need a VPN to watch Shardlake online outside the US, as Hulu offers this title only in its US library. Due to geo-restrictions, you can't access it outside the US.

Trying to watch Hulu outside the US without a VPN triggers an error message that reads: "Hulu isn't available to watch in your location. It seems that you are located outside of Hulu's geographical service area."

A VPN eliminates the error message while connected to a US server. It changes your IP address to match the location of the chosen server. This step circumvents the geo-blockade and lets you stream Shardlake from wherever you are.

NordVPN works seamlessly with all the live TV and streaming services, including Hulu, Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and more, and we recommend it since this is one of the most reliable VPNs.

Where to Watch Shardlake

The original limited series premieres on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, via Hulu in the US and on Disney Plus in the UK, Canada, and Australia. 

The season has four episodes that will be released simultaneously at midnight PT. Here's where to stream Shardlake:

Streaming Service	Monthly Price Starting At	Available Locations
Hulu	$7.99 (with ads)	US
Disney Plus	£4.99 / CA $11.99 / AU $13.99	UK, Canada, Australia, and more

How to Watch Shardlake in the US Without Cable

You can stream Shardlake on Hulu in the US on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Let’s check out your streaming options:

• Hulu: An ad-supported version of the platform costs $7.99 monthly, while an ad-free option is priced at $17.99 monthly. Add-ons such as Disney Plus, Max, Showtime, and more are available for an additional monthly fee. Start your 30-day free trial on Hulu.
• The Disney Bundle: You can choose from two or three services the bundle offers at discounted prices compared to purchasing them individually. The ad-supported Duo pack offers Disney Plus and Hulu for $9.99 monthly, while Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu costs $14.99 monthly with ads.

These options are geo-restricted, but you can use a trustworthy VPN set to a US server if you travel abroad. This step assigns you a US IP address, making the platform read your location as the US. 

Where to Watch Shardlake in the UK, Canada, and Australia

The original series will premiere in full in the UK, Canada, and Australia on Disney Plus via Star on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. A subscription costs CA $11.99 / £4.99 / AU $13.99 monthly.

Traveling abroad? Disney’s service has limited availability and slightly different libraries where it exists, but you can bypass the geo-blockade with a safe VPN set to a server located close to your home area.

Can You Watch Shardlake Online Free?

Yes, you can watch Shardlake online for free via Hulu’s 30-day free trial in the US. 

Shardlake Preview

Shardlake is a new limited TV series based on C.J. Sansom’s internationally popular Tudor murder mystery book series. It centers on Matthew Shardlake, a barrister at Lincoln's Inn and later a serjeant-at-law.

Initially, a religious thinker who adhered to the new Anglican faith, he could not become a priest due to his infirmity. This leads him to solve crimes with Jack Barak while avoiding political intrigue during Henry VIII's religious reforms, which include the dissolution of the monasteries.

The TV series is set in 16th-century Tudor England and follows Matthew as he is sent by Henry VIII's dangerous and all-powerful right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell, to investigate the death of a commissioner in the remote town of Scarnsea.

Shardlake and Barak race to uncover the mystery of the horrific murder but are met with the monk's hostility, suspicion, and paranoia. They find deception, deceit, and corruption that threaten not only Shardlake's integrity but also his life, as it becomes clear that the murder is not the first of the crimes. The series was filmed in Hungary, Austria, and Romania.

Shardlake Cast

• Arthur Hughes as Matthew Shardlake 
• Anthony Boyle as John Barak 
• Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell 
• Jake Neads as Master Lovell 
• Matthew Steer as Doctor Goodhap
• Paul Kaye as Brother Jerome 
• David Pearse as Brother Edwig 
• Brian Vernel as Brother Mortimus
• Peter Firth as Norfolk
• Irfan Shamji as Brother Guy
• Miles Barrow as Brother Gabriel
• Mike Noble as Bugge
• Kimberley Nixon as Joan
• Babou Ceesay as Abbot Fabian 
• Joe Barber as Simon Whelplay 
• Charlotte Christof as Orphan Stonegarden 
• Hilary Tones as Old Annie 

Shardlake Episode Guide 

• Season 1 Episode 1: (May 1, 2024) - Thomas Cromwell sends Matthew Shardlake to a monastery in the remote town of Scarnsea to investigate a brutal murder and decommission the monastery. Cromwell's handsome and arrogant handyman, Jack Barak, comes along, much to Shardlake's irritation. The monks display a wall of conspiracy and silence, saying the author was an outsider. But Shardlake learns from a novice that other deaths have occurred, prompting him to fast-track his investigation. 
• Season 1 Episode 2: (May 1, 2024) - Suspicion sets in amongst the monks as Shardlake's investigation takes flight. Barak believes there may be a cover-up and does not agree with Shardlake. Some unwelcome information from Brother Jerome puts their lives in danger, with Shardlake managing to escape. News of another murder reaches Matthew as Goodhap and Barak row away.
• Season 1 Episode 3: (May 1, 2024) - Goodhap goes missing, and things do not add up. The investigation moves extremely slowly, and an agitated Barak tries to change the pace, but Shardlake does not want to compromise the truth. The murder weapon surfaces and Shardlake drains the monastery pond, where he finds a secret. He then goes to London to learn the provenance of the murder weapon.
• Season 1 Episode 4: (May 1, 2024) - Shardlake's lack of results infuriates Cromwell, who does not consider failing an option and voices a terrifying ultimatum. The murder weapon’s owner is revealed, and Shardlake needs to decide whether to please his master or serve justice.

Shardlake Official Trailer

Final Thoughts

One can stream Shardlake on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus in the UK, Canada, Australia, and more. People who live in other countries or are traveling to blocked territories can use a VPN set to a US server to unblock these services.

We recommend NordVPN. This no-logs VPN has 6300+ servers in 111 countries. Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and more, NordVPN offers an attractive 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.