Finding exactly where can i watch The Affair is usually the first hurdle for anyone who’s heard about the show's wild, perspective-shifting narrative. It isn't just a drama. It’s a psychological puzzle that messes with your head by showing the same events through two different—and often contradictory—lenses.
People love this show. Or they hate the later seasons. Regardless, you want to see Dominic West and Ruth Wilson ruin their lives in Montauk, and you want to see it without clicking on sketchy pop-up ads.
The Most Reliable Streaming Options for The Affair
Right now, your best bet is Paramount+. Ever since Showtime merged its content into the Paramount+ ecosystem, the show has lived there under the Paramount+ with Showtime tier. If you’ve already got a subscription, you’re basically golden. You just search for the title and hit play.
But maybe you don't want another monthly bill.
Hulu is a solid runner-up. However, there is a catch. You can't just watch it with a base Hulu sub. You have to add the Showtime (Paramount+) add-on to your account. It’s convenient if you’re already paying for Hulu and don't want to manage ten different apps on your Roku or Apple TV.
Then there’s Amazon Prime Video. It works similarly to Hulu. You can subscribe to the Paramount+ channel within Prime. It’s seamless. Honestly, the video quality on Prime's player often feels a bit more stable than the standalone Paramount+ app, which has been known to be a little buggy on certain Smart TVs.
Buying vs. Renting: Is it Worth Owning?
Sometimes you just want to own the thing. No subscriptions. No worrying about licensing deals expiring at midnight.
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You can buy individual seasons or the entire series on Apple TV (formerly iTunes), Vudu, or the Google Play Store. Usually, a full season runs about $20 to $30, though you’ll often find the "Complete Series" bundle on sale for a significantly lower price during holiday weekends. If you're the type of viewer who rewatches episodes to spot the differences in memory—like how Alison's dress is yellow in Noah's version but floral in hers—buying the digital set is a smart move.
Physical media still exists too. If you're a purist, the DVD sets are surprisingly cheap on eBay or Amazon. You get the bonus features which, frankly, are pretty decent for a show this complex.
International Viewing: Where to Watch The Affair Outside the US
If you're in the UK, things look a bit different. Usually, Sky Atlantic or the NOW streaming service is your primary destination for high-end US dramas like this. Since Showtime has a long-standing relationship with Sky, most seasons are available there.
In Canada? Crave is the king of Showtime content. They’ve had the rights for years. If you’re a Crave subscriber with the Starz/Showtime expansion, you can binge all five seasons tonight.
Australian viewers generally head to Paramount+ or Stan. It’s worth checking your local listings because these rights change faster than the weather in the Hamptons. Sometimes a show will hop from one streamer to another overnight because a contract ended.
Why This Show is Hard to Stop Watching
Noah Solloway is a schoolteacher. He’s also a novelist. He’s also, arguably, a bit of a jerk. When he meets Alison Lockhart in a diner, the sparks fly, but the brilliance of the show isn't the affair itself. It's the "He Said/She Said" structure.
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The first half of an episode might be Noah's POV. The second half is Alison's.
The differences are jarring. In one version, a character might be aggressive and provocative. In the other, they’re shy and reserved. It forces you to realize that nobody is a reliable narrator of their own life. We all rewrite our histories to make ourselves look better, or at least more justified.
The show eventually expands to include the perspectives of the spouses—Helen (played by the incredible Maura Tierney) and Cole (Joshua Jackson). Tierney actually won a Golden Globe for her performance, and honestly, she’s the heart of the later seasons.
What to Watch Out For (The "Quality Drop" Debate)
Look, we have to be real here. The show changes.
The first two seasons are almost perfect television. They focus heavily on the central mystery and the immediate fallout of the infidelity. By season three, things get a little weird. There’s a sub-plot involving a French professor and a mysterious stalker that felt out of place for many fans.
By the time you get to season five, the show jumps forward in time. Anna Paquin joins the cast as a grown-up version of Joanie (Alison’s daughter). Some people loved this sci-fi adjacent, near-future look at the consequences of the past. Others felt the show lost its way after certain original cast members left.
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Is it still worth watching? Absolutely. Even at its most "extra," the acting is top-tier.
Technical Details for the Best Experience
If you’re watching on a high-end setup, keep in mind that The Affair wasn't shot in 4K. Most streaming platforms offer it in 1080p HD. It still looks gorgeous. The cinematography uses a lot of natural light and handheld camerawork to create that "memory" feel.
Audio-wise, it’s standard 5.1 surround. You don't need a massive Atmos system to appreciate the sound of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the Montauk cliffs, but a decent soundbar definitely helps with the dialogue-heavy scenes.
Quick Summary of Streaming Platforms
If you are currently asking where can i watch The Affair, here is the breakdown of the most common spots as of early 2026:
- Paramount+ (Showtime Tier): The primary home for the show. Includes all five seasons.
- Hulu: Available if you add the Paramount+ with Showtime extension.
- Amazon Prime: Available via the "Channels" feature.
- YouTube TV: You can watch if you have the Showtime add-on.
- Direct Purchase: Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to dive in, start with Season 1, Episode 1. Don't browse the internet for spoilers, because there is a major "crime" element introduced early on that is best experienced blind.
- Check your current subscriptions. See if you already pay for Paramount+ or if your Hulu account has a promo for the Showtime add-on.
- Verify the version. Make sure you aren't accidentally looking at the UK or Australian versions if you are searching for localized content; the US Showtime original is the one with West and Wilson.
- Prepare for a marathon. The first season moves fast, but the emotional weight is heavy. Maybe don't binge it all in one sitting if you value your own faith in relationships.
- Watch the outfits. Pay attention to what the characters are wearing in different POVs. It’s one of the cleverest ways the costume designers show how we perceive ourselves versus how others see us.
Grab a sub, find a comfortable couch, and prepare for a lot of heavy sighing and complicated feelings about the Hamptons.