Maggie Smith's "irresistible" period drama among launch titles for new free streaming service

JustWatch is expanding on its streaming guide with a dedicated, ad-supported streaming platform launched earlier this week, offering a catalogue of titles including a period drama starring late legend Maggie Smith.

If you're into your streaming content, you're probably already familiar with JustWatch, a service that saves viewers some precious time by keeping score of where a certain film or TV show is available to stream, rent or buy and in which country.

Now, JustWatch, a Berlin-based company founded in 2014, has made a foray into programming with JustWatch TV. The new service will offer free and ad-supported video on demand, including Smith's From Time to Time.

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Released in 2009, the film from writer-director Julian Fellowes – creator of Downton Abbey and The Gilded Age – is an adaptation of Lucy M Boston's 1958 children's novel The Chimneys of Green Knowe.

Set during World War II, From Time to Time follows a 13-year-old boy, Tolly (Alex Etel), who discovers he can travel between two worlds in two different timelines, with his time travels leading to him uncovering some family secrets.

Branded an "irresistible charmer" by a fan on IMDb, the film also stars Smith's future Downton Abbey co-star, Hugh Bonneville, as well as Death Valley's Timothy Spall and Game of Thrones' Carice van Houten.

Eliza Bennett, Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh, Dominic West, and Pauline Collins also feature in supporting roles.

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From Time to Time is but one of the titles available to stream on JustWatch TV, with free films to stream also including horror hits like REC and A Tale of Two Sisters and acclaimed classics like The King of Comedy, Empire Records, and Once Upon a Time in America.

JustWatch TV will also offer transactional titles from 30 initial partners, as well as premium ad-free tier that will be available for a monthly fee.

From Time to Time is available to stream on JustWatch TV.

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The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).