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Big British TV News: Ted Lasso, Grace, Chelsea Detective...
Published 14 days ago • 3 min read
Today marks 20 years since the premiere of the BBC miniseries Archangel, which stars Daniel Craig as a British professor of Soviet history who finds himself pulled into a larger mystery during a trip to Russia.
Though it's a little older, it's a great look at Craig before he became famous worldwide as James Bond in Quantum of Solace. With just three 45-minute episodes, it's a quick binge - and you can watch it free HERE on Amazon Prime (also free with ads on Pluto TV and Roku Channel).
QUICK REMINDER: The long-awaited North American premiere of Ludwig is tomorrow on BritBox (March 20th). When puzzle creator John 'Ludwig' Taylor (David Mitchell, Peep Show) discovers his identical twin James has vanished without a trace, he steps into his brother’s life to find out what happened.
John’s quiet existence has been spent mostly indoors, with no phone, computer, or TV — just his puzzles, which he creates under the name ‘Ludwig.’ But taking over James’s identity isn’t easy, especially since his twin is a DCI leading Cambridge’s major crimes team...
Watching: Men Behaving Badly - This is one of those slightly older classics I like to re-watch every so often. The series stars Martin Clunes and David Morrissey as a couple young male flatmates who mostly drink beer and chase women (Harry Enfield is in Morrissey's spot early on, but he leaves). Caroline Quentin (Jonathan Creek) plays Clunes's girlfriend, and Leslie Ash plays their neighbour.
As a side note, the reason this one came back to my attention is that Clunes and Morrissey will soon appear in a travel series together. In "Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage", Morrissey will take Clunes on a trip around the south of France. The three-part series will premiere in the UK on Gold on the 25th of March - but sadly, we haven't heard any confirmation of a US air date (yet). It may be worth reaching out to your preferred streaming services to suggest it.
Reading: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield - This one's been out for a few years, and I spotted it on sale earlier today. On a dark winter night by the Thames, a wounded stranger appears at an inn carrying a lifeless child who later stirs back to life, sparking a tangled mystery as three families claim her as their own.
Ted Lasso Returns...
Ted Lasso
There have been plenty of whispers about a possible season 4 of Ted Lasso - but it was only in the last few days that Apple TV confirmed that all the little clues were correct. For now, Jason Sudeikis (who plays Ted Lasso) is the only officially confirmed returning cast member - but most of the regulars are also expected to return.
There's no premiere date yet, and very little is known about what's in store, aside from the fact that Ted will be coaching a women's football team.
Acorn TV Announces Chelsea Detective Date
Acorn TV has announced that the third season of The Chelsea Detective will premiere Monday, April 7 on Acorn TV in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This follows on from the season 3 Christmas special that aired in late 2024.
Starring Adrian Scarborough as DI Max Arnold and Vanessa Emme as DS Layla Walsh, the new season continues to explore the dark side of posh Chelsea.The upcoming season features three new cases, including the discovery of an ex-soldier’s body in an allotment, the murder of an antiques dealer, and the mysterious death of a climate scientist found in a stolen car. Meanwhile, Max and his estranged wife attempt couples therapy.
The season begins with the episode Deadlock, guest-starring Alex Kingston as US Ambassador Emily Morgan. Additional returning cast includes Sophie Stone, Lucy Phelps, Peter Bankolé, and Frances Barber.
ITV has announced that Grace will return for a sixth season, with filming set to begin in summer 2025. John Simm will return to his role as DS Roy Grace, joined by Richie Campbell, Zoë Tapper, Laura Elphinstone, and Brad Morrison. The new season will feature four feature-length episodes.
If you're wondering whether you're going crazy or you somehow missed the season 5 premiere, no worries — it's not out yet. Season 5 is set to premiere this spring on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player. In North America and Australia, it's a BritBox Original. No word yet on specific dates yet.
The Peter James books adapted for season 5 are: Dead If You Don’t, Dead At First Sight, Need You Dead and Find Them Dead.
British TV news for American audiences. Enjoy British TV shows like Sherlock, Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, or Midsomer Murders? Wish it was easier to know when new shows are out on each of the different streaming services? Want a way to discover older British shows you might like? Sign up and we'll keep you updated.
A few quick notes... Today marks 28 years since the 1997 premiere of Cold Feet. The series follows the lives, relationships, and friendships of three couples in Manchester as they handle the ups and downs of love, family, and career. Originally airing from 1998 to 2003, it returned in 2016 with the same core characters, exploring how their lives had changed over the years. LEAVING - Though BritBox doesn't publish a monthly list of what's leaving, I did happen to notice that Love in a Cold...
If you enjoyed British actor Russell Tovey in shows like Being Human, The Job Lot, Years & Years, and Flesh & Blood, you might be interested to know he also appears in the 2024 Norwegian series The Fortress. The drama is set in the year 2037, and Norway has chosen to sever all ties with the rest of the world. Barricaded in by an enormous wall, they live in a self-sufficient paradise - until a deadly pandemic breaks out, and they realise the wall that kept them safe now holds them as...
If you're already missing Brenda Blethyn's on-screen presence, you'll be pleased to know she has a new project in the works - an upcoming historical comedy called Fools. Starring alongside Jim Broadbent and Karen Gillan, Blethyn will appear in this 16th-century tale about Queen Mary Tudor and her unexpected friendship with her court jester, Jane Foole (played by Patsy Ferran). The film, written and directed by Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered, Drop The Dead Donkey), promises to be a witty and...
