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.
Share
Brand New British TV Coming in September 2024 + Ludwig
Published 16 days ago • 4 min read
21 years ago today (31 August 2003), ITV aired the first episode of the delightful British mystery Rosemary & Thyme. Originally created by Brian Eastman (Poirot) to entertain his garden-loving wife, it stars Felicity Kendal (The Good Life) and Pam Ferris (Where the Heart Is) as two women who create a gardening business and run into murders on nearly every job site.
For three seasons, it combined gorgeous scenery, female friendship, and strangely plant-related murders - and it's a must-watch for anyone who loves a good, gentle mystery. In the US, you can watch it HERE on BritBox.
Miss Felicity Kendal? It won't be too much longer before we get to see her back on screen in the upcoming BBC series Ludwig (photos + more on this later in the email).
What we're...
Watching: Mr. Malcolm's List - This period drama follows a young woman who enlists her friend to help her get revenge on Mr. Malcolm, a bachelor who rejected her for failing to meet his lengthy list of requirements.
Reading: The Dead Beneath Us by Matthew J. Evans. I "met" this author in a Facebook group the other day, and prior to his writing career, he was an officer in Hampshire and Sussex. The first book in his Chichester Crime series involves a murder at a prestigious private school with ties to the disappearance of a schoolgirl back in the 1980s. Kindle Unlimited users can read this one for free.
Recharge and Refresh Your Mind This Fall with BetterHelp
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. With BetterHelp's quick and confidential assessment, they’ll match you with one of their 32,000 licensed therapists who specialize in your specific concerns, whether it's anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or personal growth goals. Join the 4 million people already benefiting from personalized support to help you reach your full potential. Don't wait any longer to start feeling better - take the free assessment today to get matched with your perfect therapist, and save $250 on your first three months of therapy.
On BritBox, the 2nd of September brings season 1 of the comedy Man Down (with more seasons to follow on the 9th, 16th, and 23rd). On the 4th, look for David Tennant in the true crime drama Des (2020), and on the 5th you can check out season 2 of Trigger Point with Vicky McClure. Royalists will be pleased to see Charles III: The Coronation Year on the 6th.
On Acorn TV, September 2nd brings a new episode of Under the Vines, along with the light Australian ghost drama Spirited and the 2010 NZ film Bloodlines.
On Netflix, the 29th brought Kaos, a fantasy-comedy-drama series about a highly neurotic version of Zeus.
On Apple TV+, season 4 of the spy thriller Slow Horses begins on September 4th (two episodes premiere, then single episodes weekly through October 2nd).
On Roku Channel, the Irish crime drama Borderline will premiere on September 1st. The odd couple detective series pairs the upright and proper DI Philip Boyd from Northern Ireland with the rough-around-the-edges DI Aoife Regan from the Republic of Ireland.
Insider's Guide to Inside No 9 - If you're a die-hard fan of this darkly hilarious serial, this book fills in all the behind-the-scenes details - including photos, mood boards, notes, and concept drawings.
David Mitchell as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (Image: BBC/Big Talk Studios/Colin Hutton)
As soon as we heard about the upcoming British mystery Ludwig, we were excited - but once we found out Felicity Kendall would be making an appearance as Lady Bryce, we were even more impatient!
The series will star David Mitchell (Peep Show, Back) as John "Ludwig" Taylor, a reclusive crossword setter who takes on his twin brother's identity as a Cambridge Major Crimes detective in an effort to solve the mystery of his disappearance.
It's expected on BBC One and iPlayer in Autumn 2024 - but there are no dates or streaming details for other countries at this time. We'll update when we know more.
No word on whether Mitchell's frequent collaborator Robert Webb might make an appearance in the new series.
Gerran Howell as DC Simon Evans, Izuka Hoyle as DS Alice Finch, Felicity Kendal as Lady Bryce (Image: BBC/Big Talk Studios/Colin Hutton)
Izuka Hoyle as DS Alice Finch, Dipo Ola as DI Russell Carter, David Mitchell as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor/James Taylor, Dorothy Atkinson as DCS Carol Shaw, Gerran Howell as DC Simon Evans (Image: BBC/Big Talk Studios/Colin Hutton)
It’s fine. Luckily we’re all English so no one’s going to ask any questions. Thank you, centuries of emotional repression!
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.
In this email... We look at a load of British films where women over 60 play leading roles A quick look at what's new and immediately upcoming on various US streaming services A look at some of the British TV shows currently in production What we're... Watching: Van der Valk - With season 4 coming to PBS next weekend, it's a good time to catch up or rewatch old episodes ahead of the new ones. Reading: The Dark Wives by Ann Cleeves - This is the 11th book in the Vera Stanhope series and it...
Most book-loving adults will have read 1984 at some time in their lives. What a lot of people don't know, though, is how a remote Scottish island (which these days feels like an antidote to everything 1984-ish in the world) helped inspire the masterpiece. In 1947, George Orwell was on the Isle of Jura, seeking solitude and nature to help his health and make it easier to focus on writing. It was here, surrounded by the island's natural beauty and harsh conditions, that he found both the peace...
For a little change of pace, today's newsletter will focus on weirdly specific British TV recommendations (with a more traditional newsletter with all the week's premieres coming later this weekend). If none of shows below work for you (or if you've seen them all), one of these lists may have more ideas to keep you busy... 14 Underrated & Overlooked British TV Shows 10 of the Best Dark & Gritty British Crime Dramas 11 British Netflix Original Films Produced in 2023 17 of the Best British...
