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New British TV in the US: February + Martin Clunes Recs
Published 26 days ago • 4 min read
Martin Clunes fans may be aware of his brand new ITV drama Out There (no US dates yet) - but there's a fun story behind the series, too. In the process of filming, one lucky family saw their home transformed.
Welsh homeowners Gina Murray and Toby Eckley have a Grade II listed farm they've struggled to maintain and renovate - but a chance encounter with a TV location manager led to their property becoming a major filming location for the series. Their once-pink farmhouse was temporarily painted grey to fit the show’s moody aesthetic, only to be repainted pink after filming wrapped.
Some interiors were used on-screen, while others were meticulously recreated in a studio, down to a replica of their historic wallpaper. Gina recalls Clunes dropping by for a friendly chat and the cast unwinding in her lounge between takes. You can read the full story HERE at WalesOnline.
What we're...
Watching: CB Strike: The Ink Black Heart - This new season adapts JK Rowling's sixth Cormoran Strike novel (written as Robert Galbraith), which involves the murder of a young female cartoonist who had been bullied by a mysterious online troll called "Anomie". If you've been waiting for all the episodes to be available, the last one arrives today.
Reading: The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan - Both Stephen Fry and Elly Griffiths have praised this crime series about autistic police detective DS George Cross - and The Bookseller is the latest in the series. When a Bristol bookseller is found dead in his shop, Cross will have to sift through the evidence and red herrings while complications in his personal life shake his focus.
On BritBox, February 10th brought Breaking Dad: Britain's Unlikeliest Drug Dealer. On the 14th, they're adding season 9 of Peep Show and Jon & Lucy's Odd Couples, followed by the BAFTA Film Awards on the 16th. On the 17th, look for A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, the story of the last woman to be executed in Britain. Finally, the 19th will bring season 14 of Death in Paradise.
On Acorn TV, new episodes of The Graham Norton Show continue on Fridays, along with new episodes of The Gone on Mondays (the final episode airs on the 17th). Season 18 of Murdoch Mysteries began on the 10th, with new episodes weekly on Mondays. The 10th also brought The Grand and the Norwegian series For Life. On the 17th, Best Interests and A Remarkable Place to Die will be added, along with the 2008 thriller Wired (with Jodie Whittaker).
On Apple TV+, The Gorge premieres on February 14th. The thriller stars Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy as highly trained operatives assigned to guard towers on opposite sides of a vast gorge, protecting the world from an evil within.
On Amazon Prime Video, the 13th brings My Fault: London, a film adaptation of Mercedes Ron's novel My Fault.
On Peacock, the 13th brings Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
On The Roku Channel, the rom-com This Time Next Year premiered February 10th.
On Max (formerly HBO Max), the final episode of CB Strike: The Ink Black Heart was added on the 13th - so if you were waiting to binge, you're good to go now.
Most modern British TV fans came to know Martin Clunes from his leading role in Doc Martin.
Men Behaving Badly (1992 to 1998) - Clunes starred as Gary Strang in this hugely popular sitcom about two immature flatmates navigating work, relationships, and a lot of beer. Though it's a bit dated, it can stir up plenty of nostalgia for those who were young in the 1990s.
The Man Who Lost His Head (2007) - Martin Clunes stars as an uptight British museum curator sent to a remote New Zealand town to settle a dispute over a sacred Māori artifact.
No Place Like Home (1983 to 1986) - Clunes had an early role in this sitcom about adult children returning to live with their parents.
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (2002) - Clunes took on the iconic role of Mr. Chipping, a schoolteacher who dedicates his life to shaping young minds, in this TV adaptation.
William & Mary (2003 to 2005) - A heartwarming dramedy where Clunes played William Shawcross, an undertaker who falls for a midwife (Julie Graham).
A is for Acid (2002) - He portrayed real-life serial killer John George Haigh in this chilling true crime drama.
The Acid House (1999) - Though Clunes's role is a bit part, Irvine Welsh fans will definitely want to check out this interconnected set of gritty Scottish stories.
Arthur & George (2015) - Clunes starred as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this period drama about the famous author’s real-life quest to clear a man wrongly accused of a crime.
Warren (2019) - In this short-lived sitcom, Clunes played a grumpy driving instructor struggling with modern life and blended family dynamics.
Manhunt (2019 to 2021) - Clunes took a dramatic turn as real-life DCI Colin Sutton in this gripping true-crime series about the investigations that led to the capture of serial killer Levi Bellfield and rapist Delroy Grant. This was a particularly good series because it focused on the investigators and their methods - NOT on glorifying the criminals.
Shakespeare in Love (1998) - Clunes played Richard Burbage, the famed Elizabethan actor, in this Oscar-winning romantic drama.
A Mother's Son (2012) - Clunes takes on a serious role as Ben, a stepfather caught in a family torn apart by suspicion when a mother begins to fear her son might be a murderer.
Britain by the Book (2023) - Mel Giedroyc travels with her friend Martin Clunes to explore spectacular scenery and iconic locations popularized by British novels and films.
Islands of... Series - This series sees Clunes taking us around some of the world's loveliest islands. The individual series are:
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.
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