By now, virtually everyone in the English-speaking world will have heard the terribly sad news about the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. Celebrity tributes have been pouring in, and even King Charles had kind words to share:
"My wife and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dame Maggie Smith. As the curtain comes down on a national treasure, we join all those around the world in remembering with the fondest admiration and affection her many great performances and her warmth and wit that shone through both on and off the stage."
It's hard to say what it is that makes some actors so uniquely memorable and talented, but she's certainly left behind a wonderful legacy.
What we're...
- Watching: Highclere Behind the Scenes - Downton Abbey fans will know Highclere Castle as the fictional home to the Crawley family - but this docuseries takes a look at what it's really like to live there in modern times.
- Reading: Zero Days by Ruth Ware - Jack and her husband Gabe are top security hackers, hired to breach buildings. But when a job goes wrong, Jack returns home to find Gabe dead—and the police suspect her. This is a more fast-paced thriller than much of what Ware has written, but if you enjoy shows like Alex Rider and Slow Horses, you'll probably like it.
Shakespeare & Hathaway Will Return - In case you missed the news a few days ago - Shakespeare & Hathaway has been renewed for a 5th season after a long wait and a lot of doubt.
New & Upcoming
- On PBS Masterpiece, Sundays are currently bringing new episodes of a few great crime dramas - Ridley, Van der Valk, and Moonflower Murders.
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On BritBox, September 26th brought season 3 of The Tower. On October 1st, they'll be adding the first season of Shameless, and Suspect (not to be confused with Suspects, The Suspect, or Prime Suspect) will return for season 2 on October 3rd.
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On Acorn TV, Monday the 30th brings a new episode of The Long Shadow.
- On Netflix, season 3 of the British coming of age drama Heartstopper will premiere October 3rd.
- On Apple TV+, new episodes of season 4 of the spy thriller Slow Horses continue weekly through October 2nd.
- Oh Hulu, The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be added on October 1st. Filmed in the UK at Bray Studios and on location at Oakley Court (now a luxury hotel), the cult classic includes British actors Tim Surry and Patricia Quinn, along with a number of others in less prominent roles.
View all the brand-new British TV premieres in the US for September 2024 HERE
More to Read...
Acorn TV's October 2024 Lineup - A Candice Renoir Halloween special? Yes, that's exactly what you're seeing in the photo above - and what you can look forward to on Acorn TV next month (along with a new season of Whitstable Pearl and plenty more!)
350+ British TV Show Status Updates - Need to check on the status of your favourite British TV show from the last 4-5 years? This is the place to do it (and you might just get ideas for more to watch).
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Walkers Prawn Cocktail Crisps - I don't eat a lot of crisps, but when I do...it's nearly always prawn cocktail. The sweet, salty, vinegar-y tomato taste is unlike anything you'd normally find on US shelves (outside of specialty shops). |
9 Intriguing British Crime Novels Set in Contemporary London - If you like British novels set in other time periods, this list will almost definitely have a few you'll enjoy.
- Want to see more British books in your social media feeds? Check out the Great British Book Club: Instagram or Facebook
More Viewing Ideas...
In case you need a few ideas for the weekend...
- See How They Run - In 1950s London, plans for a movie adaptation of a hit play are stopped when an important crew member is murdered. The comedy-mystery stars Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan as Inspector George Stoppard and his sidekick Constable Stalker. Reece Shearsmith (Inside No 9) and Ruth Wilson (Luther) also appear. Also available on Hulu.
- Bernard & the Genie - Written by Richard Curtis (Love Actually) because he wanted something cheerful after viewing a particularly depressing Agatha Christie adaptation, this BBC film brings together Lenny Henry, Alan Cumming, and Rowan Atkinson. Betrayed by everyone close to him, a man lands himself in the hospital when he rubs a genie's lamp and it explodes. When he gets home, he finds a genie has moved in. Also on Tubi.
- The Railway Man - Colin Firth (Pride & Prejudice) stars as a former POW who learns his former torturer is still alive. Based on Eric Lomax's autobiography of the same name, it's a very different sort of WW2 film. Also on Tubi.
- Thriller - Though a bit dated and often a little cheesy, this wonderfully strange anthology series leans more towards the creepy and surreal than the gruesome - making it a fun series to watch as we head into October. Also on Tubi and Pluto.
- Come Rain Come Shine - David Jason, Alison Steadman, and Shaun Evans all appear in this 2010 TV movie about a working class family that's up-ended when their flashy son's business crashes. Also on Tubi.
A woman of my age can face reality far better than most men.
Dame Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess, Downton Abbey
Stream it (US): BritBox, Amazon Prime Video, Peacock
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