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
Underappreciated British TV Shows + New Acorn TV Art Mystery
Published 3 months ago • 5 min read
First off, thanks to everyone who sent in messages about the typo on Tim Curry's name in the last email. I hope most people knew what I meant, but just in case you didn't, that was meant to say "Tim Curry" in Rocky Horror Picture Show - not Tim Surry (who Google tells me is a chartered surveyor in London). If you're a fan of Mr. Curry, we have a few more streaming recommendations for you:
Clue - Though the film is American, it's based on the real-life board game which is very much an English creation. Musician and factory worker Anthony E. Pratt invented the game he initially called Murder! while holed up in his home in Birmingham during the WW2 air raids. Curry plays Wadsworth the butler. Interestingly, the film had three separate endings, and theatres were given different versions when it premiered. On streaming services, all three are presented.
Burke & Hare - This highly-underrated dark comedy film sees Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis playing the infamous Edinburgh murderers Burke and Hare, who created their own supply of corpses to sell for classroom dissections. The film also includes performances from Hugh Bonneville (Bonekickers), Reece Shearsmith (Inside No 9), Stephen Merchant (The Outlaws), Michael Smiley (Dead Still), and Jenny Agutter (Call the Midwife).
The Secret of Moonacre - If you need something a bit less creepy, this lovely family film follows a young woman who inherited a book of secrets from her father, later moving to her uncle's cursed Moonacre estate. There, only she will be able to use the book to break the curse. Tim Curry plays Coeur De Noir, but the film also features standout performances from Ioan Gruffudd (Liar), Juliet Stevenson (The Village), and Dakota Blue Richards (Endeavour).
40 Years of Murder, She Wrote...
Today marks 40 years since the premiere of Murder, She Wrote. Though the series is American, Dame Angela Lansbury was born in London. Over the course of the long-running series, Jessica Fletcher visited the British Isles in 8 episodes. We take a closer look at them in THIS post.
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.
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 Curry and Patricia Quinn, along with a number of others in less prominent roles.
On The CW, the period crime drama Joan will premiere on October 2nd. Sophie Turner stars as Joan Hannington, the real life woman who became one of Britain's most notorious jewel thieves after escaping an abusive marriage.
On Max (formerly HBO Max), The Franchise premieres October 6th. The comedy follows the crew of a superhero franchise as they struggle to produce films in a dysfunctional environment. British actors in the series include Jessica Hynes (Spaced) and Himesh Patel (Damned).
Underappreciated Viewing Ideas...
Though we love to keep everyone in the loop about what's new and popular, we also love shining a light on some of the forgotten, less popular, and older shows and movies that are still well worth watching (especially if you feel like you've watched everything on your favourite streaming services).
Last of the Summer Wine - Written by Keeping Up Appearances and Open All Hours creator Roy Clarke, this is the world's longest running sitcom - and he wrote every episode. If you watched the first 8 seasons on BritBox, you'll be pleased to know 9-18 (and a number of specials) are on Freevee.
Britain by the Book - Martin Clunes and Mel Giedroyc travel around the UK exploring places featured in British books and films.
Murder City - Kris Marshall and Amanda Donohoe star in this 2006 series about an odd couple detective pair who work serious crimes in London.
Great British Ghosts - Michaela Strachan visits a lot of really pretty, supposedly haunted locations in the UK. If you love spooky places and great scenery without all the greenish nightvision and screaming "paranormal investigation teams", this is a must-watch.
Mary Berry's Quick Cooking - If you love Dame Mary Berry but simply don't have the time for long and involved cooking...this is the one for you (and it includes loads of fun travel and interviews in between the actual cooking).
Chancer - Yes, it's a bit dated - but it's still a classic that's well worth watching if you enjoy Clive Owen or crime dramas. Owen stars as Stephen Crane, a lovable con man who always has something going.
A Film With Me In It - This Irish dark comedy follows a couple of friends who, through no fault of their own, find themselves surrounded by the corpses of people who died accidentally...and knowing just how unbelievable it is, they decide they need to find a way to hide all the bodies.
Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Stephanie Beacham, Mel Smith, and Geraldine James star in this period film about an evil governess who plots the murder of two parents in order to steal their children. Not to be confused with Miss Willoughby and the Haunted Bookshop, a more recent film about a young woman called to investigate hauntings in a bookshop (and which includes Caroline Quentin among the cast members).
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).
Acorn TV's Upcoming Art Mystery...
Acorn TV has recently announced their involvement in the production of an upcoming art-themed mystery series, Art Detectives.
From their announcement... Art Detectives...is a compelling new original crime series centered around the Heritage Crime Unit, a police department consisting of art loving DI Mick Palmer (Stephen Moyer, True Blood) and straight-talking DC Shazia Malik (Nina Singh, The Lazarus Project). Together, they solve murders connected to the world of art and antiques, from Old Master paintings, to Banksy street art, medieval manuscripts and collectible vinyl.
Throughout the season, the artfully astute detectives encounter a fake Vermeer, Viking gold, a rare Chinese vase and items rescued from the Titanic. It’s a rich and colorful world driven by greed, obsession, lust and revenge. Mick navigates these demanding cases while managing a budding romance with museum curator Rosa (Sarah Alexander – Coupling, Green Wing) and the sudden reappearance of his charismatic father, Ron (Larry Lamb – Gavin & Stacey), who just happens to be one of Britain’s most notorious forgers.
The series is currently filming in Belfast, and it's expected sometime in 2025. If that's too long to wait for some art-filled mystery, we recommend checking out the French series The Art of Crime or the British docuseries Fake or Fortune.
Well I know we're supposed to live in a throwaway society; but I promise you, Marjory, I have absolutely nothing left to throw away.
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.
Five years ago today, Dial M for Middlesbrough premiered on Gold in the UK, the third entry in a series of comedy-drama films starring Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson as a couple of tour guides who are constantly getting mixed up in murders. Prior to that, Murder on the Blackpool Express and Death on the Tyne aired, also in the winter season. A TV series, Murder, They Hope, came after that, followed by a second season that never made it to BritBox. In 2023, there was a Christmas special called...
If you're anything like me, you probably enjoy checking out your favourite British books when they make their way to the screen. So - here's a quick look at what's on the premiere schedule for our US readers (which is most of you) this month: Dalgliesh, Season 3 - December 2nd, 9th, and 16th That Christmas - Based on Richard Curtis's beloved children's books, premiered December 4th Lucy Worsley's Holmes vs. Doyle - Though this isn't fictional, it's definitely of interest to many readers...
We've got a bit of British TV news about some upcoming high-profile premieres, so we'll dive right in. First off, CB Strike - the latest season premieres in the UK on BBC One on December 16th. In the past, the UK has gotten it first, followed by HBO/Max in the US within the next year (no date yet). For now, US viewers can check out the trailer below. What we're... Watching: Accidental Renovators - When a couple mistakenly bid on the wrong property at auction, they end up with a derelict...
