DQ checks out the upcoming schedules to pick 10 new series to watch this August, from a John Grisham legal thriller and an Outlander prequel to a political thriller starring Suranne Jones and the first TV series based on the Alien film franchise.
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Series to Watch: August 2025
Iranian nights
The cast and creative team behind Iranian drama At the End of the Night open up about this intimate, authentic story about the breakdown of a couple’s relationship, its roots in real life and how it has pushed boundaries for storytelling in Iran.
Nothing to lose
Queen of F***ing Everything creator Tiina Lymi and executive producer Minna Haapkylä talk to DQTV about the making of this darkly comedic Finnish drama, which centres on the fall and rise of a real-estate agent who turns to crime to keep up appearances after her husband goes missing.
Ex-plosive endings
The Ex-Wife executive producers Chiara Cardoso and Andy Morgan break down the making of season two’s final showdown – a dramatic stand-off filmed in an abandoned quarry. An adaptation of Jess Ryder’s novel that debuted on Paramount+ in 2022, The Ex-Wife introduces Tasha (Celine Buckens), who appears to have the perfect life – she lives in a gorgeous house with loving husband Jack (Tom Mison) and a beautiful baby girl. But the constant presence in their lives of Jack’s ex-wife Jen (Janet Montgomery) means she starts to think something is going on between them. Picking up the story three years later, The Ex-Wife Part 2 now finds Tasha hiding out in Cyprus with her daughter following the dramatic car accident at the end of season one. Meanwhile, Jack, released from prison after surviving the crash he caused, is searching for Tasha and for redemption from his ex-wife, Jen (now played by Katie McGrath). When Jack learns that his daughter is very much alive, he sets out to track her down. But Tasha vows that she “will be the one to finish it” should Jack discover where she has been hiding, leading to questions over how far a parent will go to protect their child. A coproduction between Clapperboard Studios, Blackbox Multimedia and Night Train Media, which shares worldwide distribution rights with All3Media International, The Ex-Wife Part 2 launched on Paramount+ earlier this year. Here, BlackBox Multimedia executive producer Chiara Cardoso and Clapperboard Studios EP Andy Morgan discuss a key scene … Continue reading Ex-plosive endings
Holmes truths
As Sherlock & Daughter sells to broadcasters around the world, DQ hears from stars Blu Hunt and Fiona Glascott, creator Brendan Foley, writer Shelly Goldstein and executive producer Karine Martin about reinventing the iconic sleuth with a mystery relating to his own past.
Family justice
Creator John Quaintance, star Luke Cook and executive producer Jeff Wachtel unpack crime comedy-drama Good Cop/Bad Cop, from its sibling-centred story to indie-style financing – and why Quaintance hopes it becomes someone’s favourite show.
Making Dreamers come true
Dreamers creator, writer and executive producer Lisa Holdsworth explains how she found the balance between drama and authenticity in this Channel 4 drama about a group of dance students. Dreamers follows an eclectic group of dance students as they navigate the intense highs and lows of coming of age in today’s complex world – captured through stories that are as joyful and funny as they are raw and truthful, brought viscerally to life via irresistible dance choreography. The show, produced by Duck Soup Films for Channel 4 and distributed by All3Media International, tells the story of the Chapeltown Collective dance troupe and their journey to the most important dance showcase of their young lives. But it’s also a drama about the things young people really care about: friendship, family and having the chance to express themselves. Its stories and characters are a product of a unique and immersive development process that I believe gave the show a unique and authentic voice. There is an industry theory about writing teenagers. The maxim is that US TV portrays young characters as they see themselves: wise beyond their years, emotionally intelligent and on the cusp of manifest destiny. Meanwhile, UK TV writes teenagers as adults see them: stroppy and annoying – the suggestion being that American writers treat their teens as young adults while UK writers treat them like kids. I don’t think that’s strictly true, and UK shows like Skins, Sex Education and Heartstopper have given us rounded characters with rich inner … Continue reading Making Dreamers come true
Series to Watch: July 2025
DQ checks out the upcoming schedules to pick 10 new series to watch this July, from a new Stephen King adaptation and a Lena Dunham comedy to a Mark Gatiss period detective drama and an assassin thriller starring Keeley Hawes.
DQ100 2025/26 – Part two
In the second part of the DQ100 2025/26, we pick out a range of shows to tune in for and the actors, directors and writers making them, as well as some of the trends and trailblazers worth catching up with.
Not your average Joe
As the writer behind Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project and Black Doves, Joe Barton has worked across multiple genres while retaining his trademark humour and style. He discusses creating characters, casting and the things up-and-coming writers should focus on.
Titans of Industry
Industry showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay reflect on the unique journey behind making the HBO financial drama, reveal how they evolved from students to showrunners, and offer their advice to aspiring creatives.
Six of Black Mirror’s Best: Toby Haynes
Black Mirror director Toby Haynes reveals his top picks from Charlie Brooker’s dystopian anthology series, including a pair of his own entries, and explains how they were brought to the screen.
Reaching Pubertat
With her latest series, director, writer and actor Leticia Dolera blends complex discussions about families, sexual assault and the age of criminality, set against the backdrop of a unique Catalonian tradition. DQ hears all about how she got through Pubertat (Puberty).
Raul or nothing
Music drama Raul Seixas: Eu Sou (Let Me Sing) charts the life of the musician and performer known as the ‘Brazilian Elvis.’ Co-creators Paulo Morelli and Pedro Morelli join star Ravel Andrade to talk about the legacy of Seixas and how they brought his life story to the screen.
Six of the Best: Helen Perry
The UKTV drama commissioning head’s picks include a “groundbreaking” US crime series, a character-led sports show and a fact-based drama that made real-world headlines.
Taking a bite of Anpanman
NHK executives Ken Kurasaki and Hiroshi Kashi introduce DQ to the Japanese broadcaster’s latest daily drama – based on the artist behind a classic superhero character – and explain why character development is crucial to making its 15-minute episodes.
Series to Watch: June 2025
DQ checks out the upcoming schedules to pick 10 new series to watch this June, from an outrageous period drama and a fresh detective series to a Sundance dramedy and the conclusion of Netflix’s Squid Game.
Psych report
Malpractice creator and writer Grace Ofori-Attah reveals why she wanted to explore the world of psychiatry in season two of the ITV medical thriller, which she hopes will help remind viewers that doctors are human too.
Honourable mention
Portocabo executives Alfonso Blanco and Nina Hernandez speak to DQ about how they adapted Israeli drama Kvodo (Your Honor) for Spanish audiences as Honor, filming the series in Seville and why remakes still appeal to viewers. Since its debut in 2017, Israeli drama Kvodo (Your Honor) has taken the world by storm. While the original series has been sold into numerous territories, the format has been adapted in almost a dozen countries around the globe. Created by Ron Ninio and Shlomo Mashiach and produced by Yes TV and Koda Communications, the show follows a respected senior judge whose son is involved in a hit-and-run accident, leading to difficult choices, moral dilemmas and terrible consequences as he attempts to keep the crime a secret. Airing across two seasons, its cast includes Yoram Hattab, Erez Oved, Ilanit Ben -Yaakov, Tom Hagi and Lucy Aharish. Yes Studios distributes the original series and the format. Most famously, the series was adapted in the US by Showtime, with Bryan Cranston, Hunter Doohan, Lilli Kay, Michael Stuhlberg and Hope Davis leading the cast. It has also been remade in France, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, India, Russia, China and Ukraine. The Spanish version, titled Honor, follows Judge Daniel Romero, whose son Alex accidentally kills a motorist, panics and flees the scene. When the victim turns out to be the son of a dangerous gangster, Romero senior decides to cover up the crime, risking everything for his son. Produced by Atresmedia TV in collaboration with Portocabo … Continue reading Honourable mention
Honours even
Blue Lights, Mr Loverman, Baby Reindeer, Industry and Mr Bates vs The Post Office were all among the scripted winners at the BAFTA TV Awards 2025. DQ was backstage to hear from the winners on a night when the variety of British television was celebrated.