FIRST LOOK: Murder mystery drama Bookish will return for a two-part special this Christmas, with a third season confirmed to air in 2027.
The U&Alibi series, created by and starring Mark Gatiss, continues with its upcoming second season, which launches on August 26.
Set in London 1946, Gabriel Book (Gatiss) owns a bookshop in Archangel Lane and helps the police solve the strangest of crimes and the knottiest of murders. Season two finds Book investigating the world of spiritualism when he’s asked to help solve the mysterious case involving medium and a puzzling murder at a gentleman’s outfitters.
Bookish: The Crown of Destiny is then set to air over the festive period. The story will see the appropriately named Gabriel Book (Gatiss) open the doors of Book’s Books on Archangel Lane for a brand-new story, bringing viewers a seasonal mystery packed with festive charm, surprises and a dash of Christmas spirit.
Filming on season three is set to begin later this year.
Bookish is produced by Eagle Eye Drama, with Beta Film handling world sales as international distributor and PBS Distribution holding North American rights.
FIRST LOOK: Suranne Jones reprises her role as Gemma Foster in BBC drama Doctor Foster, which will return for a third season in 2027 after a decade away from the screen.
Ten years ago, on discovering her husband Simon was having an affair, Gemma Foster enacted a masterful revenge. But the fallout was devastating when her 15-year-old son Tom disappeared.
Season three picks up the story with Gemma still working as a GP and still in the same house, but on the brink of a fresh start: she has met someone new and is getting married. But as the wedding day draws closer, and friends and family gather, shadows from the past begin to re-emerge threatening both her happiness and her reputation. As Gemma fights to protect those she loves and expose whoever’s intent on hurting her, will she be able to put the past to bed, dispense justice, and claim the future she deserves, before it is too late?
Jones, Bertie Carvel and Tom Taylor reprise their roles as Gemma, Simon and Tom, with Dustin Demri-Burns joining the cast as Callum, Gemma’s new partner. Adam James returns as Gemma’s neighbour Neil; Thusitha Jayasundera as Ros, Gemma’s friend and colleague; and Anna Madeley as Lucy.
New cast includes Rosalie Craig, Gracie Oddie-James, Lois Baglin, Karima McAdams, Anjana Vasan, Michael Balogun, Christina Balmer, Justin Salinger and Ash Tandon.
Created and written by Mike Bartlett, Doctor Foster is produced by Drama Republic (Riot Women, One Day) in association with Fictional Company and TeamAkers Productions.
It is directed by John Hardwick (One Day, The Buccaneers), with Nige Watson (Killing Eve, The Assassin) as producer. Executive producers are Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky (for Drama Republic), Mike Bartlett (for Fictional Company) and Suranne Jones (for TeamAkers Productions).
BBC Studios is handling global sales of the series and the format, which has been licensed for adaptation in 15 territories worldwide.
Doctor Foster first debuted in 2015, with season two airing in 2017.
As Apple TV’s first Spanish-language drama to return for a second season, Las Azules (Women in Blue) carries real weight for its cast and crew. Stars Bárbara Mori and Ximena Sariñana join director Fernando Rovzar to discuss the true events shaping the new season, and what makes their 1970s-set world feel like a “safe place” to work.
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With The Killings at Parrish Station, creator Ben Jenkins tells a story over two timelines, following detectives investigating an otherworldly murder mystery and podcasters debating the legend of the original crime. He takes DQ inside the writing process behind this six-part “cosmic horror story.”
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FIRST LOOK: James Nelson-Joyce and Hannah Onslow head the returning cast of BBC drama This City is Ours, which will be back for its second season this autumn.
Created and written by Stephen Butchard, Nelson-Joyce plays Michael Kavanagh with Onslow as Diana Williams, Michael’s partner.
Other returning cast members include Jack McMullen as Jamie Phelan, Mike Noble as Banksey, Julie Graham as Elaine Phelan, widow of murdered gang leader Ronnie (Sean Bean), Laura Aikman as Rachel Duffy, Kevin Harvey as Bobby Duffy, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Cheryl Crawford, Darci Shaw as Melissa Sullivan, Adam Abbou as Freddie and Bobby Schofield as Bonehead.
This City Is Ours – Season 2 – Episode 206 — Photo Credit: James Stack/Left Bank Pictures/Sony Pictures Television
New cast members include Shaun Evans as former gangster Ozzie Thompson, recently out of prison, and Álvaro Morte as Felipe Guzman, member of the Colombian cartel and younger brother of Ricardo, who was murdered at the end of season one.
Picking up the story from the end of season one, Michael and Diana have barely arrived in Spain when they are dragged back into the fold to answer questions around Ricardo’s death. Back in Liverpool, tensions continue to bubble amongst the remaining members of the gang, while an old school gangster from Ronnie’s era, recently out of prison, wants compensation from the firm.
The eight-part series is produced by Left Bank Pictures for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Butchard is lead writer, with Robbie O’Neill writing a further episode. The executive producers are Andy Harries, Rebecca Hodgson and Sian McWilliams for Left Bank Pictures, Stephen Butchard, Saul Dibb, and Jo McClellan for the BBC.
This City Is Ours – Season 2
The directors are Saul Dibb, returning as lead director from season one, John Hayes (Dublin Murders, Nightsleeper) also returning from season one, and Chris Baugh (In Flight, Wreck). The series producer is Simon Maloney, and the block two producer is Nathan Juckes, both returning from season one. Sony Pictures Television distributes the series internationally.
This City is Ours was filmed in and around Liverpool, with additional filming in Spain. Season two comes to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
FIRST LOOK: Forbrydelsen (The Killing) star Sofie Gråbøl has teamed up with Borgen writer Adam Price for Britta, a true crime drama about one of Denmark’s most infamous fraud cases set to debut on TV2 in Denmark in 2028.
Filming on the four-part miniseries has been completed in South Africa, with Gråbøl starring as the anonymous and outwardly dutiful office assistant Britta Nielsen, who steals almost 117 million kroner (US$12.3m) from the Danish state.
The drama tells a dynamic story examining Britta’s poor childhood, her transformation into a millionaire and addiction to making quick money. At the same time, it is the story of a spectacular trial that both amazes and outrages, as the extent of her crime comes to light.
The cast also includes Besir Zeciri, Sofia Cukic and Angela Bundalovich, who plays Britta’s three children, Jimmy, Jamilla and Samina, among others.
Rasmus Bjerg, Nicolaj Kopernikus, Camilla Bendixen, Birgitte Fink, Joachim Fjelstrup, Anders Heinrichsen and Sami Darr also star.
The series is written by Price and produced by SAM Production. Goran Kapetanovic (Kalifat, Knutby) directs. The producers are Nina Leidersdorff and Johannes Rothaus Nørregaard, with executive producer Meta Louise Foldager Sørensen.
Britta is expected to premiere on TV 2 Play and TV 2 in 2028.
Crime thriller Hit Point finds Nick Blood contemplating matters of the head and heart as a detective in U&Dave’s first original drama. He speaks to DQ about why the series stands out from other police shows and the power of his on- and off-screen relationship with co-star Saffron Hocking.
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Australian crime series Treasure & Dirt centres on a grisly murder discovered in a lawless mining town. Director Madeleine Gottlieb takes DQ behind the scenes to reveal why she’s a “masochist,” how its “otherworldly” setting shaped the show and how a snake almost shut down production.
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FIRST LOOK: Luke Evans and Tom Cullen star in The Party, a five-part drama based on Elizabeth Day’s novel coming to ITV and STV this autumn.
Evans plays Martin Gilmour, a journalist shaped by his lifelong friendship with the wealthy and charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice (Cullen). Raised alone by his working-class mum, Sylvia (Joanna Scanlan), Martin wins a scholarship to an elite boarding school, where he first meets Ben.
They forge an unbreakable bond, as Ben and the Fitzmaurice’s give Martin the sense of belonging he has always craved. In turn, Martin remains unflinchingly loyal to Ben through even the greatest crises.
Pictured: Lydia Leonard as Serena Fitzmaurice, Tom Cullen as Ben Fitzmaurice
Pictured: Jonathan Houlston as young Martin Gilmour, Lucas Ely as young Ben Fitzmaurice
Pictured: Tom Cullen as Ben Fitzmaurice
Pictured: Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour
Pictured: Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour, Sarah Solemani as Lucy Gilmour
Pictured: Luke Evans as Martin Gilmour
Three decades on, Martin is invited to Ben’s lavish birthday party at the Fitzmaurice’s country pile. The news of the Conservative leader’s resignation threatens to derail Ben’s party, as he considers announcing his intention to stand. Martin fears the publicity that Ben’s bid would bring, dredging up the secrets of their past with tragic consequences.
The drama moves between the shocking events of the party and the police investigation that follows, with flashbacks to Martin and Ben’s lives at school, university and London party days.
Created showrunner Sarah Solemani, The Party is produced by World Productions and distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
The Party will air this autumn on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
FIRST LOOK: Amy Poehler reunites with Parks & Recreation co-creator Mike Schur for Dig, a comedy about a group of archaeologists working in Greece that will debut in the US on streamer Peacock this November.
Hugh Laurie, Geraldine Viswanathan, Antonia Thomas and Finna Strazza star alongside Poehler in the series, which follows a team of dedicated archaeologists (and less-dedicated college students) who spend their summer working on a dig site in Greece. Their discovery of a rare artifact sends them on the adventure of a lifetime.
Guest cast include Kayvan Novak, Jon Pointing and Bonita Friedericy.
Amy Poehler as Elise — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)
Geraldine Viswanathan as Dylan, Fina Strazza as Patty — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)
Hugh Laurie as Neville, Amy Poehler as Elise — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)
Fina Strazza as Patty, Antonia Thomas as Clare, Geraldine Viswanathan as Dylan — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)
Kayvan Novak as Stavros — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)
Geraldine Viswanathan as Dylan, Antonia Thomas as Clare, Jon Pointing as Gary — (Photo by: Colleen Hayes/Peacock)
Produced by Universal Television, Dig is an adaptation of Kate Myers’ novel Excavations. Schur and Poehler co-wrote the pilot episode and executive produce the series. JJ Philbin is also a writer and executive producer on the series, with Schur and Philbin co-showrunners.
Morgan Sackett is executive producing, along with Dean Holland, Kate Arend and Jordan Grief for Paper Kite, Dave Becky and David Miner for 3 Arts, and Sharon Jackson for Ocean Avenue. Author Myers is co-executive producer.
The 10-part series is produced by Fremulon, Paper Kite, Duck Duck Films, Dunshire, 3 Arts and Ocean Avenue.
A quirk of TV scheduling finds Laura Donnelly starring in two shows at the same time: ITV serial killer drama The Dark and Apple TV private detective series Sugar. She speaks to DQ about choosing the roles, the importance of character backstory and why she believes there are no guarantees in television.
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CCH Pounder brings her decades of screen experience to AMC horror series The Terror: Devil in Silver. She tells DQ how she “fell” into the role of Miss Chris, why the character feels so relevant today, and what it took to find joy while filming inside a disused prison. If you’ve ever watched television, the chances are you’ve seen CCH Pounder on screen. The Shield, ER, NCIS: New Orleans and Sons of Anarchy are just some of the shows in which she’s had prominent, recurring roles, while she also has credits from classic series including Cagney & Lacey, Hill Street Blues, Miami Vice, Quantum Leap, The X-Files and The West Wing. Pounder’s résumé is even more impressive when you consider her film career, which boasts titles such as the Avatar trilogy, Face/Off, End of Days, Orphan and Rustin. It all adds up to making Pounder one of the most versatile, prolific – and recognisable – actors of the day. Most recently, she appeared in Apple TV’s small-screen drama Cape Fear, an adaptation of the John D MacDonald novel that similarly served as the source material for Gregory Peck’s 1962 film and Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake. She also checked into New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital, the setting for the third instalment of AMC anthology series The Terror, titled Devil in Silver. The series stars Dan Stevens as Pepper – a working-class moving man who, through a combination of bad luck and a bad temper, finds himself wrongfully committed to New Hyde, an … Continue reading Facing new horror in The Terror: Devil in Silver with star CCH Pounder→
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FIRST LOOK: Dominic West and Sienna Miller go to War in a new Sky and HBO legal drama set in the high-stakes world of two rival London law firms, launching this October.
The eight-part series – which has already been renewed for a second season – delves into the high-stakes lives of London’s most powerful lawyers as firms Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne clash over a headline-grabbing legal battle, drawing ambitious young lawyer Jonathan “Johnny” Warren (Archie Renaux) into a ruthless world where ambition is currency, betrayal is strategy and winning is everything.
Season one follows the explosive divorce of British tech entrepreneur Morgan Henderson (West) and international film star Carla Duval (Miller), as law firms Cathcarts and Taylor & Byrne stop at nothing to secure victory for their clients.
The show also stars Phoebe Fox as Serena Byrne and James McArdle as Nicholas Taylor, partners in life and business at Taylor & Byrne; Nina Sosanya as Beatrice “Queen Bea” Ubosi and Pip Torrens as St John Smallwood, their counterparts and fierce rivals at Cathcarts & Sons; alongside Celia Imrie, Nick Mohammed, Emma Laird, Aran Murphy, Archie Panjabi, Adrian Scarborough, Shaheen Jafargholi, Akiya Henry, Honor Swinton Byrne, Miles Jupp, Kartanya Maynard, Alexandra Mardell, Dylan Murphy, Mark Quartley and Steve Furst.
War is coproduced by New Pictures and Observatory Pictures, in association with Sky and HBO. The series is created, written and executive produced by George Kay, alongside executive producers Willow Grylls and Matt Sandford for New Pictures, Susan Breen, Ben Taylor, Andrea Dewsbury and Megan Spanjian for Sky. The lead director is Ben Taylor and the series producer is Laurie Borg.
The series will air on Sky and Now in the UK, Ireland and Italy, and on Sky and WOW in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It will air on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US, Australia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, France and Belgium. International sales will be handled by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
War will debut on Sky and Now in the UK on October 2, and in the US on HBO and HBO Max on October 1.
Following its two-season order, production is currently underway on season two, which will star Marisa Tomei, Kelly Macdonald and David Harewood in a new headline-making legal battle, as their lawyers become embroiled in an explosive defamation case.
FIRST LOOK: Julia Brown, Chris Fulton, Ewan Miller and Rishi Nair head the cast of Monarch of the Glen, a fresh reimagining of the classic series that will debut on 5 in the UK and Masterpiece PBS in the US in 2027.
Described as a rich, romantic and humorous family saga rooted in legacy, love and survival, Brown stars as high-flying London lawyer Isla Campbell, who finds herself back at her family’s crumbling Highland estate for her estranged father’s funeral, expecting to be gone in days.
Instead, she discovers she has inherited a million-pound debt, a bank closing in, and a brother, Alasdair (Fulton), refusing to let go of their ancestral home. Under the same roof for the first time in years, brother and sister must find a way to save the struggling estate before time runs out and they lose it for good.
Julia Brown as Isla
Ewan Miller as Ewan
John Gordon Sinclair as Fergus
Miller plays gamekeeper and family friend Ewan, and Nair is businessman Daniel.
Phyllis Logan stars as Morag, with John Gordon Sinclair as longtime family lawyer Fergus and Gordon Kennedy as stockman Angus.
Monarch of the Glen is produced by Ecosse Films, makers of the original Monarch of the Glen series, and Masterpiece PBS, in association with Northern Ireland Screen and distribution partner Banijay Rights.
Chris Fulton as Alasdair
Gordan Kennedy as Angus
Phyllis Logan as Morag
Rishi Nair as Daniel
The series is created, written and executive produced by Jeremy Brock (A Very Royal Scandal, The Last King of Scotland). Stephen Greenhorn (Sunshine on Leith, Dept Q) joins as writer for episode 4, and Meriel Sheibani-Clare (The Crown) as writer for episode 5. Tom Vaughan (Doctor Foster, Victoria) is the director and executive producer.
Producers are Alex Boyd (How to Get to Heaven from Belfast), Robert Bernstein & Douglas Rae (Monarch of the Glen, The Trial of Christine Keelerg) alongside executive producers Rob Darnell and Adam Duncan for Ecosse Films. Susanne Simpson is the executive producer for Masterpiece.
Production for the new series is currently taking place in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Monarch of the Glen first aired in 2000 on BBC One and ran for seven seasons to 2005.
Canadian star Tracy Spiridakos fell in love with the title character of new mystery drama Anna Pigeon from the moment she read the script. She tells DQ why the tenacious park ranger proves such a departure from her Chicago PD role, and recalls filming on location in “breathtaking” Alberta.
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Five years after French heist drama Lupin became a worldwide phenomenon on Netflix, star Soufiane Guerrab looks ahead to Part 4 and explains how co-star Omar Sy has become an unexpected mentor on the Parisian series.
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In the third instalment of anthology series The Terror, Judith Light’s character Dorry may hold the answers behind the supernatural forces at play inside New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital. The actor speaks to DQ about joining the series, why getting into character is a team effort and how she partnered with a cast including Dan Stevens.
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FIRST LOOK: Vicky McClure returns to lead a fourth season of thriller Trigger Point, which is coming soon to ITV.
McClure stars as fearless but troubled bomb disposal officer (EXPO) Lana Washington, who faces a new threat when a series of bombings target London.
Eric Shango and Nabil Elouahabi also return as fellow EXPOs Danny and Hass. Natalie Simpson is DS Helen Morgan and Maanuv Thiara is DCI Batra, and guest star Julie Graham as Commander Nia Quentin.
Pictured: VICKY MCCLURE as Lana Washington.
Pictured: VICKY MCCLURE as Lana Washington and NABIL ELOUAHABI as Hassan Rahim.
Pictured: VICKY MCCLURE as Lana Washington, ERIC SHANGO as Danny and CHRISTOPHER HATHERALL as Phil Croxley.
Pictured: VICKY MCCLURE as Lana Washington, ERIC SHANGO as Danny and CHRISTOPHER HATHERALL as Phil Croxley.
Pictured:MAANUV THIARA as DCI Amar Batra and NATALIE SIMPSON as Helen Morgan.
Pictured: MICHAEL BALOGUN as Andy Oldfield and JULIE GRAHAM as Commander Nia Quentin.
HTM Television produces the series in association with All3Media International, which distributes the series internationally.
The new season is written by Chris Brandon (Bloodlands) and will be directed by Jennie Darnell (Payback, Line of Duty) and Nirpal Bhogal (DI Ray, Grace). Series producer is Kristian Dench (The Capture, Red Eye) and block producer is Kingsley Hoskins (The Road Trip, The Flatshare).
Executive producers are Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty, Breathtaking), Daniel Walker (Boat Story, The Tourist), Jessica Sharkey (How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, Smoggie Queens), Chris Brandon and Vicky McClure.
Sky’s new supernatural thriller Possession brings Jamaican traditions to British television for the first time. Writer Karla Crome and director Storm Saulter tell DQ how the five-part drama is rooted in the British-Caribbean experience, ahead of its launch this August.
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In Starz’s new British boxing crime drama Fightland, Charles Babalola plays Zeek, the son and wannabe heir to a criminal boxing empire. He talks to DQ about sibling rivalry, channelling real-life boxing promoters and filming at London’s most iconic fight venues.
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