There's so much talk about American TV around the world. It's dispiriting to find yourself more excited about a foreign country's output than your own. To redress the balance a little, here are some home-grown TV shows heading our way this Autumn, that I think will be worth checking out...
The Devil's Whore (Channel 4) Dominic West (The Wire) stars in this English Civil War drama as Oliver Cromwell. Co-stars John Simm (Edward Sexby) and Peter Capaldi (King Charles I). Written by Peter Flannery (Our Friends In The North)
James May's Big Ideas (BBC2) The Top Gear presenter takes a trip around the world to investigate supposedly zany ideas; like can you build an elevator to the stars?
The Last Van Helsing (ITV1) Six-part horror drama starring Philip Glenister (Life On Mars/Ashes To Ashes) as CIA operative Rupert Galvin, who mentors Luke Forsythe (Christian Cooke) -- a British 17-year-old descended from vampire hunter Van Helsing. Co-starring Mackenzie Crook. Written by Peter Tabern and Lucy Watkins (Hex) with Howard Overman (Hotel Babylon).
Merlin (BBC1) 13-part Saturday evening drama focusing on the young life of wizard Merlin (Colin Morgan) and his dealings with a young King Arthur (Bradley James). Co-stars Richard Wilson (Gaius), Anthony Head (King Uther), Kate McGrath (Morgana), Angel Coulby (Guinevere), Santiago Cabrera (Lancelot), Michelle Ryan (Nimueh), Eve Myles (Mary Collins), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Edwin Muirden) & Will Mellor (Valiant).
Oceans (BBC1) Another flagship natural history documentary series, as a team investigate the world's oceans to uncover strange creatures, shipwrecks and underwater landscapes. Presented by explorer Paul Rose, environmentalist Philippe Cousteau Jr, maritime archaeologist Dr Lucy Blue and marine biologist Tooni Mahto.
Stephen Fry In America (BBC1) The genial egghead drives across the USA, encountering Zulus in New Orleans, Sioux Nation drummers in South Dakota, and much more.
Survivors (BBC1) 13-part remake of the classic '70s sci-fi series, set in a post-apocalyptic Britain after a virus wipes out 99.9% of the world's population. Executive-produced by Adrian Hodges (Primeval), starring Max Beesley (Hotel Babylon), Julie Graham (Bonekickers) and Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who).
Sunshine! (BBC1) Sitcom written by Craig Cash (The Royle Family), starring Steve Coogan, Bernard Hill & Caroline Ahearne, focusing on three generations of the gambling-addicted Crosby family.
Wallander (BBC1) Kenneth Branaugh stars as quick-witted Swedish detective Kurt Wallander, in a three-part series based on the novels by Henning Mankell.
Wire In The Blood (ITV1) Sixth series of the crime thriller, starring Robson Greene as clinical psychologist Tony Hill, who has to investigate a case of cannibalism.
This is by no means a definitive list, but it gives you a flavour of what to expect in the next few months.
