It's November. Halloween's behind us and Christmas is fast approaching, which means most of the new/returning TV shows are back on-air. But which stragglers do we have to look forward to, now the nights are drawing in?
TOAST OF LONDON – Series 2
(Channel 4, 3 Nov) The cult comedy from Father Ted co-creator Arthur Mathews returns, with Matt Berry as fruity-voiced Z-list actor Steven Toast. Despite good reviews and some awards recognition, it's frustrating Channel 4 have once again given this sitcom a bad timeslot. Let's hope that quality's enough to keep it around, as ratings will almost definitely remain tepid.
THE FALL – Series 2
(BBC2, 13 Nov) After an almost unreasonable 17-month wait, Allan Cubitt's critically-acclaimed crime thriller about a handsome Belfast serial killer who targets women (Jamie Dornan), finally returns! Gillian Anderson's back as the icy Metropolitcan detective, brought in to crack the case. I really liked the first series, although it should really have concluded without this ridiculous wait for more episodes.
BABYLON – Series 1
(Channel 4, 13 Nov) After the success of a feature-length pilot earlier this year, although reviews were more mixed than expected, the Danny Boyle-produced satirical cop show returns for a full series.
RIPPER STREET – Series 3
(Amazon Prime, 14 Nov) The BBC's Victorian crime drama set in the neighbourhood made infamous by Jack the Ripper's crimes, makes a surprise returns after cancellation earlier this year. Amazon have stepped in to co-finance a third series, which once again stars Matthew Macfadyen, Jerome Flynn and Adam Rothenberg as turn-of-the-century sleuths. If you don't subscribe to the Amazon Prime online service, the BBC will be airing these episode next year.
ATLANTIS – Series 2
(BBC1, 15 Nov) Despite relatively poor reviews, this misfiring replacement for Merlin has been given a second chance to prove itself. The producers and cast are promising a darker run of episodes, which is always the way with anything fantastical that had flaws. Good luck solving the problem that Jack Donnelly is an unexciting choice for lead, but maybe other improvements will compensate for that? Maybe. I probably won't watch any of it this year.
Huh, those are all British shows! That's unusual. Will you be watching any of those? If I missed anything, please recommend your own picks for this month in the comments below...
