Telly highlights: the TOP TEN unmissable autumn TV shows 2014
Pretty much the best thing about autumn is the telly, and there's a lot to look forward to this year. Here we present the top ten autumn TV highlights 2014
Pretty much the best thing about autumn is the telly, and there's a lot to look forward to this year. Here we present the top ten autumn TV highlights 2014 *In no specific order. By Flora Hughes-Onslow
1. Cilla
It's about time national treasure Cilla Black got her own biopic, and this autumn ITV1 will be doing the honours with their new three-part drama starring the equally cherished Sheridan Smith. Focusing on the younger years of the charismatic Liverpudlian star, from her humble beginnings to her meteoric rise to fame in the swinging Sixties, this promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable watch. Expect nostalgic tunes, fantastic retro style, and a first-class script from Oscar-nominated writer Jeff Pope (Lucan, Philomena).
We're on tenterhooks for the second instalment of Steven Knight's acclaimed period gangster series, Peaky Blinders. Set in the crime-ridden slums of post-war Birmingham, the new series will feature the mesmerising Tom Hardy as a probable new nemesis for Cillian Murphy’s ruthless boss Tommy Shelby. A deeply stylistic historical drama, revolving around the story of the Shelby family and their gangland empire in the roaring twenties, this compelling programme will no doubt tick all your TV boxes. Visually astounding and sharp as a tack, the new series is also apparently due to take on a 'more dangerous' mood, according to its creator Knight. Definitely stay tuned.
Possibly the most epic event in London's history - The Great Fire of London of 1666 - is imminently being brought to life in an ambitious four-part serial from ITV. Andrew Buchan plays the baker Thomas Farriner, whose life is caught up in intrigue with famed diarist Samuel Pepys, alongside a gloriously be-wigged Jack Huston as monarch Charles II. With a hefty budget, stellar cast, and of course an incredible setting, this re-telling looks impressive to say the least (provided ITV don't 'do a Downton' and brush off countless historical howlers).
4. Puppy Love
Delving the often underused comic subject of dog-lovers and their precious pets (Best In Show springs to mind as a shining example), Joanna Scanland and Vicki Pepperdine have reunited to write and star in new canine-themed comedy Puppy Love. Scanland plays the part of Nana V, running a hilarious dog-training class called 'For All Your Dogging Needs', among other gems.
5. The Knick
Clive Owen's crusading and suavely moustachioed doctor in new but dingy historical medical drama The Knick is a complex character. Aka Dr. John W. Thackery, Owen's character battles a drug problem and a complicated love life in turn of the century New York, as the show follows him and his colleagues spearheading modern medicine at a time of ridiculously high mortality rates. Given Mr Owen's celebrated acting credentials, plus those of the programme's creator Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Traffic), this new production is bound to be somewhat absorbing.
A thrilling new offering from HBO show comes in the form of a TV adaptation of Tom Perrotta's eponymous novel, wherein two percent of the world's population vanish without trace. Lacking even the slightest clue as to what has happened, those left behind naturally dissolve into panic. This fantastical but gripping show from the creators of Lost follows police officer Justin Theroux as he tries to keep order and establish some sense of normalcy, and taps into some pretty real human fears with mystery and suspense.
7. The Fall
The spell-binding and illustrious Gillian Anderson takes centre stage once more in the second series of BBC2's highest-rating crime drama in eight years. This time round directed by the Fall's writer and creator Alan Cubitt, the show's recently released teaser sees Anderson returning as DSI Stella Gibson, posed as one of the victims of serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). And setting the scene for the continuation of an irresistible game of cat and mouse.
Starring the wonderfully talented Steve Buscemi as pivotal character Nucky Thompson, the latest series of twisted and dark American gangster drama Boardwalk Empire looks like it may be the best one yet. The finale to the last chapter saw the twisted and dark show really get going and, since many have said that this is one programme that really improves with age, now is the time to jump on the bandwagon.
9. Homeland
Building up a cult following over the course of three seasons, Homeland's rip-roaring success is showing no signs of abating. And if the last few hit series are anything to go by, fans can look forward to plenty more adventures, twists and turns where that came from. Season Four is set to mark the show's first season without Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody, playing a classic combination of villain and love interest for the show's star Claire Danes as Carrie throughout the previous 36 episodes. An intricate and clever political thriller, the new series will surely have you hooked, that is if you weren't already.
10. Detectorists
Written by and starring Mackenzie Crook, this quirky new sitcom centres around two inveterate metal-detectorists (Crook and Toby Jones) searching for their all-too-illusive big find. Bringing innate charm and humour to the role (and a hint of his beloved The Office character Gareth) Crook has described this unusual comedy as a 'love letter to the English countryside'. As this contrasting comedic double act take to the rolling West Country hills to seek out their Anglo-Saxon treasure, hilarity will surely ensue.
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