The Blame – ITV1
In 2023, a report found the Metropolitan police service to be institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic. That year also saw the release of Charlotte Langley’s book The Blame, in which she investigates very similar themes.
The body of a teenager is discovered in the fictional town of Wakestead – and it looks like she was with a police officer when she was murdered. At first, DI Emma Crane (Michelle Keegan) turns the other cheek at the toxic office politics and “jokes” in her male-dominated environment, but this crime forces her to confront what needs to change within the force.
“I did identify a lot with Emma,” says Keegan. “There’s been so many times in my life where something’s happened and you sort of laugh it off, or sweep it under the carpet, like it didn’t matter, but it does. No one gets pulled up on it, but you just have to deal with it because you’re a woman. “I’ve been there and I’ve lived it, so doing
a drama that shines a light on that, and says this is actually wrong, is really powerful.”
Douglas Booth joins as DI Tom Radley, who investigates the case with Crane, along with Ian Hart and Line of Duty villain Nigel Boyle – if you liked that show, you’re bound to love this. LAURA RUTKOWSKI
as DI Emma
Crane on set. ITV
The Witch Farm – BBC One
Inspired by real events in South Wales in 1989, The Witch Farm tells the story of Bill and Liz Rich, a London couple who swap the Big Smoke for a rural idyll – and soon wish they hadn’t. GARETH McLEAN
Honey – BBC One
From the makers of Killing Eve, Honey follows MI6 agent Marta (Ann Skelly) as she tries to evade a Stasi chief in this Cold War thriller. CAROLINE FROST
The Party – ITV1
Luke Evans and Tom Cullen star in this adaptation of Elizabeth Day’s novel, which sees schoolfriends Martin and Ben reunite for some glittering 40th birthday celebrations, but with terrible consequences. CF
Winter – ITV1
Richard Armitage plays a forensic pathologist, whose genius reasoning complements the more orthodox crime-solving of DI Lauren Bell (Annabel Scholey). CF
Adultery – ITV1
Two teenagers fall intensely for each other – but they’re not the problem, it’s the parents. Dominic Cooper and Romola Garai co- star in this tale of forbidden love. CF
Pierre – C4
When his young Black client is murdered, Pierre (David Harewood) risks everything to find the truth. MORGAN CORMACK
Hunting Alice Bell – C4
After Fran (Alex Roach) is accused of being a serial killer’s accomplice, her life is turned upside down. HUW FULLERTON
Kill Jackie – Prime Video 2 Oct
A globetrotting thriller starring Catherine Zeta-Jones as a glamorous art dealer who discovers she’s the target of assassins. GM
Carrie – Prime Video 7 October
Summer Howell was cast after more than 1,000 actors auditioned for the titular role of bullied teen Carrie White. Prom night, here we come… LR
Treasure Island – Paramount
An adaptation of the classic adventure yarn. Teenager Jim Hawkins (Tom Sweet) finds a treasure map leading to buried gold and sets sail on the Hispaniola. LR
Tall Tales & Murder – BBC One
Based on Caimh McDonnell’s somewhat misnamed Dublin Trilogy (eight books have been released), this series follows a group who stumble on various crimes and conspiracies. HF
The Heights – Channel 5
Lucas brings a friend home and his mum Ellen (Anna Friel) frets that he may be a bad influence. But when Lucas falls more under his friend’s spell, Ellen’s desire to help leads to a tragedy. HF
The Only Suspect – ITV1
Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy) stars as a man with a secret – 30 years earlier, he buried a body behind his house. But now, a redevelopment means it’s about to be dug up… HF
Careless – C4
A Scottish backpacker is employed as a carer for an Australian rock star suffering with MS, which means living with him and his younger wife. What could possibly go wrong? CF
Pride and Prejudice – Netflix
A starry cast, including Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy, lead this sumptuous retelling of the Jane Austen tale. LR
Marble Hall Murders – BBC One
The latest instalment of Anthony Horowitz’s mystery series finds Lesley Manville’s publisher Susan Ryeland investigating the death of an author who threatened to reveal a past killer. Events shift between decades and locations from London to Corfu, but fictional sleuth Atticus Pünd is, as ever, not far away. CF