Hayley Anderson

Sunny Nights, an eight-part dark comedy crime drama set in Sydney, is now streaming for free on ITVX in the UK. The series follows American siblings Martin and Vikki Marvin as they open a tanning business and become entangled in a blackmail plot involving a major crime syndicate. Starring Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden, the show has received enthusiastic viewer reactions praising its writing, humor, acting and twists, with several fans hoping for a second season.

Arturo Calderon Gamino was arrested after his wife, Eleonor Alejandra Marin Mendoza, kidnapped a newborn in 2009 after faking a pregnancy. Arturo spent two years in prison before being acquitted. The documentary shows that the couple briefly separated because Arturo continued to want children, during which time he had a son with another partner. He later reunited with Alejandra, and the film ends with them spending time together with his son.

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are set to make cameo appearances in a rebooted seventh season of The Grand Tour, which will be hosted by YouTubers Thomas Holland and James Engelsma and premiere on September 4. Clarkson will also host a repeat of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? on ITV on August 5, but the quiz show’s following week’s slot will be taken by live coverage of Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Leeds United in Dublin.

Amy Dowden, the Welsh Strictly Come Dancing professional, is appearing on Celebrity Hunted with Carlos Gu while reflecting on her recovery from stage-three breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2023, she underwent chemotherapy and two mastectomies and later reported no evidence of disease. She has experienced a medically induced menopause and preserved embryos with her husband Ben Jones, but remains uncertain whether she will be able to carry a pregnancy. The couple run the Art in Motion dance school, and Dowden has also learned that her great-grandmother Louisa died of breast cancer in 1921, a discovery that deepened her gratitude for modern medicine and the NHS.

The fourth season of ITV's Van der Valk returns with Marc Warren as the Amsterdam detective investigating three new murder cases. The drama was primarily filmed in Amsterdam, including Cafe Scheltema, the Amstel River and the Canal Belt, while additional scenes were shot in The Hague and Utrecht because Amsterdam's narrow streets and filming restrictions can make production difficult. Writer Chris Murray said the cafe serves as the detectives' unofficial headquarters and helps distinguish the series from a typical police procedural.

Van Der Valk returns to ITV for a fourth season after a three-year hiatus, beginning with three feature-length episodes. The opening episode, “Safe in Amsterdam,” follows Piet Van Der Valk and his team as they protect a whistleblower from a criminal empire. The season-four cast includes returning stars Marc Warren, Emma Fielding, Maimie McCoy and Darrell D'Silva, alongside newcomer Kim Riedle as Van Der Valk’s ex-girlfriend and protection officer.

BBC drama fans are recommending the six-part supernatural thriller The Fades as an overlooked alternative to the currently airing The Rapture. The 2011 series follows Paul, a teenager who sees the spirits of the dead and must stop one from triggering an apocalypse. It stars Iain De Caestecker, Tom Ellis, Daniel Kaluuya and Natalie Dormer, and is available on BBC iPlayer, though its supernatural violence and mature themes may not suit younger viewers.

ITVX is streaming HBO’s eight-part true-crime drama The Staircase, which explores Kathleen Peterson’s death at the bottom of her North Carolina home’s stairs and the murder trial of her husband, crime writer Michael Peterson. Viewers have praised the series, its emotional performances and its gripping portrayal of the disputed case, particularly Colin Firth and Toni Collette, while content warnings note severe sexual content, violence and gore.

ITV’s The Chase Around the World returned with contestants racing through Barcelona while solving puzzles and questions before facing Chasers Jenny Ryan and Darragh Ennis. The travel-based spin-off drew strong criticism from viewers who called it dull, slow and an overextended version of The Chase, though others welcomed its fresh format and suspense. Bradley Walsh praised the international locations and the intensity of the competition. The series is scheduled to continue on ITVX, travelling through cities including Rome, Lisbon, Paris, Zurich and Athens.

Season two of The Crow Girl has been released on Paramount Plus, drawing enthusiastic praise from viewers for its intense plot and performances. The series follows DCI Jeanette Kilburn and Dr. Sophia Craven as they investigate a string of murders tied to young asylum seekers, uncovering disturbing secrets. Channel 5 is airing the first season, offering new viewers the chance to catch up before continuing the story.

Eve Myles prepares for the return of The Crow Girl by discussing her career, her long‑term marriage to actor Bradley Freegard, and her path through major roles in Keeping Faith and Broadchurch. She reflects on nearly changing careers before her breakthrough, the difficulty of learning Welsh for Keeping Faith, and her reliance on true‑crime programs to prepare for her latest role. The piece highlights both her professional dedication and personal life as the new season arrives on Paramount Plus and Channel 5.

Season two of The Crow Girl returns on Paramount Plus with a detailed breakdown of its cast, including returning leads Eve Myles as DCI Jeanette Kilburn and Katherine Kelly as Dr Sophia Craven. The article outlines the key characters, their storylines, and the actors’ notable previous roles, highlighting the continuation of the psychological thriller’s plot immediately after the events of the first season finale.

BBC sitcom Ann Droid follows widow Sue, whose son leaves her in the care of a pre-owned assistant robot named Linda, leading to humorous and chaotic situations. The article profiles the main cast, including Sue Johnston, Diane Morgan, Paul Ready, Danny John-Jules and Kathryn Hunter, outlining their characters and notable past roles. Additional supporting cast members are listed, and the show airs on BBC One and iPlayer.

A Channel 5 adaptation of John Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga is receiving strong praise from viewers, who describe the late‑Victorian family drama as stunning, compelling and emotionally engaging. The six‑episode series features a prominent cast including Joshua Orpin, Eleanor Tomlinson and Millie Gibson, and is available to stream for free on Channel 5’s platform. Audience reviews highlight its performances, costumes and storytelling, with many calling for additional seasons.

The BBC will air a tribute special, Bonnie Tyler at the BBC, on July 25 to honour the singer following her death at age 75 from complications after intestinal surgery in Portugal. The programme will feature archive performances from shows including Top of the Pops and The Late, Late Breakfast Show, along with her signature hit Total Eclipse of the Heart. Public opportunities to pay respects were announced, with her coffin arriving in Mumbles on August 15 before a celebration of her life in Swansea and a private family service in Skewen. Prominent figures including Catherine Zeta-Jones, Shakin' Stevens and Cliff Richard shared tributes praising her talent and legacy.

Season two of The Crow Girl premieres on July 20 on Paramount Plus, returning after an 18‑month break with six episodes released as a full box set. The new season continues directly from the previous finale, revisiting the revelation of Dr. Sophia Craven as the killer and the complex relationship between Jeanette and Sophia. The upcoming storyline focuses on new victims, deepening tensions, and suspicions surrounding former patient Victoria Burkeman as the investigation challenges trust and judgment between the two leads.

Stephen King’s debut novel Carrie is receiving its first television adaptation, an eight-part Prime Video series starring Summer Howell and developed by Mike Flanagan. The series expands the original story with a contemporary focus on social media–driven bullying while exploring the protagonist’s telekinetic awakening. Stephen King serves as executive producer, and Prime Video has released first-look images ahead of the show’s premiere later this year.

Helen Baxendale joins the ITV crime thriller The Dark as Bethany Morgan, drawing attention from fans who recognise her from Friends despite her transformed appearance. The series follows detective Monica Kennedy as she investigates a murder in the Scottish Highlands, with Baxendale’s character becoming involved through a case tied to her missing son. The six-part drama airs on Sundays and Mondays on ITV and ITVX.

ITV’s crime drama The Dark was filmed across the Scottish Highlands, Greenock, Inverclyde and the Greater Glasgow region, with local schools, streets and rural areas used to represent the show’s remote setting. Cast members including Laura Donnelly and Mark Rowley were seen filming at multiple locations, while writer Matt Hartley and director Gilles Bannier highlighted Scotland’s dramatic landscapes and unexpectedly clear weather during production.

ITV’s new crime thriller The Dark debuts on July 12, highlighting a cast led by Laura Donnelly as Detective Monica Kennedy, whose investigation into a staged body in the Scottish wilderness sparks a tense new case. Mark Rowley, Helen Baxendale, Tunji Kasim and Lois Chimimba join the ensemble, each portraying characters connected to the unfolding mystery. The article outlines the main roles and notable past work of the cast ahead of the series premiere.

Ariana Grande has withdrawn from American Horror Story season 13 due to scheduling conflicts created by changes in the show's production timeline overlapping with her Eternal Sunshine tour. Although she had been previously announced alongside returning cast members, she had not filmed any scenes, and her absence was noted during outdoor shoots. Other confirmed actors, including Frances Conroy and Alex Consani, have been seen on set, but details about the new season's plot remain undisclosed. Season 13 is set to premiere on September 24 on FX in the United States.

A new seven-part Apple TV crime drama titled Lucky, adapted from Marissa Stapley’s bestselling novel, is set to debut on July 15 with the first two episodes. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy as a con artist pursued after a failed heist, the series arrives with strong anticipation, boosted by Reese Witherspoon’s role as executive producer and enthusiastic reader reviews praising the source material’s emotional depth and fast-paced storytelling.

Netflix’s remake of Little House on the Prairie is set in 1869 and relocates the Ingalls family from Walnut Grove, Minnesota, to Independence, Kansas, aligning more closely with Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. The original series was set mainly in Walnut Grove, while the novels began in the early 1870s. Showrunner Rebecca Sonnenshine emphasises authenticity and respect for the source material as the eight‑episode adaptation debuts.

Season five of the comedy‑drama Trying premieres on July 8 on Apple TV and will air weekly until August 26. The new series follows the return of Princess and Tyler’s birth mother Kat, whose arrival disrupts the family’s stability. Cast members Rafe Spall and Esther Smith return, joined by Charlotte Riley as Kat, Celia Imrie as Harriet, Gbemisola Ikumelo as Chrissy, and Colin Morgan as Kerry. A BBC broadcast date has not yet been confirmed.

ITV is set to premiere The Dark, a six-part Scottish crime thriller adapted from GR Halliday’s novel From the Shadows, on July 12, with episodes airing on Sundays and Mondays and the full series available on ITVX from launch. The story follows Detective Monica Kennedy, played by Laura Donnelly, as she investigates a murder linked to a rising campaign of terror in a rural community. The cast includes Mark Rowley, Helen Baxendale and Emun Elliott, with writer Matt Hartley highlighting the show’s addition to ITV’s tradition of detective dramas.

Netflix is adapting Andre Aciman’s novel Enigma Variations into a romantic drama starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alicia Vikander. The series follows Paul across multiple locations including Italy, New York and New England and explores themes of masculinity, sexuality and modern love. The book, praised by critics and readers for its emotional depth and evocative writing, is expected to guide the tone of the adaptation, though a release date has not yet been set.

A highly praised Italian period drama, The Law According to Lidia Poet, is being rediscovered on Netflix. Viewers commend its acting, scenery and true-story depiction of Italy’s first modern female lawyer, with many describing it as binge‑worthy and comparable in tone to Sherlock Holmes‑style procedurals. The series features a strong Italian cast led by Matilda De Angelis and spans three seasons. Promotional references highlight a Sky Stream offer bundling Netflix access.

A wave of positive viewer reactions has renewed attention for Rogue Agent, a 2022 true‑crime thriller on Netflix depicting fraudster Robert Freegard’s deception of victims while posing as an MI5 operative. Starring James Norton and Gemma Arterton, the film is praised for its performances and gripping storytelling, with some viewers comparing it to Bodyguard and calling it a must‑watch. The article also notes Sky’s promotional offer bundling Netflix access.

The BBC’s 2008 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is receiving renewed praise on BBC iPlayer, with viewers celebrating its cast, visuals and faithful treatment of Jane Austen’s novel. Starring Hatti Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Dan Stevens and David Morrissey, the three‑part series was filmed largely in Surrey and is being described as a superior and enchanting version compared with previous adaptations.

Season two of Light in the Hall reveals that Megan killed her brother Llyr while trying to stop him from detonating a bomb in 1995. Her confession clears Rhys Owen, who had served 22 years for the crime. Bryn admits helping with tools but not participating in the bombing. Megan faces prison, Rhys remains in Llanemlyn, and Caryl prepares to publish her investigative article.

Netflix’s adaptation of Bad Bridgets expands its cast with notable Irish and British actors including Colin Farrell, Charlie Heaton, Steve Coogan and Himesh Patel. Based on the book by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick, the series follows a young Irish woman navigating hardship in 19th‑century New York. Production begins soon in Ireland and Northern Ireland with BAFTA winner Rich Peppiatt leading the creative team and support from Queen’s University Belfast and Northern Ireland Screen.

Channel 4 will replace its Welsh psychological thriller The Light in the Hall with a one‑off documentary titled How to Get Filthy Rich with Gary Stevenson, airing July 8. The new 90‑minute film follows former Citibank trader Gary Stevenson as he examines wealth inequality in the UK and argues for a wealth tax, engaging with both supporters and opponents of his ideas. The Light in the Hall concludes on July 1, and Channel 4 has not yet announced further programming to follow the documentary.

Netflix faces backlash for using AI to recreate Gene Wilder’s voice in its upcoming reality series Wonka’s The Golden Ticket, though the Gene Wilder Estate has confirmed its consent and expressed support. Fans on social media criticised the AI-generated voice, while the trailer revealed a competition-based format set within the iconic Wonka universe. The article also details Netflix’s broader expansion of Roald Dahl adaptations, including a forthcoming animated feature featuring Kit Connor and Taika Waititi.

ITV has acquired the New Zealand-set cosy crime series Blue Murder Motel, a light mystery drama following former police officers who run a coastal motel and are drawn back into investigations. The show, likened to Death in Paradise for its setting and episodic mysteries, has received positive viewer reactions and will air in the UK in the coming months, with a second season already commissioned.

Victoria Ekanoye is identified as the actress playing drug lord Miranda Priestly in a two‑part Death in Paradise special, prompting viewer recognition. Her career includes roles in Coronation Street, The Royals and several other TV dramas, along with extensive musical‑theatre experience and a stint on The X Factor: Celebrity. Upcoming projects include BBC drama The Split Up and the films As Bad as Me and An English Christmas Wish.

A newly unearthed script for the 1996 Only Fools and Horses Christmas episode reveals previously unseen jokes and scenes removed before broadcast, including a Del Boy quip about Brasso and additional lines for Boycie during Rodney’s attempt to buy a Rolls-Royce after their windfall at Sotheby’s. The documents, written by John Sullivan and now being sold by a former production team member, also include an alternate ending for the Batman and Robin mugger scene, offering fresh insights into the creation of the iconic British sitcom.

A Channel 4 documentary airing at 11pm explores Taylor Swift’s romantic history and her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce. The film traces her past relationships, highlighting how they influenced her music and rise to global fame. It also recounts how Swift and Kelce met, their 2025 engagement, and their plans for marriage and starting a family.

Netflix viewers are praising the historical drama The Dig, a 1930s period film based on the true story of the Sutton Hoo archaeological discovery, featuring Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes. Audience reactions describe it as beautiful, moving and a rare gem, with many calling it a must-watch. The cast also includes Lily James, Johnny Flynn and Ben Chaplin. The film continues to earn enthusiastic reviews and is available to stream on Netflix.

The crime thriller Average Joe returns to Paramount Plus on August 19 with Deon Cole reprising his role as Joe Washington. The new season follows the characters to Cape Town as they face new threats involving international criminals and a series of escalating dangers. Returning and new cast members join the series, which has received strong fan praise comparing it to Fargo and Breaking Bad.

A review highlights strong audience praise for the period drama Victoria on Netflix, describing its depiction of Queen Victoria’s early reign and romance with Prince Albert as magnificent, emotionally compelling and comparable in quality to Downton Abbey. Cast performances, particularly by Jenna Coleman and Tom Hughes, receive acclaim, and the series is recommended as an overlooked yet standout historical drama.

Two new Harlan Coben adaptations are coming to Netflix, including a Myron Bolitar series developed with David E. Kelley and Kyle Long for a planned 2027 release. Netflix executives describe the character as central to Coben’s work. Before that, The Woods, starring Michelle Keegan, will debut in early 2027 with a storyline focused on a decades‑old disappearance. Recent Coben adaptations continue to perform strongly on the platform.

The article highlights the renewed popularity of the Netflix and CBC period drama Alias Grace, based on Margaret Atwood’s novel and the true story of Grace Marks, convicted in an 1843 double murder. Viewers have praised the series for its compelling storytelling, strong performances and psychological depth. The piece outlines the cast, describes the dual‑timeline narrative and notes Sky’s promotion offering free Netflix access with its TV bundles.

Paramount Plus renewed the Yellowstone spin-off Dutton Ranch for a second season following a record-breaking debut that drew nearly 13 million viewers. The Western drama, led by Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, achieved the most successful original series launch in the platform’s history and ranked as the top streaming series during its premiere week. Executives praised the show’s performance and production partners as the first season nears its finale, with the story following Beth and Rip’s struggles in Texas and setting up anticipation for season two.

Ruby Franke, the former 8 Passengers YouTuber, is serving four consecutive one‑to‑15‑year sentences after pleading guilty to aggravated child abuse following the escape of her malnourished son from Jodi Hildebrandt’s Utah home. The article outlines the events leading to the charges, Hildebrandt’s influence through ConneXions and their Moms of Truth platform, and the conditions of Franke’s incarceration at Utah State Correctional Facility. Both women received identical sentences, and Franke’s first parole hearing is set for December 2026, coinciding with the airing of Channel 5’s documentary examining the case.

A BBC true crime documentary recounts how Amanda Riley fabricated a terminal cancer diagnosis to obtain over $105,000 in fraudulent donations. Journalist Nancy Moscatiello’s investigation prompted police action, leading to Riley’s 2021 guilty plea for wire fraud and a five‑year prison sentence, along with an order to repay all funds. Riley served time in federal facilities before an early‑release request was denied after she tried to manipulate medical tests. Reports indicate she was released last year, while her current whereabouts remain unknown. Her former husband filed for divorce in 2024, and the series is available on BBC iPlayer.