Every Friday, TMINE lets you know the latest announcements about when new imported TV shows will finally be arriving on UK screens – assuming anyone’s bought anything, of course
After last week’s deafening silence when it came to acquisitions, it’s all go this week, and we’ve got a flood of premiere dates, too, you’ll be glad to hear. Indeed, the only new acquisition that hasn’t already been given a premiere date is The Orville (US: Fox: UK: Fox UK), which I reviewed earlier this week. I’ll let you know when it’s revealed. I’m assuming it’s not going to be kept a secret, anyway.
After the jump, pop-pickers, I’ll be giving you the rundown of all the new acquisitions and their matching premiere dates. See you in a mo…
Premiere Dates
The Deuce (US: HBO; UK: Sky Atlantic)
Premiere date: Tuesday, September 26, 10pm
Series about the rise of the porn industry in New York in the 1970s and the resulting effects on crime and the city as a whole. It’s got a good cast that includes James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal, and it’s from the mighty pen of David Simon and George Pelecanos (The Wire), with reviews saying it’s their best since that hallowed series. But the porn put me off actually watching it, so you’re on your own, I’m afraid.
Law & Order: True Crime (US: NBC; UK: Sky Living)
Premiere date: Thursday, September 28, 9pm
Anthology series from the Dick Wolf Law & Order stable that for a change is based on real crimes. The first season is going to be about ‘The Menendez Murders’ and features the likes of Edie Falco, Heather Graham Lolita Davidovich, Anthony Edwards, Elizabeth Reaser and Chris Bauer, among others.
It hasn’t started in the US yet, so I can’t tell you if it’s any good or not, though.
Room 104 (US: HBO; UK: Sky Atlantic)
Premiere date: Thursday, September 28, 10.35pm
Anthology series set in the titular room of an American chain motel. It comes from the Duplass brothers and each week it can switch genre anywhere between comedy and horror. Guest stars including Philip Baker Hall, Orlando Jones, Tony Todd, James Van Der Beek and Mae Whitman.
It’s been renewed for a second season already, but as it aired in August and is an episodic anthology show, it fell foul of my “I won’t review anything in August because we’re all on holiday” and “what’s the point of reviewing episodic anthology shows – they’re different every week?” rules. So you’re on your own with this one, I’m afraid.
X Company (Canada: CBC; UK: History UK)
Premiere date: Tuesday, October 10, 9pm
World War II spy thriller about a bunch of plucky young recruits from different backgrounds who are trained in Canada to go behind enemy lines. I thought it started a bit rubbish then improved, but not by much. Still, it’s run for three seasons in Canada so what do I know
Episode reviews: 1
Snatch (US: Crackle; UK: AMC)
Premiere date: Tuesday, October 31, 10pm
Pale, humourless yet surprisingly “not awful” adaptation of the Guy Ritchie movie. One episode was enough for me, but it’s not as terrible as you might imagine and it’s already been renewed for a second season in the US.
Episode reviews: 1
Alias Grace (Canada: CBC; UK: Netflix)
Premiere date: Friday, November 3
Adaptation of Margaret Attwood’s novel based on a true incident from Upper Canada in 1843 in which a maid and a stable hand were convicted of murdering their employers. It stars Sarah Gadon, Paul Gross, Anna Paquin and Zachary Levi, but it hasn’t aired in Canada or on Netflix yet, so I haven’t seen it.
