13 shows to watch out for this autumn (2024)

There's been a number of hot contenders for the best shows of 2024 so far, and we're only half way through the year.

Autumn always traditionally has a solid offering, with a burst of new dramas across the BBC and ITV – and that's before we've looked at what's yet to release across some of the best streaming services in the UK (including Netflix and Disney+).

We've pulled together our selection of the new series coming in autumn that you won't want to miss – that's from September through to November, before the annual Christmas telly comes along.

So bookmark this page, and set your calendars and watch lists accordingly.

Ludwig

Coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the autumn.

Anna Maxwell Martin (Line of Duty, Motherland) and David Mitchell (Peep Show) star in this 'case-of-the-week' comedy-drama, coming soon to the BBC.

When reclusive puzzle-setter John 'Ludwig' Taylor's identical twin brother James disappears without a trace, he makes it his quest to track him down by assuming his identity and infiltrating his life – the thing is, James happens to be a a highly respected DCI.

Guest stars include Dipo Ola (Landscapers), Paul Chahidi (This Country), Allan Mustafa (People Just Do Nothing) and Rose Ayling-Ellis.

Joan

Coming to ITV1 and ITVX in September.

With Sophie Turner starring in the titular role, this six-part drama is set in the 1980s. The Game of Thrones star has previously shared how "excited" she is to be bringing Joan to the screen.

"She is one of the most notorious figures in the criminal underworld of London, earning her the nickname 'The Godmother'," Turner said of her character. "A woman who goes between her thriving and daring career as a jewel thief, all whilst trying to get her daughter back from social services, we see a mother in despair swept up in the exhilarating world of crime."

Mr Loverman

Coming later this year to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Lennie James (Line of Duty, Save Me) stars in the BBC's adaptation of the novel by Bernardine Evaristo.

The story follows a 74-year-old man from Hackney called Barrington 'Barry' Jedidiah Walker; he's thought of as a ladies' man and his wife of 50 years suspects he has been cheating on her with other women.

But Barry is actually having a love affair with his best friend and soul mate, Morris. Mr Loverman will explore the impact of this secret on all involved, while centring a mature, Black, queer love story.

Return to Paradise

Coming to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in autumn.

The Death in Paradise universe is continuing to grow, expanding beyond the Caribbean and Devon to head Down Under for this brand new spin-off series.

Marking the very first time that the beloved BBC detective franchise has been lead by a woman, Home and Away star Anna Samson will front the show as DI Mackenzie Clarke. Joining the cast is another Home and Away alum, Tai Hara, who will play Mackenzie's jilted ex-fiancée Glenn – promising some DiP-branded romantic drama t00.

Ted Lasso actor Lloyd Griffith also joins the Return to Paradise cast.

Nightsleeper

Coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Alexandra Roach (The Light in the Hall) and Joe Cole (Gangs of London) star in this upcoming BBC suspense thriller, which unfolds on a sleeper train travelling from Glasgow to London.

An off-duty cop and a director at the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, both previously strangers to one another, must work together to try and save the passengers after discovering that the UK railway network is under attack.

Rivals

Coming soon to Disney+.

Talk about an ensemble cast! Rivals brings together David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Emily Atack, Luke Pasqualino, Danny Dyer and Lisa McGrillis – to name a few.

The eight-part series is an adaptation of the book by best-selling author Jilly Cooper. Set in the social elite of the 1980s, it focuses on the rivalry of two powerful men in the cut-throat world of television.

Cooper previously said: "I'm utterly enchanted to be able to announce our all-star line-up for Rivals... Featuring some of the best acting talent that the British Isles has to offer, I couldn't have dreamed of a better ensemble cast. I cannot wait to be on set and see them bring the characters I love so much to life."

Sweetpea

Coming to Sky and NOW in October.

Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets, Fallout) leads the TV adaptation of the cult hit novel by CJ Skuse, which has been described as a "coming-of-rage" drama.

Purnell, who also acts as executive producer, plays "really angry" Rhiannon Lewis, who goes from wallflower to someone with a "vengeful and intoxicatingly liberating taste for murder".

"At its core, the series is about a woman finally finding her voice, told through a uniquely dark and comedic lens," Purnell has explained.

Curfew

Coming to Paramount+ UK this autumn.

Another book-to-screen adaptation, Curfew is based on Jayne Cowie's novel After Dark.

Set in an alternate reality where there is a Women's Safety Act in place, men are living under a strict overnight curfew and tracked by an ankle tag. But when a woman's body, brutally murdered, is discovered, veteran police officer Pamela Green must investigate and the system – and what it means for women's safety – is called into question.

The London-set thriller has a compelling cast, which includes Stay Close's Sarah Parish, Doctor Who's Mandip Gill and EastEnders' Bobby Brazier.

Generation Z

Coming to Channel 4 this autumn.

Ben Wheatley (of Kill List and, yes, Meg 2: The Trench) is bringing this zombie horror-comedy to Channel 4 later this year.

"Set in the fictional town of Dambury, the kind of place with stark opportunities and not much to do. Grey, unassuming, forgotten. It's the last place you'd expect the apocalypse to begin..." the Generation Z synopsis teases.

Its packed cast lists the likes of Sue Johnston (The Royle Family), Robert Lindsay (My Family), comedian Johnny Vegas, Buket Komur (Our House) and Lewis Gribben (Masters of the Air).

Brassic

Coming to Sky and NOW in September.

The ever-popular Northern comedy series from Danny Brocklehurst, is set to return very soon, reuniting co-creator and star Joe Gilgun and Michelle Keegan.

Of course the MacDonaghs are going to be creating trouble again in season six, which has been said to include "man-eating crocodiles" and "a naked cult".

The Perfect Couple

Coming to Netflix on September 5.

Nicole Kidman and The Undoing boss Susanne Bier reunite for this sun-soaked murder mystery.

Based on Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling novel of the same name, a number of wedding guests are thrown under suspicion when a body is found on the eve of a wedding that's hosted by one of the wealthiest families in Nantucket.

Heartstopper

Coming to Netflix on October 3.

You don't have to wait very much longer for Nick and Charlie, Elle and Tao, Darcy and Tara and the rest of the gang to be back.

The third instalment of the hit Netflix YA show has been teased to be "more mature", with the characters "exploring some darker themes" as they get older.

We also know that Bridgerton favourite Jonathan Bailey will have a special cameo, as fan-favourite Jack Maddox – described as "Charlie's Instagram-famous crush".

Agatha All Along

Coming to Disney+ on September 18.

It might have been a few years since "It was Agatha all along..." became an earworm from Marvel's WandaVision, but the spin-off hooked on Kathryn Hahn's delightfully watchable Agatha Harkness is finally about to be unleashed on the world.

Joe Locke joins the cast – and the MCU – and has promised the show will be one for queer fans, stating "there'll be some camp".