17 shows you need to watch this autumn – from a BBC detective show to ITV’s star-studded thriller

Many compelling options have emerged as potential top TV shows of 2025 so far, but the onset of cooler weather and the arrival of autumn often signifies the unveiling of fascinating new dramatic television series.

This year, exciting new adaptations and continuations of beloved literary detective stories, such as the revamped BBC version, along with fresh tales from Harlan Coben, are waiting for you in 2025. Let us guide you through the series – both brand-new and returning – that deserve a spot on your must-watch list this fall.

Film Club

Film Club, penned and performed by Aimee Lou Wood, delves into the tale of two buddies, Evie and Noa, who have a deep affection for cinema. These companions might even be something more than friends.

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In the ensemble for the latest BBC drama, we have Nabhaan Rizwan, Suranne Jones, Adam Long, who you might recognize from Happy Valley, and Liv Hill, known for The Serpent Queen.

The Ridge

In 2025, BBC Scotland and Sky New Zealand Originals will jointly produce a forthcoming psychological thriller by the BBC, titled “The BBC’s new mystery drama.” Featuring Lauren Lyle from “Karen Pirie” as the character Mia, this series finds Mia attending her sister’s wedding in New Zealand, where she unexpectedly discovers her sibling has met with a tragic end.

Mia, enveloped in grief and drawn mysteriously to her deceased sister’s partner Ewan (portrayed by Jay Ryan from New Zealand), soon discovers that familiarity within a tight-knit community can give rise to concealed truths and escalating tension, threatening the fragile harmony of the town.

Riot Women

As a passionate gamer, let me express my excitement over the comeback of the brilliant Sally Wainwright in the BBC scene with her latest production, Riot Women. This gripping series tells the empowering story of five women uniting their strength to tap into their inner punk rock spirit.

The summary portrays their band acting as a driving force for transformation in their personal journeys. The play serves as a powerful tribute to the influence of camaraderie, melodies, and the unyielding spirit of females who defy being muted by age or societal norms.

The outstanding cast of this production features Lorraine Ashbourne (“Sherwood”), Joanna Scanlan (“Slow Horses”), Rosalie Craig (“1899”), Amelia Bullmore (“The Jetty”), and Tamsin Greig (“Friday Night Dinner”).

Lynley

The upcoming BBC revival of the Inspector Lynley mysteries brings a fresh ensemble of actors to the table. Notably, Leo Suter steps into the shoes of Detective Lynley himself. Meanwhile, Sofia Barclay takes on the role of his professional partner DS Barbara Havers. Additionally, Daniel Mays, known for his work in Line of Duty, joins the cast as well.

Despite having no apparent similarities and defying expectations, the unlikely pair of Lynley and Havers come together as a powerful unit, united by their shared passion for upholding justice.

The Hack

The upcoming ITV drama about phone hacking scandals, set to stir up conversations, will feature notable talents like David Tennant and Toby Jones. Joining them are Rose Leslie from “Game of Thrones,” Steve Pemberton from “Inside No. 9,” Adrian Lester from “Trigger Point,” Eve Myles from “The Crow Girl,” and Katherine Kelly from “In Flight.

Jack Thorne is the author of “The Hack,” a work he’s recently contributed to on television. His other recent television works include the smash-hit Netflix series “Adolescence” and “Toxic Town.

Coldwater

In this captivating thriller, set against the backdrop of Scotland, Andrew Lincoln, famously known for his role in “The Walking Dead,” and Eve Myles from “Broadchurch” star. The story revolves around John, a character portrayed by Lincoln, who, though appearing as a doting stay-at-home dad, harbors deep-seated frustrations and unspoken anger towards his life in this role.

‘John, plagued by an identity crisis after not stopping a fight in a playground, decides to relocate his family to the tranquil countryside of Coldwater, aiming to distance himself as far as possible from London…’

Trespasses

This upcoming drama, as Channel 4 puts it, revolves around a passionate love story amidst the Troubles’ turmoil. It is an adaptation (originally from Ailbhe Keogan of Bad Sisters) of Louise Kennedy’s captivating debut novel that gained attention under the same title.

The ensemble features Lola Petticrew, known from shows like “Bloodlands” and “Say Nothing”, as well as Tom Cullen, who starred in “The Gold”. Additionally, the esteemed Gillian Anderson, recognized for her role in “Sex Education”, is also part of it.

The book that serves as its foundation was a top-selling hit (according to The Times) and made it to the finalists for the Women’s Fiction Prize in 2023. On Amazon, it was described as “a heartbreakingly beautiful love story you won’t want to miss this year.

Down Cemetery Road

According to Mick Herron’s book titled “Down Cemetery Road”, this upcoming series will stream on Apple TV+, and it’s a nail-biting thriller set in Oxford featuring the acting talents of Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson.

In a peaceful Oxford neighborhood, an unexpected house explosion leads to a young girl’s disappearance. Neighbor Sarah Tucker (Wilson), consumed by concern, turns to a private investigator named Zoë Boehm (Thompson) for help in locating the missing child.

Lazarus

This upcoming fall, Harlan Coben’s new TV series will debut on Prime Video, setting itself apart from his past streaming successes as it was specifically crafted for television.

In the movie titled “Lazarus,” Sam Claflin plays the protagonist. The plot unfolds as this man, following his father’s demise, encounters perplexing occurrences that seem unexplainable in everyday life.

He finds himself immersed in a complex web of unsolved murders from the past, while also trying to unravel the mysteries surrounding his father’s death and his sister’s murder that occurred 25 years ago.

The Girlfriend

The upcoming series on Prime Video, titled “The Girlfriend“, is being hailed as a suspenseful and intricate psychological thriller that delves into the complex relationship dynamics between a mother and her son’s significant other.

As a fan, I’m thrilled to share that this upcoming series boasts an impressive lineup of talented actresses including Robin Wright, who’s known for her role in ‘Slow Horses’, the brilliant Olivia Cooke from ‘Motherland’, Tanya Moodie of ‘The Assassin’, and Shalom Brune-Franklin.

As per the plot summary, “Laura (Wright) finds herself in a state of contentment. Her professional life shines brightly, her marriage with Howard (Zuaiter) is filled with love, and among all, she cherishes her one and only son, Daniel (Davidson), above everything else.

However, a twist disrupts Laura’s seemingly ideal life when Daniel introduces Cherry (Cooke), his new girlfriend, who sets off a chain of events that alter everything…

Slow Horses, season 5

Enthusiasts of the acclaimed and prize-winning spy show, inspired by Mick Herron’s novels, can now mark their calendars, as the fifth season is set to stream starting in September, exclusively on Apple TV+.

In the upcoming installment, we find Jackson Lamb (played by Gary Oldman) and his group of struggling agents back at Slough House. This time, they will bring to life the events from Herron’s 2018 novel titled “London Rules.

In the summary for season five, the Slow Horses grow suspicious after Roddy Ho announces he has an alluring new partner, and as a string of strange incidents escalate throughout London, it falls on Lamb and his group to decipher the connections.

Nobody Wants This, season 2

In a delightful turn of events, the beloved romantic comedy on Netflix is set to return for another season, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting more developments in the blossoming relationship between Noah (played by Adam Brody) and Joanne (portrayed by Kristen Bell).

In the initial season, it captured the hearts of viewers by introducing us to a romantic pairing: a rabbi and a podcaster who found themselves falling for each other. However, given their numerous contrasts and tumultuous loved ones and associates, one may question whether they can sustain a future together.

Stranger Things, season 5

Absolutely! It’s almost here – a fresh season of “Stranger Things,” marking over three years since the previous release.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia as Netflix’s beloved series reaches its climax. The five-season journey will culminate in a three-part finale, serving as a grand concluding chapter. This implies that the brave Hawkins team, including Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), is set for one last showdown with the formidable villain, Vecna. Having failed to prevent him from opening the gateway between the Upside Down and our beloved town of Hawkins, this final battle promises to be nothing short of epic.

Black Rabbit

In this compelling limited series, set amidst the bustling streets of New York, Jason Bateman, known for his role in “Ozark,” and Jude Law, famous from “Sherlock Holmes,” portray two brothers who unexpectedly find common ground – a shared Manhattan restaurant named Black Rabbit.

The Netflix-described show offers a compelling, fast-paced journey and delves into the complexities of the relationship between two brothers. This exploration reveals how their indestructible bond can ultimately fracture not only their lives but also everything around them.

The Iris Affair

This upcoming thriller series features Tom Hollander, known for his role in “The Night Manager,” and Niamh Algar, famous for “The Virtues.” The creator, Neil Cross (the man behind “Luther”), is responsible for its production.

In simpler terms, the upcoming series on Sky titled “The Iris Affair” is actually a riveting, big-screen-worthy chase-thriller where two intellectual heavyweights engage in a lethal cat-and-mouse game hiding and seeking throughout the beautiful landscapes of Italy.

As I, an ardent puzzle enthusiast, find myself successfully untangling a series of intricate digital enigmas, I’m unexpectedly guided to a piazza in the heart of Florence. It’s there that I cross paths with the captivating Cameron Beck (Hollander), a charismatic entrepreneur whose charm is unparalleled.

Task

Sounds great! We’re eagerly waiting for a fresh detective series, this time created by the mind behind the hugely successful “Mare of Easttown”. Count us in right away!

The movie features Mark Ruffalo in the role of an FBI agent who leads a task force to apprehend a series of violent robbers, surprisingly turned out to be an ordinary family man, according to the plot summary.

So far, we’ve been given a glimpse of the intense crime drama, and it appears to be a highly recommended viewing for enthusiasts who appreciate this specific genre.

Celebrity Traitors

Despite our growing enthusiasm for these fantastic dramas, we can’t help but eagerly await the premiere of “Celebrity Traitors” – another exciting show that’s set to debut this fall as well.

Following a great deal of buzz and excitement, an outstanding adaptation of BBC’s popular reality show format is on the horizon. This production features an impressive lineup, including comedian Joe Wilkinson known from Taskmaster, Nick Mohammed starring in Ted Lasso, Stephen Fry who hosts QI, as well as Celia Imrie, an actor recognized for her roles in The Thursday Murder Club and Bridget Jones. Needless to say, it’s a must-see event!

Claudia Winkleman, upon her return to the castle, admitted that while it’d be nice to let them roam around the castle and have toast for several weeks without any pressure, she knows that wouldn’t be truthful.

The latest print edition of Digital Spy’s publication has arrived! You can purchase the “Oasis – Live in ’25” issue from local newsstands or online for only £8.99.

2025-08-25 14:21