2014 has already been an excellent year for television, but it’s not over yet! We’ve still got some real corkers looking to mingle with established favourites over the remainder of 2014. Here’s a nifty guide to what is still to come in 2014:
The Driver, BBC One, 9pm September 23
The Driver is a brand new thriller set to air tonight (September 23) on BBC One. It stars David Morrissey as taxi driver Vince McKee, who, frustrated by problems in his personal life, takes up an offer to drive for a criminal gang. Whilst driving for gang leader The Horse (Colm Meaney) at first seems like the exciting change Vince needs, he soon realises he is in too deep.
Enlightened, Sky Atlantic, 10pm September 26
Critically acclaimed comedy Enlightened returns for a second series on Sky Atlantic this Friday at 10pm. The series stars Golden Globe-winning Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe, a former executive at Abbadon Industries who stumbled across damning evidence of corruption at the company. In series two she’s determined to bring Abbadon to justice!
Forever, Sky 1, 9pm October 2
Ioan Gruffuld stars as the immortal Henry Morgan in this brand new supernatural drama airing on Sky 1 from October. Henry is a medical examiner in New York, 200 years old, and determined to figure out why he doesn’t seem to be able to stay dead. In episode one, Henry is investigated by Detective Jo Martinez (Alana de la Garza), who is curious as to why a deadly train crash didn’t kill Henry.
Peaky Blinders, BBC Two, 9pm October 2
BBC Two’s gangster drama is set to make a return to UK screens in October. The series takes place in post-WWI Birmingham and revolves around the powerful Shelby family and their feared local gang known as the Peaky Blinders. The new series will see the Peaky Blinders expand their operations both North and South.
Have I Got News For You, BBC One, 9pm October 3
Satire stalwart Have I Got News For You will return for a 48th series in October, discussing the weekly events. Jennifer Saunders will host the first episode of the series, with Armando Iannucci and Sara Pascoe on the guest panel.
The Blacklist, Sky Living, 9pm October 3
James Spader returns as criminal mastermind Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington in a new series of Emmy-winning The Blacklist this October. In the series, Red works with criminal profiler Agent Liz Keen (Megan Boone) to identify and track down the World’s Most Wanted using his extensive knowledge of the world’s most unsavoury characters.
QI, BBC Two, 10pm October 3
BBC Two panel show QI (that’s short for Quite Interesting, if you didn’t know) returns to a twelfth series this October with topics beginning with the letter ‘L.’ The series is hosted by Stephen Fry and features a panel consisting of comedian Alan Davies and three guests.
The Walking Dead, FOX, October 13
The Walking Dead will return to FOX on October 13, just 24 hours after it airs in the US. The series will pick up immediately after the cliffhanger that ended the fourth season which saw Rick and the group trapped and outnumbered in a train car awaiting their final moments.
The Originals, Syfy, 10pm October 14
Vampire Diaries spinoff The Originals returns to Syfy this October. The series is about the Original family of vampires. In series 2, the Originals are trying to adapt to a new status quo in which empowered werewolves control the city.
Sleepy Hollow, Universal Channel, 9pm October 15
Universal’s kooky interpretation of the Sleepy Hollow tale, complete with a time-traveler Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) in the hustle and bustle of modern day New York City. The new series will introduce us to Sheriff Reyes (Sakina Jaffrey), whose no-nonsense attitude may hinder Ichabod and Lt. Abbie Mills (Nicole Beharie) in their quest to solve the mystery of Sleepy Hollow.
American Horror Story: Freak Show, FOX, October 21
The new series of American Horror Story is set in Florida in 1952 and tells the story of one of the last remaining freak shows in America, whose members will do anything to keep the business alive. As custom, the new season features all new characters played by familiar cast members.
Gotham, Channel 5, October TBC
It was revealed in August that Channel 5 had acquired the rights to air new comic-book series Gotham in the UK, a month before the series began in the US. Fans of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D should enjoy – the series acts as a Batman prequel, revolving around the Gotham City police force.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, Channel 4, October TBC
The second series of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D returns to Channel 4 this October on the back of the success of the last series. The superhero drama is about a fictional crime fighting team in a world of superheroes and supernatural phenomena. This October, Phil Coulson will begin to rebuild S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) and continue to hunt down the remaining threats of Hydra.
Homeland, Channel 4, October TBC
Homeland will return for a fourth series in October in the US, and will return shortly after on Channel 4 in the UK. It will follow CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Clare Danes) on a dangerous mission in the Middle East.
The Fall, BBC Two, Late 2014 TBC
Hit BBC Thriller The Fall should return to BBC Two by late 2014. Jamie Dornan will be back as serial killer Paul Spector, who will stalk and obsess over DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) in the new series. Watch out!
Modern Family, Sky 1, November TBC
Acclaimed US mockumentary sitcom Modern Family returns to Sky 1 this November for a sixth series. The new series will pick up after Mitch and Cam’s wedding as the two don’t want their honeymoon to end. Meanwhile, Gloria has decided to teach Jay a lesson on his appearance.
Gracepoint, ITV, 2014 TBC
With Broadchurch UK looking ever more likely to air in 2015 than 2014, ITV do also have the rights to the US remake of the show, also starring David Tennant. Again, Tennant plays the lead investigator in the death of a young boy, although this time the action all takes place in sunny California. Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad’s Skyler) co-stars. Show executives say the plot will deviate from the UK version after the initial set up.
Cucumber, Banana and Tofu, Channel 4 & E4 & 4OD, Winter 2014 TBC
Award-winning Queer as Folk writer Russell T Davies has penned a set of three interlinked shows about modern gay life to air on Channel 4, E4 and online. Cucumber and Banana are both original dramas whilst Tofu will be a set of documentaries on contemporary sex culture.
Toast of London, Channel 4, Winter 2014 TBC
Steven Toast, the troubled actor played by Matt Berry, returns to Channel 4 in the winter to continue with his attempts to win fame and adoration. Incompetent agent Jane (Doon Mackichan) and flatmate Ed (Robet Bathurst) return for the ride.
Crisis, Watch, 2014 TBC
NBC drama Crisis will air on Watch in the UK sometime before the end of the year. The series follows the abduction of the children of Washington’s most important individuals, including the daughter of CEO Meg Fitch (played by Gillian Anderson). Dermot Mulroney co-stars as ex-CIA agent Francis Gibson.
Ripper Street, Amazon Instant Video, Late 2014 TBC
Amazon brought Ripper Street back from the dead after BBC One cancelled the period thriller last year. The new series, which will be co-produced by BBC and Amazon, will debut on Amazon Instant Video at the end of the year and is expected to air on the BBC in 2015.
The Knick, Sky Atlantic, Autumn 2014 TBC
New series The Knick, directed by Oscar-winner Steven Soderbergh, is set in downtown New York in 1900 and revolves around the surgeons, nurses and staff at the ground-breaking Knickerbocker hospital during a period of high death rates in the city.