Autumn TV Choices

With the weather turning a lot cooler in recent days and the leaves looking breathtakingly beautiful; Autumn is truly underway! Time to unpack your Winter Wardrobe if you are in Ireland like we are, grab a blanket and begin to cosy up in front of the fire again. But, what is Autumn without TV time with your nearest and dearest? Hey All, it’s Niamh here and I’ve put together a list of six of my top picks across a number of platforms to help you get lost in a fun TV Series this Autumn/Fall. For the time of year it is there are a few interestingly spooky choices on the list to keep you on your toes ahead of Halloween but, I like to think that I chose a nice mix this year!

The Duchess

Shout out to my sister for bringing Katherine Ryan into my life. The Duchess is a new Netflix original series starring Katherine as a single mother who is navigating her way through life. The biggest dilemma is whether to have another child with her ex who is the father of her daughter.

It’s a British Comedy-Drama that came out on September 11th on Netflix UK. Since then it has received a range of reviews. Anywhere from a hot mess to it being good! I’ll be watching it primarily for Katherine Ryan. With it only being six episodes long it won’t take too long to get through!

Ratched (Netflix) 

The one I am most excited for on the list Ratched, Ryan Murphy’s latest creation and it dropped on Netflix yesterday. It is apparently Sarah Paulson’s most terrifying role yet and I am here for it! It is gonna fill the no American Horror Story void in my life this Autumn. 

The series follows (Sarah Paulson) who is a young nurse in a mental health institution who, after becoming jaded, turns into a monster towards her patients. It is an adaptation of ‘One That Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’. Also even if Charlie Carver is only in two episodes I am looking forward to seeing him do his thing on the big TV screen again. 

Ghosts: Season 2 (BBC)

If you grew up watching Horrible Histories, your siblings did or you magically found it during Lockdown, Ghosts is the same cast but, the show is for Adults. A couple who are desperate to buy their own home soon realise they have inherited a large house and estate. They decide to renovate it and turn it into a hotel much to the anger of the ghosts who reside there and want the humans gone!

It’s a barrel of laughs especially after Alison has an accident which leads her to be able to hear and see the ghosts. Each ghost is from a different era of history and adds to the different humor aspects of the show. There is six episodes in Season 1 which are 30 minutes long, leaving you a lot of time to marathon before season 2 comes out on the 21st of September. 

The Haunting of Bly Manor

The TV series that has me questioning every statue I watch past! Fans of The Haunting of Hill House will be happy to hear we finally have a release date for Season 2; The Haunting of Bly Manor which lands on Netflix October 9th. Get ready to be terrified of Dolls and Doll Houses if the Trailer is another to go by!

The Haunting of Bly Manor is based on the country home in Henry James’ ‘The Turning of the Screw’ and is reportedly more terrifying than The Haunting of Hill House. I may end up watching it from behind a pillow as jump scares really aren’t my thing but, you can bet I won’t miss this one. 

The Mandalorian: Season 2

The Child and the Mandalorian are back and I, for one, am delighted! The series that got the entire world obsessed with ‘Baby Yoda’. Not gonna lie, I became obsessed too. 

To date my favourite TV series based in the Star Wars Universe. Even if you haven’t seen the movies or are new to Star Wars TV side projects, make sure you give it a chance. Action, adventure and an interesting bounty hunter and ‘the child’ as they travel through the Galaxy after the collapse of The Galactic Empire fighting enemies and finding allies along the way.  

His Dark Materials: Season 2 (BBC and BBC iPlayer)

Anyone who knows me knows I love a good fantasy book and, despite a movie that came out in 2007 of Philp Pullman’s classic The Golden Compass, the BBC decided to put their own spin on it and I am hooked. Season One was ground breaking in storytelling, the special effects and the casting. Also I get to live out my Steampunk fantasies through this TV Show. Book two was always my favourite out of this trilogy so, I am hoping they don’t mess it up! I have high expectations for this one. 

I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone as it is extensive and will have you on the edge of your seat for many scenes! But, the story follows a young girl named Lyra, who embarks on a journey to find her missing friend. Along the way she uncovers a horrible plot involving stolen children and the quest for understanding the phenomena of Dust. If you enjoy fantasy, action, good storytelling, some epic sinister bad guys and young heroes battling against all odds; this TV show is for you.  

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Honourable mention: It’s not a TV Series but, I think Emma would shoot me if I didn’t give a shout out to one of her favourite actors on the planet… *drum roll please* The movie pick for September is:

The Devil All The Time. 

Myself and Emma sat down and watched this on Thursday Night and by gosh was it weird! The trailer does not do the movie justice on how good and creepy it was. And not in the usual creepy way I am used to. Some dark and messed up creepy concepts in this one. You have been warned.

Flawless performance from Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson to name a few. We had a right giggle at the amount of English actor portraying Southern American roles. They all did a stellar job. It follows Avrin as he stumbles through two little towns joined by extreme flaws and unspeakable sins.