Amidst a continuing spell of heatwaves across the UK, several new television shows are set to arrive this month, providing an escape from soaring temperatures, reports BritPanorama.
With yet another heatwave expected, streaming platforms are gearing up to release a range of content from highly anticipated returns to fresh series. Fans can look forward to the return of Ted Lasso and Ludwig, alongside new offerings from Ricky Gervais and a dive into the DC universe. The line-up includes something for every audience—here’s what to expect in August:
Ted Lasso
The third season of Apple TV’s acclaimed comedy, Ted Lasso, was initially marketed as the final chapter for the beloved football coach. However, star and writer Jason Sudeikis revived the series with fresh ideas featuring Ted managing Richmond’s women’s team. While specific details remain scarce, returning cast members include notable characters like Hannah Waddingham’s Rebecca and the will-they-won’t-they duo Keeley (Juno Temple) and Roy (Brett Goldstein).
Wednesday 5 August, Apple TV
Big Chicken: A Fast-Food Conspiracy
In a new documentary by Mo Gilligan, produced by Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse, the focus shifts to the global fast-food chicken industry. Gilligan explores the economic factors underpinning its popularity, including its controversial association with certain ethnicities. Notably, he embarks on a 28-day challenge of consuming fried chicken three times a day to gauge its effects on health.
Wednesday 5 August, Netflix
The Shards
Adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’s 2023 novel and produced by Ryan Murphy, The Shards is set in 1980s Los Angeles. The narrative revolves around Bret (played by Igby Rigney), a member of a privileged clique whose life spirals with the arrival of a mysterious student and a brutal serial killer known as The Trawler. The series combines elements of high school dynamics with horror.
Thursday 6 August, Disney+
Possession
In this supernatural thriller, Gugu Mbatha-Raw stars as Claudia, a lawyer tasked with resolving a complicated inheritance claim involving a Jamaican plantation. The narrative juxtaposes modern-day challenges with historical horrors, delving into the legacies of British colonialism. As Claudia navigates her client’s interests, she confronts personal and professional ghosts related to the plantation’s past.
Thursday 6 August, Sky Atlantic/Now
Alley Cats
Ricky Gervais’s latest Netflix project, a ‘slacker sitcom’ titled Alley Cats, features a cast of animated feral cats. Among them, Gus (voiced by Gervais) and his gang lead a life of scavenging until the arrival of a lost kitten prompts them to adopt her. Despite its whimsical premise, the series promises a gritty edge, suggesting that it’s not your typical children’s show.
Friday 7 August, Netflix
Mourinho
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho is the central figure in a new Netflix documentary chronicling his journey from achieving his first Champions League title to becoming a widely celebrated football manager. This three-part series offers insights into Mourinho’s career, highlighting his complex persona as a coach who is both revered and critiqued in the world of sports.
Tuesday 11 August, Netflix
Lanterns
Filmmaker James Gunn expands the DC universe with a darker retelling of the Green Lantern franchise. This new series introduces Hal Jordan and John Stewart, two officers investigating a murder that leads them into unexpected and potentially alien territory.
Monday 17 August, HBO Max
Trigger Point
Explosives officer Lana Washington, played by Vicky McClure, returns for a fourth series of ITV’s tense drama Trigger Point. Although details of the plot remain undisclosed, advances in previous seasons indicate ongoing mental health struggles for Lana as she faces new threats to London.
August, ITV1
Ludwig
Following the success of its first season, the BBC’s cosy crime drama Ludwig is back for a second round. In this series, John Ludwig (played by David Mitchell) works alongside the police, albeit with the constraint of not using their resources to find his missing twin brother, integrating crime and personal stakes.
August, BBC One
Bookish
This month also marks the return of Mark Gatiss’s detective series Bookish. The show features Gabriel Book—a detective who must solve new mysteries, including historical and supernatural cases that span from London to Germany during Christmas. Special guest appearances are also promised.
August, U&Alibi
