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Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s The Crown

The 25 hottest shows this autumn

The 25 hottest shows this autumn

From the biggest dramas to reality favourites, nature documentaries and more, it’s time to hunker down for some top telly

By Virgin TV Edit

It’s autumn, which means it’s time to put the kettle on, dig out your favourite cardie from the back of the wardrobe (might be best to give it a wash first), and settle down for loads of great TV.

 

We’re talking big returns for The Crown, The Walking Dead, Taskmaster, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, His Dark Materials and Marcella, plus box-fresh dramas like Tommy, The Family, Minority Report and Adult Material.

 

But that’s a mere taster of what’s to come over the next few months. Here, we pick out 25 shows that are ready to demand your attention…

 

1. Underground

Monday 28 September, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 999)

This acclaimed US drama series tells the story of a group of African-American slaves attempting to find freedom via the Underground Railroad, a real-life secret network of routes and safe houses established during the 19th century.

 

2. Brave New World

Friday 2 October, 9pm, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)

Aldous Huxley’s classic dystopian novel about an ideal society that isn’t all it seems is brought to the small screen. Expect big philosophical themes and lots of tension.

 

3. The Walking Dead

Monday 5 October, 9pm, FOX/HD (CH 157/199)

Season 10 of the apocalyptic drama continues, with a change among the hierarchy of The Whisperers causing more than a little trouble.

 

4. The Walking Dead: The World Beyond

Find it in Apps & Games > Prime Video from Monday 5 October

Want even more The Walking Dead? This intriguing new spin-off focuses on what it would be like for the first generation of youngsters to grow up during the apocalypse.

 

5. The Real Housewives Of Cheshire

Monday 5 October, 9pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)

Returning for series 12, find out what really goes on in the lives of Cheshire’s finest in this reality TV hit.

 

6. The Twlilight Zone

Tuesday 6 October, 9pm, Sky One/HD (CH 110/109)

Get ready for more chilling tales from the mind of Get Out director Jordan Peele in the second season of the creepy anthology series.

 

7. Tommy

Wednesday 7 October, 9pm, Alibi/HD (CH 126/212)

Edie Falco (The Sopranos) is a seasoned ex-NYPD officer who heads to the west coast to become the LAPD’s first female Chief of Police, in this US drama.

 

8. The Family

Sunday 11 October, 9pm, FOX/HD (CH 157/199)

With their son presumed dead for ten years, a family is shocked when he suddenly reappears. But what’s the real story? Prepare to be hooked on this new US thriller.

 

9. Gemma Collins: Diva Forever & Ever

Tuesday 13 October, 9pm, ITVBe/HD (CH 119/179)

The GC is back and raring to go in a new four-part series that goes behind the scenes of her post-lockdown life.

 

10. Minority Report

Wednesday 21 October, 9pm, FOX/HD (CH 157/199)

Acting as a sequel to the 2002 film starring Tom Cruise, Philip K Dick’s sci-fi short story about a future where criminals can be apprehended before they commit a crime is adapted for TV.

 

11. Mr Inbetween

Thursday 29 October, 10pm, FOX/HD (CH 157/199)

Comedy? Crime? Drama? This new series from the States about a criminal-for-hire who also has to juggle parenthood and looking after his sick brother has got the lot.

 

12. The Voice Finals

Saturday 31 October, 8pm, ITV HD (CH 103/113)

The pressure is about to get cranked up, with the remaining hopefuls going for glory in front of judges Tom Jones, Olly Murs, will.i.am and Meghan Trainor.

 

13. The Crown

Find season 4 in Apps & Games > Netflix from Sunday 15 November

Olivia Colman returns for the final time as Queen Elizabeth II in season 4 of the historical drama. New faces include Emma Corrin as Diana Spencer and Gillian Anderson as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

 

14. Marcella

Coming this autumn, ITV HD (CH 103/113)

Anna Friel’s talented but troubled detective heads to Belfast to infiltrate a notorious crime family in series 3 of the popular crime drama.

 

15. Impeachment: American Crime Story

Coming this autumn, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

The latest instalment of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series takes a look at the scandalous relationship between US President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky, who is among the drama’s co-producers.

 

16. Taskmaster

Coming this autumn, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

The comedy game show is back for series 10 – and it has a brand new home on Channel 4. Don’t expect any dramatic changes, though: it’s still the show we know and love.

 

17. His Dark Materials

Coming this autumn, BBC One HD (CH 101/108)

Get ready for more epic adventures with Lyra Bellacqua in series 2 of the hit drama based on Philip Pullman’s fantasy novels.

 

18. I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Coming this autumn, ITV HD (CH 103/113)

Who will be crowned King or Queen of the castle, as the always entertaining reality show swaps the Aussie jungle for North Wales?

 

19. Adult Material

Coming this autumn, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

A successful adult film performer sees her life begin to unravel in this brand new British drama that promises to pulls back the curtain on the porn industry.

 

20. Agatha & The Midnight Murders

Coming this autumn, Channel 5/HD (CH 154/105)

Helen Baxendale stars as Agatha Christie in this one-off drama about the iconic mystery writer. As Christie attempts to sell the last Poirot novel, murder and mayhem come to the fore…

 

21. Yellowstone

Coming this autumn, Paramount Network/HD (CH 187/150)

Kevin Costner heads up the second season of this US drama about a modern-day rancher who must fight to keep his land.

 

22. Hudson & Rex

Coming this autumn, Alibi/HD (CH 126/212)

Detective Charlie Hudson and his former K9 dog Rex are ready to bust some criminals in a Canadian crime drama that’s got a big heart.

 

23. Married At First Sight

Coming this autumn, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

The reality series which sees strangers meet for the first time on their wedding day is back, promising even more jaw-dropping drama.

 

24. Maxxx

Coming this autumn, Channel 4 HD (CH 104/141)

This hilarious comedy follows a former boyband member who tries to get his career back on track so he can reunite with his ex. What could go wrong?

 

25. Attack & Defend

Coming this autumn, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 999)

Witness the tense battles between nature’s apex predators and their prey in this stunning wildlife series.

 

How to watch Netflix with Virgin TV

If you have a TiVo® box or Virgin TV V6 box, powered by TiVo®:

 

Press home on your remote

Select Apps & Games

Select All Apps 

Select Netflix

 

If you’re already a Netflix subscriber, you can also access the app through Search & Discover or by pressing Red on channel 204. Just sign in with your existing login and start watching. And you’ll only have to log in the first time you use it. 

 

If you’re new to Netflix, then you’ll need to subscribe to use the app. The easiest way to do this is by going to netflix.com/virginmedia. You can also subscribe using the Netflix app in Apps & Games.

 

How to watch Amazon Prime Video with Virgin TV

Prime Video is available to all Virgin TV customers with a V6 box, powered by TiVo®. Simply sign up to Amazon Prime Video via their website, and you can log in on the box. And because Prime Video is fully integrated into TiVo®, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after.

 

How to access the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel

You’ll find all the details explaining what you need here. Then simply press the up button on the EPG to easily access Virgin TV Ultra HD. Don’t have a UHD TV? Never fear, because you can also watch the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel through your HD TV. Lucky you!

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TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.

HD: HD TV set, V HD Box, TiVo box or Virgin TV V6 connected with HDMI cables required for HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.

Netflix: Netflix subscription required at extra cost.

Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime subscription required at extra cost. 18+. Click here for T&Cs. 

Virgin TV UHD channel: Available to Maxit TV/Full House TV customers only. Primetime only – see channel for programming schedule each day. 4K enabled TV/device and V6 box required to watch content in UHD. Quality assumes your equipment is working at optimum standard.

Image credits: Tommy © 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved / Cliff Lipson

Hudson & Rex © Shaftesbury