Written by Amber Wiles
As the nights get darker, and the days a lot colder, we often seek the solace of a cosy blanket, a warm drink and the latest that TV has to offer. However, in a world of streaming with almost endless catalogues of options to choose from, it is easy to find ourselves spending hours trying to choose the right show. Eventually giving up and just watching our favourite shows for the hundredth time (Gilmore Girls I’m looking at you), whilst endless more shows are added the next day. It can be overwhelming. So to help you whittle things down, here is list of a few shows you should watch this autumn.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary is a relatively new show on the small screen. Yet, despite only being in its sophomore season, it’s making waves in the industry comparable to Modern Family and The Office. The mockumentary-style show comes from the genius mind of Quinta Brunson who plays the young and naïve Janine Teagues, a new teacher at Abbott Elementary who quickly has to learn about the realities of the American public school system. Hosting an enigmatic cast which includes legendary actress Sheryl Lee Ralph who won an Emmy for her role in the show as a veteran teacher Barbara Howard. The show is witty, relevant, incredibly wholesome, and an absolute must-watch for all you sitcom lovers.
Interview With A Vampire
Many of you are probably familiar with the 1994 version of Interview With A Vampire starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. The story, nevertheless, has been updated for the 21st century with an absolute gem of a reboot, starring Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac and Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt. The show moves away from the source material bringing the story forward to New Orleans in the 1910s and offers new levels of dimension not found in the book or the movie adaptation. The show has phenomenal performances from Anderson and Reid, who bring the characters of Louis and Lestat to life in a way that keeps you hooked, offering some of the best chemistry on TV right now. If you’re a fan of gothic romance with a twist then this is the show for you.
Ghosts
Ghosts is the more under-the-radar option than the other shows on this list but that does not mean that it falls short in any way; the opposite is true. The show creators and lead actors may be familiar to you as the original cast of Horrible Histories, which if you grew up in the mid-2000s will have been regulars on your TV. The show follows Alison and Mike, a young couple who inherit a stately home, occupied by an eclectic group of ghosts. Now you may see the word “ghosts” and assume the show is a horror, yet this could not be further from the truth. It is a hilarious comedy about friendship, family and what life means when you are dead. With laugh-out-loud performances and top-tier writing, British comedy fans should add this to their watch list.
House of the Dragon
It is difficult to go online at the moment without seeing something House of the Dragon related. Whether it be fan theories of the show or memes of the cast talking about their favourite cocktail (Negroni Sbagliato with Prosecco), the globe has gone HotD mad. In this prequel to Game of Thrones, set 200 years before the show, we follow the continual rise of the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros as they attempt to maintain power whilst playing the game of thrones. With political intrigue, epic family drama and dragons, what more can you ask from a fantasy show? The show had a lot to live up to following GoT, and it is fair to say it has reached heights seen in earlier seasons of its predecessor. If you want epic TV this autumn, then this is the one for you.
Heartbreak High
Heartbreak High is one for you Euphoria, Skins loving TV watchers. The show, which is set in an Australian high school, is a reboot of the 90s show of the same name. It follows a group of students as they navigate love, friendship and all the things that come with being a highschooler in the 21st century. With peak Gen-Z fashion and some of the best LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent representations on TV right now, this is a show for those who like to feel seen on the small screen. Whilst the show may only have one season currently, it has recently been renewed for season 2, so you can sit and watch knowing you have more to look forward to in the future.
A Discovery of Witches
A Discovery of Witches is the only completed show on this list, but that’s what makes the show so wonderful. The three-series show tells the story of the forbidden romance of vampire Matthew and witch Diana, who are faced with the consequences of going against the order of the supernatural world. Based on a book series by Deborah Harkness, it is arguably one of the best book adaptations of recent times. Set against the backdrop of the modern world, yet interweaved with historical events and supernatural lore, it is a show that sets out to tell a story and achieves it beautifully. With fantastic storytelling, beautiful world building and powerful themes of love and resistance. For all you supernatural romance fans out there this is the show you need to be watching
Photo Credit: Jordi Vich Navarro via Unsplash
