- Play Hard
- 9th Sep 2026
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Cosy season is coming: here’s our ultimate autumn TV watchlist
There’s so much great telly heading our way over the next few months, from the return of The Celebrity Traitors to two blockbuster novels landing on Netflix: John Steinbeck’s East of Eden and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Here are nine unmissable shows (plus one film) to add to your watch list this autumn.
The Blame – ITV – September 2026
This six-part series, adapted from the novel by Charlotte Langley, is a gripping new thriller starring Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once) as DI Crane and Douglas Booth (The Sandman) as DI Radley. The duo investigate the shocking murder of a 16-year-old figure skater who was with a police officer when she died, which raises some troubling questions. As they delve deeper into the mystery, Crane discovers a web of lies and a deep level of corruption within her own team.
Kill Jackie – Amazon Prime – 2nd October
A big-budget, globetrotting thriller in which the majestic Catherine Zeta-Jones stars as Jackie Price, an irrepressibly glamorous art dealer with an obligatory secret past, who discovers she’s the target of an elite gang of assassins called The Seven Demons. Naturally, Jackie takes the fight to her would-be killers and tries to kill them first. This sounds bonkers.
War – Sky/Now – 2nd October
What happens when a tech entrepreneur and a film star divorce? Dominic West and Sienna Miller star as the headline-grabbing couple in question. With bold twists, War isn’t about boring settlements – it’s more concerned with the ruthless law firms on either side. This one is giving “Succession meets Industry” vibes.
The Celebrity Traitors – BBC One – Autumn 2026
We didn’t think it was possible to trump the first lineup of celebrities entering the castle with Claudia, but here we are. Superstar names such as Jerry Hall, Richard E Grant and Michael Sheen join fellow celebrities Ross Kemp, James Blunt and Miranda Hart for this year’s epic second series of The Celebrity Traitors. Set in the picturesque landscape of the Scottish Highlands, the group of 21 famous faces take on various challenges in the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust. Claudia Winkleman returns as the show’s host, and the ten-episode second series is sure to be another winner.
Pride and Prejudice – Netflix – Autumn 2026
After you’ve swooned over Daisy Edgar-Jones and George MacKay as Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferrars in Georgia Oakley’s big-screen Sense and Sensibility, it will be time to turn your attention to Netflix’s new take on Jane Austen’s classic novel, which promises a faithful adaptation. The stellar cast, including Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy, and Olivia Colman and Rufus Sewell as Mr and Mrs Bennet, leads this six-part retelling of the Austen tale from author and screenwriter Dolly Alderton. Expect a whole new audience to become obsessed with the timeless love story.
East of Eden – Netflix – 1st October
Another star-studded Netflix take on a literary classic, John Steinbeck’s East of Eden is brought to life in a seven-part epic exploring the multigenerational saga of the Trask family in the farmlands of California’s Salinas Valley, in the early 20th century between the Civil War and the First World War. Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames, the femme fatale whose magnetism overpowers all who cross her path, while Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist also star as Adam and Charles Trask.
This City Is Ours – BBC One – Autumn 2026
The crime drama This City Is Ours, starring Sean Bean and Julie Graham, had viewers on the edge of their seats when it landed on BBC One last year, so it’s no wonder it was quickly snapped up for a second series. The death of crime boss Ronnie Phelan (Sean Bean) sparked a war within the family business, waged by right-hand man Michael (James Nelson-Joyce) and wayward son Jamie (Jack McMullen). Now they may have bigger fish to fry, in the form of Endeavour’s Shaun Evans and Money Heist’s Álvaro Morte, both seeking payback for past sins.
The Blue Planet III – BBC One – TBC
David Attenborough is back to narrate the final part of this world-changing trilogy, following his spectacular feature-length film on the urgency of protecting our oceans to ensure human survival. However, it may be the last time we hear him voice a wildlife TV series. This sounds unmissable, and a great way to cap off his centenary year.
Rings of Power: Series 3 – Amazon Prime – 11th November
The third series of The Rings of Power, based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings, is set thousands of years before the novels, taking place five years after the events of series two at the height of the war between the Elves and the Dark Lord Sauron. Sauron is obsessed with harnessing a power that will bring his enemies to their knees – one Ring to rule them all. Now Dwarves, Elves, Men and Wizards alike must find a way to come together in a race against time to prevent Sauron from conquering all of Middle Earth. The cast includes Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Charlie Vickers as Sauron, and Jamie Campbell Bower, of Stranger Things fame, as Celeborn.
Movie
The Love Hypothesis – Amazon Prime – 23rd September
The Love Hypothesis is a romantic comedy adapted from the New York Times bestseller by Ali Hazelwood. The film follows professor Dr Carlsen (Tom Bateman) and his PhD student Olive (Lili Reinhart) as they enter a fake relationship to put their theories about love to the test.
Chris Kingston
Entertainment Writer
Chris is Laura's brother and the font of all knowledge when it comes to anything related to TV, film and books. He provides our popular round-ups on what to watch at the cinema, the TV not to miss, and new cultural releases.
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