Adam Gunton
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Amazon Prime, 2 September
Amazon must be hoping this new show will be as entrancing as the one ring itself considering they spent over $1 billion on it! The Rings of Power isn’t a re-imagining or a remake of Peter Jackson’s films – instead it focuses on events set 3000 years earlier. The story follows the forging of the Rings of Power, the rise of the evil Sauron and the alliance between men and elves. There’ll be lots of new characters, but fans will recognise much younger versions of Galadriel and Elrond (played by Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving in the Jackson films) which will help with the transition to this new story. At best we can expect what made the Lord of the Rings such a great series of films – engaging characters, jaw-dropping locations, exciting battles, and fantastical creatures. At worst, it’s a new fantasy series to escape to each week!
The Old Man
Disney+, 28 September
You think we’d be bored of watching old men who used to be spies being dragged out of retirement and then killing anyone that comes after them. Enter Dan Chase (Jeff Bridges), former CIA officer who’s been happily living off the grid with his two Rottweilers. But what’s this? Some people want to kill him! Luckily Dan is a complete bad-ass and knows how to deal with these scallywags! Now Dan and his doggos are on the run, hiding from these relentless pursuers and doing what they can to survive while trying to find answers along the way. Joining Jeff Bridges are Joel Grey, Alia Shawkat and the legendary John Lithgow. It might sound choc-full of clichés but with Jeff Bridges at the helm and doggos on the line, it’ll be a nail-biter and one you won’t want to miss.
The Great British Bake Off
Channel 4, September
Set your ovens to Gas Mark FUN! The Great British Bake Off is back! Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are ready to put a bunch of new bakers into a mixer and see who comes out as a showstopper and who comes out with a soggy bottom of shame. The agents of chaos known as Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas will be on hand to provide random skits, a shoulder to cry on and some much needed sarcasm. Bake Off has become such a staple of British television that my family and I always start a group-chat, and each pick a baker to back after the first episode. However, my heart will always belong to Val Stones, the Cake Whisperer, from series 7. Val, you’ll always be my Star Baker.
Savage River
Paramount+, September
With so many streaming choices available and so little budget it’s hard to know if it’s worth signing up to another one. But Savage River looks like it could be worth giving Paramount+ a go. It follows the story of Miki Anderson (played by 13 Reasons Why’s Katherine Langford). She’s just served ten years in prison and returns home, hoping to get on with her life. But when a murder takes place in the small-town, Miki suddenly becomes suspect-number-one. It’s up to Miki to prove her innocence before it’s too late as her new life comes crumbling down around her.