Winter's on its way and its set to be a real treat
The world has never been more in love with lavish British TV drama. And after this summer's prime-time quality drought, it's probably never been more in need of it, either. Thankfully, it's time to fasten our seatbelts for a return to the fast lane.
The arrival of a new X Factor series always means only one thing; summer's over, and the long countdown to Christmas has begun.
And the unveiling of the autumn viewing schedule has become one of the most anticipated moments of the TV year.
Why? Because bosses save their biggest hitting shows for a time when the nights start to draw in, and more of us choose to huddle around the goggle-box for our entertainment.
It's a definite case of back to the future this year, with ITV, the BBC and Sky all pulling out the stops with some lavish productions – many of which have their roots in favourites from yesteryear.
Atlantis, for example, takes tried and tested Greek myths and legends as its inspiration for a fantasy drama starring Mark Addy, which has the potential to be the BBC's new Merlin.
Sky Living has dug Dracula up from the grave once more, this time in the shape of the Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers, playing a punked-up version of the blood-sucker who arrives in London posing as an American billionaire.
Hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed Mrs Biggs come two dramas about the Great Train Robbery. Written by Broadchurch's Chris Chibnall, one tells the tale from the perspective of the criminals, the other through the eyes of the police.
It says a lot for this latest raft of UK dramas that such big-name movie stars are involved. The days when these people restricted themselves merely to the silver screen seem to be dimming; now, many happily move between film, TV, and the stage.
The West Midlands will be in the spotlight with Peaky Blinders, a BBC2 show described as 'an epic saga of gangsters', set in Birmingham. Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill and Helen McCrory fight for control on the streets of England's second city in what looks, from the publicity images, like the region's answer to Scorsese's Gangs of New York.
Downton Abbey's on its way back, too, of course. Having completed his mission of sinking the Titanic, Julian Fellowes sets his fourth stately home series in 1922, promising at least one more shock departure following the death of leading man Dan Stevens in the Christmas special.
And of course, it's going to be tough over the coming months to escape Doctor Who, who celebrates his 50th anniversary in November.
There's no shortage of time-travelling tinsel being prepared to dress up Matt Smith's parting shot at Christmas, but one of the more intriguing is An Adventure In Space And Time, a one-off 90-minute drama which tells the story of how the BBC commissioned the show.
David Bradley, best known for his role as miserable caretaker Mr Filch in the Harry Potter films, plays the first Doctor, William Hartnell. It sounds like a genius piece of casting.
