2015 is fast approaching, but what’s in store to keep our screens flickering and our minds off the drudgery of everyday life?
Beowulf
ITV’s epic new 13-part drama is described as “a western set in the Dark Ages of Britain’s mythic past”.
Writer James Dormer teased: “Hundreds of years ago our ancestors listened to the story of Beowulf because it was a great adventure story – it scared them, thrilled them, made them laugh and cry.”
Broadchurch
Olivia Coleman and David Tennant reunite as DS Miller and DI Hardy. But why?
The plot is top secret, but ITV’s ‘The end is where it begins’ teaser suggests that the aftermath of Danny Latimer’s murder, and Joe Miller’s arrest, will still be an important part of a story that we’ll all be gathering around the water-cooler to natter about. Season 2 also sees Meera Syal and Torchwood‘s Eve Myles join the cast.
Chappie
Slumdog‘s Dev Patel (remember when he was in Skins a million years ago?) stars in Neill Blomkamp’s story of a sentient robot with a name that sounds like a dog food.
From the trailer it looks funny, heartfelt, and dramatic in equal measure, and as this is a Blomkamp film you can likely expect someone to shout ‘fookin’ rah-but!’ at some point, which you probably won’t hear in the forthcoming Short Circuit remake. Probably.
The Clangers
A “contemporary version” of the classic British kids’ show (which originally launched on the BBC in 1969) arrives on CBeebies in the spring, with Monty Python’s Michael Palin on narrator duties. Palin commented: “The world of the Clangers is delightful and irresistible. It’s a real pleasure and a great privilege to be a part of its return to television.”
The 52 new 11-minute stop-motion animated episodes are being produced by the makers of Strange Hill High and the award-winning puppet makers behind Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr Fox.
Critical
From the pen of Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, it’s probably safe to say that Sky1’s new “ultra-realistic real-time medical drama” will be significantly darker and bloodier than Holby City.
The 13-part series’ cast includes Lennie James (The Walking Dead), Claire Skinner (Outnumbered), Kimberley Nixon (Fresh Meat) and Neve McIntosh (Doctor Who).
Danger Mouse
Oh, how we all sneered when we heard about a Danger Mouse remake. Well, we’re not sneering now.
With Alexander Armstrong voicing the super-spy rodent, Kevin Eldon as Penfold, and Stephen Fry lending his buttery tones to Colonel K, if the quality of the script and animation can match the quality of the voice cast, then this should reignite the childhood excitement of even the most sceptical fan. Everyone get ready to sing the theme tune!
Doctor Who
Peter Capaldi will rasp over the TARDIS controls as the show celebrates ten years since its 21st century revival, with Jenna Coleman returning as Clara for “all of the next series”.
All we know about Season 9 at the moment is that Doctor Who has its first female writer in 7 years (!?) as Torchwood’s Catherine Tregenna scripts an episode, and that Steven Moffat has written a ‘whopper’ of a cliffhanger for Episode 12. Commence rampant speculation and wild theories… nnnnnow!
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