A short while back we brought you the news of the launch of the new online service for great TV shows, Acorn TV. Today we bring you a selection of the shows that you will be able to see in June.
Dead Still – UK Premiere (29th June)
This brand-new Acorn TV exclusive is a morbidly comic period drama, like never seen before.
Offering a contemporary take on the genre, we’re transported to Victorian Dublin, in the heyday of the macabre practice of post-mortem photography: taking portrait photos of the recently deceased. This six-part series follows a renowned memorial photographer, played by accomplished actor Michael Smiley (Luther, Wire in the Blood), who is drawn into an investigation of a series of suspicious deaths.
After an unfortunate accident and waning patronage take their toll, Brock Blennerhasset (Smiley) must take on his would-be actress niece, Nancy Vickers (Eileen O’Higgins), and a new, eager assistant and former grave-digger, Conall Molloy (Kerr Logan) to help keep his macabre memorial photography business afloat. Meanwhile, Detective Frederick Regan (Aidan O’Hare) of the Dublin Metropolitan Police is following a trail of bodies, closing in on a murderer who appears to be cashing in on the sordid market for ‘snuff’ imagery. Unfortunately, the bodies seem to lead to Blennerhasset’s door… so with his trusty assistants at hand, they take it upon themselves to track down the true perpetrator before he strikes again.
Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence – Streaming Exclusive (15th June)
Contemporary, star-studded BBC One drama, Sarah Phelps’ adaptation of queen of crime Agatha Christie classic, this Acorn TV Exclusive takes place on Christmas in 1954. Wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll (Anna Chancellor, The Hour, Four Weddings and a Funeral) is murdered at her family estate Sunny Point. Her adopted son Jack Argyll (Anthony Boyle, Tolkien) is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence.
The acclaimed mini-series also features BAFTA and Golden Globe winning actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Glorious 39), Matthew Goode (A Discovery of Witches, Downton Abbey), Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark, The Illusionist), Morven Christie (Grantchester, The Bay), and Luke Treadaway (Attack the Block, Fortitude).
Agatha Raisin Season 2 – 1st June
TV favourite Ashley Jensen (Extras, Ugly Betty) stars as the eponymous amateur sleuth extraordinaire Agatha Raisin, in this delightful, mystery-packed series. The high-flying PR exec turned investigator solves strange murders in the quaint Cotswolds village that she now calls home in this fun-filled detective romp.
Based on MC Beaton’s best-selling novels, Agatha has settled into village life in Carsely…but her early retirement is far from quiet. With her trusty team of friends: ladies’ man Sir Charles Fraith (Jason Merells, Waterloo Road), ex-assistant Roy (Mathew Horne, Gavin & Stacey), she takes on mischief, mayhem and murder.
Agatha returns from a disastrous trip to Cyprus, with her fiancé James (Jamie Glover, Endeavour) having gone AWOL. Alone once more, she investigates the village’s bizarre murders with panache, from the downfall of an arrogant hairstylist to mysterious occurrences attributed to fairies and the frenzy surrounding the new handsome curate that leads to murder. But there’s one case she just can’t seem to crack…her messy love life.
June on Acorn TV
1st June
Agatha Raisin Series 2
TV favourite Ashley Jensen (Ugly Betty) plays the eponymous amateur sleuth extraordinaire Agatha Raisin, in this delightful, mystery-packed series,investigating the village’s bizarre murders with panache.
The Miniaturist – Series 1
Hit period miniseries adaptation of Jessie Burton’s debut novel. Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma, The VVitch), stars as Nella Oortman who marries a rich merchant, hoping for love and prosperity in Amsterdam, 1686, but finds a world of tensions, secrets and mystery which threaten her future. Also starring Romola Garai and Alex Hassell.
McLeod’s Daughters Series 1 (22 episodes)
Popular long-running Australian outback drama starring Aaron Jeffery, Rachael Carpani and Bridie Carter. When their father Jack McCloud dies, estranged half-sisters Tess and Claire are re-united and this “odd couple” decide to take over his ranch. With tensions running high they must deal with all kinds of obstacles along the way.
8th June
Les Petits Meurtres D’Agatha Christie #2 (Streaming Exclusive)
The series, a hit French Agatha Christie adaptation, isset in 1930s northern France, where the imposing, womanising detective, Commissaire Jean Larosière, and his hapless sidekick, Inspecteur Émile Lampion, must solve a slew of complex murders and catch the killers.
Bucket
This heartwarting BBC sitcom stars the inimitable Miriam Margolyes (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2) as a free-spirited 70 year-old mother who emabarks on her bucket list road trip with her uptight daugher, played by Frog Stone (Extras), who also penned the series. Also starring Stephanie Beecham (Dynasty).
15th June
Agatha Christie’s Ordeal by Innocence (Streaming Exclusive)
A contemporary, star-studded BBC One Sarah Phelps’ adaptation of queen of crime Agatha Christie classic. Christmas 1954, a wealthy philanthropist Rachel Argyll (Anna Chancellor) is murdered at the family estate and her adopted son Jack Argyll (Anthony Boyle) is arrested for her murder. He vehemently protests his innocence.
Mapp & Lucia Series 1 & 2 (Streaming Exclusive)
This 1985 Channel 4 TV adaptation of the fabulous 1930s comedy drama based on EF Benson’s novels, when Lucia (Geraldine McEwan, Marple) rents Elizabeth Mapps (Prunella Scales, Fawlty Towers) house in a quaint village, it’s the start of a beautiful on going rivalry.
Maigret Series 1 & 2 (Streaming Exclusive)
This classic detective drama sees acclaimed British actor Michael Gambon (Harry Potter) take on the role of the famed Belgian detective Inspector Maigret tackling all kind of heiness murders in France, in this 1990s series.
22nd June
Rectify, Seasons 1-4 (Complete Series, 30 episodes)
Streaming Exclusive
Lauded as “mesmerising” (Los Angeles Times), this critically acclaimed Peabody Award-winning American drama series scores has a score of 95% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. It explores the life of a man (Aden Young) who is released from prison after nearly 20 years on death row following a wrongful conviction.
McLeod’s Daughters Series 2 (22 episodes)
Second series of the opular long-running Australian outback drama starring Aaron Jeffery, Rachael Carpani and Bridie Carter.
29th June
Dead Still (Episodes 1 & 2)
Streaming Exclusive – Acorn Original
Morbidly comic period drama starring Michael Smiley, set in Victorian Dublin at the height of the macabre practice of taking portrait photos of the dead, sees renowned memorial photographer embroiled in a murder investigation.
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (22 episodes)
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: The Inspector Wexford Specials (8 episodes)
Streaming Exclusive
A collection of classic mystery adaptations of bestselling author Ruth Rendell featuring an all-star line up including Colin Firth, James Callis, Amanda Redman, James D’Arcy, Honeysuckle Weeks, and George Baker as Inspector Wexford. The stories are filled with suspense and combine vivid plots with a keen understanding of the motivations and machinations of the human mind, bringing Rendell’s work to life with every wicked irony and startling twist intact.
Check out these and other great TV shows on the Acorn TV website or the Amazon Channel.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
