Acorn TV is your stop for all things British, mystery and drama. September is full of new premieres and Acorn Original series, like the new thriller The Sounds, starring Rachelle Lefevre and Matt Whelan. The premiere is Thursday, September 3 with two episodes; followed by weekly episodes on Mondays, from September 7 through October 12.
SEPTEMBER 2020 Acorn TV Calendar
*All premieres will stream in U.S. and Canada unless otherwise indicated
Thursday, September 3, 2020
THE SOUNDS (Acorn TV Original Series, Commissioned) – Episodes 1 and 2 – NEW SERIES!
In this riveting, twisty psychological thriller, Rachelle Lefevre (Proven Innocent, Under the Dome) and Matt Whelan (The Luminaries, Narcos) star as a happily married Canadian couple who moves to a sleepy harborside town in New Zealand to start a new life – to escape the husband’s oppressive family and launch his own business venture, a salmon fishery, that will help revive the local troubled economy. But when husband Tom Cabbott disappears after he goes out kayaking, unsettling facts about him soon come to light, and the search brings long-buried wounds to the surface. As wife Maggie struggles to navigate the escalating events, it becomes clear that in this small, seemingly close-knit community of Pelorus, nothing and no one are quite what they seem. Grieving wives, cheating husbands, epic embezzlement, and historic crime all collide to weave a complicated web stretching through the Sounds’ hidden valleys and deep waters. Created and written by international bestselling author, Sarah-Kate Lynch (Blessed Are the Cheesemakers, The House of Daughters), the drama is set in New Zealand’s stunning, idyllic Marlborough Sounds -widely considered one of the country’s best kept secrets. (2 EPS, 2020)
Monday, September 7, 2020
THE SOUNDS (Acorn TV Original Series, Commissioned) – Episode 3
See series description above (1 EP, 2020)
PUBLIC ENEMIES
“Gripping and fraught BBC drama” – The Independent
Created by multiple award-winning writer Tony Marchant, this drama explores the relationship between 28 year-old Eddie (Daniel Mays, Line of Duty), recently released from prison after serving 10 years, and his probation officer, Paula (Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies), who was returning from suspension following a shocking crime committed by an offender under her supervision. It looks at the criminal justice system from the points of view of the “offender” and the “gatekeeper.” It’s about disgraced individuals trying to reclaim their lives and their reputations – it’s also a forbidden love story. The stories of Eddie and Paula are complex, gripping, surprising and incredibly moving, while the writing beautifully and powerfully explores the issue of rehabilitation and whether as a society we really believe in it. (3 EPS, 2012)
WISTING (Foreign-language, English/Norwegian, with English subtitles)
“Seamlessly woven thriller…spectacular landscapes, packed with blood-freezing encounters and virtuoso plot turns” – The Wall Street Journal
Set in the unique and stunning landscape of Norway, this gripping series follows homicide detective William Wisting (Sven Nordin, Academy Award-nominated film Elling, Lilyhammer) as he wrestles with the most challenging and shocking case of his career: a wanted American serial killer living among them. A New York-based FBI agent (Carrie-Anne Moss, The Matrix trilogy, Memento) works alongside Wisting to help catch the notorious killer. Meanwhile, Line – Wisting’s intrepid journalist daughter (Thea Green Lundberg, Okkupert) – is chasing headlines, leading her straight into the path of the serial killer. Suddenly, an old case comes back to haunt Wisting, and a dreadful accusation is hurled at him. How will Wisting save other lives when he finds himself suspended and fighting for his own reputation, career and life? (10 EPS, 2019)
Monday, September 14, 2020
THE SOUNDS (Acorn TV Original Series, Commissioned) – Episode 4
See series description above (1 EP, 2020)
THE BADNESS OF KING GEORGE IV
George IV’s style and taste defined the Regency period, but as Prince Regent and as King, his extravagance and self-indulgence attracted ridicule, derision and hatred. Using an imaginative blend of drama and documentary, this film tells the story of Britain’s most unpopular and out-of-touch monarchplayed by Oliver Ford Davies (Star Wars: Episodes 1 and 2). Using contemporary sources, the program pictures a dying, drug-addled King as he relives key events from his colorful life, haunted by the words of his critics. Robert Glenister (Cold Feet) plays the “Hellbound” (George’s word for his critics), who torments him with his failings. (Movie, 2004)
“One of Russell Crowe’s bravest performances” – The Guardian
“Arguably the most important film yet….” – Time Magazine
“The best Australian film of the year” – The Australian
Based on the long running off-Broadway play by David Stevens, “The Sum of Us” is a witty and poignant social comedy about the triumph of unconditional love. Harry Mitchell (Jack Thompson, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), is a ferry-driving, beer-drinking, straight-down-the-line widower. His son, Jeff (Russell Crowe, Les Miserables) is an athletic 20-something plumber who happens to be gay: a fact his broadminded dad has accepted with ease. For a father and son who live together, they get on like a house on fire, even if they do make an odd couple. While both are the best of friends each is lonely and searching for that special someone. They finally get good luck in that department when Harry meets alluring divorcee Joyce (Deborah Kennedy) and Jeff meets local resident Greg (John Polson, The Boys). Unfortunately, the closeted Greg is uncomfortable with Harry’s acceptance of Jeff. And Joyce, uncomfortable with Jeff’s sexuality, puts a strain on the bond between father and son. (Movie, 1994)
Monday, September 21, 2020
THE SOUNDS (Acorn TV Original Series, Commissioned) – Episode 5
See series description above (1 EP, 2020)
BANG, Series 2 (Acorn TV Exclusive series, Welsh/English, with subtitles)-Binge premiere
“A lively and well-crafted… crime series” –The Spectator
“Strong cop drama” –TV Worth Watching
In the new, captivating series of this BAFTA Cyrmu award-winning Welsh drama from the producers of The Fall, ambitious police officer Gina Jenkins (Catrin Stewart, Stella) and her longtime partner, Luke Lloyd (Jack Parry-Jones, Moon Dogs) attempt to solve a series of murders apparently connected to an historic rape allegation. A serial killer is on the loose in the steel town of Port Talbot targeting the men named by a local woman in a rape case from 10 years ago, which fell apart before it went to trial and they were never brought to justice. Also, Gina’s brother, Sam (Jacob Ifan, Cuffs) is released from prison and determined to lead a trouble-free life, but he finds his life turned upside down yet again by violent crime. This second series dissects the theme of power: the one certain men wield over women, the individuals who enable this behavior to go unchecked and the victims’ search for justice. (6 EPS, 2020)
THE YORKSHIRE VET, SERIES 9
Get a glimpse of the true story behind All Creatures Great and Small, the classic BBC TV series by British veterinary surgeon and author Alf Wight, known worldwide as James Herriot. This documentary series profiles the dedicated team of staff at Skeldale Veterinary Centre, Wight’s original practice in Thirsk, North Yorkshire founded in 1940. With exclusive access to Julian Norton, The Yorkshire Vet, as well as his partner and Alf’s former trainee, Peter Wright and their staff, viewers get to follow the day-to-day comings and goings and meet their clientele – both two-legged and four-legged! This center may have moved from the original premises to a purpose-built facility, but the heart and soul of this historic veterinary practice are very much alive and beating. Series 1-8 also streaming. (10 EPS, 2019)
THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB
Based on the international bestselling novel by Fergus Hume, this twisty period drama set in 1880s Melbourne starts with the murder of a man connected to wealthy benefactor, Mark Frettlby (John Waters, Feud). The victim’s romantic rival, Brian Fitzgerald (Oliver Ackland, Secret Bridesmaids’ Business), is arrested for the crime, but refuses to provide an alibi. His lawyer, Duncan Calton (Marco Chiappi, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries), and his wealthy fiancée, Madge Frettlby (Jessica de Gouw, The Crown), are forced to search for the truth themselves in order to save his life. Their investigation not only uncovers a trail of secrets and scandal from opium dens and brothels to the cream of society, but their revelation threatens to tear Madge’s family apart. (Movie, 2012)
Monday, September 28, 2020
THE SOUNDS (Acorn TV Original Series, Commissioned) – Episode 6
See series description above (1 EP, 2020)
THE ADVOCATES
Set in Edinburgh, the series contrasts the high powered and respectable world of the lawyers and advocates of the Scottish legal profession, with the sleazy and deadly existence of the city’s pimps, prostitutes and drug addicts. When a young prostitute is murdered by a deadly drug overdose, only Doctor Joe Sangster (Jonathan Hackett, Breaking the Waves), who has been treating her at the local health clinic, suspects foul play. In the growing climate of fear over drugs and AIDS in the city, his clinic faces closure due to a local campaign. Sangster turns to young lawyer Greg McDowell (Ewan Stewart, Florence Foster Jenkins), assisted by his colleague, Katherine Dunbar (Isla Blair, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). In the second series, McDowell is hired by a man accused of murdering his own wife. He begins to suspect she may have been the victim of a serial killer, and his investigation soon puts his own girlfriend, Sarah (Rachel Weisz, The Favourite), in danger. Other stars in the series include Shirley Henderson (The Nest), Clive Russell (Catherine the Great), Michael Kitchen (Foyle’s War) and Siobhan Redmond (Grantchester.) (6 EPS, 1991-1992)
Set in 1830s Northumberland, this International Emmy Award-winning drama is the story of a mother and daughter facing the need to challenge and fight the prejudices of their age. Their destinies are shaped by the fact that they can read and write; this difference sets them apart and catapults them to a different destiny than would have otherwise been their lot. Adapted from Catherine Cookson’s novel, this captivating two-part movie stars Janet McTeer (Ozark) as widow Riah Millican, Bob Peck (Jurassic Park), as reclusive teacher Percival Miller, and Geraldine Somerville (Gosford Park) as Riah’s daughter Biddy. (Movie, 1991)
UPCOMING IN 2020:
MYSTERY ROAD, Series 2 (October 12)- Follow up to the 2018 award-winning hit Australian mystery starring Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish, A Place to Call Home) (6 EPS, 2020)
More fall 2020 series to be announced.
Did you know we have a YouTube Channel? Every week we have a live Cord Cutting Q&A, and weekly Cord Cutting recap shows exclusively on our YouTube Channel!
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.