What’s coming soon to Acorn TV UK in June 2020?
David Farnor | On 01, Jun 2020
Acorn TV has officially landed in the UK, and it’s sprouting a string of exclusives this June.
The AMC Network platform, which specialises in British and international TV, has racked up more than 1 million subscribers in the US, and aims to find similar success on British soil by growing a bumper crop of crime and period dramas. The service launched with the UK debut of Queens of Mystery, plus Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, Partners in Crime and The Witness for the Prosecution and hit Welsh drama Keeping Faith.
This month, it’s adding to that mix with more Agatha Christie, a touch of Agatha Raisin and the original TV version of Maigret – not to mention the UK premiere of Dead Still, starring Michael Smiley.
Here’s what’s coming to Acorn TV in June 2020:
Agatha Raisin: Season 2 – 1st June
TV favourite Ashley Jensen (Extras, Ugly Betty) returns as the eponymous amateur sleuth extraordinaire Agatha Raisin, in this mystery-packed series. The high-flying PR exec turned investigator solves strange murders in the quaint Cotswolds village that she now calls home, with Season 2 finding her returning from a disastrous trip to Cyprus, with her fiancé having gone AWOL. Alone once more, she investigates the village’s bizarre murders with panache, from the downfall of an arrogant hair stylist 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.
The Miniaturist – Season 1 – 1st June
Based on Jessie Burton’s debut novel, this star-studded drama sees Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma, The VVitch) play 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) – 1st June
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.
Exclusive: Les Petits Meurtres D’Agatha Christie #2 – 8th June
The series, a hit French Agatha Christie adaptation, is set 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.
Exclusive: Bucket – 8th June
This heartwarming BBC sitcom stars the inimitable Miriam Margolyes as a free-spirited 70 year-old mother who embarks on her bucket list road trip with her uptight daughter, played by Frog Stone (Extras), who also penned the series. Also starring Stephanie Beecham (Dynasty).
Exclusive: Mapp & Lucia: Season 1 and 2 – 15th June
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 an ongoing rivalry.
Exclusive: Maigret: Season 1 and 2 – 15th June
This 1990s detective drama sees Michael Gambon take on the role of the famed Belgian detective, tackling all kind of heiness murders in France.
Exclusive: Ordeal by Innocence – 15th June
Sarah Phelps’ adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic 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 cast includes Bill Nighy, Matthew Goode, Eleanor Tomlinson and Luke Treadaway.
Exclusive: Rectify: Season 1 to 4 – 22nd June
This US series xplores 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: Season 2 – 22nd June
Second season of the popular long-running Australian outback drama starring Aaron Jeffery, Rachael Carpani and Bridie Carter.
Exclusive: Dead Still – 29th June
Offering a contemporary take on the genre, we’re transported to Victorian Dublin, in the heyday of the macabre practice of post-mortem photography. This six-part series follows a renowned memorial photographer, played by Michael Smiley, 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.
Exclusive: The Ruth Rendell Mysteries: The Inspector Wexford Specials – 29th June
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.
Acorn TV is available on Roku, Fire TV, Android and iOS and Apple TV, costing £4.99 a month or £49.99 a year.