Best overall TV series on all streamers in September
In September, Michael Sheen and Ruth Wilson star in Prime Video's A Very Royal Scandal, while Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May say goodbye to The Grand Tour. Also this month, Netflix hits Selling Sunset and Emily in Paris (part two) return to the platform
A Very Royal Scandal
Drama
Summary:Michael Sheen stars as Prince Andrew and Ruth Wilson as Emily Maitlis in this depiction of the latter’s landmark interview with the royal in 2019. This drama follows Maitlis’ professional and personal journey as a Newsnight journalist, leading up to the moment she scored the biggest scoop of her career - and the Duke of York was forced to withdraw from his public roles. Joanna Scanlan, Alex Jennings and Éanna Hardwicke also star.
Why to watch: Maitlis’ interview with Prince Andrew marked a turning point in history, especially for public perceptions of the Royal Family. The scandal is ripe for a film drama, and, as Maitlis herself is an executive producer, we can expect something close to the facts.
Available on Prime Video on September 19
Selling Sunset
Reality
Summary:Hit reality series following the elite real estate brokers at The Oppenheim Group, who sell the luxe life to affluent buyers in LA. In series eight, Chelsea’s divorce takes centre stage, while Mary and Jason face a devastating loss. Meanwhile, Bre is confirmed to return after the fiery fight with Chelsea that prompted her to seemingly leave the job. How, and in what capacity she'll be back remains to be seen.
Why to watch: Selling Sunset is a winning combination of high stakes, big personalities and jaw-droppingly beautiful Los Angeles real estate. The epic chaos that ensues is perfect to fulfil any guilty pleasure viewing needs.
Available on Netflix on September 6
In Vogue: The 90s
Documentary
Summary:Featuring an A-list cast from the worlds of fashion, film and music, this landmark series reveals the inside story of the most celebrated fashion and pop culture moments in the 1990s. As well as Vogue's Anna Wintour, celebrities including Edward Enninful, Hamish Bowles, Tonne Goodman, Naomi Campbell, Marc Jacobs, Missy Elliott and Claudia Schiffer all make contributions.
Why to watch: A nostalgic look back on the iconic decade that brought us heroin chic, low rise jeans, and jelly shoes, featuring a perfectly selected list of contributors who were there when it happened.
Episodes 1-3 available on Disney Plus on September 13, followed by episodes 4-6 on September 20
The Grand Tour
Documentary | Comedy | Talk
Summary:Hit motoring series hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. First launched in 2016 with car reviews, studio segments and celebrity guests, the series was revamped in its fourth season to consist entirely of feature-length road trips featuring the trio. The fifth and final series began airing in September 2022, and has so far visited Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Western Africa.
Why to watch: After 22 years creating Top Gear and The Grand Tour together, this is Clarkson, Hammond and May’s final adventure. Their race across Zimbabwe is sure to be one hell of a ride, providing ample fuel for laughter at home.
Available on Prime Video on September 13
Monsters
Drama | Crime
Summary:From the award-winning writing team behind Dahmer, this docuseries tells the story of the Menéndez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez. General Hospital star Nicholas and Cooper Koch portray the siblings, while Nathan Lane also stars.
Why to watch: Although planned as a one-off, 2022’s Dahmer proved such a hit for Netflix that they recommissioned the series as a true crime anthology, now titled Monsters. The second of a planned three series is a haunting tale of two brothers, greed, and almost unfathomable lies.
Available on Netflix on September 19
Killer Lies: Chasing A True Crime Con Man
Documentary | Crime
Summary:Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ben Selkow, Killer Lies tracks the rise and fall of Stéphane Bourgoin, supposedly France’s best known serial killer expert. From the 1990s, Bourgoin fabricated his biography to include fake details of his expertise on serial killers, including assisting the FBI. That is, until 2020, when online sleuths realised he was not what he claimed to be.
Why to watch: This is a fascinating story of a man whose wild claims made him a respected figure in true crime, and who might never have been caught were it not for the internet. As it happened, Bourgoin was not a criminologist with decades of first-hand experience - he was merely a good storyteller.
Available on Disney Plus on September 8
Emily in Paris
Drama | Comedy
Summary:When ambitious Chicago marketing exec Emily (Lily Collins) unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris, she embraces a new life as she juggles work, friends and romance. In series four part two, Emily packs her bags for a sun-kissed Italian summer. Forget Gabriel and Alfie, it's not long before she's riding a Vespa with dreamy new love interest Marcello, played by Eugenio Franceschini.
Why to watch: This culture clash comedy-drama hits a comforting sweet spot. It’s light, romantic, and not overly serious. It also plays into some French stereotypes, which might be a pro or a con depending on who you are.
Available on Netflix on September 12
Brassic
Comedy | Drama | Crime
Summary:Joe Gilgun, Michelle Keegan, Tom Hanson, Aaron Heffernan, and Ryan Sampson star in this comedy about a group of working-class friends in northern suburbia. These lads have dealt, scammed, bribed and conned their way through adolescence, but now, on the brink of adulthood, their dealing and stealing is catching up with them. In series six, the gang face the worrying prospect of ‘growing up’, but the madness continues a little longer yet with man-eating crocodiles, bigamists and a naked cult.
Why to watch: A refreshingly authentic comedy with an excellent cast. Brassic is wickedly funny, while also offering relatable and honest characters.
Available on Sky/NOW on September 26
Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood with My Father
Reality | Comedy
Summary:Jack Whitehall embarks on one of life's great journeys as he is about to become a father for the first time. Jack and his father Michael head out on a path of discovery and adventure as they try to crack the answers to parenthood's endless questions
Why to watch: The television gold that is comedian Jack Whitehall with his TV producer father Michael returns with this surprisingly touching tribute to parenthood. As always, their silly antics make the series what it is.
Available on Netflix on September 10
The Penguin
Crime | Drama
Summary:Colin Farrell stars as the titular DC Comics gangster, set in the same universe as Matt Reeves’ 2022 Oscar-nominated film The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson. This spin-off series follows The Penguin's rise to power in Gotham's criminal underworld in the aftermath of the Riddler killings.
Why to watch: Reeves supervised the writing of the drama and the cast hiring process for the series to ensure it was in keeping with his critically acclaimed film, making it definitely one to watch for fans of the DC Extended Universe.
Available on Sky/NOW on September 20
Black Widow
Documentary
Summary:This three-part docuseries follows the decade-long police investigation into one of Britain’s most dangerous female murderers. Over 20 years, Dena Thompson, also known as ‘The Black Widow’, carried out a sustained campaign of fraud, deception, bigamy and murder. Using Lonely Hearts columns to lure a succession of husbands and dozens of lovers into her life, she was able to coerce them into giving up their life’s savings, their homes, their families and their freedom based on her bizarre but convincing stories.
Why to watch: Thompson’s crimes are truly shocking, and this doc explores them with exclusive access to Thompson’s first husband, Lee Wyatt. Thompson convinced Wyatt that he was wanted by the Mafia, and blamed a burglary of £23k perpetrated by her on him. Unbelievably, Wyatt was one of her luckier victims. This is the story of the woman a judge described as “one of the most fluent liars I have come across”.
Available on Sky/NOW September TBC
