Top TV this Autumn

TOP TV RETURNING THIS AUTUMN

As a result of the pandemic, many scheduled shows have not been able to go ahead as planned, and thus, we’ve been starved of our regular ‘new’ TV fix

However, as we approach the busy Autumn period, thankfully some of our returning favourites had managed to complete filming before the full force of the pandemic was felt. Therefore, we’ve picked out a handful of the must-watch shows that are still planning to return to our screens in Autumn 2020.

HIS DARK MATERIALS - BBC ONE The fantasy drama series based on the books of the same name by Phillip Pullman will return for a second series. The show, which was renewed before the first series even aired has been received well and will boast more huge names including Andrew Scott (Sherlock), and Phoebe WallerBridge (Fleabag), who have been added to the already star-studded cast, which includes Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), and James McAvoy (Atonement).

MARCELLA - ITV The third series of this Anna Friel led show had already finished filming when the pandemic hit. It’s been teased that in the new series Marcella has assumed an undercover identity in Northern Ireland. And after the pain-staking cliff-hanger back in 2018, it looks like fans won’t have too much longer to wait to be gripped by this drama, once again.

DERRY GIRLS - CHANNEL 4 Channel 4’s hit comedy set in 90s Northern Ireland had to pause filming with immediate effect as a direct result of the pandemic. But as yet, there is no official statement to say that series three will not still be released this year. The most-watched show in Northern Ireland since records began, Derry Girls season 3 should have all the usual shenanigans that we’ve come to expect as it follows a group of girls who attempt to navigate their way through their teenage years.

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE-OFF - CHANNEL 4 Rather than attempt to reschedule a lot of the summer shows have decided to completely postpone until 2021 and it looked like The Great British Bake-Off had followed suit. However, it has been announced that filming is currently taking place on a fourth Channel 4 series, and mammoth eleventh overall. And even if strict rules are in place to prevent the famous Paul Hollywood handshake, it’ll still be good to have a more festive version of the Bake-Off back this year. We’ve picked out a handful of the mustwatch shows that are still planning to return to our screens in Autumn 2020.

THE RETURN OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE …AGAIN

It may have only just finished, but this month the

Premier League returns for the 2020/21 season

Now we know which teams have been promoted, as well as relegated, it’s time to make some predictions for the upcoming season. But with such a shortened summer hiatus, might the form shown since the restart of last season give an indication as to how next season will go?

Only Manchester City and Liverpool have produced consistently enough to mount title pushes TITLE CHALLENGERS For the past two years, only Manchester City and Liverpool have produced consistently enough to mount title pushes, and it’s hard to see this changing anytime soon. Although Liverpool won the title at a canter last season, Manchester City can be lax in defence, having lost six more games than Liverpool throughout the 2019/20 season. However, with how Manchester City performed after the league’s restart in June – having scored 34 goals in their final 9 league matches – and already making signings to bolster their leaky defence, come May, don’t be surprised if it’s a two-horse race.

BATTLE FOR TOP FOUR If we assume that Liverpool and Manchester City will be jostling it out for top-spot, that leaves two more Champions League qualification places and a whole host of teams who will be looking to grab them. For the first time in years, Manchester United are favourites to gain a top-four place. And, although their defence looks suspect, they showed some serious goalscoring power since the restart, last season. And so if they continue this form into next season, it will be hard for any team to outscore them.

Chelsea will also feel confident ahead of next season. Although they were hit and miss throughout 2019/20, the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner will fill fans with

optimism that, along with Manchester United, they should have lots of attacking threat. Wolves are the next best if they can keep all of their top players. They’ve shown in their two-season return to the Premier League that they are a dangerous counter-attacking team, and can also keep it tight at the back. As for the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham, neither have a realistic chance unless there are dramatic improvements in the defensive department.

SURPRISE PACKAGE Leeds United are finally back at the top table. Out of the Premier League since 2004, they’ve got a couple of things going for them that may encourage their fans to believe that they’ll have a successful return. They have Marcelo Bielsa at the helm. With his managerial CV boasting the Argentinian national team and Athletic Bilbao, among others, as well as recently receiving praise from Pep Guardiola and Mauricio Pochettino, he may show his ability to turn this sleeping giant into Premier League regulars.

Bielsa also has a squad of players who have little experience of top-flight football. We’ve seen that in recent years, the likes of Brighton and Sheffield United have

MANAGER SACK RACE

The start of the new season brings new challenges to every team in the division, especially their highly paid managers. Premier League clubs aren’t known for their patience if things aren’t going the team’s way, so who’s head will be on the chopping block from day one?

thrived after gaining promotion. After being tipped to go straight back down, both teams did incredibly well because of their lack of top-flight experience. So will Leed’s lack of experience actually allow them to go under the radar?

RELEGATION FAVOURITES Leed’s lack of Premier League experience could work to their advantage, but it could have the opposite effect on the other two promoted teams. Unlike Leeds, Fulham and West Brom have both enjoyed recent seasons in the Premier League, to the point where one could perhaps label them ‘yo-yo’ teams, in the sense that they go up and down divisions with relative ease. And although they both showed defensive grit in the Championship last term, they both know that the Premier League is a different prospect.

Along with these two, Aston Villa could be in trouble once again, after they only narrowly escaped the drop in July. Crystal Palace could be in trouble too. After the restart, they only picked up four points from nine games and if they were to lose their star man, Wilfred Zaha, things

would look nervy for the Eagles.

H ere are our top three for the chop:

1. Jose Mourinho – Tottenham Hotspur. 2. Roy Hodgson – Crystal Palace. 3. Dean Smith – Aston Villa.