WHAT TO WATCH 3-9 October

6 minutes ago

4 min read

David Harewood in his first UK leading role!

This week's best telly includes Channel 4's new legal drama Pierre, BBC One's family comedy The Reluctant Vampire and Prime Video's adaptation of Carrie.

Elsewhere, Portrait Artist of the Year returns to Sky Arts for its 13th series and The Kardashians returns to Disney+ for its eighth season.

Here are 5 TV shows you can't miss this week...

1

BRAND NEW COMEDY

THE RELUCTANT VAMPIRE

Sunday 4th October at 6.40pm on BBC One

Stream on BBC iPlayer

Launching this week on BBC One is The Reluctant Vampire, a new family comedy adapted from Eric Morecambe's books, starring Lenny Rush as Val, who tries to live up to his father Victor’s high expectations, played by Tom Davis.

Val, the reluctant vampire himself, is hiding a secret as big as his cape: he is not part of the great undead; he is, in fact, very much alive.

The Reluctant Vampire will see Val explore his newly discovered human side, whilst dealing with a casket-load of expectations from his tradition-obsessed vampire dad, constant attempts to foil him from his suspicious brother, Vernon, played by Gabriel Nagy, and not always helpful advice from doting mum Valeeta, played by Sian Clifford, who is the only one in the family who knows his true identity.

The series also stars Joe Wilkinson, Asim Chaudhry, Charlie Cooper and Ellie-May Sheridan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-1S9orIgK4&pp=ygUZcmVsdWN0YW50IHZhbXBpcmUgdHJhaWxlcg%3D%3D

2

BRAND NEW DRAMA

PIERRE

Monday 5th October at 9pm on Channel 4

Stream on Channel 4

Launching this week on Channel 4 is Pierre, a new six-part legal drama starring David Harewood in his first leading role on British television, as a West London duty solicitor.

A force of nature, Pierre is charming and funny, juggling the pressures of his job, a fragile personal life and just keeping his head above water financially. His resilience is tested when he begins investigating the suspicious death of a young black client, Michael.

As Pierre challenges the police's portrayal of Michael as a criminal, he unravels a chilling web of institutional corruption. When you come at the system, the system comes at you.

The series also stars Michele Austin as Charlotte Manners, Pierre’s joint managing partner of their solicitor’s firm, and Jason Flemyng as Pierre’s best friend, DS Ronnie Miller.

Exclusive interviews with David, Michelle and Jason coming soon to Instagram.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3IXp2RWnEg&pp=ygUOcGllcnJlIHRyYWlsZXI%3D

3

BRAND NEW DRAMA

CARRIE

Wednesday 7th October on Prime Video

Stream on Channel

Launching this week on Prime Video is Carrie, a new eight-part adaptation of Stephen King's iconic debut novel from 1974, 50 years on from the 1976 film which starred Sissy Spacek as Carrie White.

Carrie promises to be a bold, timely, and surprising reinvention of this classic coming‑of‑age story, in which misfit high‑schooler Carrie White, played by Summer Howell, has spent her life hidden away in her home with her fiercely protective mother, Margaret, played by Samantha Sloyan.

After her father’s sudden, untimely death thrusts her into the unforgiving ecosystem of public high school, Carrie is forced to navigate a viral bullying scandal that tears through her community, the relentless pressure and casual cruelty of the social‑media age, and the awakening of mysterious telekinetic powers that rise alongside her adolescence.

Told over eight propulsive episodes, the series expands King’s cultural landmark, deepening its characters and tensions, and following the small, everyday choices that build toward a single, shattering night, in a gripping, deeply human story about kindness versus cruelty, and whether we’re witnessing the making of a hero, a monster, or something far more complicated.

The series also stars Siena Agudong as Sue Snell, Alison Thornton as Chris Hargensen, Joel Oulette as Tommy Ross, Josie Tota as Tina, Arthur Conti as Billy, Thalia Dudek as Emaline, Amber Midthunder as Miss Desjardin, and Matthew Lillard as Principal Grayle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUw2nh6fT0&pp=ygUOY2FycmllIHRyYWlsZXI%3D

4

RETURNING COMPETITION SHOW

PORTRAIT ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Wednesday 7th October at 8pm on Sky Arts

Stream on Sky and NOW

Portrait Artist of the Year returns this week to Sky Arts for its 13th series, ushering in a bold new era with an entirely refreshed judging panel for the first time in the show's history.

Joining host Stephen Mangan will be three formidable voices from the contemporary art world: Britain’s best-known contemporary Portrait Painter, Jonathan Yeo; Eva Langret, Director of Frieze. And this year’s star-studded line up of portrait sitters brings together a mix of familiar faces from the worlds of entertainment, arts, broadcasting and beyond.

Taking their place in the portrait spotlight are theatre director Jamie Lloyd, musician Alison Balsom and Opera Singer Danielle de Niese, alongside actors Vanessa Williams, Joanna Scanlan, Dexter Fletcher, Sheridan Smith, Arti Shah and Lennie James.

From TV and broadcasting come Rylan Clark, Louis Theroux, Yalda Hakim and Grace Dent, joined by comedy favourites Grace Campbell, Munya Chawawa and Michelle de Swarte. The line-up also features Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden and restaurateur Jeremy King, financier and broadcaster Anthony Scaramucci, poet and playwright Nikita Gill, author Jung Chang, artist and musician Kojey Radical,drag superstar Danny Beard and athlete Matt Weston.

Bridgerton stars Daniel Francis and Ruth Gemmell take their place in the portrait spotlight for the semi-final, while culinary pioneer Heston Blumenthal sits for the hotly anticipated final.

The winner of this year’s series will paint legendary British actor and musician Damian Lewis for the National Portrait Gallery.

5

RETURNING REALITY TV

THE KARDASHIANS

Thursday 9th October on Disney+

The Kardashians returns this week to Disney+ for its eighth season, all about love, reinvention, and what comes next.

For the Kardashian-Jenners, a new chapter starts now as Kris, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie balance empire-building with something far more personal, from unexpected sparks and new relationships, to healing old wounds and embracing independence.

As the family steps into this new era, they'll discover that love, whether it's self-love, family, or something new, might be the most powerful journey of all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9caLB5MnKk&pp=ygUTbGFyZGFzaGlhbnMgdHJhaWxlctIHCQkuDAGHKiGM7w%3D%3D