WHAT TO WATCH: BEST NEW CRIME DRAMAS (29 JULY-12 AUGUST)


The Gone returns for its second season on BBC Two, pulling us once again into the atmospheric setting of Mt Affinity, New Zealand. When journalist Aileen Ryan vanishes while investigating the town’s infamous “Mountain Murders,” detectives Theo Richter and Diana Huia are drawn into a chilling search. Their pursuit leads them to a terrifying figure known only as the Goatman, as the case twists into a psychological game of cat and mouse.

Over on Netflix, The Hunting Wives continues to deliver salacious southern scandal and suspense. Brittany Snow stars as Sophie O’Neill, a former Boston PR maven turned Texas housewife who quickly becomes entangled with seductive socialite Margo Banks (played by Malin Åkerman). As Sophie sheds her old life to fit in with Maple Brook’s elite, the show spirals into obsession, betrayal — and murder. With a supporting cast that includes Evan Jonigkeit and Dermot Mulroney, this eight-part adaptation of May Cobb’s novel is pure soapy, binge-worthy drama.

Netflix also drops Hostage this month — a sleek new political thriller headlined by the wonderful Suranne Jones. She plays Abigail Dalton, the U.K. Prime Minister, whose husband is abducted during a tense summit with the French President (Julie Delpy). Forced into an impossible decision between her role and her personal life, Abigail navigates political pressure and personal stakes at the highest level. If you enjoyed the twists of The Diplomat or The Night Agent, this one belongs on your list. Rounding out our picks, Channel 4 introduces In Flight, a gritty six-part crime drama starring Katherine Kelly (Protection, The Crow Girl) as Jo Conran, a flight attendant and single mother whose son is imprisoned in Bulgaria after a fatal bar brawl. Desperate to help him, Jo becomes ensnared by a drug-smuggling operation run by gang leader Cormac (Stuart Martin). With her ex-partner and customs officer Dom Delaney (Ashley Thomas) watching from the sidelines, Jo’s life spirals into danger.

The Gone Season 2 – BBC Two – 31 July

The eagerly anticipated second season of the detective thriller The Gone returns to BBC Two on 31 July. Irish detective Theo Richter (Richard Flood – Red Rock, Grey’s Anatomy) teams up again with New Zealand’s Diana Huia (Acushla-Tara Kupe – Under the Vines) as they pursue leads on the disappearance of investigative journalist Aileen Ryan (Carolyn Bracken) in the remote town of Mount Affinity. Viewers may recall the first season’s finale left viewers on edge, with Aileen’s fate hanging in the balance.

The Hunting Wives – Netflix – Available Now
A Boston housewife’s life unravels after she becomes entangled with a seductive socialite in small-town Texas, leading to obsession, betrayal, and murder. Starring Malin Akerman, Brittany Snow, and Dermot Mulroney.

In Flight – Channel 4 – 12 August
A flight attendant is blackmailed into smuggling drugs to save her son from a Bulgarian prison, leading her into a dangerous criminal underworld. Stars two crime drama favs Katherine Kelly and Bronagh Waugh as Melanie

Hostage – Netflix – 21 August
When the UK Prime Minister’s husband is kidnapped during a summit, she must make a life-altering choice between her political power and personal life. Starring Julie Delpy and Suranne Jones as the fictional French president and British prime minister, respectively.

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