From fly-on-the-wall Rooney documentary to new-look Strictly, the top 20 TV shows to keep you entertained this autumn

AUTUMN is upon us, which means we need some serious TV to fill our time as the cold nights draw in. Fortunately, telly chiefs on the main channels – and streamers – have sorted out a packed line-up of shows to see us through the next three months. The Real Rooneys looks at Wayne and Coleen’s home life and will show the famous couple as we’ve never seen them before Credit: Disney + We see a different side to larger-than-life reality star Gemma ‘The GC’ Collins in this raw and honest eight-part documentary Credit: �Sky UK Ltd TV Reporter Janine Yaqoob picks the top 20 programmes that are guaranteed to keep us entertained. DOCUMENTARY The Greatest – Prime Video, November 4 Jaalen Best plays Muhammad Ali in The Greatest Credit: Prime Video The first authorised drama documentary about boxing icon Muhammad Ali promises to pack a punch, exploring the victories and defeats that made Ali a legend, both in and out of the ring. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The first series of the scripted show — which has Ali’s widow, Lonnie, as executive producer — will span the early years of his sporting career when he was known as Cassius Clay. Jaalen Best plays him. Gemma Collins: Everything. All At Once – Sky, September 15 We see a different side to larger-than-life reality star Gemma ‘The GC’ Collins in this raw and honest eight-part documentary. Navigating love, family, fertility and grief, cameras follow the former Towie star as she tackles her most challenging year yet. When filming begins, Gemma and her partner Rami are preparing for their wedding and hoping to start a family. But as the year unfolds, their plans are tested as Gemma embarks on her fertility journey then is hit by the devastating loss of her mum. Most read in TV Blue Planet III – BBC One, late 2026 The first ever natural history series to give a comprehensive overview of the world’s oceans is back for a third series. Sir David Attenborough returns to narrate the groundbreaking show, sharing new and untold stories from underwater worlds. Expect more dramatic and revelatory tales from beneath the waves, focusing on the five major habitats: the Tropical Seas, Temperate Seas, Polar Seas, High Seas and Deep Seas. In the sixth and final episode of the documentary, scientists share how our seas are changing — both for better and worse. Rob & Rylan’s Greek Odyssey – BBC One, late 2026 Pals Rob Rinder and Rylan Clark embark on a Greek odyssey in an epic third adventure for the BBC, following their tours of Italy and India. From the Acropolis in Athens to the root of hedonism in Mykonos, they explore what the philosophy, art and culture of ancient Greece can tell us about ourselves. DRAMA Kill Jackie – Prime Video, October 2 Catherine Zeta-Jones transforms into a badass killer in revenge thriller Kill Jackie Catherine Zeta-Jones transforms into a badass killer in this revenge thriller. She plays Jackie Price, who has been living a luxurious existence for the last 20 years — travelling the world, selling fine art and trying to stay anonymous after years as an international drug smuggler. That all changes when she discovers that a squad of the world’s most terrifying hitmen have been hired to kill her — but only if she doesn’t get to them first. The eight-parter is based on the acclaimed novel, The Price You Pay by Nick Harkaway. War – Sky, October 2 Sienna Miller and Dominic West in high-stakes legal drama War Credit: ©Sky/ HBO/ New Pictures All is not fair in love and war in this high-stakes legal drama with Sienna Miller and Dominic West. They play British tech entrepreneur Morgan Henderson and international film star Carla Duval — a former couple at loggerheads as their explosive divorce goes through court. And their tough-talking lawyers from Cathcarts & Sons and Taylor & Byrne will stop at nothing to secure victory for their clients. The Party – ITV, Autumn A lavish birthday bash at a posh country pile ends up being one to remember for all the wrong reasons in this new drama. The five-part series, based on the novel by Eliza Day, sees Beauty And The Beast star Luke Evans play journalist Martin, who has been shaped by his lifelong friendship with the wealthy and charismatic politician Ben Fitzmaurice, played by The Gold’s Tom Cullen. It flashes back to their time at school, university and partying in London — and the fateful night which threatens both of their futures. The Blame – ITV, Autumn Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth play detectives Emma Crane and Tom Radley in The Blame The line between work and play blurs for detectives Emma Crane and Tom Radley in this gritty thriller. Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth play the colleagues, whose murder inquiry soon spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups and moral compromise. At the same time the police duo are, of course, having a passionate fling. It’s just one of the multiple twists and complications in the dark six-parter, based on the debut novel of the same name by Charlotte Langley. REALITY The Real Rooneys – Disney+, September 24 This fly-on-the-wall look at Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s home life will show the famous couple as we’ve never seen them before. The cameras go behind the scenes of the mansion they share with their four sons at a pivotal point in both their careers. Wayne lost his job as manager at Plymouth Argyle just as filming started, then Coleen saw her profile soar after appearing on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here! Apocalypse – Channel 4, September 13 Apocalypse will see two teams of regular people experience what it would be like to live in a post-apocalyptic world Credit: Matthew Salacuse / Channel 4 A mechanic, a paramedic, a psychologist and an influencer are among 14 ordinary people put to the ultimate test as they are tasked with surviving an apocalypse. Two unsuspecting groups of strangers are dropped into a real abandoned town, each unaware of the other’s existence. With no electricity, running water or food, the survivors — from both the UK and Australia — must scavenge, recycle, reuse and reinvent anything they can find to get by. Will primitive instincts or cooperation be the key to survival? The Wargame – Sky One, September 21 The Wargame is a gripping simulation that sees politicians in charge of defending the UK against a Russian attack Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Imagine if former Tory MP Michael Gove, former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and bolshy Anthony Scaramucci, who infamously lasted just ten days as White House communications director, were in charge of defending the UK against a Russian attack. The wild scenario plays out in this new Sky series, which is set six months in the future. A gripping simulation sees them sit in a Cobra-style briefing room and deal with the high-stakes developments of such a crisis. Developed with leading academics, military and defence experts, high-profile politicians Penny Mordaunt, Baroness Harman and Baroness Warsi also feature. One Born Every Minute – Channel 4, late 2026 More magical moments and bouncing babies are on the way as this groundbreaking documentary returns to our screens after almost ten years. The joyous series, which ran for eleven seasons from 2010 to 2018, will take a new generation of viewers on the intimate and emotional journey of childbirth. Expect tender and unpredictable moments in the 12 episodes, which show fresh stories and advances in maternity care — as well as the real-life challenges faced by the NHS in 2026. COMEDY Youth – HBO Max, September 21 Sharon Horgan has a knack of turning life’s struggles into comedy gold. From parenting in Catastrophe to family fights in Bad Sisters, her latest series — which she’s written, exec produced and stars in — sees her character battle with getting older as she searches for sex and love. She plays Alex, a 50-year-old divorcee in need of some attention while juggling caring for her ailing parents and her manchild son. Brothers – Apple TV, September 23 Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey reunite in BrothersCredit: Refer to source Shocking family gossip sees True Detective duo Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey reunite in Brothers. Sparked by some long-buried information that McConaughey’s mum once enjoyed a fling with Harrelson’s dad, the pair, who play fictionalised versions of themselves, learn that they are siblings. The result is a heartfelt, chaotic and wildly funny story about friendship, family, fame and the messy line between myth and reality. Only Fools and Horses: The Lost Archive – U&Gold, October Fans of hit comedy Only Fools And Horses are getting a cushty deal with this new two-part series celebrating the show’s 45th anniversary Credit: BBC Fans of hit comedy Only Fools And Horses are getting a cushty deal with this new two-part series celebrating the show’s 45th anniversary. Transporting us back to Peckham with brothers Derek and Rodney Trotter, it’s packed with never-before- seen footage uncovered in the archive. It’s been taken from over ten classic episodes, including fan favourites The Jolly Boys’ Outing and Mother Nature’s Son. It also features new interviews with stars David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. Last One Laughing Halloween Special – Prime Video, October 23 This hilarious programme gets a spooktacular line-up for its first Halloween special. Jack Dee, Daisy May Cooper, Phil Wang, Lou Sanders, Reece Shearsmith, Harriet Dyer and Tom Allen will all be trying their utmost not to let out a chuckle — or a scream — as their funny bones are tested. Jimmy Carr and Roisin Conaty are back on hosting duties. Cursed props, ghostly interruptions and spine-tingling surprises have all clearly been designed to catch even the bravest comic off guard. RETURNING Great British Bake Off – Channel 4, late September Bake Off is about to get a whole lot saucier with the arrival of Nigella Lawson. The sultry chef, who has been drafted in as Prue Leith’s replacement, teams up with Paul Hollywood, who will be back to dish out his famous handshakes to another batch of star bakers. Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding will once again be on hand to temper the tension in the tent with lots of laughs. Strictly Come Dancing – BBC One, late September Emma Willis is taking over as one of the new hosts on Strictly, along with Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe Credit: Getty It’s a new-look Strictly this year, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe taking over hosting duties from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. There’s also been an overhaul of pro dancers, while the celebrities hoping to impress with their fancy footwork include EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, reality favourite Dani Dyer, Aussie singer Delta Goodrem and celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton. Rivals – Disney+, November More Rivals raunchiness is on its way, promising higher stakes, new romances and the rekindling of old flames. Part two of the second series, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s raunchy novels, promises to be the naughtiest yet and picks up after the deadly 1987 hurricane. Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, returns, as well as Emily Atack’s character Sarah Stratton and Taggie O’Hara (Bella Maclean). One thing is guaranteed — it’ll be another bonkbuster. Blue Lights, BBC One, Autumn Belfast police drama Blue Lights kicks off its fourth series with the unexpected return of a show favourite Credit: BBC Belfast cop drama Blue Lights kicks off its fourth series with the unexpected return of a show favourite. Gerry, played by Richard Dormer, rises from the ashes in flashback scenes after his death in series one. Cops are also called to a migrant centre where far-right groups are converging and ready to attack. Grace (Sian Brooke), Tommy (Nathan Braniff) and Annie (Katherine Devlin) are among the dedicated cops pushed to their limit as they struggle to keep the peace on the streets. Comment now