Cosy TV season has arrived, and October is packed with must-watch series, from psychological drama to comedy. The month kicked off with Netflix launching the Florence Pugh series East of Eden, an adaptation of the classic 1952 novel. The period drama has already raced up the streaming platform's top 10, with fans calling it a 'perfect 10/10' and a 'phenomenal' watch.
Near the end of the month, more of the hilarious Last One Laughing arrives on Amazon Prime – but this time with a spooky Halloween twist. A new take on Treasure Island is also coming soon, while Sienna Miller and Dominic West's jaw-dropping War, a drama about a bitter, billion-pound divorce, premieres today.
East of Eden and War
The trailer for Florence Pugh's new psychological period drama East of Eden has scored almost five and a half million views in a month. Based on the classic 1952 novel by John Steinbeck, the limited series follows Cathy Ames, a mysterious woman who changes the lives of two brothers forever when she appears on their doorstep, causing a rippling impact for two generations. East of Eden is available to stream on Netflix.
Sky's latest gripping series War centres on divorce, with Sienna Miller and Dominic West starring as Carla Duval and Morgan Henderson, one of Britain's most famous couples going through a highly publicised split. The battle brewing isn't just between them – it's also heating up between their law firms, each boasting ambitious lawyers holding bitter grudges. War premieres on Friday October 2 on Sky and streaming service NOW.
Family fun and classic adaptations
In 1982, comedian Eric Morecambe published a children's novel called The Reluctant Vampire, telling the tale of a vampire prince called Valentine who can't bear the taste of blood. 44 years later, this story is being adapted into a BBC One series, with rising star Lenny Rush, 17, playing Val, who in this version discovers he's actually a human raised in a family of vampires. The Reluctant Vampire premieres on Sunday October 4 at 6.40pm on BBC One, with all episodes available to stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer.
Another classic tale adapted for the small screen is Treasure Island, the latest take on the 1883 adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Great Expectations actor Tom Sweet leads the cast as budding adventurer Jim Hawkins, with Hayley Atwell starring as his mother Bess Hawkins, and David Oyelowo taking on the role of the fearsome pirate Long John Silver. Treasure Island premieres on Monday October 12 on Paramount Plus.
Returning favourites and new dramas
After three years, Netflix's slick French thief thriller Lupin has returned for a fourth season. Omar Sy is back as the conniving but charming Assane Diop, who takes inspiration from the gentleman thief Arsène Lupin. When we catch up with Assane again, he's behind bars and has seemingly put his days of thievery behind him. However, when he's framed for a crime he didn't commit by a 'new Lupin' who's causing havoc, he's forced to return to a world of adrenaline-racing chases and high stakes. Lupin Part 4 premieres on Friday October 23 on Netflix.
Last One Laughing has been one of the biggest sources of comfort on TV since it started last year. While the celebrities are usually trying to make each other laugh while trying not to crack a chuckle themselves, the Halloween special has a slightly different rule: they also can't scream (from fear). The show begins with three episodes, culminating with a finale the day before Halloween. Last One Laughing: Halloween launches on Friday October 23 on Prime Video with the first three episodes, followed by the finale on Friday October 30.
ITV drama Adultery, from Fool Me Once writer Danny Brocklehurst, reveals how two people, who are both married with their own families, can choose to risk everything for a palpable connection that they can't deny. Romola Garai plays Beth opposite Dominic Cooper as Tom, in a tale of desire that centres around a psychological equation: 'Attraction plus an obstacle equals excitement.' Adultery is due to premiere in late October on ITV and ITVX.
