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Last Updated on September 21, 2024 by Stefanie Hutson

It's nearly October, so it's time for another fresh batch of Acorn TV premieres. Though the month sees the return of some older titles that left the platform within the last year or two, it also brings us a new season of Whitstable Pearl – and a couple of Candice Renoir specials. Keep reading for the full schedule + descriptions.

Shows Continuing on Acorn TV in October 2024

The Long Shadow (2023)

This true crime drama takes a look back at the lengthy hunt for serial killer Peter Sutcliffe, better known as the “Yorkshire Ripper”. Convicted of murdering 13 women between 1975 and 1980 (and attempting to murder seven others), he would go on to live to the age of 74, dying in 2020 due to diabetes-related complications.

Cast members include Toby Jones (Detectorists), Jack Deam (Father Brown), Lee Ingleby (George Gently), David Morrissey (Britannia), Chloe Harris (The Ipcress File), Steven Waddington (Jamestown), Stephen Tompkinson (DCI Banks), and Liz White (Life on Mars).

Episodes will continue as follows:

October 7th
- Episode 6 – West Yorkshire Police launch a massive public appeal in the hope of rooting out the killer as some detectives begin to voice concerns about the direction of the investigation and veracity of their evidence.
October 14th
- Episode 7 – After a chance arrest, the killer is finally caught. In the wake of Sutcliffe’s trial, the failures of the investigation are laid bare.

New Shows on Acorn TV in October 2024

October 7th Premieres

Des (2020)

This three-part true crime series tells the story of the 1983 arrest of Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen. When human remains began blocking a drain near his home, his horrific hidden secrets came to light – ultimately leading to life imprisonment on six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. For his performance as Nilsen, David Tennant received the International Emmy Award for Best Actor.

Can't wait? It's available HERE on several other streaming services.

The Scarlet Pimpernel premieres October 7th

Scarlet Pimpernel (1982)

After leaving Acorn TV in April 2023, this classic British film is back. Don't let the dated, slightly cheesy looks fool you – it's a star-studded adaptation featuring incredible performances from Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisited), Jane Seymour (Harry Wild), and Sir Ian McKellen (Vicious).

Based on Baroness Emmuska Orczy's 1905 novel The Scarlet Pimpernel and her 1913 novel Eldorado, the film is set in 1792 during the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. A mysterious English nobleman known as the Scarlet Pimpernel (played by Andrews) is leading a secret society whose aim is to rescue French aristocrats from the guillotine. His sign is the simple wayside flower, and he masquerades as the wealthy but rather dumb Sir Percy Blakeney.

After rescuing one particular family, he's introduced to a beautiful actress, Marguerite St. Just (Seymour). Unfortunately, she's in a relationship with one of Robespierre's agents (McKellen), and he's been assigned with the task of finding the Scarlet Pimpernel and capturing him.

Downton Abbey fans will also get a kick out of spotting Julian Fellowes playing the Prince of Wales, friend to the Scarlet Pimpernel.

October 8th Premieres

The Graham Norton Show premieres October 8th

The Graham Norton Show, Season 32

This popular talk show returns for another season of chats with celebrities.

New episodes air as follows:

October 8th, Episode 1 – Guest lineup includes: Demi Moore, Lady Gaga, Colin Farrell, and Richard Ayoade.
October 15th, Episode 2 – Guest lineup includes: Hugh Grant, Sebastian Stan, Greg Davies, and Neneh Cherry.
October 22nd, Episode 3 – Guest lineup TBA
October 29th, Episode 4 – Guest lineup TBA

October 14th PremierES

Missing, Seasons 1 & 2 (2009 to 2010)

Previously added to Acorn TV back in 2021, this crime drama returns on October 14th. Pauline Quirke (Birds of a Feather) stars as DS Mary Jane “MJ” Croft, head of a busy missing persons unit in Dover. In each case, she and her team will confront situations that make friends and family wonder how well they really know their loved ones.

Mark Wingett (The Bill, Eastenders), Siân Phillips (Keeping Faith), Felix Scott (Grantchester) and Pooja Shah (Bend It Like Beckham) also star.

October 17th Premieres

The Midwich Cuckoos: Village of the Damned

Based on the 1957 novel of the same name by John Wyndham, this is the latest of several adaptations. Set in the fictional English town of Midwich, the action kicks off with a mysterious event where everyone within a certain area of the town suddenly falls unconscious. When they awake, all the women of childbearing age find themselves inexplicably pregnant. These pregnancies develop at an accelerated rate, and the resulting children possess unusual abilities, including telepathy and mind control.

As the children grow, they demonstrate a collective intelligence and a disregard for human life, causing fear and suspicion among the townspeople.

Episodes will premiere as follows:

October 17th: Episode 1, “Bad Things” – May 6th begins like any other day in Midwich. But as dusk falls, the lives of its residents are profoundly altered forever. As family members fight to save their loved ones from an unknown fate, a community is forged in a way nobody thought possible. Features Keeley Hawes (Orphan Black: Echoes, Bodyguard) as Dr. Susannah Zellaby.
October 24th: Episode 2, “In This Together” – Midwich is recovering from the blackout when a shocking discovery is made: every woman of child-bearing age inside the zone on May 6th has fallen pregnant. But of graver concern to Dr Susannah Zellaby is the unnerving responses of the pregnant women.
October 31st: Episode 3, “The Hive” – Three years after the blackout. The children are entering the second phase of their development. Susannah notices changes in their behavior and makes a terrifying discovery. Her worst fears are realized when a forgotten mother emerges.

October 21st Premieres

Whitstable Pearl, Season 3

As we enter season 3, The Whitstable Pearl is thriving and so is Pearl’s (Kerry Godliman, After Life) little detective agency. After a short hiatus, DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles, Shadow and Bone) returns to Whitstable with a new outlook on both life and career. The pair continue to function as a formidable team as they work a variety of cases together – though Pearl never seems to need Mike’s help as much as he needs hers.

Episodes will premiere as follows:

October 21st, Episode 1 – After seven years, a missing young mum is spotted on Whitstable Beach. Pearl wants to know where has she gone and why is she back?
October 28th, Episode 2 – A little girl goes missing at the Whitstable Psychic Fair and skeptical Pearl has to join forces with a psychic to help find her.

Catch up on past seasons HERE.

Candice Renoir Specials

Two special episodes of Candice Renoir will premiere on October 28th. Though season 10 was the last regular season for the long-running French crime drama, they have (to date) made two special episodes, and it's possible more could follow in future. Do NOT read the descriptions below if you hate spoilers and you're not caught up.

They are:

Corsica Special – Following their non-proposal, Candice and Antoine go on a honeymoon in Corsica. They spent their savings on a dream stay in a luxurious hotel on a beach with turquoise waters. During dinner, a man notices Candice in her pretty flowered dress and her bright laugh – but perhaps the attention is a little too much? Antoine gets into a fight with a man he thinks is a flirt, and the couple spends the night apart, deciding to go home. But the next day, the pseudo flirt is found dead in the trunk of the car.
Halloween Special – Now a financial investigator, Candice is bored out of her mind. With Halloween approaching, she accompanies Antoine to pick pumpkins on a farm with his daughter, Suzanne. Attracted by a marmalade shop run by a witch, Candice forgets to watch over Suzanne and, a few seconds later, the child is kidnapped by Jack O’ Lantern, the scarecrow from the field. There are numerous tracks but Candice, frustrated to no longer be a field investigator, can only act in secret.

Catch up on previous seasons HERE.

Ghostlight (2024)

This American film follows a construction worker, Dan (Keith Kupferer, Road to Perdition), who's drifting further from his family when he discovers a new community and purpose with a local theater group. Unfortunately, his own life begins to mirror the ongoing Romeo & Juliet production, and along with his family, he'll be forced to contend with a great loss.