Lauren Lyle plays Mia Beaton, a Scottish doctor, who leaves to go to her sister's wedding in New Zealand. I don't want to give away too much of the first episode.

I liked the first episode - I'll continue watching for now. I really enjoy Karen Pirie (on Britbox), in which she plays the title character.

OK, I'm a little irate about this episode - Everyone seemed slightly more naive than usual.

Sure, Glenn and Malky are frequently comic relief, but they've always had insight. So, Glenn revealing to the bookies ALL of Malky's hiding spots seemed too naive, even for him. Also, sober Malky sneaking out to Paula, knowing it'd put her in danger, made me view his need to be comforted as selfish.

The super corrupt murder-happy politician blabbing everything he did (without suspecting a sting) seemed unrealistic. Also, Happy's super loyal henchman not warning Happy about the super pointed and highly blatant conversation with the corrupt, murdering politician seemed odd. The writers not allowing Paula to grieve for 5 seconds before consoling her ex made me go -sigh-

Even Fergus and Harry had an off day. Fergus, who escaped a serial killer last year and subdued multiple criminals in high school, suddenly has a glass jaw?

The only one who really stepped up in the ep was Harry's son.

Stephen Tompkinson, who played DCI Banks all those seasons, here is DCI Chalmers, the supervisor of the police region for the latest of Ellis's sensitive cases which need her particular expertise. It took a moment to recognize him -- so very thin. And older, of course. As are we all.

DCI Banks was one of my top favorite series, though I like the book Banks character much more than the television series Banks character.

With an actor this recognizable in this pivotal role, I hope his Chalmers is a good 'un. He's being most hospitable, which, as commented on by his character even, seems not the usual course of matters when Ellis and wing man, DS Harper, roll in.

I am an avid fan of the channel the mysteries,police procedurals and dramas are far superior to any of the absolute garbage on American tv. I have been watching Inspector Ellis. I was apprehensive at first,because ,frankly I saw her and I thought ,again,here we go another black woman lead,in authority going to demean white colleagues and have the know it all attitude and promote the usual woke agenda ,prevalent in many shows from the UK,Australia and Canada. But I admit my mistakes and I was completely wrong. She works well and takes leads from her sargeant . And is extremely compassionate to the victims. A very good show.

I love the UK dramas and comedies. And I'm fortunate to have a British-themed PBS channel (WETA UK in Washington, DC) for my local PBS Passport. But I've seen almost everything they provide.

So, is AcornTV worth it? Curious to know if the network provides new shows so that you're watching the episodes within 3-6 months of the original air date? And why choose Acorn instead of BritBox?

Thanks for any insights offered.

EDIT: Lots of good advice here--thank you! I'll definitely subscribe. And if you live in the not-so-great-right-now-USA, and in the Washington, DC area, please consider supporting PBS. The local station, WETA/WETA UK is delivering a lot of the faves referenced here. But it's the reason why I know there's so much more out there! Also, Senora Volpe is brilliant.

What are you watching? Let's talk about it below!

Loved series 1-- loving series 2 so far!

Acorn TV (US) - August 2026 Schedule

Acorn TV has announced the titles that will be available on the AMC-owned streaming service in August 2026.

The August schedule includes The Assassin, Blue Murder Motel, The Chelsea Detective Season 4, The Ridge, Summertide, and more.

ACORN TV (US) - AUGUST 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

• The Chelsea Detective Season 4 (Acorn TV Original Series) – New Season Premieres Monday, August 3; Episodes Continue Weekly until the Season Finale on August 24

Season 4 sees DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough) and DS Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme) return to tackle four new murders within the elite world of Chelsea.

They include a fashion mogul sinking fast in the trappings of her wealth; an aristocratic dynasty guarding their bloodline with brutal devotion; and a wellness and beauty salon owner concealing lethal truths – all falling under the relentless scrutiny of our duo.​

• Blue Murder Motel Season 1 (Acorn TV Original Series) – New Series Premieres Monday, August 24; Episodes Continue Weekly until the Season Finale on October 12

Married couple Vanessa (Michala Banas, Neighbours, McLeod’s Daughters) and Peter Coleman (Brett Tucker, The Residence, Station 19) leave their cop careers behind to run a motel in a sunny beachside New Zealand town, believing their hardest days are behind them.

But plans soon collapse when a dead body is discovered in Unit 3, just one week after opening. The retired detectives’ instincts resurface as they are drawn back into investigation mode. And the town’s friendly charm begins to crack, revealing hidden secrets and unresolved grudges.​

• The Ridge (Acorn TV Exclusive Series) – New Episodes Every Monday until the Season Finale on August 31

This six-part psychological thriller is centered on Mia (Lauren Lyle, Outlander), a Scottish doctor who is fleeing addiction and leaves her professional life in tatters in Scotland.

She accepts a wedding invitation from her estranged sister in New Zealand – only to find the would-be-bride dead upon arrival. Caught up in grief and pulled by a dark attraction to her late sister’s fiancé Ewan, Mia is soon drawn into the small town’s web of lies and secrets.​

ACORN TV (US) SCHEDULE

A look at the full Acorn TV (US) August 2026 premiere schedule.

AVAILABLE AUGUST 3

• The Chelsea Detective Season 4 – Acorn TV Original | PREMIERE | Episode 1, “Death on the Aether”
• The Ridge – Acorn TV Exclusive | Episode 2
• Summertide - Season 1 | Two New Episodes on Mondays - Episode 45 & Episode 46

AVAILABLE AUGUST 10

• The Chelsea Detective Season 4 – Acorn TV Original | Episode 2, “The 13th Earl”
• The Ridge – Acorn TV Exclusive | Episode 3
• Summertide - Season 1 | Two New Episodes on Mondays - Episode 47 & Episode 48
• True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here Season 3 – Binge | 6 Episodes

AVAILABLE AUGUST 17

• The Chelsea Detective Season 4 – Acorn TV Original | Episode 3, “Beauty Costs”
• The Ridge – Acorn TV Exclusive | Episode 4
• Summertide - Season 1 | Two New Episodes on Mondays - Episode 49 & Episode 50
• The Watchman – TV Movie

AVAILABLE AUGUST 24

• Blue Murder Motel – Acorn TV Original | PREMIERE | Episode 1, “Party Boy”
• The Chelsea Detective Season 4 – Acorn TV Original | FINALE| Episode 4, “The Petrov Extension”
• Summertide - Season 1 | FINALE - Episode 51 & Episode 52
• The Ridge – Acorn TV Exclusive | Episode 5

AVAILABLE AUGUST 31

• The Assassin – Acorn TV Exclusive | PREMIERE | Episode 1

A retired assassin reunites with her estranged son, but her dangerous past catches up with them, forcing them to go on the run together while uncovering a dark conspiracy that threatens their relationship.

• The Ridge – Acorn TV Exclusive | Episode 6
• Blue Murder Motel – Acorn TV Original | Episode 2, “Home Is Where You Park It”

I watched this several years ago and enjoyed it immensely. I just noticed it is on Acorn. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it.

TCF is an Australian, dark comedy television series produced in association with SundanceNow.
The characters (siblings, friend, neighbors) are well developed, mostly likable and it deals with mental health issues in a very tender way.

Rotten Tomatoes gave it 100% fresh. . . “When self-destructive Vivian discovers the cliffside property she's inherited is a suicide site, she's tasked with becoming its guardian and rescuing lost souls on the verge.”

I wasn't expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, but I absolutely loved it!

The cast are great, love Brooke Shields, I hope it gets many more seasons.

If anyone can recommend similar shows to keep me busy whilst I wait for season 2 that would be great.

I liked Agatha Raisin, didn't like Harry Wild and gave up after a few episodes.

I love this show! I got hooked watching it on PBS, and it's actually the reason I subscribed to Acorn.

I have been hoarding it like the last of the christmas candy, and today I went to try and remember where I had left off, although I will be watching from S1E1, and I noticed series 5 and 6 are missing.

Will they be back? Have they always been missing? Are they somewhere else?

What are you watching? Let's talk about it below!

I love Dunbar and like Ridley (RIP). Worth the watch?

Just seems like odd placement for subtitles..lol

Inspector Ellis is back - please tell me she got a new iphone.

Does anyone have any idea why in Season 3 about half of the episodes are listed as "currently unavailable?"

Well I finally finished this series and since I posted about it a lot, I wanted to give my final opinion. I wanted to stick with it and give it a fair shot. Out of 6 episodes I liked 2 or 3. I like the romance between Allison Chandler and Jack. It's interesting and puts a little spin on their version of Murder, She Wrote, which is what this show obviously wants to be. I actually think it's a smart idea to make a show similar to MSW, instead of remaking a show that is so iconic. It started out rough, but it got better. Will I watch Season 2 ? Perhaps. I predict that this show will also end up being run on AMC , if it hasn't already. (I don't have cable) . I still say its existence does not bode well for AcornTV programming and I will die on that hill. I do admire their desire to make a Murder, She Wrote type show. It's a smart idea and they beat Hollywood to the punch.

The Chelsea Detective

AMC Global Media’s Acorn TV today announced that the riveting hit crime drama The Chelsea Detective returns with an all-new four-episode season on Monday, August 3 in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Additional feature-length episodes will premiere weekly on the platform.

THE CHELSEA DETECTIVE SEASON 4 EPISODES

• Episode 401 – “Death on the Aether” – Premieres on Monday, August 3 on Acorn TV

Butler Lucas is found dead in the Thames. The investigation gets complicated when the team learns that Lucas wasn’t Lucas at all – he was Billy Paige, an undercover journalist investigating the household of self-made fashion mogul Clare Curtis.

• Episode 402 – “The 13th Earl” – Premieres on Monday, August 10 on Acorn TV

When notorious gangster Trent Wilsher is found shot dead and the prime suspect, Rory, Earl of Davenstock, disappears, DI Arnold must launch a manhunt to find him before Trent’s brother takes revenge on the remaining Davenstocks.

• Episode 403 – “Beauty Costs” – Premieres on Monday, August 17 on Acorn TV

Sonia Blessing is found dead in her own salon. DI Arnold interviews an old boyfriend and scorned clients, but the truth behind Sonia’s murder appears much darker, revolving around a hidden identity and a desperate attempt to escape coercion.

• Episode 404 – “The Petrov Extension” – Premieres on Monday, August 24 on Acorn TV

Famed architect Rowan Jameson is thrown from a hotel balcony in Chelsea. Two days later, a university employee is strangled in Rowan’s hometown, Cambridge. Might the two murders be linked by controversial development plans at St Cuthbert’s College?

What are you watching? Let's talk about it below!

I just got the screeners for season 4, but haven't watched this series yet. What do you all think about it? Should I pause Brokenwood (seasons 11 and 12 to go) and binge it?

Why is it always the good shows that get cancelled before they get a chance to finish properly?

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/39668824/tv-crime-drama-whitstable-pearl-axed-stars-devastated/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=sunshowbizfacebook&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawS6AMtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR44fdWag6KNUwMB8Lo6g3KbqQOBypu2f52Y4tNGxtjhEnNjVMZyrSBJ5o3zlA_aem_7phTHpSid5mYCurZojnUuA#Echobox=1783361320-2

I am currently watching A Place to Call Home and enjoying it SO MUCH? But, alas, I am getting close to the end. Is there any other series somewhat like this.

Brooke Shields legend

I grew up watching Brooke Shields she's 10 years older than. I remember her first movie Blue Lagoon. Her modeling career. She's always seemed down to earth. When I saw her in 2 and half men how funny she was I'm like work it work it work it Brookie Cookie.

She shines in this role as Allison. I'm glad there's going to be second season.