Great TV headed our way as The Diplomat, Yellowstone and Bad Sisters drop sensational new seasons

It’s going to be a big two weeks in TV Land as some huge new shows hit screens, as well as some heavy-hitting returning favourites.

Get ready to be glued to the couch.

The Diplomat, S2, October 31, Netflix

Kate and Hal Wyler are back for season two of this great espionage series, which picked up legions of fans via word-of-mouth after it debuted (to little fanfare) last year. This season picks up immediately from the explosive season one finale and doesn’t let up, as a mounting political scandal threatens to bring down the UK government — and our favourite diplomatic couple, who are caught in the crossfire. Don’t miss this one.

Tokyo Vice S2, November 3, SBS

If you haven’t dipped into this quietly great series, now’s your chance, as season two drops on free-to-air. The series, filmed on location in Japan, is loosely inspired by American journalist Jake Adelstein’s time working the Tokyo Metropolitan Police beat. Ansel Elgort stars as Adelstein, who “descends into the neon-soaked underbelly of Tokyo in 2000”. Season two has an impressive 94 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes — and rightly so.

Say Nothing, November 14, Disney Plus

This nine-episodes series is adapted from Patrick Radden Keefe’s acclaimed 2018 non-fiction book of the same name, and takes a look at The Troubles in Northern Ireland through the eyes of two young women, Dolours Price (Lola Petticrew) and Marian Price (Hazel Doupe). Described as “a gripping story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland during The Troubles”, it features a predominantly Irish cast — keep an eye out for Anthony Boyle, who starred in Masters Of The Air and Manhunt, playing an IRA leader.

Matlock, November 4, Paramount Plus

If you think this series sounds familiar, that’s probably because it is — it’s a spin-off of the show that famously ran in the 1980s and starred Andy Griffith. This one sees Kathy Bates as a reimagined Matlock, who dives back into the working world after years away. She hasn’t practised law in 30 years, but hits the ground running, gaining a position at a prestigious law firm. But what’s really afoot? This series has already been greenlit for season two, so you can dip in knowing it will stick around.

The Day Of The Jackal, November 7, Binge

Get ready to hear lots of buzz about this new series, based on the famous novel by Frederick Forsyth. It sees Eddie Redmayne step in to play an elusive, lone assassin who makes a living carrying out professional hits. His life is turned on its head when a tenacious British intelligence officer (Lashana Lynch) starts tracking him, resulting in a cat-and-mouse chase across Europe with plenty of collateral damage. This has an incredible cast, including Charles Dance, Richard Dormer and Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Chukwudi Iwuji.

Yellowstone (November 11, Stan)

We’ve been waiting an eternity for the latest instalment of Yellowstone — finally it’s hitting screens. If Netflix’s new Aussie series Territory has whet your whistle for sweeping succession dramas, you’ll no doubt be champing at the bit to check in with the show which started it all, to find out what’s ahead for the Dutton family as they navigate this next chapter. Yellowstone is one of the biggest shows on TV right now — if you’ve not discovered it yet, you have two weeks to get through the previous four seasons.

Bad Sisters, November 13, Apple TV Plus

This Irish series has won a tonne of awards and was easily one of 2023’s shows — fans (this writer included) have been waiting with bated breath for its return. It picks up two years on from the “accidental death” of Grace’s abusive husband (if you know, you know), and the sisters are thrust back into the limelight once more. Who can they trust, and will the truth about what actually happened to JP come out? Lies never stay hidden for long — especially in small Irish towns. Absolutely cannot WAIT for this to unfold.