Killers, love stories and mid-life crises. This week’s TV series

by Julian Fellowes, starring Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector and Luisa Jacobson (season four from 2 November on Sky)

The Gilded Age – a term coined by Mark Twain. Not an age of gold, but something that merely appears to be so. It used to seem like the poor relation of ‘Downton Abbey’, but now it’s a cult classic, having gone through a phase as a ‘guilty pleasure’. These are stories of love and fortunes that are born, grow, and sometimes give way to new ones. Bertha Russell changed society, paying the price that pioneers are expected to pay. Her rival seizes the opportunity to reclaim her position. If these names mean nothing to you, it means you need a proper refresher. Perhaps you’re one of those who’ve always snubbed this series? Don’t know what the Opera War is? Or even the railway revolution? You’d best make the most of these days to catch up.

Showrunner Clyde Philips, starring Dexter Morgan and Uma Thurman (season two on Paramount+).

Two killers, for the detective with his dark side. The urge to kill is ‘channelled’ towards criminals. It’s all in Dexter, the series which aired from 2003 to 2006: eight series about the methodical and calm forensic scientist from Miami. In reality, Dexter Morgan is a serial killer guided by his adoptive father towards the right side of the law. The new series is a spin-off that actually ties in with another spin-off entitled "Dexter: New Blood". Remakes of successful films are almost always terrible. TV series fare a little better but are always a bit of a balancing act to capitalise on a successful character. Here, he has to come to terms with the fact that, as the years pass for everyone, he too is facing a midlife crisis.

By Rowan Joffe, starring Liev Schreiber, Zazie Beetz, Stephen Graham and Bill Camp (on Apple TV+)

Full confession: until now, we were unaware of the name of the Swedish author Lars Kepler. And his bestsellers, which have sold 20 million copies worldwide across ten titles: behind the pseudonym are Alexander Ahndoril and his wife Alexandra Coelho, who co-wrote a novel in 2009. It was "The Hypnotist", published by Longanesi, a huge success in Italy too. Lazarus and The Sandman formed the basis for the series, starring Liev Schreiber as Jonah Lynn. A former soldier turned homicide detective in a small town in Pennsylvania. Far from the streets of Philadelphia, but just as dangerous. There is a serial killer in prison who may be hiding murders far more brutal than those that landed him behind bars.

By Kat Sandler, adapted from her play, starring Carrie-Anne Moss and Noah Reid (on HBO Max).

From Russian folklore comes a monstrous, ancient creature—let’s call her a witch—who flies on a mortar and wields a silver broom to sweep away paths in the woods, misleading travellers. She may abduct children or offer sound advice. This series retains the tangled web of superstitions. The action is set in Canada, where a private investigator arrives in a small coastal town to investigate the disappearance of Henri Park, the wealthy heir to a major fishing company (played by Hudson Williams from "Heated Rivalry," who, like hockey, is Canadian). The local detective seems neither brave nor resourceful. There is also a university lecturer (Carrie-Anne Moss from “The Matrix”, another Canadian) who has a soft spot for younger men.