New to AMC+ Etc in October

Karen Pirie, the best UK crime drama since Unforgotten, returns for its long-awaited second season exclusively on AMC+/Acorn TV (October 6).

It has the newly-promoted Scottish sleuth (Outlander’s Lauren Lyle) re-opening a 40-year-old cold case that unearths one of Scotland’s most infamous mysteries.

S1 screened in 2022, and can still be viewed on the Sky Box, while S2 went to air last month in the UK.

“The characters aren’t merely well drawn — they’re alive, constantly seeking to understand and learn more about each other,” said The Daily Mail.

Radio Times called it “just as characterful, compelling and distinct as season 1” and praised it for “effective hooks and twists, a good dose of humour and an impressive cast”.

Irish Blood (October 20) is a six-part murder mystery starring Alicia Silverstone as an LA lawyer who travels to Ireland to learn family secrets involving her long-estranged father (The Good Wife’s Jason O’Mara).

“Silverstone is magnetic in her first leading TV role in years with Irish Blood, which feels just as cosy a drama as it does a messy mystery,” Screen Rant said.

All in all, Irish Blood is by no means a perfect replacement for those looking for a good Broadchurch or Mare of Easttown follow-up. But, with a game cast, some solid direction and a few novel twists on its genres, it’s still a fun enough time that’s worth a weekend binge.

Decider wasn’t as convinced: “The only reason why we’re recommending Irish Blood is that we like Silverstone and the rest of the cast.

“But the first episode has some tone and story problems that definitely give us pause about the rest of the first season.”

These reservations notwithstanding, the series has been renewed.

AMC+ premieres include The Braxtons S2 (October 10), part six of Life After Lockup S5 (October 1) and the movies Darwin (October 10) and Operation Aunties (October 17): the former is a crime drama about a young woman who escapes foster care to rob the rich; the latter is an undercover drama about a professor and blockchain expert who uncovers a dark web trafficking ring.

New to horror platform Shudder are three specials: FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards, which streams live (October 19), Etheria Film Night 2025 (October 15) and Revenge of the Ghoul Log (October 1).

Other premieres include:

• the rescheduled Guts & Glory (October 14)
• The Last Drive-in With Joe Bob Briggs (October 5)
• Just One Bob (October 10)
• Aliens Expanded (October 9)
• The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans S2 (October 7)
• V/H/S/Halloween (October 3)
• O.T.H.E.R. (October 17)
• Hell House LLC: Lineage (October 30).