Marta Dusseldorp returns to the U.S. with eight new episodes of the brilliant Australian legal drama Janet King. It’s the highlight of the Acorn TV July 2017 calendar.
Dusseldorp also shines on Acorn TV in the Aussie melodrama “A Place to Call Home,” but I love her portrayal of the dogged former crown prosecutor now working for the National Crime Commission. In Series 3, Janet’s investigation into a sports fixing conspiracy leads her to multiple illegal activities, shady deals and dangerous people.
As if the exclusive U.S. premiere of new “Janet King” wasn’t enough for viewers, Acorn TV also has two new “Midsomer Murders” mysteries, a three-part doc on Winston Churchill and ancestor John Churchill, who faced down Louis XIV of France.
And Christmas in July is back with the first U.S. look at the latest “Murdoch Mysteries” Christmas special.
Check out the Acorn TV July 2017 calendar below for details and more premieres. Subscribers can stream via Apple TV, Roku, iOS, Chromecast, Android and other devices. The streaming service offers a free trial and thereafter is just $4.99/month or $49.99/year.
Acorn TV July 2017 calendar
Monday, July 3
Janet King
Series 3, eps. 1 and 2; exclusive U.S. premiere
Marta Dusseldorp stars as the brilliant lawyer in eight new episodes. In Series 3, Janet’s investigation into the mysterious death of a young cricketer uncovers a web of lies and corruption—where the public face of professional sport meets the shadowy underbelly of drugs, match fixing, kickbacks and murder. Don Hany (late of NBC’s “Heartbeat” co-stars.) (Two episodes per week)
Helen West
3 feature-length dramas, 2002
She’s a workaholic lawyer with a conscience and a messy personal life. As a crown prosecutor, Helen West (Amanda Burton) deals with domestic abuse, molestation and murder. Driven by a strong sense of justice and compassion, she pursues cases even when her boss insists she drop them and goes out of her way to offer victims a helping hand. Based on the acclaimed novels by former crown prosecutor Frances Fyfield.
Continuing
- The Heart Guy: Eps. 9 and 10 (season finale)
- Loch Ness: Ep. 3
- Count Arthur Strong: Series 3, Ep. 5
Monday, July 10
Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages
Series 1-3, 2014-16
In this fascinating documentary series, renowned actress Dame Penelope Keith travels through Britain’s charming villages to uncover what makes these places so unique and special. Armed with her beloved vintage “Batsford” travel books, Penelope explores the rich artistic, literary and royal histories of each region, discovers how time has changed village communities, and seeks out quirky local traditions which continue to this day. (12 episodes)
Continuing
- Loch Ness: Ep. 4
- Janet King: Series 3, Eps. 3 and 4
- Count Arthur Strong: Series 3, Ep. 6
Monday, July 17
Midsomer Murders
Series 19, Part 2
Acorn’s best-selling mystery series returns in two new feature-length episodes: “Death by Persuasion” and “The Curse of the Ninth.”
Continuing
- Count Arthur Strong: Series 3, Ep. 7 (season finale)
- Janet King: Series 3, Eps. 5 and 6
- Loch Ness: Ep. 5
Monday, July 24
Murdoch Mysteries: Once Upon A Murdoch Christmas
feature-length movie, 2016; exclusive U.S. premiere
Christmas in July returns with the feature-length Christmas special from Season 10. Set in Toronto in the late 1890s and early 1900s during the age of invention, “Murdoch Mysteries” centers on Det. William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson), a methodical and dashing detective, who enlists radical new forensic techniques to solve some of the city’s most gruesome murders. When brazen robberies target Toronto’s wealthiest businessmen just days before Christmas, Murdoch and Brackenreid’s jobs are under fire if they don’t quickly solve the case. Meanwhile, Jackson and James team up to bring Christmas spirit to the Station House, Crabtree’s latest novel finds some unlikely fans, and Ogden is stalked by two street urchins who need her help.
The Churchills
3-part documentary, 2012; exclusive
David Starkey uncovers the links between Britain’s two greatest war leaders, both called Churchill: Winston and his ancestor John. Everyone knows Winston Churchill led Britain and her Allies in their struggle against Hitler during World War II. Less well known, however, is John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, who also led Britain and her Allies against a would-be dictator of Europe. He took on the Sun King Louis XIV of France.
Continuing
- Janet King: Series 3, Eps. 7 and 8 (season finale)
- Loch Ness: Ep. 6 (season finale)
Monday, July 31
Fanny Hill
2-part drama; 2007
Screenwriter Andrew Davies brings all of his sly, stylish wit to this adaptation of 18th-century Britain’s most notorious novel. With a mischievous glint in her eye and plenty of knowing winks, Fanny (Rebecca Night) relates her journey from wholesome naïf to worldly woman. After losing her parents to smallpox, the poor country girl travels to London, where she falls into prostitution under the guidance of an infamous madam. Forced to take a series of lovers to survive, Fanny learns to relish sensual delights—but reserves her heart for her one true love. Samantha Bond, Alison Steadman, Philip Jackson and Hugo Speer also star.
Golden Years
movie, 2016
Retired couple Arthur (Bernard Hill) and Martha (Virginia McKenna) Goode live a quiet suburban life, tending to their garden and socializing with friends at their club. But when the nation’s financial crisis empties their hard-earned pension accounts, the couple seizes the opportunity to replenish their funds through a series of bank robberies. This fast-paced comedy-drama features an internationally renowned cast, also including Phil Davis, Una Stubbs, Sue Johnston, Mark Williams, Brad Moore, Ellen Thomas with Simon Callow and Alun Armstrong.
A Good Season
Foreign language series
Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Trentino region, this Italian-language drama follows the winemaking Masci family.
Related stories
Reviews: Crownies and Janet King
More British TV: BritBox July premieres
Interview with Marta Dusseldorp