ITV is set to bring back some fan-favorite television with two exciting shows: the revamped classic Bullseye and Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening. Andrew Flintoff is taking the helm of Bullseye, which originally aired from 1981 to 1995. The show was incredibly popular under the late Jim Bowen and delighted audiences with its mix of darts and trivia.
The Christmas special of Bullseye attracted more than eight million viewers, prompting ITV to reward the show with a full series. Flintoff excitedly stated, "I love the darts and Bullseye was one of my favourite shows as a kid. I was really pleased people seemed to like the Christmas special, and so now I'm thrilled I get to host the series. You can't beat a bit of Bully!" The show follows its classic format, pairing amateur dart players with their teammates, known as the "thrower" and "knower". This dynamic gives contestants the chance to showcase their skills not only with darts but also through answering various questions for points and prizes.
Richard Ashdown, the beloved Master of Ceremonies, will also be returning to guide the audience through the nostalgic experience.
Meanwhile, comedian Romesh Ranganathan is bringing back Romesh Ranganathan's Parents' Evening for another season. The series, which uniquely tests parents' trivia knowledge about their children, is set to feature three celebrity pairings competing each week for charity. Ranganathan humorously remarked, "When I started comedy, my dream was always to keep my mum in regular employment. ITV have helped make this dream come true. I'm excited for her to steal the show again and for people to message me saying she should be hosting." This season promises to be captivating as viewers watch celebrities try to impress the audience—and more nervously, Ranganathan’s mother.
ITV has confirmed the anticipated release for both shows, but exact premiere dates are yet to be disclosed.
Further afield, David Suchet is returning to television with The Au Pair, his first major drama since 2018. This Channel 5 thriller is set to air on March 10, 2024, at 9 PM. The series features Suchet as George, moving next to his daughter, Zoe Dalton, played by Sally Bretton. Zoe seems to lead the perfect life with her husband and children; everything shifts, though, when she hires Sandrine as her au pair, unwittingly provoking hidden agendas and marital issues.
The plot hints at the disintegration of Zoe’s seemingly idyllic life, compounded by the complex dynamics of family and suspicion introduced by Sandrine. Suchet expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, "Having spent a quarter of a century personifying Agatha Christie's iconic character of Hercule Poirot I now feel so honored to... share her passion for knowledge, travel, archaeology, and of course — mystery." This upcoming drama is written by the talented Michael Foott and Andy Bayliss, and it is generating buzz for its rich storytelling and engaging plotlines.
The Au Pair arrives with high expectations due to Suchet's celebrated past performances and the intriguing cast. Co-starring alongside him will be Ludmilla Makowski, whose character Sandrine is anticipated to stir up suspense and curiosity among the audience.
These upcoming series showcase ITV's commitment to delivering varied and engaging entertainment, from nostalgia and comedy to thrill and suspense. With the beloved Bullseye returning to delight fans, and fresh dramas like The Au Pair, viewers certainly have exciting television to look forward to.