American Invasion

It used to be standard fare for a drama in the UK to only last a few episodes a season. Everything from Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and Boy from the Blackstuff, to Sherlock and Luther all only having 3-5 episodes in any run. It made for dramas that were compelling, very detailed and hard not to lose interest in.

It's taken awhile for American networks to come around to the same concept, but as more and more small networks see the potential that a Walking Dead or Breaking Bad can have, they're churning out new and original programming where quality is very much placed over content. Here are some of our favourite new American series to check out:

-Rectify
It's only six episodes, and some critics have said the story is too slow for American audiences, but this original series by Sundance is required viewing. Rectify is the story of Daniel Holden (Aiden Young) who is released from prison after being on death row for 19 years. He returns to his home town where everyone has their own opinion on whether or not he's innocent. While you might think the story is all about his innocence, the real power lies in watching Daniel try and adjust to real life and catch up on everything he's missed.

-Top of the Lake
Lords of the Rings made New Zealand out to be a lush and beautiful place. Top of the Lake uses the backdrop as a sign of nothing but dread. Elisabeth Moss (West Wing, Mad Men) plays a young detective trying to figure out who got a 12 year old girl pregnant. She has to deal with corrupt cops, a drug lord who runs the area and most bizarrely a group of middle aged women who set up a community by the lake. Its less Law & Order and more Dragon Tattoo.

-House of Cards
It may be a remake of a beloved BBC show but this American reboot has completely changed the landscape of American TV. Its noted as being the first big TV show that wasn't even shown on a network and streamed on Netflix. Kevin Spacey plays a South Carolina governor in a political drama that shares more with Richard III than it does with The West Wing.

-Bates Motel
A 'contemporary prequel' to Psycho might sound as much of a joke as Gus Van Sant's remake of the Hitchcock classic, but Bates Motel is a surprisingly good show. Vera Farmiga plays the infamous mother, currently widowed, who decides to buy and run a motel with her son Norman. The show eschews any sort of convoluted plot to tie in with its maker and instead has a strong focus on family life, even if we all know how it's going to end up.

The Great Return

After several years of fans wanting to hear more from the Bluth family the latest series finally aired on...Netflix?

That's right, the streaming giants released the full series for fans to stream resulting in many going into hibernation to digest the first new episodes in seven years. And the reaction? Decidedly mixed.

Personally speaking I, as of writing, have only seen two episodes so can't comment on the overall series but have to say that I can see why people may be underwhelmed.  Please do not misunderstand me, I am not saying I haven't enjoyed the episodes, far from it, however the latest series is easing us in gently with the first story letting us know Michael and George Michaels story, the second letting us catch up with
Lucille and George Snr.

For me the beauty of the show is in the family interaction so having these individual storylines to kick off we miss that. I do appreciate the fact that there is a lot of back ground information to be filled in and this is why I will reserve my judgement for now.

Netflix itself is pinning alot on this series and is hoping to attract more people to its site with it. I think they will reach a wider audience and it is up to them to provide the content to keep people subscribed. For me, where Netflix lags behind the likes of LoveFilm is in the ovie choice however the choice of TV series available more than makes up for it.

I will get back to the series and let you all know what I think when I am finished. Whether this is a stroke of genius from Netflix or a mere illusion to trick us into subscribing is yet to be determined but it looks as if the future of our viewing could well be shaped by the success or failure of this.

Dr Who, What Where and When?

 WARNING: This article may contain spoilers for those not up to date with the latest Series of Doctor Who.

I am sure many of you will be excited at the prospect of the Doctor Who 50th anniversary episode. The end of the last episode gave us a small insight into what we have in store and what an insight it was.

We already know the current Doctor, Matt Smith and his predecessor David Tennent will star but now we know the name of another star, a previous Doctor nobody knew about...John Hurt.

It is alleged that he will be playing the Doctors secret. A previous incarnation that commited some deed so terrible that he has been wiped from the memory of all but the Doctor, are these just rumours? Who knows but the intricate plot that writer Steven Moffat will have fans guessing until the episode airs on November 23rd of this year.

Drac's Back

In an age where our Vampires are delivered to us as sullen teenagers that would be more suited to Dawsons Creek than Transylvania we have hope with the new NBC series, Dracula.

To call it a new dawn for Vampires would be somewhat ironic but judging by the advert we might see a return to the traditional vampire that we all know and love.

Starring Jonathon Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) and Nonso Anozie (Cass) the drama set in Victorian England is sure to capture the interest of Vampire fans who were left decidedly underwhelmed by the like of The Twighlight saga and The Vampire Diaries.

Here is a clip for you to make up your own mind.