What to Expect on TV in August

We are already over half-way through the year and there is still plenty of new programming on TV – both in the form of new shows and made-for-TV movies – still to look forward to on both the major and cable network throughout August.

With that thought in mind, let’s take a look at the new programming that TV viewers can expect on the major and cable networks starting next month:

On August 3, Sinbad will air a 12-hour marathon of episodes on Syfy, starting at 11 AM that will include the final five new episodes.

Then on August 7, BBC America will air the season premiere of Law & Order: UK at 9 PM followed by the start of the part mini-series Broadchurch at 10 PM. This mini-series explores what happens to a small coastal community when a media frenzy comes to town after a young boy is murdered. The cast includes David Tennant (Doctor Who), Olivia Colman (The Iron Lady), Vicky McClure and Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who).

Strike Back will be back on Cinemax for the start of its new season at 10 PM on August 9.

Also that night there will be a sneak peek of the new Starz mini-series The White Queen after the season finale of Magic City at 10 PM.

The official debut of the 10-episode Starz mini-series The White Queen will debut at 9 PM. This mini-series focuses on the Sons of York and the women in their lives based on the novel series of Philippa Gregory set during the War of the Roses. The cast includes Max Irons (The Host), Aneurin Barnard, Rebecca Ferguson, Amanda Hale, Fay Marsay, Eleanor Tomlinson and James Frain.

That same day, Primeval: New World will air a 13-hour marathon of episodes on Syfy, staring at 10 AM that will include the final six new episodes.

There’s still more for August 10, starting with the season premiere of Hell on Wheels on AMC at 10 PM.

And, the Hallmark Channel movie Reading, Writing & Romance will debut also on August 10 at 9 PM. The movie focuses on struggling actor Wayne Wenders (Eric Mabius from Ugly Betty), who is comically famous for starring in a low-budget commercial for Irritable Bowel Syndrome medication, a reputation he is hoping to change when he finally lands a starring role in a national root beer ad. But when the paycheck for his big break is delayed, Wayne looks for other options to pay his increasingly late rent and ends up interviewing for a gig teaching Shakespeare at the local high school. Principal Brenda Post (Stefanie Powers from Hart to Hart) hires Wayne for his natural theatrical talent and enthusiasm, but Wayne is soon surprising himself with his love of the job – and for fellow English teacher Amy (Virginia Williams from Fairly Legal), an attractive woman, who is immediately impressed with Wayne’s passion and his idea to teach the students with an exciting film project.

On August 11, the remaining final episodes of Breaking Bad will start airing on AMC at 9 PM followed by the debut of the new drama Low Winter Sun at 10 PM. This 10-episode series is a contemporary story of murder, deception, revenge and corruption in a world where the line between cops and criminals is blurred. The cast includes Mark Strong (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy, Zero Dark Thirty) and Lennie James (The Walking Dead, Jericho, Snatch).

ADDED: The summer finale of Drop Dead Diva will air on Lifetime at 9 PM.

Then on August 17, the Hallmark Movie Channel movie This Magic Moment will debt at 9 PM. The movie follows what happens when Hollywood star Helena Harris (Diane Neal from Law & Order: SVU) films her newest movie, “This Magic Moment,” in the small town of Stone’s Throw, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with local video store owner Clark Gable (Travis Schuldt from Scrubs). Helena, who recently broke up with her current co-star Roberto Molinez (Vincent Spano), asks her new friend Clark to pretend to be her love interest in order to make Roberto jealous. Clark agrees and in exchange, Helena helps him pursue his screenwriting career. While this agreement benefits both Clark and Helena, it also complicates the relationship between Clark and his newly single, former high school sweetheart, Emily McIntyre (Alaina Huffman from Stargate Universe). As Helena and Clark’s fake romance successfully brings out the green monster in Roberto, the jealous Roberto decides to win Helena back and give Clark a taste of his own medicine by using his own fame to pursue Emily.

The Masterpiece Mystery movie The Lady Vanishes will debut on August 18 on PBS at 9 PM. This movie focuses on a young socialite (Tuppence Middleton) who suspects foul play when a woman inexplicably disappears from a train.

On August 25, the Masterpiece Mystery 3-part mini-series Silk will debut on PBS at 9 PM. This modern, fast-paced legal drama follows the rivalries, passions and intrigues of criminal law stars Maxine Peake (Little Dorrit) and Rupert Penry-Jones (MI-5) as rival barristers. This mini-series will run straight through until September 8.

ADDED: Lastly, on August 30 the season finale of Continuum will air on Syfy at 10 PM.

Mark your calendars!