Plenty to plough through.
RTÉ has launched its autumn 2020 line-up across television and radio and you’ll be seeing some recognisable names returning to the screen and the airwaves.
The new schedule brings new dramas, new documentaries, sports and entertainment and a wide range of independent news, current affairs and investigative programmes, while there’s also some musical chairs as familiar faces move to new slots both on TV and radio.
Sarah McInerney, who recently finished her temporary slot on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today Show, and Cormac Ó hEadhra are set to take over on Drivetime from 4.30pm from Monday to Friday, while current presenter Mary Wilson is set to move to the Morning Ireland team.
Bryan Dobson will also move from the Morning Ireland team to the lunchtime news and will lead RTÉ News at One.
Meanwhile, Katie Hannon is set to take over the weekend slot that had been earmarked for Sean O’Rourke as she moves from the Late Debate.
The Late Late Show will return for another season on RTÉ One, with the broadcaster promising a Toy Show like no other this Christmas.
Ray D’Arcy will be back on Saturday nights while Joe Duffy will take over The Meaning of Life series and focus on the likes of Vicky Phelan, Mary Lou McDonald, and Blindboy Boatclub.
Today with Maura and Dáithí will also return to RTÉ One during the day.
RTÉ Six One will be chaired by a new pairing of Caitriona Perry and David McCullagh, while Prime Time and Claire Byrne Live will see some live studio debates. There will also be extensive US election coverage with RTÉ News’ Washington Correspondent Brian O’Donovan.
The broadcaster has commissioned a number of special documentaries focusing on the likes of Marian Finucane and Martin McGuinness, an in-depth look at the housing crisis and an investigation into the murder of Father Niall Molloy.
RTÉ will examine what has happened in our country and across the world over the past months during Covid-19, and what might be coming next.
Fair City is earmarked for a return on 6 September while Eastenders will also return early next month.
Dermot Bannon’s also back, as is Baz Ashmawy, with his new show DIY SOS: The Big Build.
There’s new TV drama in the shape of Dead Still, a period drama/murder mystery set in Victorian Dublin and starring Michael Smiley, Norma Sheahan, Eileen O’Higgins, Aidan O’Hare and Kerr Logan.
The South Westerlies, created and co-written by Catherine Maher, is a drama about a small town in Ireland which gets picked for a Norwegian-owned wind farm, and stars Orla Brady, Eileen Walsh, Steve Wall, Ger Ryan and Patrick Bergin.
RTÉ will also air acclaimed international drama Mrs. America, starring Cate Blanchett, Fleabag, starring Andrew Scott and season 2 of Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone.
There’s also plenty of sport this autumn/winter with GAA, rugby, horse racing and football among others.
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