In trying times, we always gravitate towards comfort viewing, and so it's no surprise that streamers like Acorn TV, with TV series such as Alicia Silverstone's new series Irish Blood, are growing with dedicated viewers.
The heartwarming Doc Martin and Jane Seymour's detective series Harry Wild are both on the service, which sits under the AMC Network umbrella and specializes in British and international television.
New series Irish Blood follows LA-based divorce lawyer Fiona Sharpe (Alicia) who, after receiving a mysterious package from her estranged father, travels to Ireland to uncover the truth about her estranged family, only to find herself entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and danger.
Director Molly McGlynn, who worked on the first two episodes of Irish Blood has told HELLO! that these TV shows offer a low stakes opportunity for viewers to indulge in the mysteries of the world.
"I think everyone's nervous systems are completely shot, but they also don't want to be watching things that are completely vapid," she told HELLO! at the Televerse Festival in Los Angeles in August.
"I think Acorn strikes such a great balance between beautiful, thought provoking, interesting, dynamics but it never gets really too heavy, and I think a lot of people are responding to that. It's like the perfect comfort viewing."
© Szymon Lazewski/AcornTVMolly was looking for a project in Ireland, where she has citizenship, when the call came to work on Irish Blood which she said was "thematically right up my alley".
"It's a beautiful story about families and misunderstandings, but it's also a mystery. It's funny but it has heart as well," she said.
© Getty ImagesWorking with Clueless star Alicia was a dream come true for Molly who "could not believe" that she would get to work with the actress – "the millennial in me was just freaking out".
HELLO!'s TV Writer Abby Allen said of the series: "Crime dramas are everywhere right now, and Irish Blood looks like an absolute must-watch for fans of the genre. Not only does it feature Clueless's Alicia Silverstone – what an amazing casting! – but the six-part series is already drawing comparisons to The Split and Mare of Easttown."
Irish Blood was filmed in and around Dublin, County Wicklow, Bray, and the Causeway coast in Northern Ireland, and Alicia called it a "story of a woman discovering herself and confronting her past after travelling abroad unexpectedly".
"I love how unpredictable the storytelling feels and the combination of drama, humour and suspense my character experiences."
Top shows on Acorn TV now and coming soon
© JOSS BARRATTThe Crow Girl
DCI Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles, Keeping Faith) and eminent psychotherapist Dr. Sophia Craven (Katherine Kelly, Happy Valley) join forces to hunt a killer targeting young men.
But when Jeanette uncovers the body of a missing child, the pair are pulled into a dangerous world of historic abuse and murder.
Coming September 8.
© Mike KollöffelThe Sommerdahl Murders
DCI Dan Sommerdahl investigates murders in the Danish coastal town with his best friend, Detective Flemming Torp, and his wife, Marianne, a criminal technician.
But Dan's years of devotion to the job have hurt his marriage, and with Marianne wanting a divorce, Dan discovers his rival for her affections is none other than his best friend.
And they all must still work together to solve crimes.
Season six will premiere on August 25.
Harry Wild
Literature professor Harriet "Harry" Wild (Jane Seymour) is adjusting to retirement when she's mugged.
While recovering at the home of her son (Kevin Ryan), a detective in the Dublin police, Harry gleans a clue for his current case.
But when she's rebuffed, Harry decides to solve the crime herself. Recruiting an unlikely young sidekick (Rohan Nedd), she finds a new path as a private investigator.
The first four seasons are available now.
The Good Karma Hospital
This medical drama follows doctor Ruby Walker (Amrita Acharia), who travels from England to India looking for a job and a distraction from a bad breakup.
Arriving at an under-resourced hospital, Ruby must learn to cope with her eccentric patients and coworkers. Co-stars Amanda Redman and Neil Morrissey.
