TVSquad

This has already been a big week for series announcements in the UK. There was a time when that would be a big "Who cares?" for American viewers. Why worry about shows they couldn't see anywhere near their first run air dates?

But with US networks importing Brit shows regularly in original and remade forms, it won't be long before these shows air on screens on both sides of the Atlantic.

Yesterday, the BBC announced the arrival of the new thriller comedy Psychoville. Created by League of Gentlemen stars Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, Psychoville brings together "a misguided midwife, a lovestruck telekinetic dwarf, a blind avaricious collector and a serial-killer-obsessed man-child," as each receives a mysterious card reading: "I know what you did..."

Suffice to say, if this new show shares even a little of the hyper-creative weirdness of League of Gentlemen, you'll be entertained. But, you may need a couple of aspirin when you're done watching.

Getting away from comedy, James Nesbitt (star of the outstanding Steven Moffat series Jekyll) is returning to series TV with the Iraq war drama, Occupation.

Featuring the stories of three UK Iraq war veterans, Occupation features Nesbitt alongside Stephen Graham and Warren Brown. It's been in the works for a while and will finally hit screens in June.

You couldn't find a better leading man than Nesbitt for a show that wants to examine "the personal journeys of three friends from the same regiment, and how they are inspired to return to Basra for different reasons." The Irishman is known for his unique ability to blend dark comedy and dramatic intensity into likable antiheroes. He'll be asked to do the same to play damaged goods in this war drama.