Film
BFI London Film Festival
Hot on the heels of Venice, London’s glitzy film festival offers the chance to catch some of the hottest movies of the year before they go on general release. Opening with Steve McQueen’s latest, Blitz, the programme includes Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, Daniel Craig in Queer and weepie We Live In Time with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. Don’t miss out.
Oct 9 to 20
Paddington in Peru
In the third instalment of the franchise, Paddington and the Brown family leave Windsor Gardens for the adventure of a lifetime: to Peru to meet his Aunt Lucy.
Out Nov 8
Gladiator II
There’s no place like Rome in one of the most anticipated films of 2024. Following in the footsteps of Russell Crowe is Paul Mescal, out to settle old scores. Ridley Scott directs and Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington co-star. Epic.
Out Nov 15
Wicked
If you haven’t made it to the stage show, Wicked is now heading to a multiplex near you, with this lavish film adaptation bringing the world of Oz (pre-Dorothy) to life on screen. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star as Glinda and Elphaba.
Out Nov 22
Gigs
Chappell Roan, O2 Academy Brixton
This year’s number one breakout star, Missouri’s Chappell Roan is the most exciting name in pop right now; if you can wangle your way into these Brixton shows, you’ll enjoy full “I saw her on the debut album tour” bragging rights.
Sept 19 to 20
Jamie xx, Alexandra Palace
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One of the biggest names in electronic music is back on home soil for a performance that promises to raise the roof off Alexandra Palace. Come along for the strobe lighting and renditions of his hits; stay for the possibility of catching some brand-new music from The xx — as well as potential cameos from his bandmates.
Sept 25 to 26
Janet Jackson, The O2
Jackson’s appropriately titled Together Again tour makes its stop in London in late September — right in time for her 50th anniversary in the entertainment biz as well as the 35th anniversary of her seminal album Rhythm Nation 1814. A feel-good party waiting to happen.
Sept 28 to 29
Dua Lipa, Royal Albert Hall
Didn’t see her at Glastonbury? This is your best chance to catch the pop mega-star in action before she embarks on her world tour. The combination of Lipa’s slick synth-flavoured music with the gorgeous Victorian concert hall looks set to be a classic.
Oct 17
Television
Joan
Sophie Turner is back on our screens for the first time since Game of Thrones in her latest role, and it’s a doozy: she’s playing the real-life Joan Hannington, who was known as “the Godmother” by certain parts of the British criminal underworld. The show explores how she got there: from housewife to petty offender, to a diamond thief and criminal mastermind in Eighties London.
ITV, September 29
Industry series 3
We’re back in the world of high-stakes finance in the third series of hit drama Industry. The excellent young cast return, as Machiavellian as ever as they seek to climb the greasy pole, and Kit Harington makes an appearance as Henry Muck (yes, really), the chief executive of a trendy green start-up.
BBC, Oct 1
Rivals
The buzz around Rivals has hit fever pitch. Based on the Jilly Cooper novel, it boasts a starry cast (Aidan Turner and David Tennant anybody?), an excellent setting (the Eighties monied elite) and a lot of cads and toffs backstabbing each other. And of course, sex: lots of it.
Disney+, Oct 18
Day of the Jackal
Eddie Redmayne plays a stone-hearted killer in this TV adaptation of the 1971 novel (which was turned into a film two years later). Redmayne is the Jackal, an assassin who takes out high-profile targets but soon he comes to the attention of Lashana Lynch’s secret agent Bianca. And so begins a deadly game of cat and mouse across Europe.
Sky, out Nov 7
Theatre
Coriolanus National Theatre
David Oyelowo makes his National Theatre debut in this new staging of the Shakespeare tragedy. Coriolanus is Rome’s greatest warrior but after winning high office he refuses to play the political game, becoming the empire’s most dangerous enemy.
National Theatre, Sept 24 to Nov 9
Juno and the Paycock, Gielgud Theatre
Mark Rylance is back in the West End for Sean O’Casey’s masterpiece, which is set in Dublin during the Irish Civil War. The Jerusalem star is opposite
J Smith-Cameron, hailed for her performance as Gerri in Succession, in this poetic and poignant tragicomedy.
Oct 3 to Nov 23
Oedipus, Wyndham’s Theatre
This is the first of two productions of Oedipus in the coming months, with director Robert Icke’s take on the Sophocles tragedy starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville. Updated to the present day, this Oedipus is a politician on the verge of a landslide victory, but disaster is not far away.
Oct 15 to Jan 4
Dr Strangelove, Noël Coward Theatre
One of the most buzzy stage shows of the autumn, Stanley Kubrick’s classic political satire has been adapted by none other than The Thick of It’s Armando Iannucci. Steve Coogan stars in this work that sees the funny side of nuclear armageddon.
Nov 8 to Jan 25
The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre
The fearsome Miranda Priestly — played by Meryl Streep in the blockbuster film — is heading to the West End this year in a musical with an original score by Elton John. Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams will be donning the oversize sunglasses on stage.
Nov 27 to May 31
Exhibitions
Frieze Art Fair
Frieze turns 21 this year, and its position as one of the most influential art fairs in the world only continues to grow, with 60,000 visiting each year. Taking place in Regent’s Park, Frieze London displays some of the most exciting contemporary artists working today.
A short walk over the park is Frieze Masters, where visitors can see some of the greats on display.
Regent’s Park, Oct 9 to 13
Francis Bacon: Human Presence National Portrait Gallery
Unsurprisingly for the National Portrait Gallery, its new Bacon exhibition focuses on the great 20th century artist’s deep connection to portraiture — exploring how he challenged the form, and how he was inspired by earlier artists. This show features 55 works including self-portraits and paintings of sitters including Lucian Freud and Bacon’s lovers Peter Lacy and George Dyer.
Oct 10 to 19
The World of Tim Burton, Design Museum
With Beetlejuice Beetlejuice riding high at the box office, what better time to explore the creative genius of its director Tim Burton. This exhibition plans to invite visitors into Burton’s world, exploring his work as an illustrator, painter, photographer and author. Drawn from his personal archive, this will look at his creative output from childhood to the present day.
Oct 25 to Apr 21, 2025
The Eighties Tate Britain
Forget the shell suits and shoulder pads, the Eighties was a critical decade of social upheaval and change. This exhibition charts the Thatcher years in Britain through a diverse community of photographers, collectives and publications.
