
Pilot TV
From the creators of The Empire Film Podcast, Pilot TV is your essential guide to every TV show that matters, providing a weekly rundown of all the new must-see TV shows dropping across streaming, terrestrial, satellite, cable, and beyond. Join Empire's James Dyer, Heat's Boyd Hilton, and Kay Ribeiro as they bring you breaking TV news, reviews of the week's major shows, and interviews with some of the biggest names in TV.Pilot TV is here to make sure every minute you spend in front of the box is a minute worth spending. Served with a heavy helping of insider knowledge, irreverence and humour, Pilot TV won't just keep you informed, amused and entertained, but is guaranteed to save countless hours of your life. Because you can’t watch *everything*.Enjoying the podcast? Sign up to Pilot+ for a bonus episode every Thursday, in-depth spoiler specials, and early, ad-free access to the regular show! Find out more at www.empireonline.com/pilottv
Latest episodes

Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 47min
Beth, The Consultant, and St Denis Medical. With guest Cynthia Nixon
Kay is still on holiday this week, but that’s okay because standing in for her is true crime maven Steph Seelan, plus Cynthia Nixon — although she’s less a Kay stand-in and more a guest, here to talk about the new season of And Just Like That (1:02:13-1:16:13). On this week’s show we have a trio of half hour wonders, specifically Channel 4’s Beth (1:33:57), ITV’s The Consultant (1:25:25), and BBC1’s St Denis Medical (1:42:43). What’s more, we take the opportunity not only to get the latest true crime recommendations from Steph, but to grill her on the genre’s appeal as a whole and try to discover why James wasn’t invited to her wedding. (Episode 340)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!

Jun 2, 2025 • 1h 33min
The Better Sister, Stick, and The Gold. With guest Matthew Goode
Matthew Goode is on this week, chatting all things Dept Q on Netflix (41:02-57:30). Plus, we take up our 9 irons for a spot of golf with Owen Wilson in Stick on Apple TV+ (1:09:52), explore the boundaries of sibling rivalry with Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks in The Better Sister on Prime (1:01:15), and hut for missing bullion with Hugh Bonneville in series 2 of The Gold on BBC1 (1:17:43). All that, and for the maths geeks among you, a special treat as James breaks down the finances of epic fantasy series in a painful attempt to explain why The Wheel Of Time didn’t deserve to be cancelled. (Episode 339)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!

May 26, 2025 • 1h 19min
Sirens, The Last Anniversary, and Death Valley
We’re all off to Scribbly Gum Island this week for BBC1’s adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s The Last Anniversary (58:20), solving crimes with Timothy Spall in Death Valley, also on the Beeb (1:07:31), and pushing the boundaries of sisterly love alongside Meghann Fahy and Millie Alcock in Sirens on Netflix (1:00:04). (Episode 338)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!

May 19, 2025 • 1h 39min
Nine Perfect Strangers, Rematch, and The Bombing Of Pan Am 103. With Guest Rian Johnson
We’re back on the wellness beat with Nicole Kidman in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 on Prime (1:16:15), Facing off against a machine with chess wizard Gary Kasparov in Rematch on Disney+ (1:26:03), and re-examining the Lockerbie disaster with The Bombing Of Pan Am 103 on BBC1 (1:06:32). Plus Rian Johnson drops by to discuss Poker Face (36:44-53:00) and we even manage to slip some Star Wars questions in there as well. (Episode 337)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!

May 12, 2025 • 1h 32min
Murderbot, The Game, and Hysteria! With guest Russell T. Davies
Russell T. Davies, the legendary mind behind 'Doctor Who,' joins the conversation to share insights on the TARDIS and its impact on modern storytelling. They also dive into the complexities of 'Murderbot,' a sci-fi series exploring self-identity through a homicidal robot. The discussion takes a turn to 'Hysteria,' a horror-comedy that examines cultural absurdities, and a gripping serial killer series in 'The Game.' Expect a blend of humor and critical analysis in this engaging talk!

May 5, 2025 • 1h 14min
The Four Seasons, Poker Face, and Malpractice
Alan Alda’s The Four Seasons gets a modern glow-up with Steve Carell, Tina Fey and Colman Domingo on Netflix this week (40:53), plus Rian Johnson’s Poker Face comes crashing back with its second season on Sky (51:04), and Malpractice returns with more embattled medics on ITV (1:00:05). Meanwhile, Kay manages to completely hijack the listener question with a stealthy soap query. It’s okay to be disgusted.(Episode 335)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!

Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 46min
Andor, Étoile, and Carême. With guest Charlotte Ritchie
On program! Yes, Andor has returned and while we had to wait a week for James to get back from holiday before we were all allowed to discuss it, we review Season 2 in full this episode (58:12). Plus, following on from our review of the final season of You in last week’s Pilot+, Charlotte Ritchie joins us on this week’s podcast to talk about the series’ swansong (28:59). Elsewhere, we’re going all French this week with Prime video’s ballet drama Étoile (1:17:01) and Napoleonic baking/espionage series Carême (1:30:46).(Episode 334)

4 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 1h 23min
I Jack Wright, Fake, and Doctor Who ‘Lux’ spoiler discussion. With guest David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo, a renowned actor and producer famous for his roles in Selma and Government Cheese, joins the conversation about his new show. He shares insights into a compelling family drama, I, Jack Wright, that explores toxic legacies and complex relationships. The discussion also highlights the emotional weight of rewatching classic shows and the recent Doctor Who episode, ‘Lux,’ which intriguingly blends animation with live action. Get ready for a captivating dive into TV’s latest offerings and personal anecdotes that resonate!

Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 50min
The Last Of Us, The Stolen Girl, and Government Cheese. With guests Charlie Brooker and Jessica Rhodes
Yes, it’s time for James to bang on about The Last Of Us again (sorry) but that’s okay, because we have Charlie Brooker and Jessica Rhodes on the show to balance things out by talking Black Mirror Season 7 (37:05). Aside from forcing Kay to watch more ‘zomzies’ in The Last Of Us (on Sky Atlantic), we also head over to Disney+ to watch Denise Gough take part in the playdate from hell in The Stolen Girl (1:28:19) and take a slightly surreal look at the world of self-sharpening drill bits (stay with us) in Government Cheese on Apple TV+ (1:39:46). Also, we’d love to get your feedback on the podcast so do head over and fill out our little questionnaire here: https://tinyurl.com/ms9u3z22(Episode 332)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 41min
Your Friends & Neighbours, Reunion, and Hacks. With guest Jon Hamm
Our friend and neighbour Jon Hamm is this week’s guest (36:36)as we chat burglary and anti-heroes for Apple’s new comedy drama (1:06:10). Plus we take a look at the BBC’s Deaf-centric revenge drama Reunion (1:27:15), and have the novel experience of being able to watch a series of Hacks (1:17:12)when it actually comes out instead of months down the line. Hooray!(Episode 331)Note: time stamps are approximate as the ads throw them out, so are only meant as a guide. If you want to avoid this and would like the podcast entirely ad-free (as well as 17 hours early, with a second weekly show and spoiler specials) then sign up to Pilot+!