Strugatskys to Guy Ritchie: September's TV premieres

The upcoming week, from August 31 to September 6, promises a diverse lineup of television content, featuring both new series and returning favorites. A significant highlight is the anticipated adaptation of the Strugatsky brothers' renowned science fiction novel, "Hard to Be a God."

Fans of ongoing series will be pleased with the return of several popular shows. The crime drama "Gentlemen" launches its second season, continuing the story of Eddie and Susie as they navigate their criminal empire while potentially facing romantic complications. The school comedy "Oldskool" also returns for its second season, focusing on a strict "old-school" math teacher trying to connect with her granddaughter at an elite school.

Additionally, the sports story "Chad Powers" will air its second season, following the journey of a gifted but arrogant quarterback. For younger audiences, the children's detective series "Curious Barbara" enters its third season, with Barbara and Vasya embarking on new adventures, this time at a summer camp filled with mysteries like ghosts and pirate treasure.

The adaptation of "Hard to Be a God," based on the Strugatsky brothers' early 1960s work, is set in the future on a distant planet called Arkanar. The inhabitants resemble humans but live in a society akin to the late Middle Ages. Employees of Earth's Institute of Experimental History are stationed on the planet, observing its societal development under deep cover.

"Gentlemen" season two picks up after intense conflicts, with Eddie and Susie developing trust. They aim to stabilize their drug business, but burgeoning romantic feelings between them could jeopardize their enterprise. "Curious Barbara" season three places the young detectives at a children's camp, where they encounter a ghost and search for pirate treasure. "Oldskool" season two sees math teacher Maria Trifanova attempting to bridge generational divides and mend family relationships while teaching at a modern, tech-reliant elite school. "Chad Powers" season two continues the story of quarterback Russ Holliday after a critical mistake in a championship game.