With winter comes falling leaves, hot drinks and all things Christmas-related. But seasonal clichés aside, is there anything better than staying in and cosying up with a brand new thrilling TV drama as the days become longer, and the nights darker? Didn’t think so.

Thank goodness then for the news of Sally Rooney’s new TV adaptation based on her upcoming book, Normal People, for BBC Three. So, mark your calendars and set the date because it’s due to hit our screens in January.

Based around Rooney’s book, the drama follows the lives of Marianne and Connell – both from a small west of Ireland town, both from very different backgrounds – as they start dating during high school and discover themselves as they meet new people along the way.

Full of awkwardness, humour and romance it looks set to be a big hit.

“I feel very privileged to be working with such an extraordinary team on the adaptation of Normal People. I’m looking forward to the challenge of working in a new form, and of thinking about these characters and their lives in new ways,” Rooney said of the news.

And it will be directed by Lenny Abrahamson – whose previous work includes Room, The Killing of a Sacred Deer and The Lobster.

“Sally is a writer of the highest calibre and in Normal People she captures the ebb and flow of intimacy and desire with extraordinary skill,” Abrahamson said. “I’m proud to be part of bringing her work to the screen audience it deserves.”

If that’s not enough reason to plan many nights in throughout the month of January, then surely the news of a further two female-written stories coming to the small screen will be.

Second up is an emotional thriller written by Nicole Taylor called The Nest for BBC One. Taylor – whose previous work includes Three Girls, The C Word and Wild Rose – has written this drama around love and money, and the price you inevitably pay for being able to buy whatever you want, whenever you want.

“The Nest forces an emotionally combustible confrontation between two Glasgows – and it’s the story I’ve wanted to tell all my life,” Taylor said. “I’m so excited to continue my collaboration with executive producer Sue Hogg and to be bringing my first original series to BBC One.”

Delving into the topic of surrogacy, it’s sure to be a show everyone will be talking about in the new year. 

The third, which is currently untitled, has been penned by (and will star) Michaela Coel. And its subject matter couldn’t be timelier as it focuses on sexual consent in today’s world. 

Set in London, the drama follows the life of Arabella (Coel) and how she deals with consent in a city where everyone is using dating apps to hook up. As new codes of sexual practice emerge, Arabella’s friends have different ideas of what constitutes as consent. 

“I feel weirdly overwhelmed and honoured to be making something again, something I’m making myself, with a great team,” said Coel.

It may be August, but January is already looking like it’s going to be a good month. 

All three dramas are due to air in January 2019 and we’ll keep you updated with more details in due course.

Images: BBC / Courtesy of publishers / Instagram