TV Channel LEGEND announces October 2026 premieres

By Jon Donnis

October’s LEGEND line-up brings a packed selection of action, crime and sci-fi, led by John Travolta and Denzel Washington in the channel premiere of Tony Scott’s intense remake of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123. Martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme also arrives in the channel premiere of KILL ‘EM ALL, while Scott Adkins stars in the martial arts thriller ACCIDENT MAN, also making its channel premiere.

Steven Seagal features prominently throughout the month, starring alongside Vinnie Jones in the channel premiere of crime thriller MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION. Seagal also stars in the action thrillers THE FOREIGNER (2003) and its explosive 2005 sequel BLACK DAWN, both of which receive their channel premieres.

The month also sees the channel premiere of ELYSIUM, the gripping sci-fi thriller directed by Neill Blomkamp (DISTRICT 9) and starring Jodie Foster and Matt Damon.

Monday 5 October @ 21:00 – THE FOREIGNER (2005) Channel Premiere

Steven Seagal stars as Jonathan Cold, a freelance operative and former deep-cover agent. He is hired to transport a mysterious package from France to Germany, drawing him into a dangerous web of political corruption, double-crosses, and murder.

Friday 9 October @ 22:55 – ACCIDENT MAN (2018) Channel Premiere

Mike Fallon (Scott Adkins) is a seasoned hit man who is known for making his target's death look like an accident. When Fallon's girlfriend turns up dead, he goes after his old colleagues to find the one responsible.

Monday 12 October @ 21:00 – BLACK DAWN (2005) Channel Premiere

Ex-CIA agent Jonathan Cold (Steven Seagal) goes undercover as a mercenary for hire. He is hired by arms dealers to break a criminal out of prison, only to discover they are planning to sell parts for a small nuclear bomb to a Chechen terrorist group intending to blow up Los Angeles.

Thursday 15 October @ 21:00 – KILL ‘EM ALL (2017) Channel Premiere

Following a devastating shootout, Philip (Jean-Claude Van Damme) arrives at a local hospital on the brink of death. Not long after, a ruthless, heavily armed foreign cartel storms the building. They lock down the hospital and systematically hunt through the corridors to eliminate Philip once and for all.

Monday 19 October @ 21:00 – THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 (2009) Channel Premiere

Ryder, a criminal mastermind named (John Travolta) hijacks a New York City subway train and demands a $10 million ransom within one hour, forcing a demoted transit dispatcher named Walter Garber (Denzil Washington) to negotiate and outwit him to save the innocent passengers. Directed by Tony Scott.

Thursday 23 October @ 21:00 – MERCENARY: ABSOLUTION (2015) Channel Premiere

When a contract killer (Steven Seagal) encounters a girl on the run from a mob boss (Vinnie Jones) with powerful political ties, he is torn between protecting the girl and remaining loyal to the government agency that hired him for the mission.

Monday 26 October @ 21:00 – ELYSIUM (2013) Channel Premiere

In the year 2154, two human classes exist: the ultra-wealthy living on a pristine space station called Elysium, and the rest living on a ruined, overpopulated Earth. An ordinary man named Max (Matt Damon) takes on a dangerous mission to reach Elysium to save his life and bring equality to both worlds. Standing in his way is Jessica Delacourt (Jodie foster), Elysium’s ruthless Secretary of Defence.

LEGEND is available to watch on various platforms: Sky (148), Virgin Media (149), Freeview (41), Freesat (137) and Freely (38).

REVIEW: Prisoner of War (2025 film) - Starring Scott Adkins

Review by Jon Donnis

Louis Mandylor's 2025 war thriller Prisoner of War is the sort of film that reminds you why Scott Adkins has become such a reliable action star. Set during the Battle of Bataan, it follows RAF Wing Commander James Wright, played by Adkins, as he is captured and forced into a brutal prisoner-of-war camp. On paper the story is familiar, but the execution, particularly the fight choreography and Adkins' performance, makes it stand out.

Adkins is the heart of the film. His martial arts skills are on full display, but what impresses is how controlled and grounded he is in every fight. There are no over-the-top stunts or unnecessary CGI flourishes. Each sequence has weight and consequence. The hand-to-hand combat is tense and visceral, recalling the era of Van Damme and Chuck Norris when heroes relied on physicality and presence. Adkins knows his strengths and leans into them, making him a believable and compelling lead.

The supporting cast adds depth to the story. Peter Shinkoda is a suitably menacing Lt. Col. Ito, while Donald Cerrone, Michael Copon, and Michael Rene Walton bring credibility and heart to the fellow prisoners. The bond between the characters helps raise the stakes when the story reaches its most intense moments. Theresa, the local nurse, provides a human touch without feeling forced, giving the prisoners an ally and adding emotional texture to the narrative.

Where the film struggles is in pacing. At nearly two hours, it is longer than necessary for a straight-up action story. The momentum dips whenever Adkins is off screen, and some quieter scenes could have been trimmed to maintain tension. The story itself follows familiar beats, so the strength of the film rests almost entirely on the performances and the fight sequences.

Still, Prisoner of War delivers on what fans expect. It is a full-bodied throwback to physical action films where heroes really got their hands dirty. It mixes brutal combat with enough emotional grounding to make the stakes feel real. The historical backdrop is respected, and the film conveys the resilience and courage of the men who endured captivity without ever feeling exploitative.

Scott Adkins continues to build an impressive filmography, and Prisoner of War is another strong entry. It might not reinvent the genre, but it achieves what it sets out to do: provide exciting, physical action while telling a story about survival and courage.

I give Prisoner of War a solid 7.5 out of 10. It is entertaining, brutal, and heartfelt, and it reminds viewers why Adkins remains one of the most consistent action stars working today.

Out Now on Digital

https://apple.co/42vI06X