'Homeland' is certainly the year's best new show, but fans of that Showtime drama will want to make time Sunday night for a British import that explores neighboring territory.

Speaking of imports, Masterpiece's bracing British fare -- 'Downton Abbey,' 'Case Histories,' 'Page Eight' and 'The Song of Lunch,' which arrives Nov. 13 -- isn't just enjoyable on its own terms; it proves HBO doesn't have a monopoly on handsomely crafted movies and miniseries.

As for 'Page Eight' (PBS Masterpiece Sunday, check local listings), this enjoyable Bill Nighy espionage movie should also be on the radar of people who enjoyed AMC's 'Rubicon' or the previous Nighy vehicle 'State of Play' (a great 2003 miniseries that BBC America will re-air Dec. 7). Then again, you don't have to be a particular fan of spy fare or Nighy to enjoy 'Page Eight,' which is full of the kind of proven British acting talent that makes the whole venture worthwhile.

It's not 'Criminal Minds,' but A.J. Cook is diving back into the procedural pool with a role on an upcoming episode of NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU.'

According to TV Guide, the fired 'Criminal Minds' star will play the lesbian lover of the daughter of Jeremy Irons' character. While fans may be used to seeing Cook bust criminals, on 'SVU' she'll be playing the victim.

"A lot of people love A.J.," 'SVU' executive producer Neal Baer told TV Guide. "So we asked, 'How about coming and starring opposite Jeremy Irons?'"

Oscar-winner Irons will play Dr. Cap Jackson, a sex therapist who runs a sex rehab center. Cook will play OBGYN Debbie Shields and, according to Baer, "her character is brutally attacked."

In other TV news ...

• Michael Gambon has joined the cast of HBO's 'Luck.' The veteran actor will play a foil to Dustin Hoffman's character, Ace Bernstein. Patrick J. Adams, who plays the lead role in USA Network's pilot 'A Legal Mind,' has also been added to the horse-racing drama's cast. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Kelsey Grammer doesn't watch 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.' The 'Frasier' star appears on the series alongside his soon-to-be-ex-wife Camille, but he and his current squeeze have kept their distance from the show. [Us Weekly]

• 'Twilight' producer Temple Hill has signed a two-year deal with ABC Studios. The production company will first tackle a contemporary retelling of 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' [Deadline Hollywood]