Jenna Coleman in “Doctor Who”

Doctor's orders: You can't keep the Doctor down, that's for sure.

That is, at least when the Doctor is the titular character in BBC America's "Doctor Who," the alien Time Lord who cannot die -- at least not by conventional means.

And "Doctor Who" -- the show -- is much the same. Like some sort of battery-powered rabbit, it just keeps on going, and fans will be happy to know that Jenna Coleman is set to continue going right along with it.

The "Death Comes to Pemberley" star, who's played the Doctor's faithful sidekick since 2012, wouldn't comment on whether or not she'd return for season 9 for the longest time, but it was confirmed late in December that she'll definitely be back for the upcoming ninth season of adventure.

What there was never any doubt of was whether there would even be a ninth season. With last year's season 8 bringing in the highest number of viewers yet for BBC America and a new lead actor taking over the reins of the Doctor (Peter Capaldi, "The Fifth Estate," 2013), there are high expectations for the upcoming season.

And speaking of that ninth season, filming began earlier this month in Cardiff, U.K., with a planned airing later this year.

"Doctor Who" may have started its life as a strange science fiction show from the U.K., and while it's still definitely that, it has also found itself a welcoming home here on this side of the Atlantic. Watch for Coleman and Capaldi to team up again later this year on BBC America.

Criminal television: "American Horror Story" has grown into an enormous hit, a jewel in FX's TV lineup. But it has done more than scare the bejeezus out of audiences and make executives at FX happy: it's proven that anthology shows -- where each season is a self-contained story with minimal connections between them -- can win over audiences if they're done well.

Well, maybe lightening can strike twice. "American Horror Story's" executive producers, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, are working on a new anthology series for FX, but this one's being ripped right out of the newspaper headlines.

"American Crime Story's" name pretty much tells it all: each season will be a self-contained retelling of some of the most notorious crimes and criminal proceedings in America's history.

The first 10-episode season, subtitled "The People vs. O. J. Simpson," will recount the famous trial of the former NFL running back that riveted news watchers around the world. It's expected to premiere later in 2015.

Cast as the defendant himself is Hollywood leading man and Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Along with his Academy Award winning role in 1996's "Jerry Maguire," he's been the star of dozens of hit movies, including "American Gangster" (2007) and "Rat Race" (2001).

Defense lawyer Robert Kardashian rose to fame during Simpson's trial, but the actor playing him is already pretty famous. David Schwimmer rose to fame in the 1990s as one of the cast of "Friends," and after a few brief stints and cameos in other shows, "American Crime Story" will mark his return to the medium that made him a household name.

The O. J. Simpson trial riveted the nation 20 years ago, and the 10-episode retelling of it has the potential to do it again. "American Crime Story: The People vs. O. J. Simpson" is expected to premiere on FX later this year.

"Walking" in the footsteps of giants: AMC is suddenly embracing spinoffs in a big way -- and you really can't blame them for it. After all, having two of the biggest shows in cable TV history is a blessing that would be shameful to waste.

By now, fans of the wrapped-up "Breaking Bad" are no doubt champing at the bit for that acclaimed show's spinoff, "Better Call Saul," which premieres on Sunday, Feb. 8, on AMC. And although it's so far been overshadowed in the entertainment news by the excitement over "Saul," the news that AMC is also working on a spinoff show for "The Walking Dead" is just as much reason to get excited.

After all, "The Walking Dead" has the distinction of being the highest rated show on cable television -- ever.

Those are some big shoes to fill for a spinoff. Given the working title "Cobalt" (which may or may not end up being the show's final name), the spinoff will feature a new cast of characters struggling to survive during the zombie apocalypse.

To date, only a few actors have been announced for the companion show, but with an anticipated late-2015 premiere date, more will likely be climbing aboard soon.

Frank Dillane ("Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," 2009) and Alycia Debnam Carey ("The 100"), two promising young actors, have signed on for "Cobalt," following the announcements that Cliff Curtis ("Missing") and Kim Dickens ("Sons of Anarchy") will star.

"The Walking Dead" has been a huge boon for AMC, and "Cobalt" is promising to bring fans more of that zombie survival goodness. Watch for it later in 2015.