NETFLIX, SKY/NOW, BRITBOX, AMAZON, DISNEY+ & DISCOVERY+
Do not look up
Two astronomers, Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio, who go on a tour to warn people about a comet that’s on a collision course with Earth and will destroy the planet, are met with general indifference.
It’s the end of the world as we know it – and no one cares. It’s a satire and should be very funny but it veers towards the heavy-handed.
The expression ‘star-studded’ is overused but alongside Leo and J-Law are, among others, Meryl Streep, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Cate Blanchett, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman and Ariana Grande. Netflix, starting Friday
The expression ‘star-studded’ is overused but alongside Leo and J-Law in Don’t Look Up are, among others, Meryl Streep (above), Jonah Hill and Ariana Grande
Encanto
Disney’s latest musical, Encanto, is the 60th animated film to be released by the studio.
Complete with an original soundtrack full of energetic numbers from Lin-Manuel Miranda, it tells the story of Mirabel Madrigal – the only member of her family not to have been bestowed with a special gift – as she finds herself trying to save the day when her house’s magic begins to fade.
The voice cast includes a range of Colombian stars, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Stephanie Beatriz in the lead, while Byron Howard and Jared Bush (Frozen II) share director credits. Disney+, starting Friday
Johnny vs Amber
This documentary is divided into two parts and promises to provide a glimpse at a scandalous celebrity marriage from the perspective of both the people involved.
Described as both engrossing and horrifying, the series chronicles the breakdown of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s (above) relationship
Described as both engrossing and horrifying, the series uses tapes, home videos and text messages shown in court to chronicle the breakdown of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s relationship, aiming to understand better the important issue of domestic violence.
Discovery+, available now
Rumpelstilzchen
A near-unrecognisable Jane Horrocks heads the cast of a vibrant re-imagining of the fairy-tale about a miller’s daughter who must spin gold from straw – or risk losing her life. Sky/NOW, available from Thursday
Jimmy Carr: His dark material
Jimmy Carr was the most well-known comedian in Britain, best known as 8 Out Of 10 Cats’ sardonic host. He made an original comedy special for Netflix in 2015. This show of one hour is his third.
Netflix promises that Jimmy Carr (above) finds humour in the darkest of places and that the show features some especially risque material that he refers to as ‘career-enders’
A clip from it of Carr mocking an anti-vaxxer went viral recently, in which he said: ‘The spread of Covid was directly linked to how dense the population is… and some are really pretty dense!’
Netflix promises that the caustic comedian finds humour in the darkest of places and that the show features some especially risque material that he refers to as ‘career-enders’. Netflix, starting on Saturday
Mistresses
This drama was a guilty-pleasure that ran three seasons and featured Sharon Small, Orla Brady and Sarah Parish. BritBox is available starting Thursday
Sharon Small, Orla Brady, Sarah Parish and Shelley Conn (above, clockwise from left) are the stars of this drama that was was as close as we got to a British Sex And The City
Lockdown Christmas 1603: Upstart Crow
As bubonic plague ravages Jacobean London and the nation huddles fearfully indoors, William Shakespeare is enduring lockdown with his landlady’s daughter Kate.
Gemma Whelan (and David Mitchell) play the role of Gemma Whelan brilliantly. This bravura comedy is packed full of allusions about the 2020 pandemic. Instead of masks we have ‘plaguey beaks’, banging on pots to support the corpse-bearers, panic-buying of ham and, above all, boredom.
Will continues to try and come up with a Scottish play that will be performed by the new King. BritBox is available starting Thursday
God’s hand
Paolo Sorrentino’s tale about growing up in Naples, starring Filippo Scotti. Netflix, available now
Paolo Sorrentino’s The Hand Of God is a tale about growing up in Naples, starring Filippo Scotti (above, far right)
David Byrne’s American Utopia
It is possible to ask, “What’s the Talking Heads former frontman doing at Broadway? Being filmed by Spike Lee?”
Byrne’s stunning 2018 show, part rock concert, part dance theatre, features himself and a band, in grey suits, chained to their instruments, performing a set that includes Talking Heads’ biggest hits.
Lee’s film of the show naturally includes some political commentary of his own, too. Sky Store is now available
Emily in Paris
Romcom in which Emily (Lily Collins), a young American woman, is posted to Paris and cavorts around irritating – and occasionally charming – the Parisians.
Emily (Lily Collins, above), a young American woman, is posted to Paris and cavorts around irritating – and occasionally charming – the Parisians
This was partially due to the fact the pandemic was still raging, and that travel restrictions were in place. People wanted Paris to be the romantic, magical city they had always dreamed of. Netflix available starting Wednesday
Being The Ricardos
Lucille Ball is one of America’s most prominent TV personalities in the 50s.
Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman (above), are in top form in Being The Ricardos. This retells the story about when Ball was named a Communist Party member.
Desi Arnaz was born in Cuba and she was made a Communist Party member through the House Of Un-American Activities Committee.
Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman are in top form Amazon starting Tuesday
Ron’s Gone Wrong
The smash hit animated sci-fi comedy Barney is awkward and Ron, his best friend (a walking, talking digital gadget) is hilarious. Barney is not happy when Ron has a problem.
Olivia Colman makes up the vocal cast. Disney+, Wednesday
Little Women
Forget the rather saccharine elements of Louisa May Alcott’s classic tale of the March girls.
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation infuses Little Women with energy thanks to clever reshuffling, some updated language and a cast including Florence Pugh and Laura Dern (above)
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation infuses the tale with energy thanks to clever reshuffling, some updated language and a cast including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Laura Dern. Netflix, available now
Spy City
In this gripping thriller, Dominic Cooper plays the leading role. It is set in 1961. Berlin, described as a “snake pit”, is home to diplomats and foreigners. Journalists and spy are all welcome in this city.
Fielding Scott, a secret agent for Cooper, must navigate this dangerous web in order to discover who has given away security secrets from the United States, Britain and France. BritBox is available starting Thursday
The Wonder Years
The beloved comedy about coming of age that ran in the 1980s and 1990s was remade with great success. Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), was a teenage boy from middle class family who experienced growing pains in the early 1960s.
This new version of The Wonder Years is pretty much the same, except that the Williams family are black and it’s set in 1960s Alabama
This new version is pretty much the same, except that the Williams family are black and it’s set in 1960s Alabama. It’s hilarious, charming and powerfully nostalgic without being sentimental.
The first episodes are narrated by Don Cheadle, while Savage is the director. Disney+, Wednesday
TOP TEN HOTTEST FESTIVE NETFLIX SHOWS
1. Christmas with Murray
Bill Murray is worried that his show will not be seen because there has been a severe snowstorm in New York. But he eventually finds himself joined by Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, and Miley.
2. Love Actually
Richard Curtis’s ensemble romantic comedy, featuring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman, follows the lives of eight very different couples dealing with their love lives.
3. Klaus
Jason Schwartzman portrays Jesper the Postman, who is friends with Klaus (above).
Jason Schwartzman plays Jesper the new island postman, who is friends with Klaus, the toymaker. They bring holiday joy and melt old grudges with their gifts.
4. Dash & Lily
As the cynical Dash trades with optimistic Lily for dreams, desires and dares in their notebook, a whirlwind holiday romance develops.
5. Jingle Jangle… A Christmas Journey
A holiday tale about an eccentric toymaker Forest Whitaker, his young granddaughter Maddalen Mills and the magical invention that can change their lives forever brings to life an imagined world.
6. Holiday
Amanda (Cameron Diaz from California) and Iris (Kate Winslet from Surrey) choose to house-swap Christmas to escape their romance predicaments.
7. Elves
Teens and families are faced with a terrifying prospect on Christmas when an ancient threat strikes their idyllic island vacation.
8. Krampus
Toni Collette and Adam Scott star in this comedy horror. It is about a boy who loses his love for Christmas, and summons an evil spirit to bring it home.
9. Jack Whitehall: Christmas with My Father
Jack Whitehall invites his stuffy dad onstage in London’s West End for a Christmas comedy extravaganza, complete with celebrity guests.
10. Robin Robin
Gillian Anderson stars as a mouse-raised bird and Richard E. Grant plays Richard E. Grant. The film features a short stop-motion movie about a bird that is being raised by mice. She begins to wonder where she belongs, and embarks on an adventurous journey of self-discovery.
BBC iPLAYER, ITV HUB & ALL4
Doctor Who
If you have friends who are sci-fi fans and you haven’t seen them in a day or two, then the chances are they’re glued to the BBC iPlayer.
The powers that be have given Doctor Who fans the perfect Christmas gift: every single episode of the show since its revival in 2005, including David Tennant and Billie Piper (above)
Channel bosses have provided the ideal Christmas present for fans of the long-running series: Every episode since 2005’s revival, when Christopher Eccleston assumed the title role.
The list includes David Tennant, the Time Lord who has been regenerated (soon to be known as the Tenth Doctor), and Billie Piper, a former pop singer, as Rose, his assistant. Super-bingeing awaits. BBC iPlayer, available now
Gossip Girl
Glossy American drama about a group of privileged upper-class adolescents living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, starring Blake Lively.
Glossy American drama about a group of privileged upper-class adolescents living in Manhattan’s Upper East Side, starring Blake Lively (above)
We were on the edge until the curtain was pulled in 2012. Fans then welcomed a second installment earlier this year. BBC iPlayer, available now
The People Do Not Want to Do Anything
A hilarious mockumentary written and performed in part by Allan Mustafa (Steve Stamp), Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin and Steve Stamp. This was created following the self-proclaimed garage legend MC Grindah’s second-in command, DJ Beats. BBC iPlayer, available now
The funny mockumentary is written by Allan Mustafa, Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry, Hugo Chegwin and follows the path of a garage legend.
Luther
You should watch all five episodes of this gripping, riveting drama about a detective.
IdrisElba plays John Luther brilliantly. He is a troubled but bright DCI, who crosses the lines between professional and personal as he investigates some of the most egregious crimes in London. Warren Brown, Ruth Wilson, and Warren Brown round out the supporting cast.
BBC iPlayer, available now
The Office
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s brilliant character-driven mockumentary about life in the Slough branch of paper merchant Wernham Hogg. A Christmas special and two series. BBC iPlayer, available now
Ricky Gervais (above) and Stephen Merchant’s brilliant character-driven mockumentary about life in the Slough branch of paper merchant Wernham Hogg
Friday Night Dinner
Jackie (Tamsin Greasy) experiences a culture crisis as Martin (Paul Ritter), bringing a huge Christmas tree home, and Adam and Jonny [Simon Bird & Tom Rosenthal] intensify their pranking warfare.
Things start to get tense when the family must navigate Horrible Grandma’s temper tantrums, Jim’s unwelcome visits and Jackie’s deadly dry turkey. All4, available now
A Audience with Adele
It’s been six years since Adele released her last hit album, 25, and to celebrate her fourth collection of original songs named, you guessed it, 30, the global superstar performed a concert special for ITV.
Adele (above), debuted new songs, and sang a few classics for a crowd that included Stormzy and Samuel L. Jackson, but Emma Thompson stole the show
The singer performed a number of classics and new songs to the crowd, including Stormzy and Samuel L. Jackson. But Emma Thompson stole the show, with her energetic dancing. ITV Hub, available now