Netflix, Disney+, NOW, Amazon & Apple TV+
The Last Duel
Marguerite de Carrouges, Jodie Comer in 14th Century France accuses Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), of raping him. Marguerite’s knight husband, Sir Jean (Matt Damon), will fight his one-time friend to the death in trial by combat.
However, Marguerite will lose if it is proven that he has falsely accused him and will, accordingly, be set on fire.
The story is told from the differing perspectives of the three main characters, and if it’s not quite in the first rank of Ridley Scott films, it still makes for a compelling drama. Disney+, Wednesday
Matt Damon plays Marguerite’s knight-husband, Sir Jean. This will be his final fight in the trial by combat.
The Rescue
Oscar-winning husband-and-wife documentary-makers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s latest production tells the story of the nail-biting, daring rescue of 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand in 2018.
Free Solo is a film about rock climbing. It features never before seen footage as well as exclusive interviews that reveal the underground stories.Disney+, Friday
Robbo: Bryan Robson’s Story
Ian McShane – a die-hard Manchester United fan – narrates a fascinating insight into the man once dubbed Captain Marvel.
The documentary charts Bryan Robson’s (above) career, from his early days at West Brom to his amazing spell at the Red Devils, as well as his appearances for England
The book charts his life, starting at West Brom, to his remarkable spell at Red Devils.
There’s also a look at his up-and-down managerial career. David Beckham, Alex Ferguson and Eric Cantona offer their views, as do members of Robson’s family. Sky Store available starting Monday
Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues
Mariah Carey will be back spreading her holiday cheer.
Mariah Carey (above), will bring her holiday cheer to the masses by sharing memories and singing festive favourites.
Mariah will sing Fall In Love With Christmas and share holiday memories along with her twins (10 years) Apple TV+ starting on Friday
Queenpins
Any crime movie that has Dolly Parton on the soundtrack and two squeaky-clean suburban women as its heroines can’t be altogether serious.
Queenpins is a lighthearted movie that tells of Queenpins’ serious, real story about a fraud that cost millions. The fraudulent scheme involved forging cereal coupons. Kristen Bell (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) played the roles. It’s a steal. Amazon, now Available
Money Heist
Fans who have followed the Spanish heist drama for four years are delighted to see it return for its final five parts.
Úrsula Corberó (above) stars in this Spanish heist drama, which is back for a final, five-part instalment to the delight of fans
Will the gang be able to get the gold out of the bank? Stars Úrsula Corberó. Netflix available starting Friday
The Power Of The Dog
Benedict Cumberbatch donned chaps and a stetson to portray a cowboy. This intriguing western was directed by Jane Campion. Jane Campion is best-known for The Piano.
Her first feature film in 12 years is this. But it’s London-born Cumberbatch who shines as a cantankerous Montana rancher whose bachelor life is disrupted for ever when his brother unexpectedly brings home a new wife and stepson.
Netflix available starting Wednesday
Nowhere Special
John Norton (James Norton), a calm, quiet man in terminal illness, would give anything for his son.
John Norton (above right) is looking for a family to adopt Michael Lamont (above left). He questions his knowledge of his son
While he is searching for Michael’s family, he begins to question his relationship with him. This film is heartbreaking and touches on the themes of loss and love. Sky/NOW, Wednesday
Why does there seem to be so much buzz around..
Crime (BritBox)
There’s the Edinburgh promoted by VisitScotland: a stunning, culturally rich Unesco World Heritage Site.
And then there’s Irvine Welsh’s Edinburgh: a dark city peopled by shuffling junkies and cocaine crazed cops, perverts and dead-eyed psychopaths.
Dougray Scott plays DI Ray Lennox (above) in this bracingly old school drama
The drama Crime was co-written by Welsh, and is based on his book of the same title. It’s bracingly old-school.
It’s not having any truck with the recently fashionable trope of the ‘sexy’ serial killer. John Simm’s bad guy is a repulsive monster who will make your flesh creep.
And it features the sort of ‘traditional’ coppering where detectives would rather give a nonce a slap than politely enquire about their preferred pronouns.
Where even the young detective sergeant, Amanda Drummond (Joanna Vanderham), who lectures her intense partner DI Ray Lennox (Dougray Scott) on his unconscious sexism, can enjoy the simple pleasure of flinging a pan of boiling stock in a wrong ’un’s face.
The six episodes are too short and leave you wanting more.
iPlayer and All 4 ITV Hub. UKTV Player
Angel Of Death
Police believe that ritualistic killing of a girl was the work of serial killers.
But where this differs from the usual kind of crime thriller is that viewers already know who the culprit is, because we’re introduced to him quite early on in the drama.
Popular lecturer, expert in religious topics, who leads an apparently respectable middle-class lifestyle, but has already begun to plot his next murder.
Emma Giegzno is the star of Angel Of Death. Angel Of Death differs from other crime thrillers because the audience already knows who the perpetrator is
In this Polish drama, the police detectives on Agnieszka Polkowska in Warsaw and Tomasz Mrozec (local cop), are both smart and competent. Agnieszka considers them provincial and sub-par. She is not happy being saddled.
Will the ill-matched pair work out the killer’s motivation in time to prevent the next death? Co-starring Emma Giegzno as Jola Polkowska. All 4 starting Friday
The Inspector is here
J. B. Priestley’s play has been adapted many times, and this feature-length 2015 production is one of the best. David Thewlis plays Inspector Goole. He is a mysterious character who visits the Birling home in 1912.
He’s investigating the death of a working-class girl with links to each of the clan. Ken Stott and Miranda Richardson are also present. UKTV Player available starting Thursday
Conversation
Francis Ford Coppola’s classic 1974 thriller. Gene Hackman plays Harry Caul, the bugging specialist who is worried that the couple whom he was hired to spy for are being murdered. This role features Harrison Ford, the future Indiana Jones star.
BBC iPlayer, Wednesday
Testimonial
The final episode of Ben Richards’s drama about the murder of a student is on BBC1 tonight. If you’ve missed this, a good reason to catch up is Céline Buckens’s terrific performance as the obnoxious accused, spoiled daughter of a rich entrepreneur.
Céline Buckens (above) gives a terrific performance as the obnoxious accused, spoiled daughter of a rich entrepreneur
There’s good work, too, from Tracy Ifeachor as her defence lawyer and Sinéad Keenan as a decidedly biased cop. BBC iPlayer, available now
The Life You Want
This Life was an epic cult success about five young lawyers trying to jump-start their legal careers. The film starred Andrew Lincoln and Jack Davenport as well as Daniela Nardini, Amita Dhiri, and Daniela Nadini.
Fun fact – we’re now further in time from the This Life reunion special (2007) than that was from the original series (1996). BBC iPlayer available starting Tuesday
Keep up appearances
Patricia Routledge is the star of the character Hyacinth Bucket who, to her husband Richard’s dismay, strives to climb the social ladder. BBC iPlayer, available now
Dinnerladies
Victoria Wood’s 1998 sitcom revolves around the staff of the canteen at a Manchester factory.
Victoria Wood’s (above, as deputy manager Brenda Furlong) 1998 sitcom revolves around the staff of the canteen at a Manchester factory
Wood portrays Brenda Furlong’s deputy manager. The cast also included Julie Walters and Celia Imrie as well as Shobna Gulati, Anne Reid, and Maxine Peake over 16 episodes. BBC iPlayer available starting Monday
Shetland
Although the stories are no longer adapted from Ann Cleeves’s novels, the series continues to be a must-see for crime-drama fans.
The latest tale – which concluded its run on BBC1 last week – follows Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) and his team as they try to figure out who murdered a local lawyer. BBC iPlayer, available now
Angela Black
Joanne Froggatt is the main character. Joanne Froggatt is a loving wife and mother, who her husband controls and abuses.
Angela’s chance encounter inspires her to continue fighting. ITV Hub, available now