NETFLIX, DISNEY+, AMAZON, BRITBOX, STARZ & SKY
The Inexplicable
Do you remember the TV drama Unforgiven from 2009?
Written by Happy Valley’s Sally Wainwright, it was set in Yorkshire and starred Suranne Jones as a convicted criminal who returns to her home town after being released from prison, but finds the locals won’t allow her to forget what happened.
Oddly, it’s the inspiration for this gritty film from the German director Nora Fingscheidt. Sandra Bullock took over the leading role in the story.
Sandra Bullock plays Ruth Slater (above), whose hope of reestablishing a friendship with her younger sibling look doomed by the prying eyes
Her role is that of Ruth Slater. She has hopes to rebuild a friendship with her younger sibling, but prying eyes threaten these plans. Vincent D’Onofrio and Oscar-winning The Help actress Viola Davis also star. Netflix available starting Friday
Newark’s Many Saints
Tony Soprano, the main character of the TV series The Sopranos, is also the origin story.
However, the focus is on his uncle, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), a New Jersey gangster who young Tony (Michael Gandolfini – son of the late James Gandolfini, who played Tony) looks up to. Multi-platform starting Monday
Wrath of Man
Guy Ritchie reunites with Jason Statham for the first time since 2005’s Revolver in this heist thriller.
Scott Eastwood (above), co-stars with Jason Statham in this remake French actioner Cash Truck. Jason Statham is the mysterious driver of a security company.
It’s a remake of the French actioner Cash Truck and stars Statham as a mysterious driver for a security company.
He’s a man on a mission – to take revenge on those who killed his son. Co-starring Josh Hartnett, Andy García and Scott Eastwood. Amazon starting Friday
Christmas for a Boy
The Christmas origin story starts in London where Aunt Ruth (Maggie Smith), is sharing a story with her children.
But we’re soon transported to the Finnish woods, where a boy sets off in search of his father and a fabled village of elves with only a talking mouse (Stephen Merchant) and reindeer for company. Sky/NOW, available now
Becoming Cousteau
Jacques Cousteau was a man who knew his stuff. Decades before Greta Thunberg was born, he was trying to warn the world that our seas were getting warmer, while also highlighting the planet’s vulnerability.
Jacques Cousteau (above) was ahead of his time, trying to warn the world that our seas were getting warmer, while also highlighting the planet’s vulnerability
He is also an inventor, film-maker and opened the ocean to millions.
Director Liz Garbus’s two-part film offers a glimpse into Cousteau’s life and incredible achievements. Disney+ now Available
As the Time passes
You must remember this… if you’re over 40, that is. This was an excellent romcom concept. Judi Dench played Geoffrey Palmer, and they were former lovers. They reunite 38 years later as they try to lighten their fire.
With scripts by The Good Life’s Bob Larbey, the series ran for 13 years from 1992 to 2005. BritBox Series 1-4, available Thursday
Spitting Image Christmas Special
Don’t expect any punches to be pulled when the satirical comedy returns for a festive edition.
Prince Andrew receives a surprise, and Rishi sunak is visited in the Spitting Image Christmas Special by ghosts
It will form part of ITV’s Christmas schedule, but BritBox subscribers are receiving it as an early gift.
Prince Andrew being surprised by Tom Cruise’s saving Santa Clause and Rishi Sunak getting visited by ghosts were some highlights. BritBox, available now
The Expanse
Sixth and final season of this ambitious sci-fi thriller. It’s 300 years in the future and humans have colonised the solar system and divided into three factions: Earth and the Moon, Mars, and the outer planets. Amazon starting Friday
The Great
A welcome return for the brilliantly bonkers comedy about Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-reigning female ruler. Elle Fanning plays the role of the Empress, Nicholas Hoult is her stoic husband Peter.
Elle Fanning (above, right, with Gillian Anderson) is the empress in this brilliantly bonkers comedy about Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-reigning female ruler
The second series opens with Catherine heavily pregnant by Peter but also at war with him – literally. She’s finally carrying out her coup and is still determined to make Russia more liberal.
It’s funny, rude, wildly historically inaccurate and one of the best shows on TV. StarzPlay is available starting Sunday
Cambridge Spies
Cambridge University. 1934. Soviet agents hire four young men of high standing. Tom Hollander portrays Guy Burgess. Toby Stephens portrays Kim Philby. Samuel West plays Anthony Blunt. Rupert Penry Jones plays Donald Maclean.
This four-part dramatisation takes us up to Philby and Maclean’s 1951 defection. BritBox available from Thursday
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The Wheel of Time (Amazon)
The dark one Bezos, Amazon, saw all the riches and glory that Game Of Thrones was receiving and summoned his men to Se-Atle. He asked them to go out and search for a fantasy epic.
So they did scour the lands and returned with… The Wheel Of Time.
This fantasy epic stars Rosamund Pike (above), and Daniel Henney.
Amazon has gone all out to ensure that its founder’s desire to replicate Game Of Thrones’ success will be fulfilled with this ambitious show based on the novels by Robert Jordan.
To accommodate production, the company even constructed its own studio in Prague. They have already completed series 2, and it is expected that the third will be green-lit.
Critics haven’t yet been entirely won over but fans across the world have. The first episode was Amazon’s most watched series premiere of the year.
Rosamund Pike and Daniel Henney.
BBC iPlayer & My 5
Radio 2 In Concert: Duran Duran & Coldplay
Gigs are, of course, now being played across the country, but for those unable to get a ticket, or who still aren’t comfortable with the idea of being in a packed venue, the BBC’s In Concert series is a godsend.
BBC’s In Concert series features Coldplay, who play songs from both their back catalog and tracks from their latest album. Chris Martin (above).
Each issue features an outstanding act recorded at Broadcasting House. Duran Duran have been around for more than 40 years.
The band continues to delight their loyal fans with their pop music and they are here performing some of their best hits.
Coldplay are also featured, performing songs from both their back catalog and tracks from Music Of The Spheres. BBC iPlayer Duran Duran is now available; Coldplay will be available starting Tuesday
The Mother
It’s not easy viewing, but Roger Michell’s drama, based on Hanif Kureishi’s screenplay, is never less than tense and compelling.
A recently widowed OAP embarks on an ill-advised fling with Darren (Daniel Craig, above), her daughter’s troubled carpenter lover
Anne Reid puts in a Bafta-nominated performance as May, a recently widowed OAP who embarks on an ill-advised fling with Darren (Daniel Craig), her daughter’s troubled carpenter lover. BBC iPlayer, available now
Mrs Wilson
Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction. Ruth Wilson (Luther actress) has uncovered a remarkable story in her family archives.
She plays her grandmother Alison, who discovered secrets about her husband after his death: Alex (Iain Glen) was an MI6 spy – and she was not the only Mrs Wilson… BBC iPlayer until Friday
Gavin & Stacey
British comedy series starring Ruth Jones (and James Corden) revolves around Gavin, (Mathew Horne), and Stacey, (Joanna Page).
Gavin & Stacey follows follows the key moments in the title characters’s relationship, including meeting friends Nessa (Ruth Jones, above) and Smithy (James Corden, above)
The show follows the key moments in their relationship, from meeting each other’s families and friends – including Stacey’s friend Nessa (Jones) and Gavin’s best friend Smithy (Corden) – to getting engaged.
Since 2007 Gavin & Stacey has become a firm cult favourite over three series and a Christmas special in 2019. BBC iPlayer, available now
Dalgliesh
The third TV incarnation of P. D. James’s poetry-loving policeman finds Bertie Carvel in the role.
Over three episodes Carvel effortlessly convinces as the downbeat ’tec, nicely contrasting with his snarky, sneaky sergeant (Jeremy Irvine). My 5, available now
The Outlaws
Stephen Merchant’s delightful comedy drama (with Merchant, Clare Perkins and Eleanor Tomlinson) about a group carrying out community service has, sadly, ended its Monday evening run.
Stephen Merchant’s delightful comedy drama (with Merchant, Clare Perkins and Eleanor Tomlinson, above), has sadly ended its Monday evening run
If you missed it, here’s a chance to discover the laughs – and the tension – courtesy of the box set. The whole movie is worth the effort just to see Christopher Walken playing an old lag. BBC iPlayer, available now