THERE’S a bunch of new shows hitting streaming platforms next week – and all for your viewing delight.
If you’re still feeling the January blues and rather stay inside and binge a new series, then look no further as The Celeb Report’s TV Mag has you sorted with a streaming roundup.
Netflix
Pamela, A Love Story – Available from Tuesday
Pamela tells her own, sometimes painful, story, which includes abuse and troubled relationships, as well as spectacular career highs
Everyone thinks they know red bikini-wearing Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson, particularly in the wake of last year’s wildly entertaining Disney+ series Pam & Tommy. But who is the real Pammy? And what’s the truth behind her dizzying rise to fame and headline-grabbing personal life?
In this intimate new portrait, Pamela tells her own, sometimes painful, story, which includes abuse and troubled relationships, as well as spectacular career highs. Chatting from her family home in Canada, she provides access to a treasure trove of private material, including childhood photos, cine-films and teenage journals. She also delves into some old home VHS tapes from her relationship with Tommy Lee – no, not that one – but if you fancy seeing him dressed literally as a knight in shining armour, you’re in luck.
Featuring contributions from her parents, and loads of archive TV interviews, it’s a sensitive and regularly surprising glimpse into the life of a misunderstood modern pop-culture icon.
Gunther’s Millions – Available from Wednesday
How and why Gunther – whose guardian is colourful and not-in-the-least-bit suspicious Italian pharmaceutical heir Maurizio Mian – has so much money is revealed in this startling new four-part investigative documentary series
Get ready to meet Gunther, a German shepherd who happens to be a multimillionaire. No, you didn’t misread that – it might sound barking but the fabulously wealthy furry fella owns a yacht, several properties in Italy, has 27 glamorous employees, travels on private planes and eats gold-flaked steaks for dinner.
How and why Gunther – whose guardian is colourful and not-in-the-least-bit suspicious Italian pharmaceutical heir Maurizio Mian – has so much money is revealed in this startling new four-part investigative documentary series. With echoes of shows like Tiger King, it’s a tale that involves controversial and cult-like social experiments, surprises, twists and one of the biggest tax fraud schemes of all time. Jaw-dropping.
Princess Power – Available from Monday
Based on the bestselling kids book series Princesses Wear Pants by Savannah Guthrie, get set for a delightful animated treat that’s perfect for pre-schoolers
Prepare to meet Kira Kiwi, Bea Blueberry, Penny Pineapple and Rita Raspberry, four friendly, colourful and super-sparkly princesses from a magical land called Fruitdom, who are all about girl power and self-expression.
By celebrating their differences, this fab four want to make the world a better place and to show that it’s not what you look like that matters, it’s what you do. Based on the bestselling kids book series Princesses Wear Pants by Savannah Guthrie, get set for a delightful animated treat that’s perfect for pre-schoolers.
Freeridge – Available from Thursday
This enjoyably wacky spin-off series is set in the same Los Angeles neighbourhood as On My Block, but follows a new friendship group
Anyone mourning the loss of US teen coming-of-age comedy-drama On My Block, which came to an end in 2021 after four seasons, should definitely make a beeline for Freeridge. This enjoyably wacky spin-off series is set in the same Los Angeles neighbourhood as On My Block, but follows a new friendship group – and takes on a more supernatural vibe than its predecessor.
When bickering sisters Gloria (Keyla Monterroso Mejia) and Ines (Bryana Salaz), and their friends Demi (Ciara Riley Wilson) and Cam (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) unleash a curse upon themselves, they must work together to find a way to shake it, while also navigating the equally terrifying highs and lows of teenage life. Lots of fun.
Make My Day – Available from Thursday
The show is created by acclaimed manga author Yasuo Ohtagaki and directed by Makoto Honda
On a snowy, ice-glazed planet named Coldfoot, a group of human prisoners have been forced into mining a precious, energy-rich substance called ‘sig’. But when a mysterious creature starts attacking the prisoners, young prison guard Jim (voiced by Masaomi Yamahashi) is called upon to help battle this terrifying foe.
Created by acclaimed manga author Yasuo Ohtagaki and directed by Makoto Honda, this spectacular animated sci-fi epic is sure to grip the imagination of fans of Japanese animé.
True Spirit – Available from Friday
A stirring tribute to a genuinely impressive accomplishment
In 2009, 16-year-old Australian sailor Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world. Her gruelling, death-defying voyage took 210 days and covered 23,000 nautical miles, and upon arriving home, Jessica instantly became a national hero.
Now, her remarkable story has been turned into an inspiring and dramatic biopic, starring Teagan Croft as Jessica, Anna Paquin and Josh Lawson as her parents and Cliff Curtis as her coach and mentor Ben Bryant. A stirring tribute to a genuinely impressive accomplishment.
DISNEY+
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Available from Wednesday
Can Shuri find the strength and courage to step up and save the day?
The tragically early death in 2020 of the star of the first Black Panther movie, Chadwick Boseman, cast understandable doubt over whether there would be a sequel. But Wakanda Forever serves both as a tribute and a solid follow up, and unsurprisingly was a smash at cinema box offices last year.
Now the film has come to Disney+, and finds Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright) and their Wakandan compatriots mourning the death of T’Challa (Boseman). But when a new enemy emerges – from the sea – in the shape of aquatic superhuman Namor (Tenoch Huerta), the Wakandans must move forward and find a way to defend themselves and their precious supplies of vibranium. Can Shuri find the strength and courage to step up and save the day?
Apple TV+
Dear Edward – Available from Friday
This 10-episode drama, based on the novel by Ann Napolitano, tells the story of a young boy, Edward (Colin O’Brien), who’s the only survivor of a plane crash that claims the lives of his parents and brother
Warning: if you’re feeling in any way over-emotional – or if you’re scared of flying – approach Dear Edward with care. This 10-episode drama, based on the novel by Ann Napolitano, tells the story of a young boy, Edward (Colin O’Brien), who’s the only survivor of a plane crash that claims the lives of his parents and brother, and dozens of others. Over 10 episodes, Edward and the other bereaved friends and families try to move forward, supporting each other along the way.
Developed by Jason Katims, the man behind shows including Friday Night Lights, and also starring Taylor Schilling (Pam & Tommy) as Lacey – Edward’s aunt who takes custody of him after the crash – it’s heartbreaking stuff. But it’s also a beautiful reminder of the healing power of friendship and community.
Prime Video
Harlem – Available from Friday
Harlem is so much more than the Sex And The City re-make some critics claimed
Okay, yes, it follows four thirtysomething female friends trying to navigate the choppy and unforgiving waters of love and work in New York, but Harlem is so much more than the Sex And The City re-make some critics claimed.
The first season was a funny and fresh new take on modern female friendships and issues, an empowering and realistic show that put the black experience centre stage.
Now, season two finds Camille (Meagan Good) and her fearsome tribe of friends – Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers) and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) – coping with the emotional fallout from the end of the first series. And with plenty more personal and professional fun and games ahead of them – including a girl’s trip to Puerto Rico – it’s set to be as watchable as before.
Nate Bargatze: Hello World – Available from Tuesday
Expect a silly, heart-warming and well-crafted show from one of the US’s most unsung comedy heroes
Acclaimed American comedian Nate unleashes his all-new stand-up special. Filmed at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona, which boasts an intimidating and exposing 360-degree stage – meaning the performer is totally surrounded by the audience – the special finds Nate riffing on topics that include the toughest things about marriage, growing up in the 80s and 90s and the problem of saying dumb things. Expect a silly, heart-warming and well-crafted show from one of the US’s most unsung comedy heroes.
Paramount+
Your Honor – Available from Friday
The new series begins with an action-packed triple bill and picks up from the shocking events of last season’s finale – when Adam was mistakenly shot
Bryan Cranston is no stranger to playing seemingly respectable men who feel compelled to break the law to save themselves and those they love. And while the first season of Your Honor wasn’t in the same league as Breaking Bad, it was a solid, well-paced crime thriller.
Now it’s back for a second series with Bryan’s character, once-respected New Orleans judge Michael, having to pay for falling in with the Mob, after covering up a fatal hit-and-run caused by his son Adam. The new series begins with an action-packed triple bill and picks up from the shocking events of last season’s finale – when Adam was mistakenly shot. Will Michael find a way to turn his life around?
All4
Top Dog – Available from Friday
When the son of her firm’s most important client is kidnapped, lawyer Emily sets off on a mission to find him
It’s off to Sweden for this powerful 14-part crime thriller, which is part of the ever-reliable Walter Presents strand. When the son of her firm’s most important client is kidnapped, lawyer Emily (played by Josefin Asplund, who starred in last year’s equally atmospheric Snow Angels), sets off on a mission to find him.
Before long, she crosses paths with Teddy (Alexej Manvelov), a recently released convict who’s on his own quest, to find the kidnappers. This unlikely duo decide to team up – but can they survive the dangerous conspiracy they quickly find themselves immersed in?
Discovery+
Prisoner Of The Prophet – Available from Monday
Over the three episodes, Briell recounts her horrific experiences and the mental and physical torture she suffered
A jaw-dropping if disturbing new three-part documentary series, Prisoner Of The Prophet introduces viewers to Briell, who was born into the polygamist FLDS Mormon Church (or Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, to give it its full title).
At the age of 18, she was forced to move away from her hometown in order to become the 65th wife of the church’s leader, Warren Jeffs, a known paedophile who is now serving a life sentence for two counts of child sexual abuse. Over the three episodes, Briell recounts her horrific experiences, the mental and physical torture she suffered, and explains how she’s fighting to help those who were victims of the same abuse.
VIAPLAY
Furia – Available from Thursday
The terrifying, violent world of far-right extremism is brought into sharp focus in this nerve-shredding thriller from Norway
The terrifying, violent world of far-right extremism is brought into sharp focus in this nerve-shredding thriller from Norway. When police investigator Asgeir (Pål Sverre Hagen) moves with his daughter to an idyllic-seeming small town, his hopes of a quiet life are shattered by a shocking killing at the local refugee centre.
Before long, he’s drawn into a tangled web of radical right-wing groups that stretch all the way into the heart of Europe, and he encounters a mysterious woman, Ragna (Ine Marie Willmann), with a shocking secret.
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