AT A loss as to what to watch this week? Don’t worry, The Celeb Report’s TV Mag has got you covered.
Whether it’s a binge-worthy drama, gripping documentary or humorous animation, the different streaming services available have plenty of options for you.
What’s New?
Money Heist – Netflix
It’s been an agonisingly long three months since we watched Part I of the last-ever season of Money Heist but finally the wait for the concluding five episodes of the highly addictive Spanish drama is over, and we get to find out what happens to master criminal The Professor and (what’s left of) his crew of daring bank robbers.
Last time we were with them (Part I spoilers), the gang were nearing the end of what seems to be a failed bid to rob the Bank of Spain and, in a truly shocking twist Tokyo had sacrificed herself to help stop the special forces from getting to them. Will the remaining gang members make it out alive – and with the gold?
“In Volume 2, we focus more on the emotional situation of the characters,” says the show’s creator, Álex Pina. “It is a journey across their sentimental map that connects us directly to their departure.”
Expect a fitting, explosive end to one of the most gripping shows in years. In Spanish, with subtitles.
Available Friday
The Power Of The Dog – Netflix
There’s been a real buzz around this movie – a tough, uncompromising Western, directed by the acclaimed Jane Campion (The Piano) – and it’s easy to see why. Ditching his usual dashing charm, Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Phil Burbank, a hard-bitten and brutal 1920s Montana rancher whose cruelty reaches new heights when his brother George (Jesse Plemons) marries local widow Rose (Kirsten Dunst), and she and her sensitive son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee) move into the Burbank family home.
Dripping with tension and psychological horror, it’s uncomfortable viewing, while the plot keeps you guessing until the last moments. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but surely worth it to see Benedict go full Daniel Day-Lewis as the brooding and violent Phil.
Available Wednesday
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid – Disney+
With a whopping 250 million copies sold worldwide, the funny, irreverent Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series of stories have delighted children for nearly 15 years. Now the first book in the series is getting the Disney animation adaptation treatment, giving tweenager Greg Heffley’s hilarious adventures a vibrant and visually stunning new lease of life.
Cheeky, lazy, mischievous and always dreaming up ways to become more popular, Greg – the creation of author Jeff Kinney – finds school a bit of a struggle. Thankfully he has his lovable best pal Rowley to hang out with, and together the friends decide to take on the world – and their fellow pupils – in an attempt to earn respect.
Packed with silly jokes, memorable characters and situations all pre-teen kids can relate to, it’s a whole heap of fun.
Available Friday
Harlem – Amazon Prime
It’s way past time that there was a cool, smart and stylish mainstream comedy series about successful young black women – but better late than never. Created by Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver, 10-parter Harlem follows the relatable and often raucous adventures of four friends – anthropology professor Camille (Meagan Good), sassy dating app creator Tye (Jerrie Johnson), fashion designer Quinn (Grace Byers) and confident, filter-free singer and actress Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) – as they navigate the choppy and unforgiving waters of life, love and work in New York City.
Funny, fresh and featuring Whoopi Goldberg in a regular guest role, not to mention big name producers like Pharrell Williams and Amy Poehler, Harlem is designed – and surely destined – to be huge.
Available Friday
Flat Out Fabulous – BBC iPlayer
Designer Whinnie Williams and radio presenter Tyler West are back to help another batch of renters create the home of their dreams without needing to spend a nightmarish amount of cash. Five new episodes drop this week and, as ever, it’s inspiring stuff, Whinnie and Tyler bringing some glitz and glamour to a trio of Bristol hairdressers, some rock ’n’ roll cool to three north London bandmates, some exotic minimalism to four West Country friends and plenty more.
Packed with loads of decorating hints, upcycling tips and home-improvement hacks, it’s a must for anyone keen to transform their rented home on a tight budget.
Available Sunday
TOP 5
Selling Sunset – Netflix
Deep down, we know we shouldn’t like Selling Sunset . Self-obsessed real-estate agents flogging huge homes that we can only dream of owning to obscenely wealthy people with very little taste? Yup, on paper, it sounds awful. For its millions of fans, though, it’s what television was made for. And in the new fourth series, life for the staff at high-end Los Angeles property agency the Oppenheim Group is as fatuous yet fabulous as ever, with Chrishell dating a familiar face, Heather engaged and Christine pregnant, and two new cast members… sorry, estate agents . What’s not to hate?
Crime – BritBox
No drama based on a book by Irvine ‘Trainspotting’ Welsh is likely to be a light-hearted, feel-good romp. But while Crime is indeed bleak and upsetting – it tells the story of a recovering alcoholic police detective investigating the abduction of a young schoolgirl – it’s also a terrific and compelling thriller that bristles with moments of blacker than black humour. And, at the heart of it all, is a mesmerising performance from Dougray Scott as Detective Inspector Ray Lennox, the copper leading the investigation who struggles to keep a lid on his own issues. Impressive.
Big Mouth – Netflix
A show so rude, crude and gloriously immature that it makes the likes of South Park and Family Guy look about as controversial as The Larkins, Big Mouth definitely isn’t for everyone. But if you like your comedy to amuse and offend in equal measure, this edgy animation about a group of foul-mouthed and dirty-minded American teenagers – created by Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg – certainly hits the spot. Surreal, sick and scatological it might be, but it’s also horribly funny – and the recently released fifth season is as naughty as ever. You have been warned.
Love Hard – Netflix
It’s never too early to get festive – after all, that John Lewis ad has been on for, like, months – and this delightful romcom is guaranteed to put you in a mistletoe-scented mood. Los Angeles dating column writer Natalie (Nina Dobrev) travels thousands of miles to surprise a man she’s fallen in love with over a dating app, only to find she’s been catfished by geeky Josh (Jimmy O. Yang), who used the picture of another local guy, Tag, to attract her. And when Josh agrees to help set Natalie up with Tag if she pretends to be his girlfriend for Christmas, well, you can probably guess what happens next… Heartwarming.
Tiger King 2 – Netflix
Reaching the same dizzying, internet-breaking heights of its first season was always going to be a tall order. After all, much of the success of that lockdown-conquering docuseries was thanks to the shock value of meeting unpredictable breeder Joe Exotic for the first time. But despite Exotic still languishing behind bars, and Carole Baskin distancing herself from the show, devoted fans are sure to find this surprise-filled sequel just as jaw-dropping, with the show telling how the effects of fame have led to some incredible new revelations.
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