Here are some seriously good new TV releases to get stuck into this weekend …
For 1960s style and sustenance: Palm Royale
On Apple TV+: Palm Royale has finally been released, and let’s just say Kristen Wiig dressed in her 60s garb in this High Society bubble will be your next TV obsession. Based on Juliet McDaniel’s novel Mr and Mrs American Pie, the hilarious Kristen Wiig plays an ambitious woman who schemes to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach High Society circa 1969. It is as if Barbie and the 60s James Bond came together to set the scene for this scandalous affair. Starring Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, with a cameo from Kaia Gerber, with Alison Janney and the legendary Laura Dern, we can’t wait to stick this on this weekend. Photograph via Apple TV+
For class, charisma and gangster behaviour: The Gentleman
On Netflix: The Gentleman has been sitting in Ireland’s Top 10 most watched on Netflix since it was released on March 7 and are we surprised? Starring The White Lotus’ Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Joely Richardson and more notable names, this sleek TV series is one that will pull you in immediately. The series follows Aristocratic Eddie (James), who upon the death of a mystery relative, inherits a family estate and discovers that it’s home to an enormous weed empire. Suddenly embroiled in a world of criminality the show kicks off with lots of style and action. The series shows a new part of the world which Guy Ritchie created in his 2020 film (starring Matthew McConaughay) of the same name, with different characters but the same grit and excitement – and of course some fresh stunts along the way. We have to mention Stuart Carolan, the shows’ producer and Irish man, who was also the creator of Love/Hate. This make sense as The Gentleman is certainly filling the Love/Hate-shaped-hole we had in our hearts. Photograph via Netflix
For a true story: The Other Shore
On Netflix: We have seen the the biopic film NYAD starring Jodie Foster and Oscar Nominated Annette Bening and now we can follow the real people and footage in The Other Shore, the film which documents Nyad attempting her life-long of swimming from Cuba to Florida without using a protective shark cage. At 63-years-old, the determination of this legendary swimmer is something special to behold, as is that of her best friend and coach Bonnie Stoll (played by Jodie Foster in the film NYAD). Inspiring, emotional and exciting, if you are in the mood for an incredible true story, flick this one on on this weekend. Photograph via Netflix
For the documentarian: To Kill A Tiger
On Netflix: This documentary boasts very sensitive themes and tells a story that is hard but incredible to hear, so do be wary before you press play. Filmed in a village in the Indian state of Jharkhand, the documentary follows a humble farmer who embarks on a remarkable pursuit of justice after his 13-year-old daughter survives a harrowing crime. Despite the backlash, anger and resistance that he faces from his village, this man seeks justice for what his daughter had to endure. Directed by Nisha Pahuja with one executive producer being Dev Patel, who upon watching one snippet of the footage decided he had to be involved, this award-winning documentary was Oscar-nominated this year for Best Documentary. It is a piece of work that is mighty to behold. Photograph via Netflix
For the Irish interest: The Funeral Director
On Netflix: If you haven’t yet watched Gillian Marsh’s The Funeral Director, take the time to this weekend to do so. The documentary follows David McGowan, a funeral director in his community in Sligo. McGowan explains how he came upon the profession quite by accident when his father acquired a bar in Sligo, and at the time, it was the ‘done’ thing so-to-speak to also acquire the responsibilities of a funeral director. People who had passed would repose on one side of the curtain, while pub-goers drank on the other side, McGowan recalls. Far from dark, the film follows McGowan so sensitively and insightfully as he showcases his work, his spirituality, his love for his community, and Ireland’s very sacred and special funeral planning process. It will make you question your own mortality and spirituality in a way you never have before. Photograph via Netflix
For the money: Loot
On Apple TV+: Actress Maya Rudolph is always on-hand to provide a laugh, so this series will offer some comic relief this weekend. Rudolph stars in Loot as Molly Novak, a recent divorcée, who after achieving her $87 billion settlement, must figure out what to do with it. We follow along as she decides to re-engage with her charitable foundation, reconnects with the real world and works on finding herself along the way. It’s bright, it’s punchy, it’s stylish. Season two of Loot is coming to Apple TV+ on April 3 so if you haven’t watched the first season, use this weekend to do so. Photograph via Apple TV+
For the murder mystery: Death and Other Deaths
On Disney+: For fans of the Knives Out films, here is a series to scratch that murder-mystery itch. Starring Violette Beane and Homeland’s Mandy Patinkin, plus a great ensemble cast for the polarising characters that often crop up in these murder mysteries, the series follows Imogene Scott (Beane) who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time – on a Mediterranean cruise no less. A murder occurs, and Imogene must partner up with a man she despises; Rufus Cotesworth (Patinkin), the world’s greatest detective, to prove her innocence. Photograph via Disney+
For the adventure: Shogun
On Disney+: Everybody is talking about Shogun, the new mini-series on Disney+ and one that completely commands your attention. Set in Japan in the year 1600, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village. Starring Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada and Cosmo Jarvis, this exciting series is gorgeous to look at from costume to scenery and very exciting to watch. Photograph via Disney+
For the emotion: One Day
On Netflix: If you still haven’t seen it, you’re in for an emotional treat with this completely bingeable mini series. One Day is based on the book by David Nicholls. A familiar story that was previously told in the 2011 film with Anne Hathaway, Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew meet for the first time on the night of their graduation from Edinburgh University. Both from very different backgrounds, the unlikely pair become best friends – after a failed attempt at romance that is. The series (and book) follows their story by checking in on them on the same day, July 15, each year. Themes of love, loss, hurt, substance abuse, figuring-out-life-in-your-twenties and friendship umbrella the series, with a killer soundtrack to boot. Leo Woodall (previously seen in The White Lotus) and a debuting Ambika Mod bring these characters to life in a beautifully sensitive way. The episodes are half an hour long so one episode a night will just not cut it – you’ll race through this in no time, and wish you could watch it for the first time all over again. Familiar faces such as Eleanor Tomlinson, Tim McInnerny and Essie Davis also grace the series. Photograph via Netflix
For the thrill, and the wit: Slow Horses
On Apple TV+: This one seems to have been sitting secretly under our noses, with three seasons already released – this show is waiting to take over your weekend. The fantastic cast in this action/comedy/spy drama includes Golden Globe-nominated Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jack Lowden and Rosalind Eleazar. Slow Horses follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve as a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes. They humorously navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces. Season four will be out this year. Enjoy it on Apple TV this weekend. Photograph via Apple TV+
For sports psychology: Full Swing, Drive To Survive, Six Nations: Full Contact
On Netflix: Amidst the rugby weekend, find out about the rugby players, as well as the drivers and golfers in Netflix’s undeniably fantastic behind-the-scenes sport documentaries. Even if watching sport isn’t your thing, these bio-docs in which you get to see the players/drivers lives and their fears and thoughts (and sometimes lavish lifestyles) are addictive for everyone. Photograph via Netflix
Coming Soon:
Ripley on Netflix from April 4
On April 4, Ripley arrives on Netflix and you’re really going to have to clear up your schedule for this one. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr Ripley, and following on from the 1999 film of the same name, this stylish story is about to get a new lease of life as Andrew Scott takes on the lead role. Scott plays a grifter named Ripley, who while living in New York (during the 1960s) is hired by a wealthy man to begin a complex life of deceit, fraud and murder. Most of us know what happens next, but the Netflix series promises an impressive fresh take on this story. Also starring Dakota Fanning, these eight episodes will have us glued to our seats. Photograph via Netflix
Sugar on Apple TV from April 5
Another Irish legend is coming to our screens soon. Colin Farrell stars in Sugar, a mini-series, following the story of John Sugar, a private detective who is investigating the mysterious disappearance of a legendary Hollywood producer’s beloved granddaughter in modern-day Los Angeles. This is bound to be exciting, and we can’t wait to watch Colin Farrell in his detective role. The star-studded cast also includes Kirby, Amy Ryan, James Cromwell, Anna Gunn and more. Photograph via Apple TV
The Regime on Sky Atlantic from April 8
Kate Winslet will be playing a power-mad politician in The Regime on Sky Atlantic, landing in April. She is the Chancellor of an unnamed Central European nation that is unravelling behind the palace walls. With Kate Winslet in control (with some Hugh Grant in there too) we know this who will be a guaranteed hit. Photograph via Sky Atlantic
