IF you’re stumped for what TV shows and films to watch – then don’t worry we have a fresh batch of suggestions for you.
Once again, The Sun’s TV Mag has compiled a binge-worthy collection of TV shows and movies that you should add to your watch list for the next week.
NETFLIX
The Crown – Available from Thursday
Get ready for one of the streaming events of the year: the final, explosive season of this period-drama phenomenon. But warned: things are about to get seriously emotional. The series kicks off with a drop of four spellbinding episodes – the remaining six will follow on 14 December – which transport us back to the late 90s, and cover Princess Diana’s (Elizabeth Debicki) growing relationship with Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla), the dramatic last few weeks of her life and, of course, her shocking death.
Meanwhile, the Queen (Imelda Staunton) and Charles (Dominic West) attempt to deal with the fallout from the tragedy, and to manage the reaction of a grieving nation and that of poor, bereft Princes William and Harry. Prepare to be totally swept up.
The Netflix Cup – Available from Tuesday
Not content with simply bringing us insightful sports documentaries, Netflix is moving into the world of live competitive sports events. However, the Netflix Cup isn’t like any other sports tournament, as it pits a selection of drivers featured in hit docuseries Formula 1: Drive To Survive against golfers from Full Swing in a special match-play tournament at the 18-hole Wynn Golf Club at Wynn Las Vegas.
Timed to coincided with the first-ever Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix, the tournament will feature drivers including Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly, taking on golfers including Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas. It’s an intriguing idea, and if it leads to more unexpected crossover events, we’re all for it.
Best. Christmas. Ever! – Available from Thursday
Are you feeling Christmassy yet? Surely not, since it’s still only November. But if you are one of those people who like to get all tinsel-tastic and festive as early as possible, you’ll want to treat yourself to this enjoyably corny and very Christmassy new romcom. Heather Graham stars as Charlotte, who finds herself feeling annoyed by the boastful Christmas newsletter her seemingly perfect old college friend Jackie (Brandy Norwood) always sends out each year.
Desperate to prove that Jackie’s life can’t be as perfect as she portrays, Charlotte, her hubby Rob (Jason Biggs) and their kids turn up unannounced a few days before Christmas to find out the truth. Decked with more fairy lights than the Christmas aisle of B&Q, a healthy dusting of snow and chunky knits, it should get even the most Scrooge-like person in your life in the festive mood.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off – Available from Friday
Remember 2010 movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, which told the story of wannabe rock star Scott battling the evil exes of his new girlfriend Ramona? The cast of that fun, cool coming-of-age romantic comedy return to provide the voices for this eight-part animated series, which is based on the original Scott Pilgrim graphic novels and puts a new, updated spin on his adventures in love and music.
Featuring Michael Cera as Scott, with Mary Elizabeth Winstead voicing Ramona, and Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson and Aubrey Plaza all involved, it promises to be smart, fast-paced and packed with action and laughter.
How To Become A Mob Boss – Available from Tuesday
Following on from the equally tongue-in-cheek How To Become A Cult Leader, this darkly entertaining six-parter reveals what it took for some of history’s most notorious mob bosses and gangsters to succeed. Examining the dramatic, blood-splattered rises and falls of figures such as Al Capone, John Gotti, Pablo Escobar, Frank Lucas, Salvatore Riina and Whitey Bulger, the series paints a picture of uncompromising men, willing to do anything to maintain their influence.
Narrated by Peter Dinklage and featuring interviews with former gang members, insiders and experts, plus plenty of evocative archive footage, it’s a sharp and satirical glimpse into a world of money, power and respect.
ITVX
Archie – Available from Thursday
The complicated and often tragic life of Hollywood legend Cary Grant is the subject of this brilliant four-part drama, written by Jeff Pope (Cilla, The Reckoning) and starring Jason Isaacs. And despite being uncanny in the lead role, Jason, 60, admits that he wasn’t convinced when he was first approached to play Bristol-born Grant, whose real name was Archie Leach.
APPLE TV+
Hannah Waddingham: Home For Christmas – Available from Wednesday
Who doesn’t love Hannah Waddingham? The Emmy Award-winning Ted Lasso star has the world at her feet right now, and she’s set to cap what’s already been a great year (which included an epic Eurovision hosting gig) with her very own seasonal spectacular. Filmed live in front of an adoring crowd at the London Coliseum, Hannah will be getting everyone in the festive mood by performing some Christmas classics, backed by a big band. She’ll also be joined by some very special guests for more songs and chat. If this doesn’t start making you feel just that little bit festive, nothing will.
PRIME VIDEO
Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge Of Everything – Available from Thursday
The description ‘troubled genius’ gets thrown about all too easily, but one person it genuinely applies to is snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan. A phenomenally gifted, charismatic and entertaining player, Ronnie has also faced well-documented struggles with his mental health, struggles that have made him consider walking away from the sport.
Now, for the first time, we’ll be able to find out first-hand what makes Ronnie tick, thanks to this new feature-length documentary, which follows the star as he prepares for the 2021 Snooker World Championship. Allowing access to his life and family, ‘Rocket’ Ronnie talks openly about his upbringing, rise to fame, his inner demons and what continues to drive him – and features revealing interviews with friends like Damien Hirst, Ronnie Wood and Jimmy White.
PARAMOUNT+
One Night – Available from Friday
Leaving Doctor Who far, far behind her, Jodie Whittaker stars in this tense, emotionally-draining thriller from Australia. One Night tells the story of three women – Tess (Jodie), Simone (Nicole da Silva) and Hat (Yael Stone) – whose close friendship was violently torn apart 20 years earlier by a very traumatic event.
Now, two decades on, just as the friends appear to be on the verge of repairing their damaged relationships, aspiring author Simone uses the shocking incident as the plot for her debut novel, without asking Tess or Hat’s permission – a decision that is set to have dramatic consequences for them all. Thought-provoking and well-paced.
DISCOVERY+
Vinnie Jones In The Country – Available from Monday
Prepare to see Vinnie Jones like you’ve never seen him before. Four years ago, Vinnie lost his beloved wife Tanya to cancer, and in an effort to cope with his bereavement, the former football hardman has decided to take on a totally new challenge. Like Jeremy Clarkson and Kelvin Fletcher before him, he’s upped sticks and headed for the countryside, buying 147 acres of land in the South of England.
Here, Vinnie hopes to find a new meaning to life, celebrating the beauty of the British countryside and throwing himself into various farming projects, including saving the local wildlife. “I was brought up living off the fruits of the land and I can’t wait to show people at home the joy of the outdoors,” he says. It’s going to be wild.
APPLE TV+
The Velveteen Rabbit – Available from Wednesday
More than 100 years since it was first published, the much-loved children’s story is brought to life in spellbinding fashion with this adaptation, which mixes live-action filming with incredibly cute animation. When seven-year-old William moves to a new home and school, far from his friends, his world is transformed by a stuffed toy rabbit he receives for Christmas. Together, William (who’s played by Phoenix Laroche) and the Velveteen Rabbit (voiced by Alex Lawther) set off on some magical, heart-warming adventures. Also featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter, Paterson Joseph, Nicola Coughlan, Nathaniel Parker and many more, it’s a delightful family treat that feels perfect for the festive season.
PARAMOUNT+
One Trillion Dollars – Available from Thursday
Young Berlin bicycle courier John (Philip Froissant) finds his poor but carefree life totally transformed when he learns that he’s the sole heir to a mysterious fortune created 500 years ago – a fortune that now amounts to a mind-boggling $1trillion. Overnight, John has become the richest person in the world.
However, there’s a catch because with the inheritance comes an unusual demand from his ancestor: he must use the fortune to give back mankind its lost future. Cue John taking on the world’s most powerful and ruthless figures, in an attempt to save the planet from climate-change disaster, environmental pollution and the worst excesses of capitalism. A thought-provoking six-part drama from Germany.
