THE SUN TV Mag has curated a list of upcoming flicks and shows sure to catch viewer’s interest over the next week.
Some fan favourites are getting released by streaming giants, including a Walking Dead spin-off and the Hunger Games prequel, so make sure to tune in.
Eric
DRAMA Available from Thursday
Shows that feature 7ft-tall furry monster puppets aren’t usually heartbreaking, powerful and packed with potentially award-winning performances – but few shows are like Eric.
Set in rough-around-the-edges early 80s New York, this six-part drama tells the story of Vincent (Benedict Cumberbatch), a talented and successful puppeteer and creator of a popular kids’ TV show called Good Day Sunshine.
All’s going well for Vincent and his wife Cassie (Gaby Hoffman), until one day their nine-year-old son, Edgar, goes missing on the walk to school.
As the police begin their search, Vincent falls deeper into despair and guilt – eventually deciding that the only way to get Edgar home is to bring his son’s drawings of a blue monster puppet called Eric to life.
Before long, his obsession with Eric takes over as the rest of his world falls apart. At times an uncomfortable watch, this is nonetheless a must-see drama.
Geek Girl
DRAMA Available from Thursday
Socially awkward and a regular target for bullies, life is far from sweet for teenage schoolgirl Harriet Manners (Emily Carey).
But everything changes one day when she’s chosen to be the face of a new advertising campaign.
Suddenly finding herself in the full-on, whirlwind world of fashion modelling, Harriet goes on an unexpected and entertaining journey of self-discovery – a journey that will take her to some unpredictable places.
Also starring the likes of Sarah Parish and Jemima Rooper, and based on the best-selling novel of the same name, expect this 10-episode comedy-drama to be a real hit with any teenagers in your life.
The Life You Wanted
DRAMA Available from Wednesday
After moving to the Italian city of Lecce, setting up a travel agency and falling in love, transgender woman Gloria (Vittoria Schisano) finally feels that she’s found peace and happiness.
But that’s thrown into doubt by the unexpected arrival of an old friend from university, Marina (Pina Turco).
Reluctant to reconnect because Marina represents her pre-transition life – a time she’d prefer to forget – Gloria finds herself in a tricky situation.
However, Marina’s surprisingly complicated personal life soon draws Gloria in and she begins to realise that to be happy in the future, she must come to terms with her past.
With its original storyline and likeable characters, this is an engaging new drama series from Italy.
Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult
DOCUMENTARY Available from Wednesday
Prepare for an alarming docuseries following the real-life story of a group of successful dancers who found fame on TikTok, only to become involved with a controversial management company called 7M.
Founded by Robert Shinn, who’s also the pastor of the Shekinah Church in California, 7M has been accused of being a cult that takes physical and economic control of people, isolating them from their families.
One of those people is dancer Miranda Wilking, whose family have made it their mission to ‘free’ their daughter from 7M.
Talking to other dancers who’ve left 7M, the series exposes the tactics used by cult-like organisations to allegedly take control of people’s lives – and the lengths to which families will go to keep their loved ones safe.
Raising Voices
DRAMA Available from Friday
When teenager Alma (Nicole Wallace) makes an accusation of sexual assault at her school, the ensuing investigation creates chaos in her life and tests her relationships and friendships to their absolute limits.
Worse is to come when a mysterious online profile publishes a shock photograph with the caption: “This is me the day before I was raped.”
Suddenly everyone wants to know who’s behind the profile, when this assault took place and how much truth is in the accusation.
There are plenty of powerful teen dramas to choose from right now, but this thought-provoking eight-parter from Spain tackles big issues with real emotional intelligence.
A Part Of You
FILM Available from Friday
We’re off to Sweden for this intense and emotional coming-of-age drama, centred around 17-year-old schoolgirl Agnes (Felicia Maxime).
Desperate to fit in, Agnes longs to be like her older sister Julia (Zara Larsson).
Unlike Agnes, Julia is cool, confident and dating a popular young guy called Noel (Edvin Ryding).
But then, one day, a shocking tragedy strikes and Agnes realises that the only way to move forward is to reinvent herself.
Before long, it seems as if Agnes is set to become everything she’d hoped for – but is the cost too great?
A sensitive exploration of grief, loneliness, desire and growing up.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
HORROR DRAMA Available from Friday
It’s the spin-off all Walking Dead obsessives have been waiting for. Ever since Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) was flown away in a helicopter at the end of season nine, fans have wanted to know what became of him, and they weren’t the only ones – Rick’s partner Michonne (Danai Gurira) was also desperate to locate him, after learning in season 10 that he was still alive.
Now, at long last, it’s time for some answers.
The Ones Who Live traces Rick and Michonne’s mission to find each other, and then to survive in a deadly, war-wracked world that poses even more threat than before.
Spectacular and terrifying in equal measure, expect an electrifying balance of nostalgia and new thrills.
As an extra treat, all 11 series of the original show are available to binge on Sky and NOW, with two other spin-offs, The Walking Dead – Daryl Dixon and The Walking Dead: Dead City coming later in the year.
Camden
DOCUMENTARY Available from Wednesday
Colourful, vibrant and proudly alternative, Camden has long played a huge role in shaping many of Britain’s most important musical icons.
Despite the ever-present threat of gentrification, this tiny area of London remains crammed with music venues of all sizes, fiercely independent bars, markets and cafes, providing the perfect creative environment for artists and bands to flourish.
Over four episodes, some of the biggest names in rock, pop, hip-hop and dance reveal what Camden means to them and tell stories of the role it played in their journey to success.
From Dua Lipa – who also produces the series – to Chris Martin, Boy George, Little Simz, Pete Doherty and Mark Ronson, it’s a celebration of a part of London that’s long embodied the spirit and soul of musical creativity.
Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes
FILM Available from Friday
Fans of the hugely popular Hunger Games had to wait an epic eight years for another instalment in the film series, but their patience paid off because when it arrived in cinemas last year, The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes turned out to be an enthralling addition to the list.
A prequel to the original Hunger Games movie, it tells the story of the young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and how he set out on the path to becoming the feared, tyrant leader of Panem – and how the Games themselves came about.
While definitely a treat for obsessives, anyone not up to speed on the world of Panem and the Capitol might find it a bit confusing – and at over two and a half hours long, it’s not for the faint-hearted.
Pyramid Game
THRILLER Available from Thursday
School can sometimes feel like one big popularity contest, and in this 10-part psychological thriller, that’s exactly what it is.
Seong Su-ji (Kim Ji-yeon) is a new student at the intimidating Baekyeon Girls’ High School.
If the unfamiliarity of it all and her studies weren’t tough enough, there’s an unpleasant shock in store – the school uses a poll to rank its students in terms of popularity, with those at the bottom of the ratings subjected to bullying and violence.
Suddenly finding herself right at the bottom of the class, tormented Su-Ji makes it her mission to stage a rebellion and bring an end to the Pyramid Game once and for all. An unsettling but addictive South Korean series.
Girl In The Video
FILM Available from Friday
Cush Jumbo stars in this dark, adrenaline-pumping thriller, which was inspired by real events.
When Mo’s (Cush) teenage daughter Krissy (Tia May Watts) disappears after sneaking out one night to meet a young guy she’d been secretly chatting to online, the deeply concerned mum teams up with her son Robbie to try to find her.
They soon learn, however, that Krissy is being held captive and exploited for live streams on the Dark Web, and Mo realises she’s in a race against time to save her daughter’s life.
Can they locate Krissy before it’s too late? A concerning exploration of catfishing and online terrors.
Big City Greens
KIDS Available from Wednesday
The quirky animated comedy returns for a fourth season of madcap adventures with siblings Cricket and Tilly, dad Bill, gran Gramma and mum Nancy – also known as the Green family.
Splitting their time between the farm and Big City, this time the gang find themselves getting into all manner of silly scrapes, including getting kicked out of an ice-hockey game and Bill adopting a family of crows.
Meanwhile, Nancy’s estranged dad Nick re-enters their lives, bringing chaos, and Cricket’s fun-loving best buddy Remy continues to get himself into all sorts of bother. Heart-warming and enjoyably daft animation.
Fallen Idols: Nick and Aaron Carter
DOCUMENTARY Available from Friday
In the wake of the shocking Quiet On Set: The Dark Side Of Kids TV, this four-part series explores some other disturbing allegations involving former teen stars, namely the accusations of sexual assault levelled against Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter.
In 2017, ex-girl group singer Melissa Schuman went public with an accusation, and soon more women came forward with their own experiences.
To add to the controversy, Nick’s own brother, singer Aaron Carter, decided to publicly support Nick’s accusers, while battling addiction and struggling with his own mental health.
Tragically, the high-profile feud between the two brothers only ended with Aaron’s untimely death in 2022. A sad and revealing insight.
Couple Trouble
COMEDY DRAMA Available from Monday
This romantic series proves that Danish TV isn’t just about Nordic Noir.
A huge hit in its home country, Couple Trouble is the story of Anders and Lise, a thirtysomething husband and wife who love each other and have a wonderful daughter.
Sadly, though, the seven-year itch and grind of everyday life brings the couple to the verge of divorce.
Through flashbacks told from the office of the couple’s counsellor, we experience the highs and lows of their relationship, exploring what’s driven them apart and what may bring them together once again. Moving, funny and relatable.
