Our top TV picks
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT
● Mare Of Easttown, Binge: It’s the riveting thriller that had everyone wondering whodunit and marvelling at Kate Winslet’s acting prowess. When a teenage girl is killed, it leads a small town cop (Winslet) to investigate those closest to her.
● Gossip Girl, Binge: Everyone’s favourite troll is back with a new Instagram account and a new group of trendy targets. Like the original, this drama features fierce fashion and biting social commentary.
NOSTALGIA
● The Secret Life Of Us, Netflix: Twenty years later, this Aussie drama starring Claudia Karvan and Deborah Mailman is still compelling viewing and takes you back to carefree days when no-one had heard of social distancing and face masks weren’t a must.
● Friends, Binge: From Chandler and Joey in their Barker lounges to Ross and Rachel’s romance, the recent reunion of everyone’s favourite six-some is a reminder of everything we loved about this iconic sitcom.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
● Schitt’s Creek, Foxtel on Demand: The brainchild of father and son comedy duo Eugene and Daniel Levy, this series about a spoiled family who move to a small town kafter they lose all their money cleaned up at the Emmys and won global fans.
● Ted Lasso, Apple TV: A tiedye hoodie-clad Jason Sudeikis won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of an inexperienced but enthusiastic American gridiron coach hired to lead a premiere soccer side in London by a vengeful divorcee. Season two drops Friday.
THRILLS AND SPILLS
● Line Of Duty, Brit Box: Six seasons. Six different “bent coppers”. Six thrilling adventures. This brilliant British series follows a police anticorruption unit as they investigate their fellow officers, uncovering a vast criminal network in their midst along the way.
● Lupin, Netflix: Set against the stunning backdrop of Paris, this French mystery follows professional thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) on his elaborate quest to avenge his father’s death, using a childhood book as inspiration for his subterfuge.
STEAMY SESSIONS
● Bridgerton, Netflix: Pride and Prejudice meets Danielle Steele, this period drama from Shonda Rhimes of Grey’s Anatomy fame mixes old-fashioned romance with saucy romps that would make Jane Austen blush.
● Sex/Life, Netflix: Let’s be clear, you’re not watching this one for the dialogue, plot twists or acting. That’s all window dressing for characters finding new and racier ways to have sex, including that shower scene.
FANTASTIC ADVENTURES
● Game Of Thrones, Binge: A sweeping epic characterised by ambition and treachery punctuated by gruesome battles and titilating sex scenes. Oh, and there are dragons.
● Loki, Disney+: After meeting his demise at the hands of Thanos in Avengers Infinity War, the God of Mischief (Tom Hiddleston) is back from the dead to wreak havoc with time as we know it and usher in a new era of Marvel movies.
CATCH-UP TIME
● Sopranos, Binge: The prequel movie to this groundbreaking HBO drama series is out in September with the late James Gandolfini’s son stepping into his father’s shoes to play a younger Tony. Before it lands, why not catch up (or remind yourself) why the original was such a hit.
● Big Little Lies, Binge: It was girl power – on screen and off – that brought this book by Aussie author Liane Moriarty to the small screen. Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon starred in, and produced, this compelling murder mystery about secrets and scandals in suburbia.
SO BAD IT’S GOOD
● Emily In Paris, Netflix: An American girl (Phil Collin’s daughter, Lily) is sent to work for a magazine in Paris where she eats pastries, wears berets and falls in love. Is it cliched? Oui. Is it still enjoyable escapism? Bien sur.
● Virgin River, Netflix: With all the schmaltz of Hallmark movie and a smattering of Northern Exposure’s quirkiness, a city nurse trying to outrun her past moves to a country town and soon finds herself swept up in local drama and swept off her feet by a handsome barman (played by Aussie star Martin Henderson).