10 shows to watch
NATIONAL TELEVISION WRITER SIOBHAN DUCK SHARES HER PICKS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD
DREAMLAND Streaming, Binge
Who knew Lily Allen was such a great actor? The Smile singer is well cast as Mel, the black sheep of a very colourful family of sisters in this highly entertaining new comedy. When Mel unexpectedly arrives home in time for the baby shower of her estranged sister Trish, not everyone is happy to see her – least of all Trish. You see, Mel has a habit of creating drama wherever she goes and this time she brings some very unexpected baggage that threatens to destabilise the entire clan.
TOTALLY COMPLETELY FINE Streaming Thursday, Stan
Jojo Rabbit star, Thomasin McKenzie is again poking fun at taboo topics in this thoughtprovoking black comedy. McKenzie stars as Vivian, a young woman whose life is going nowhere fast until she unexpectedly inherits her grandfather’s clifftop house. Vivian doesn’t get long to enjoy her new digs when she discovers that the property is a well-known suicide spot. To her dismay she finds herself having to play counsellor to the people who turn up at her house looking to end their lives (just as her grandfather had done).
THE DIPLOMAT Streaming Thursday, Netflix
A blend of The West Wing and Homeland, Keri Russell (The Americans) stars as Kate Wyler, a pragmatic diplomat who is thrust on to the world stage when the President makes her the new British Ambassador in the aftermath of an attack at sea. While Kate is great at strategising solutions behind the scenes in a crisis, she’s not so shrewd when it comes to power plays over scones with jam and cream. As she tries to navigate the spotlight in an uncomfortable frock, she’s also dealing with her headline hungry husband’s constant manipulations. It’s a fun political thriller.
ASKING FOR IT Thursday, 8.30pm, SBS
Journalist Jess Hill investigates the murky waters of consent in an effort to counteract Australia’s “epidemic of sexual violence”. In this compelling, three-part series, Hill examines the issue from every angle to see what we are doing right and where we are going very wrong. Interestingly, Hill discovers that conversations about consent need to begin as early as kindergarten so that by the time kids are old enough to be navigating sex and relationships they have the tools and the confidence to say what they want and don’t want.
It’s an informative watch for parents in particular.
DEAD RINGERS Streaming Friday, Prime video
I wasn’t familiar with the 1988 film starring Jeremy Irons before
watching this reboot with Rachel Weisz. But previously I have found watching actors play the dual roles of twins to feel distractingly Parent Trap-ish or like an OTT daytime soap opera. In this case though, the brilliant Weisz makes you believe she is indeed two different people and gives two unique performances as identical sisters Beverly and Elliott. The pair work as doctors at a cutting edge clinic who push the boundaries of reproductive health. Be warned, this one is not for the faint hearted and features some pretty twisted scenarios.
MRS DAVIS Streaming Friday, Binge
Betty Gilpin consistently seems to make brave choices in the roles she takes. Whether she’s playing a single mother turned wrestler in the woefully underappreciated GLOW or a housewife who literally sits on a shelf waiting to be admired by her
husband in the Nicole Kidmanhelmed anthology series Roar, Gilpin is always keen to challenge conventional stereotypes. Here she does it again as Simone, a nun on a mission to find the holy grail. Set in the not too distant future where humans follow the commands of an unseen AI force, Simone uses her faith to take on tech.
JUDY BLUME FOREVER Streaming Friday, Prime Video
Who doesn’t love Judy Blume? If you are of a certain vintage, there’s no doubting you will have had a wellthumbed copy of one of Blume’s novels sitting on your bedside table in your teen years. Now 85, Blume is enjoying something of a renaissance with a much-hyped adaptation of her most famous book Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret dropping later this year and starring
Rachel McAdams. This joyful and poignant documentary offers insight into Blume’s life and career and the lasting impact of her books as told by Blume herself and the people who love her.
MIDSOMER MURDERS 8.20pm, Sunday, ABC
When DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) attends a former colleague’s retirement party, you just know this party is going to spell the end of more than just someone’s working life. You see, just like Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Jessica Fletcher, folk seem to have a habit of falling victim to foul play when Barnaby is around. And yet, remarkably, no one ever seems to suspect him. Sure enough, the festivities end in death for one, leaving Barnaby to investigate his friends and colleagues, including his former mentor (Tom Conti). It’s predictable fare but in all the right ways.
PERRY MASON 8.30pm, Tuesday, Foxtel
Back in the day, Perry Mason mysteries were neatly tied up within the hour on afternoon TV. In this reboot, viewers are forced to wait a little longer to learn whodunnit and – unlike the classic starring Raymond Burr – things aren’t as black and white. This finale episode answers all the big questions. Unfortunately, not everyone will get their comeuppance. Hopefully this isn’t the end for Mason (Matthew Rhys), Della (Juliet Rylance) and Paul (Chris Chalk) as it feels like this trio is only just finding their groove.