Things take a dramatic turn
Fairfax’s James Croot picks out the best on the box for the week ahead.
Drama’s new Level
The Level is a tense new five-part British drama set in sunny Brighton. Detective Sergeant Nancy Devlin (Karla Crome) has a secret double life. Her exemplary police career masks a covert attachment to a shady businessman and drugs trafficker. ‘‘Like an antidote to moody Nordic or Celtic noir. This is Albion Blanc, a new genre – south coast, pacey, sunny, not too heavy,’’ wrote The Guardian’s Sam Wollaston. Continues daily until Thursday.
Sunday, 8.30pm, TVNZ1 Back in Homeland
After she thwarted a terrorist attack in Berlin and with Peter Quinn’s life hanging in the balance, the end of last season left Homeland‘s Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) grappling between starting a new life and returning to her old one. Season six picks up several months later, with Mathison back on American soil, living in Brooklyn, New York. She has begun working at a foundation whose efforts are to provide aid to Muslims living in the United States. ‘‘A show that continues to flaunt great performances — no matter how many times you’ve seen Danes make her crying face — and float some interesting ideas and compelling cliffhangers,’’ wrote The Hollywood Reporter‘s Daniel Fienberg.
Monday, 8.30pm, Soho Inspector Gadget
Next week marks the start of a new, four-episode run of the popular UK show Gadget Man. This sees comedian Richard Ayoade investigating the latest technology which can assist with our everyday lives. First up, it’s the weekend, with Steve Jones, Al Murray and Sara Pascoe helping test drive a variety of timeextending gadgets.
Monday, 8pm, TVNZ1 Don’t dream it’s over
November 2016 marked the 20th anniversary of Crowded House’s iconic farewell performance on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. To mark this special occasion and their induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame, the band reformed for four shows only. Prime Rocks: Crowded House – Live From The Sydney Opera House captures all the music, magic and mayhem. ‘‘These are musicians at the top of their game; playful, joyful and thrilled to be back doing what they love best. It seems it wasn’t their time to go after all,’’ wrote The Guardian‘s Alexander Spring about the concerts.
Tuesday, 8.30pm, Prime Rocky mountain high
If you thought Touching the Void was the last word in mountaineering tales, be prepared to be shocked by the breathtaking 2015 Australian documentary Sherpa, one doesn’t need to resort to dramatic recreations. Caught up in the events of one of Everest’s darkest days, April 18, 2014, director Jennifer Peedom brings home the risks the sherpas take in assisting others achieve their dreams and allows both sides of an increasingly tense standoff between commerce and local culture to have their say.
Thursday, 8.30pm, Rialto.