The Small Screen

Taskmaster

We’re big fans of this comedy game show that tasks comedians with completing, um, tasks. These are usually bizarre and nonsensical things and watching funny people flailing at them is a very entertaining use of your time. But we’re especially amped for the new season because our very own funny girl Rose Matafeo is one of this season’s contestants. No word yet when it airs in New Zealand but the current series is on TVNZ Duke.

Mr Robot

The conclusion of this popular computer hacking drama boots up on Lightbox next month. It follows wunderkind Elliot on his mission to take down the 1 per cent, via the power of computers. The series presents many questions and mysteries, all of which we’re told will be answered. From October 7.

His Dark Materials

HBO continues looking for its new

Game of Thrones and this would seem as good a punt as any. Based on Philip Pullman’s popular steampunk-high fantasy trilogy of novels about two children and the animal manifestations of their souls embarking on a dangerous journey through parallel universes. Expected on SoHo/Neon next month.

The Mandalorian

Yes, more Star Wars . . . sorry about that. Everything about this looks soooo good, from Jon Favreau being announced as show running, to Taika Waititi guest directing, through to the grizzly documentarymaker Werner Herzog having a starring role. Disney are using this series to entice viewers to its upstart streaming platform Disney+ and we gotta admit, we’re enticed. The Mandalorian shoots into homes in November.

The Witcher

Meanwhile, Netflix is also looking for a new GoT and this would also seem as good a punt as any. Based on the popular videogame franchise, itself based on a popular series of Polish fantasy novels, this show promises most of the ingredients that made GoT a worldwide hit; a grounded fantasy world. The Witcher casts its spell in December.