Also coming to streaming
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (Netflix, from March 6)
For some, Chris Rock is best known for being the chap slapped by Will Smith at last year’s Oscars. But they haven’t, presumably, seen any of his acting work or, perhaps more importantly, his stand-up. The latter is how Rock first made his name in showbusiness; he was mentored by Eddie Murphy, who befriended Rock after seeing his nightclub act before going on to appear in movies such as Dogma and Grown Ups, and the TV series Fargo; sitcom Everybody Hates Chris was also based on his youth. But now Rock is returning to his roots for this comedy special, Netflix’s first global livestreaming event. Which topics his gags will cover remain unknown, but many tuning in will be disappointed if that slap isn’t mentioned at some point.
Luther: The Fallen Sun (Netflix, from March 10)
It’s 13 years since Idris Elba first played London-based police detective John Luther, and four since we last saw him locking horns with twisted psychopath Alice Morgan (Ruth Morgan). Unfortunately, she won’t be featuring in this new feature-length case, which made its debut on the big screen in selected cinemas last month before heading for the streaming service. Instead, Andy Serkis portrays David Robey, a billionaire who uses surveillance technology to manipulate and kill his victims. When we catch up with Luther, he’s behind bars, haunted by the fact he has been unable to prevent Robey’s crimes. But when he strikes again, our hero stages a prison break so he can hunt the villain down. Cynthia Erivo and Dermot Crowley co-star.
UnPrisoned (Disney+, from March 10)
Delroy Lindo and Kerry Washington head the cast of a new eight-part sitcom. It’s been created by Tracy McMillan, whose CV includes episodes of Mad Men and The United States of Tara, and is loosely based on her own life. Washington plays Paige Alexander, a relationships expert and single mother to her 16-year-old son Finn. Their lives are far from ordered, but the duo are sent into further disarray when Paige’s father, Edwin (Lindo), is released from prison and moves in with them. “I love this show,” says Washington, who executive produces alongside McMillan and Lindo. “I love these characters and the stories that they inspire. We knew that it had the potential to be provocative, groundbreaking and life-affirming.”