PREVIEW: THE HOST (15)
RASH decisions have dire consequences in director Andy Newbery’s gnarly thriller shot against the backdrops of presentday London and Amsterdam.
Successful banker Robert Atkinson (Mike Beckingham) has grown weary of the day-to-day grind in the British capital and seeks out thrills to shake him out of the fug. Foolishly, he takes a huge risk with the bank’s money and finds himself falling down a rabbit hole of dark secrets.
Distanced from his brother Steve (Dougie Poynter), Robert becomes a pawn in a deadly game of choice and consequence, at the mercy of mysterious Vera Tribbe (Maryam Hassouni, pictured with Beckingham).
■ Download and stream from April 17 on Amazon Prime Video/BT TV Store/iTunes/Sky Store/TalkTalk TV Store and other services.
GANGS OF LONDON
MEN of violence only understand one primitive language in blood-soaked 10-part drama Gangs Of London created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery, which screens on Sky Atlantic and streams exclusively on NOW TV.
Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney) is the most powerful criminal in the capital, presiding over a multi-billion-pound empire for 20 years. He is assassinated and dangerous rivals jockey for position to fill the power vacuum.
Finn’s son Sean (Joe Cole) expects to take up the reins, supported by his mother Marian (Michelle Fairley) and close ally Ed (Lucian Msamati), head of the Dumani clan. However, time is fleeting and Sean must emulate his father’s ruthlessness to stave off challenges to his authority.
■ 10 episodes, streaming from April 23 exclusively on NOW TV.