BOX SETS AND ON DEMAND
Marvel’s Moon Knight (Disney+, from Wed)
In August 1975, the character Moon Knight made his first appearance in issue 32 of the Marvel comic Werewolf by Night. He proved popular, so popped up in other titles before getting his own publication in 1980. Now he’s the subject of the latest entry in the extended Marvel Cinematic Universe. Oscar Isaac takes the lead role of Marc Spector, a mercenary with dissociative identity disorder, which means he inhabits various distinct characters, including Steven Grant, a mild-mannered gift shop employee.
Slow Horses (Apple TV+, from Fri)
Mick Herron is one of the most revered authors around, lauded by both his peers and the public. His first novel in the Slow Horses series has now been turned into a six-part espionage drama starring Gary Oldman, who’s no stranger to the genre having appeared in the acclaimed big-screen adaptation of John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He plays Jackson Lamb, leader of a group of British intelligence agents whose career mistakes have resulted in them being dumped in the outwardly dreary Slough House by MI5. This is purgatory for spies, but life is about to take an unexpected turn due to a very dangerous game.
Hacks (Amazon Prime, from Fri)
The streaming service has already enjoyed success with one series about a female stand-up via The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, and is no doubt hoping for similar ratings from this new comedy drama. Jean Smart heads the cast as Deborah Vance, a once legendary performer whose longrunning residence in a Las Vegas casino is under threat because its manager feels she’s lost touch with the modern world. Hannah Einbinder co-stars as Ava Daniels, a down-on-her-luck comedy writer unable to find work after sending an illadvised tweet. The pair join forces, albeit reluctantly, in an effort to give both their ailing careers a muchneeded boost.
The Bubble (Netflix, from Fri)
In the mood for a smart comedy featuring an all-star cast and directed and co-written by one of the leading exponents of the genre? If so, look no further than The Bubble. It’s the brainchild of Judd Apatow, the man behind the likes of Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and TV producer Pam Brady, whose CV includes South Park and Team America: World Police, and stars Karen Gillan, Fred Armisen, David Duchovny and Leslie Mann as the cast and crew of the hugely successful Cliff Beasts film franchise. During the coronavirus pandemic, they travel to England to shoot the sixth instalment but, of course, it doesn’t go quite as planned.
The Last Bus (Netflix, from Fri)
We’re used to the streaming giant treating us to the best shows from around the world, but this 10-part series is a homegrown offering its makers hope will be watched by older children and their parents together. It’s an entertaining, amusing sci-fi adventure which also has something powerful to say about the environment and technology. The story follows the fortunes of a group of mismatched students whose school trip takes an unexpected turn thanks to a robot-inspired apocalypse that vaporises the rest of humanity. Left alone in the world, the group’s members fight back.