BOX SETS AND ON DEMAND
I Am A Killer (Netflix, from Tue 30)
True crime documentaries continue to be hugely popular - perhaps they offer those of us who would never even consider committing a nefarious act, never mind carry it out, an insight into a way of life that seems completely alien.
Whatever the reason, another is heading our way. Actually, this is the third series of I Am A Killer, but as its immediate predecessor aired way back in early 2020, you can be forgiven for thinking it had been axed, or for forgetting it entirely.
Once again each of its six episodes will feature interviews with convicted killers - both male and female - now on Death Row in the US. They discuss how they now view their actions, while prosecutors and lawyers are also on hand to offer their opinions.
Star Wars: Andor (Disney+, from Wed)
We know what you’re thinking: the Star Wars prequel movie Rogue One, set immediately before the events of the first-ever Star Wars movie, is good - but what happened immediately before that?
Step up Andor, the latest of Disney’s big-budget Lucasfilm endeavours, which follows the thiefturned-Rebel spy Cassian Andor during the five years leading up to the events of the film. Diego Luna reprises his role from the movie, that of the light-fingered intelligence officer who is destined to steal the plans for the Death Star - the ones that gave Luke Skywalker the bullseye on his original mission, remember? - while Genevieve O’Reilly also returns as Mon Mothma. Here’s the first two episodes (of 12).
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon, from Fri)
If you’re not already at full capacity for epic high fantasy sagas with the recently released Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, you’ll enjoy this vast and impressive prequel series to The Lord of the Rings.
The author JRR Tolkien did write a prequel book to his trilogy, titled The Silmarillion, and it’s a very weighty tome. TRoP takes in the same era as the final part of that opus: set thousands of years before The Hobbit and the main trilogy, it tells of MiddleEarth’s peaceful Second Age, the forging of the titular rings, and the rise of the dark lord Sauron.
So much lore to take in - just as well Amazon have committed to producing five seasons costing at least $1billion.
Devil in Ohio (Netflix, from Fri)
For 12 years, millions across the globe were hooked on the crime drama Bones, inspired by a series of novels by bestselling author Kathy Reichs. Much of the reason for the show’s success was the outstanding performance of lead actor Emily Deschanel. She’s now returning to the small screen in a new eightpart thriller, which is inspired by a true story and is also based on a book, this time by Daria Polatin.
Deschanel heads the cast as Dr Suzanne Mathis, a hospital psychiatrist whose world is turned on its head by her decision to take in Mae, a mysterious teen who has escaped from a satanic cult. Not only does Mae try to muscle out Suzanne’s daughter Jules, it soon becomes clear that the cult isn’t going to let her go without a fight...