Top Streaming Picks: From Belfast Comedy to Kennedy Romance
This week brings a diverse lineup of compelling television series to streaming platforms, offering everything from heartfelt comedy-dramas to glamorous historical retellings and intense crime thrillers. With new releases on Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Channel 4, there is something to captivate every viewer's interest.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
Lisa McGee, the acclaimed creator of Derry Girls, returns with a beautifully crafted comedy-drama that explores female friendship with depth and nuance. The series follows three friends in their late 30s – Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara – as they reunite at the wake of Greta, the fourth member of their teenage group. Blending elements of farce and horror with emotional weight, the show delves into unresolved traumas and the compelling mystery surrounding Greta's fate. Sweet yet sharp, this Netflix release promises to keep audiences engaged from start to finish.
Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette
Ryan Murphy presents another captivating miniseries, chronicling the whirlwind romance between John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette. Set against the backdrop of 1990s tabloid culture, the story examines JFK Jr's struggles with his family legacy and the intense public scrutiny of his relationship with Bessette, a Calvin Klein executive. Glamorous and tragic, this series offers essential viewing for those fascinated by high-profile love stories, though it may intrigue newcomers as well. Available on Disney+, it showcases the complexities of fame and romance.
The Artful Dodger
Returning for a second season, this Dickensian sequel continues the adventures of Jack Dawkins, formerly known as the Artful Dodger, now a surgeon in Australia. When his past catches up with him through the arrival of Norbert Fagin, Jack is drawn into a heist plot that threatens his newfound respectability. With light-hearted hijinks and engaging characters, including a potential redemption arc through his relationship with Lady Belle Fox, this Disney+ series delivers good fun and entertaining storytelling.
Lead Children
Based on a true story, this heroic drama stars Joanna Kulig as Dr. Jolanta Wadowska-Król, a physician in 1970s Poland who exposes a lead poisoning crisis affecting hundreds of children near a toxic industrial smelter. As disabilities and birth defects become rampant, Wadowska-Król risks her career and safety to confront powerful interests, set against the decline of the Soviet Union. This Netflix release combines bleak realism with inspirational courage, highlighting a significant environmental and social issue.
Cross
Set in Washington DC, this police drama stars Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross, a gifted homicide detective tasked with protecting billionaire philanthropist Lance Durand. The case quickly escalates into a hunt for a meticulous serial killer, with the series exploring themes of race and justice in modern America. Thanks to twisty plotting and earnest performances, it rises above generic crime shows, offering suspenseful and thought-provoking entertainment on Prime Video.
Lolita Lobosco
Returning for a third season, this Italian cop drama is set in the charming seaside town of Bari, where deputy police commissioner Lolita Lobosco investigates crimes ranging from organ trafficking to suspicious accidents. While never gritty, the series provides sun-dappled escapist fun, balancing the gentle rhythms of small-town life with engaging mysteries. Available on Channel 4, it's a delightful watch for fans of international detective stories.
Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix
This six-part documentary series offers an uncomfortably intimate look at Jesy Nelson's life after leaving Little Mix, delving into her mental health struggles, pregnancy, and the birth of her twins, who were later diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Nelson seeks to set the record straight about her motivations and experiences, providing a raw and personal narrative. Streaming on Prime Video, it's a poignant exploration of fame, family, and resilience.
