As the January chill sets in, a fresh batch of compelling television arrives to warm up your evenings. This week's streaming highlights offer a perfect blend of cosy period mystery, high-octane thriller, and intriguing drama, providing something for every viewer's taste.
Cosy Crime and High-Stakes Hijack
The standout pick for the week is the delightful Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, landing on Netflix from Thursday 15 January. This adaptation of the 1929 novel, spearheaded by writer Chris Chibnall, masterfully balances classic Christie charm with a fresh energy. The spark is provided by a brilliant lead performance from Mia McKenna-Bruce, who plays the inquisitive Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent.
When her suitor, Gerry Wade (Corey Mylchreest), is found dead, Bundle refuses to accept the official verdict of suicide. Her personal investigation pulls her into the shadowy underworld of London's Seven Dials district. The series artfully mixes the emotional weight of a doomed romance with ingeniously contrived plotting, supported by a stellar cast including Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. It's the definition of cosy January viewing.
Meanwhile, prepare for another heart-pounding journey as Idris Elba returns in Hijack on Apple TV from Wednesday 14 January. Elba reprises his role as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson, whose luck with transport remains spectacularly bad. This time, the action shifts to Berlin, where a routine subway journey transforms into a tense and explosive crisis.
The second season promises to be just as unpredictable and twist-laden as the first, weaving the claustrophobic drama aboard the train with complex official manoeuvres on the ground. The show excels at reinvigorating classic disaster tropes, resulting in a ludicrous yet utterly gripping watch that will have you questioning everyone's motives.
Drama, Discovery and New Frontiers
Other notable returns include the concluding episodes of High Potential on Disney+. This charming crime drama, led by Kaitlin Olson's standout performance as unconventional genius Morgan Gillory, resumes after a mid-season break. The plot left off on a cliffhanger with a criminal on the loose and Morgan's reputation hanging in the balance, promising a compelling resolution.
Also on Disney+, the soapy relationship drama Tell Me Lies returns for a third season on Tuesday 13 January. It continues the toxic, compulsive saga of Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White), as they attempt, yet again, to make their fraught relationship work against all odds.
For a complete change of pace, Will Smith embarks on a global adventure in Pole to Pole, a new seven-part National Geographic series streaming on Disney+ from Wednesday 14 January. The journey, which sees Smith visiting every continent, aims for profound wisdom but often feels more like an extravagant, action-packed expedition featuring everything from cave abseiling to encounters with giant snakes.
Sci-Fi and Period Romance
The Star Trek universe expands once more with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy on Paramount+ from Thursday 15 January. This new series follows the latest cohort of cadets as they navigate training, protocols, and their first dangerous mission. While it leans on familiar franchise tropes, it boasts a strong cast, including Holly Hunter and Tig Notaro, aiming to attract both new recruits and seasoned Trekkies.
Finally, Netflix offers a dose of wholesome period romance with Love Through a Prism, also from Thursday 15 January. This charming manga adaptation from Yoko Kamio is set in a London art academy at the turn of the 20th century. It follows Japanese student Lili Ichijoin as she pursues her artistic dreams, navigates the British class system, and falls for a talented painter named Kit. It's a beautifully rendered, feel-good tale.
With this diverse lineup, from mystery to mayhem, your streaming schedule for the week is decisively sorted.
