What To Watch This Week 29.04.24

Miriam: The Death of a Reality Star, Channel 4 

In 2004, a reality series rocked audiences when six men vied for the affection of their dream woman, only to learn she was transgender. At the time, Miriam was the first and only trans reality star. During one of the most controversial TV moments of the last 20 years, the contestants trashed the set after the crass premise of the show was revealed. Now, 15 years later, a three-part series delves into the aftermath of the show, speaking with producers, contestants, Miriam's loved ones, and featuring recordings from Miriam herself.

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Michael Palin In Nigeria, Channel 5 

Michael Palin is wrapping up his latest epic adventure: a 1,300-mile journey across Nigeria. Among the stunning scenery and plenty of jollof rice, Palin is confronted by the reminders of British colonial rule, and the burning down of the city in 1897. Thousands of cultural artefacts were pillaged, and now sit in the British Museum – but the locals want them back.

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Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, Netflix 

In this Bollywood-meets-Succession-meets-Mary & George drama, arch rivals and competing courtesans Mallikajaan and Fareedan vie for dominance. Their feud escalates, but hope arises in Mallikajaan's daughter, Alam. Yet, when Alam forsakes power for love, the stage is set for a gripping tale of love, power and liberation amidst India's fight for freedom. 

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Shardlake, Disney +

If you want to see Sean Bean back in period dress, this Disney+ adaptation of CJ Sansom’s historical mystery novel is available to stream this week. Arthur Hughes stars as Matthew Shardlake, a whip-smart barrister turned investigator tasked by Thomas Cromwell (played by Sean Bean) to close down a Benedictine monastery and seize its assets. With its isolated setting, mysterious rituals, and peculiar residents, the monastery provides a chilling backdrop for this eerie whodunnit drama.

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The Fall Guy is the new blockbuster from David Leitch – the director known for big-budget action films like Bullet Train and Atomic. The cast includes notables like Emily Blunt, Winston Duke, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham and Stephanie Hsu, with Ryan Gosling starring as a stunt performer. The story is a case of mistaken identity, so expect plenty of comedy and haphazard explosions. 

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Coming this week to Netflix is American drama A Man In Full, starring Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane, created by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and directed by Regina King (Shirley, The Harder They Fall) and Thomas Schlamme (Steel Magnolias). Adapted from Tom Wolfe's novel, the series follows the journey of real-estate tycoon Charlie Croker, who is grappling with bankruptcy. As political and corporate forces converge, Croker fights to safeguard his empire against opportunists seeking to exploit his downfall.

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The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Sky

Based on Heather Morris's bestselling novel and the true story of Holocaust survivors Lali and Gita Sokolov, 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' is Sky’s gripping six-part series. Follow Lali, portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King (The Little Mermaid), a Slovakian Jew deported to Auschwitz in 1942. Assigned as a tattooist, he crosses paths with Gita, played by Anna Próchniak, sparking a love story amidst the atrocities of the Holocaust.

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Receiving critical acclaim at Sundance Film Festival, Love Lies Bleeding is a queer romantic thriller starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian. Set in the steroid-fuelled 1980s, Stewart plays Lou, a solitary gym manager, who falls for Jackie, a determined bodybuilder set on chasing her dreams in Las Vegas. However, their blossoming romance takes a dark turn as they become entangled in the intricate web of Lou's underworld family, leading to a spiral of violence and betrayal.

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Triangle Of Sadness, Netflix

Newly on Netflix this week is Triangle Of Sadness, the 2022 film directed by Swedish filmmaker Ruben Östlund. Harris Dickinson (Where The Crawdads Sing, The Iron Claw) stars as a narcissistic model, Carl, and with Charlbi Dean playing his model girlfriend, Yaya, they set off on a luxurious yacht trip with a group of wealthy elites, only to face chaos and a shifting power dynamic after a storm hits.  Östlund – staying true to his black comedy and satirical roots – presents a jarring commentary on class dynamics, laden with hilarious spit-take moments.

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The Idea Of You, Amazon Prime

From the director of one of the best indie romantic comedies of the past ten years, The Big Sick, comes a romantic drama with a brilliant cast.  In this Notting Hill-esque film, Hollywood hall-of-famer, Anne Hathaway, stars as divorce Solène who falls in love with English boy band star, Hayes, played by Nicholas Galitzine (Mary & George). Despite the age gap, they fall head over heels in love, but fame and social media cause strife. 

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