The Sun’s TV Mag has a round up of the best new tele coming in the next seven days.
NETFLIX
Depp v Heard – Available from Wednesday
Last year’s headline-grabbing defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard transfixed the watching public in a way that’s rarely been seen before – thanks, in the main, to social media. This new three-part series compares the reality of the trial itself with the often hysterical reaction to it outside the courtroom. Taking a deep dive into the hundreds of hours of coverage that could be found on mainstream news channels and online during the trial, the series asks whether the constant and, at times, deafening noise that came from social media could have had an influence on the outcome.
The Monkey King – Available from Friday
Who remembers the brilliantly over-the-top Japanese TV series from the 70s and 80s, based on classic Chinese novel Journey To The West? Well, here comes a new, animated adaption of Monkey, starring Jimmy O. Yang (Crazy Rich Asians) as the titular boastful, magical primate, who’s cast out by his community for being such a big head. Determined to become an immortal hero, Monkey heads out on a very risky mission to steal a magical weapon from the dangerous Dragon King. Along the way he must take on all manner of fearsome foes, joined by humble and wise peasant Lin (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport), who helps Monkey realise that perhaps the most powerful enemy of all is his own ego. Colourful, imaginative and packed with humour.
My Dad The Bounty Hunter – Available from Thursday
Funnily enough, it turns out that being the children of a galaxy-hopping bounty hunter is quite exciting. Young Lisa and Sean (voiced by Stranger Things’ Priah Ferguson and JeCobi Swain) certainly found that out in the first series of this thrilling animation, which followed them as they accidentally discovered their dad Terry’s secret profession. In the second season, the kids are called into action once again when Terry is taken prisoner by the same intergalactic enemies they thought they’d escaped last time round. With dad needing to be rescued, it’s up to Lisa and Sean – and their mum, Tess, this time – to save the day.
The Upshaws – Available from Thursday
Those loveable Upshaws are back for another series of dysfunctional family fun – and like always, life is a complicated balancing act for well-meaning mechanic Bennie (Mike Epps), who just wants to do the best he can for wife Regina (Kim Fields) and their two daughters. There’s also the small matter of trying to swerve the barbed criticisms of his sister-in-law Lucretia (Wanda Sykes). The new batch of episodes finds the gang facing a fresh set of ups and downs, including new jobs, health struggles and some big life surprises. But one thing that never changes is the love that holds this endearing family together.
Untold: Hall Of Shame – Available from Tuesday
Few people have had such a negative impact on the integrity of sport than Victor Conte. For years, former musician Conte insisted that his supplements and nutrition company, BALCO – which worked with many top sports stars including baseball legend Barry Bonds and athletes Marion Jones, Tim Montgomery and Dwain Chambers – was above board. But it would later transpire that by 2000, Conte was supplying banned performance-enhancing drugs to many household names. The latest instalment of Untold digs into the scandal and includes interviews with sprinter Montgomery, a number of Conte’s associates and members of the anti-doping authorities that eventually helped send Conte to prison.
Mask Girl – Available from Friday
We’re off to Korea for this dark but timely seven-part thriller. By day, unremarkable office worker Kim Mo-mi (Go Hyun-jung) leads a dull and run-of-the-mill existence, but by night, she lives out her childhood fantasies of fame and popularity by becoming an online streamer, who hides her identity and insecurities about her appearance behind a mask. Meanwhile, Kim Mo-mi’s co-worker Joo Oh Nam has developed a secret crush on her and, before long, their paths cross and events take a murderous turn… Creepy but compelling, and laced with plenty of black humour and suspense.
PRIME VIDEO
Harlan Coben’s Shelter – Available from Friday
Prolific author Harlan Coben has delivered some seriously gripping Netflix thrillers, including The Woods and The Stranger. Now he’s jumped over to Amazon for this new series, based on the first part of his popular Mickey Bolitar trilogy, written for the young-adult market. Jaden Michael (Colin in Black And White) plays teenager Mickey, who starts a new life in Kasselton, New Jersey, after the sudden death of his father. When another new student at his school vanishes, he teams up with fellow teens to solve the mystery. It’s all good Nancy Drew-type fun, with new episodes weekly.
ACORN TV
Dalgliesh – Available from Monday
Bertie Carvel returns as the brooding DCI Adam Dalgliesh in the second season of this criminally underrated series, shown earlier this year on Channel 5. Based on more novels from PD James, there are another three, two-part mysteries to enjoy. In Death Of An Expert Witness, A Certain Justice and The Murder Room, Dalgliesh deploys his best detecting skills to unmask the killers of a forensic biologist, a controversial defence barrister murdered in her chambers and a young doctor set on fire at a museum. England in the 1970s never looked so stylishly sinister.
ITVX
Reel Britannia – Available from Thursday
Previously available on BritBox, Reel Britannia (see what they did there?) is an unusual documentary celebrating Modern British cinema. Tracing the industry from the 1960s to the 2000s, it shows how filmmakers weren’t afraid to touch on daring themes including sex, violence and religion, and it features reflections from the likes of Terry Gilliam, Stephen Frears, Hanif Kureishi, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh and Gurinder Chadha on the homegrown stories that became global hits.
ITVX KIDS
American Ninja Warrior Junior – Available from Thursday
Prepare to sit back and be very impressed by the sheer athleticism and determination shown by the kids tackling a course that many grown-ups couldn’t handle. Nearly 200 youngsters are separated into three age groups – 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 to compete on obstacles which are modified versions of those found in the adult editions, to take into account the smaller size and strength of the young competitors. But what they lack in muscle and height they more than make up for in grit and spirit.
UKTV PLAY
Doctors – Available from Monday
To fill that Letherbridge-shaped hole in our lives this summer (it’s not back until September, we’re sorry to break it to you), hop on to UKTV’s free streaming service to transport yourself back to March 2000 when the daytime soap first began and put the Midlands back on the telly map. Remember those heady days of Christopher Timothy playing Brendan ‘Mac’ McGuire and Jacqueline Leonard as Caroline Powers? Then as the episodes zip along you’ve got the treat of legends like Jimmi, Zara and Mrs Tembe joining to look forward to – not to mention <hundreds> of guest stars. You’re welcome.
PARAMOUNT+
Transformers: Earthspark – Available from Monday
Four new episodes of the animated series arrive – and we know you know this, but just as a reminder it follows the first breed of Transformers to actually come from Earth. It’s all pretty heartwarming as they live among humans and are looked after by families. See – we can all get along with robots after all…