episodes

The Irish drama has already been compared to Line of Duty

The BBC have added new episodes of ‘television’s most stressful thriller ‘ to their iPlayer service as it prepares to return to our screens this weekend.

All episodes of Hidden Assets are now available to stream at no extra cost on the platform. This includes its recently released third season, which was previously only available via Acorn TV late last year.

Those who are caught up to the most recent chapter of Hidden Assets can settle down to the latest episodes as they air each Saturday on BBC Four at 9pm. Otherwise, the complete collection is already available to stream on iPlayer right now.

The series is actually a joint Irish-Belgian-Canadian production. It is developed and written by Peter McKenna who previously penned other hit crime dramas including Kin and Gangs of London.

Each season contains six episodes, meaning those who have yet to watch any of it have plenty to catch up on. However, it should be a quick binge watch with fans and critics claiming it does not take long for viewers to be hooked.

For those that have yet to see any of the series, the first season is set in present day Shannon, County Clare, Ireland, its Free Zone and airport, and the port of Antwerp, Belgium. The plot focuses on the Irish Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and the Belgian Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).

The second is also set between Antwerp and County Clare (Limerick, specifically). Meanwhile, the third series is set in Dublin and Bilbao where CAB joins forces with Ertzaintza detectives.

According to the synopsis, the narrative begins when evidence from a raid links a small-time drug dealer to a series of bombings in Belgium. This leads to Irish detective Emer Berry heading to Antwerp, where she’s confronted by Christian de Jong of the anti-terrorism squad. Together, they begin to untangle an international conspiracy involving drugs, terrorism, and corrupt business and political leaders.

While it hasn’t received enough professional reviews to warrant a score on Rotten Tomatoes, plenty sing its praises. The Guardian simply labelled it as ‘television’s most stressful thriller’ upon its return while one reviewer called it “a first-rate Irish crime drama series with Scandi-noir twists.”

Fans have been just as vocal for the series and recommending it to others. One posted online: “Brilliant Irish police thriller so much better than the BBC’s Northern Irish attempt, ‘Blue Lights’.”

Another added: “Compelling drama. Well written , directed and acted. Could not wait to see next episode and good ending. Definitely recommend. As good as Line of Duty.”

While someone else claimed: “Ever since Love/Hate we’ve been waiting for a gripping Irish Crime series to come along and here it is.” And another commented: “Right away you get sucked into the storyline and get caught up in the action. The acting is first class from all. I’m already looking forward to the next episode.”

Hidden Assets airs Saturday at 9pm on BBC Four and is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

Celebrity Ex on the Beach returns for Season 4 with an all-star cast including Helen Flanagan and Jedward’s John Grimes

A brand new and explosive series of Celebrity Ex on the Beach has returned to screens with an all-star cast searching for romance.

The popular reality dating programme has made its eagerly awaited comeback to Paramount Plus today (Tuesday, March 31) for its fourth series with Daisy May Cooper as the new narrator.

As the heat intensifies in Tenerife, eight single celebrities are seeking love, but there’s a catch. Their former partners will be lurking, poised to appear at any point.

An official synopsis states: “This season, temperatures rise as eight single celebrities touch down on the stunning shores of Tenerife in search of love but as ever, their exes are waiting in the wings, ready to crash the party.”

It continues: “Celebrities including Corrie actress Helen Flanagan, TOWIE’s Dani Imbert, Love Island star Toby Aromolaran, and pop phenomenon Jedward’s John Grimes, are among the famous faces diving headfirst into the drama and putting everything on the line for a real shot at love.”

The synopsis adds: “With exes such as Curtis Pritchard, Ronnie Vint and Rogan O’Connor ready to make their dramatic entrance into the Villa, how will the singles cope when faced with their former flames seeking closure, truth or even worse, revenge?”

Celebrity Ex on the Beach episode release schedule

Series 4 has launched on Paramount Plus today (March 31) with the programme streaming exclusively on the platform, reports OK!. Episodes will subsequently be released weekly, every Tuesday. This season has seen the release of 10 episodes, with the episode release dates as follows:

• Episode 1 – Tuesday, March 31
• Episode 2 – Tuesday, April 7
• Episode 3 – Tuesday, April 14
• Episode 4 – Tuesday, April 21
• Episode 5 – Tuesday, April 28
• Episode 6 – Tuesday, May 5
• Episode 7 – Tuesday, May 12
• Episode 8 – Tuesday, May 19
• Episode 9 – Tuesday, May 26
• Episode 10 – Tuesday, June 2

Celebrity Ex on the Beach cast

• Amy Kenyon, 28, known for: Married at First Sight UK
• Chase DeMoor, 29, known for: Too Hot to Handle
• Dani Imbert, 27, known for: The Only Way is Essex
• Freddie Powell, 32, known for: Love is Blind UK
• Helen Flanagan, 35, known for: Coronation Street
• Izzy Fairthorne, 26, known for: Too Hot to Handle
• John Grimes, 34, known for: The X Factor
• Toby Aromolaran, 26, known for: Love Island

Celebrity Ex on the Beach trailer

A thrilling first look trailer was previously unveiled, showcasing the eight celebrities making their grand entrance on the beautiful beaches of Tenerife in pursuit of romance. The intense snippets provide viewers a glimpse into the drama and turmoil they can anticipate, complete with numerous reconciliations and splits.

The trailer, filled with anticipated jaw-dropping twists, features Curtis Pritchard confessing he was “telling the truth”, while another clip shows Helen Flanagan questioning: “Am I just being deluded?”

Celebrity Ex on the Beach can be watched on Paramount Plus.

Fans of the Ryan Murphy drama were left ‘shattered’ by Episode 8, which featured Princess Diana’s death

The most recent instalment of Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette has left audiences “shattered”.

Followers have been gripped by the new series for over a month, exploring the high-profile romance between its leading pair.

Created by Ryan Murphy, the drama unveils John (portrayed by Paul Anthony Kelly) and Carolyn’s (Sarah Pidgeon) relationship in the years preceding their tragic deaths on July 16, 1999, after a plane crash.

Episode 8 transports audiences to August 30, 1997, capturing the hours before Princess Diana’s heart-breaking death. The Royal passed away on the 31st after a car accident in Paris.

Carolyn is deeply affected by Princess Diana’s death because she had recently been seated behind her at Gianni Versace’s funeral. She also starts fearing for her own future under public scrutiny, whilst John appears to dismiss her worries, reports the Daily Record.

Viewers have been left heartbroken by the moving episode, with one X user posting: “I’m shattered beyond words this really broke me #lovestory.”

A second contributed: “#lovestory’s last episode might kill me, poor Carolyn,” whilst a third commented: “That was an unpleasant episode #LoveStory.”

And a fourth audience member remarked: “Just finished episode 8 of Love Story and I’m in tears. Those 42 minutes flew by and hit me so deeply I cried my eyes out.”

So when can audiences return to the drama?

How many episodes are left in Love Story Season 1?

As per usual, Love Story will be ready to stream on Disney+ next Friday (March 27). Unfortunately, that episode will be the series finale.

Entitled ‘Search and Recovery’, Episode 9 sees John and Carolyn battling to keep their relationship intact. As we witnessed in the series premiere, the pair will set off on a journey to Hyannis Port, accompanied by Carolyn’s sister Lauren (Sydney Lemmon).

We observed John clarifying that he would be piloting their small aircraft, before the show reverted back to the now-wedded couple’s initial encounter.

If the most recent episode left viewers teary-eyed, we can only image how emotional the responses to the series finale will be.

Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette ends with Episode 9, landing on Disney+ next Friday, March 27.

Scarpetta is the crime drama on Amazon Prime Video starring Nicole Kidman as Dr Kay Scarpetta

Scarpetta landed on Amazon Prime Video recently, and the crime drama has gripped viewers.

The programme is fronted by Oscar winner and Big Little Lies star Nicole Kidman in the titular role as Dr. Kay Scarpetta, the chief medical examiner of the Commonwealth of Virginia, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Alongside Kidman, Scarpetta features an impressive cast, which also includes Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, and Ariana DeBose.

Here’s a breakdown of how many episodes are in the show.

How many episodes are in Scarpetta?

Scarpetta comprises eight episodes, which dropped on Prime Video all at once on March 11 for global audiences to devour.

A synopsis for the programme states: “With skilled hands and an unnerving eye, this unrelenting medical examiner is determined to serve as the voice of the victims, unmask a serial killer, and prove that her career-making case from 28 years prior isn’t also her undoing.

“Set against the backdrop of modern forensic investigation, the series delves beyond the crime scene to explore the psychological complexities of both perpetrators and investigators, creating a multi-layered thriller that examines the toll of pursuing justice at all costs.”

Scarpetta unfolds across two timelines, one in the past and the other in the present, with actors portraying the younger versions of the principal characters.

The programme has been adapted from renowned crime author Patricia Cornwell’s cherished book series of the same name.

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The first Scarpetta novel was published in 1990, and Cornwell has continued writing further books, with the most recent instalment released just last year. Blue Jean star Rosy McEwen portrays the younger version of Kidman’s Scarpetta in the series.

Discussing the character and what she gleaned from Moulin Rouge’s Kidman in a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, McEwen explained: “Sometimes you feel like to be powerful you want to puff up and be louder.

“But actually, as I was watching Nicole, I was like, ‘No, power is quiet. Power is stillness.'”

She continued: “I think [Kay Scarpetta] grows into that. I’m quick to react and be emotional, but actually having the strength to take a second to think how you’re going to respond and then respond – that’s how she’s learned to make her way through this world.”

Beyond starring in the production, both Kidman and Curtis serve as executive producers on Scarpetta.

The drama has elicited a divided reaction from viewers, with some applauding the programme and demanding a second season, whilst others have felt let down and remain devoted to the original novel.

One viewer posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Nicole Kidman is that girl in #scarpetta. Brilliant crime drama. Season 2, better hurry up.”

A second viewer posted: “Also, the killer was a bit underwhelming for me. That and maybe the secret sorta #Scarpetta.”

They followed up with: “I’m watching season 2 though! #Scarpetta.”

A third commenter wrote: “You better tell me we’ll get a second season of #Scarpetta because you don’t end 8 episodes like that unless you’re a meanie [sic].”

Whilst another remarked: “I was super excited for Scarpetta, having read the books since the 90’s, but 3 episodes in on Prime, and I cannot continue watching it. Sometimes adaptations ruin the books for you, and I don’t want that to happen to my feelings for this beloved series and characters #Scarpetta.”

Someone else penned: “#Scarpetta was such a disappointment. These aren’t the characters that many people loved. And Jamie Lee Curtis, terrible acting, terrible character.”

Another contributed: “@lizsarnoff really did an horrific job on #scarpetta. Ridiculous dialogue, wide disparity from the tone and tenor of the source material and the casting is among the worst ever seen. Cornwell should be embarrassed by this adaptation.”

Despite the mixed response, Scarpetta has already secured a second season after it was revealed that the programme received a two-season commission, according to Decider.

Given that all the characters survived, they will be making their return for the subsequent season.

Scarpetta is streaming on Prime Video now

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new ** Everything Gossip ** website**

The Crown star James Murray started off his acting career on ITV soap Coronation Street but the experience left him terrified

James Murray has revealed why he won’t return to Coronation Street after just three episodes.

The actor shared that he featured in three episodes of the ITV soap when speaking to Alan Titchmarsh on Love Your Weekend on Sunday (March 15).

When asked to share who he played in the long-running serial drama, James told the ITV host he was Sandy the barman many years ago.

He commented: “I was Jack and Vera’s barman for about three episodes, it was a frightening experience.

“No good at the job! Thankfully, I think I was contracted for three episodes, so I was in and out, but it was so frightening because Bill Tarmey, who played Jack, was a wonderful man.

“You know how those things are filmed, it’s very quick. It’s like a sausage factory! There’s not much time for creative input from the actors, shall we say. You just stand on your mark, say your line, and we move on.

“That was my first introduction into the world of acting, screen acting. I walked into the Rovers, and I was absolutely petrified!

“The bright lights, I overlearned my lines, and I was just a mess. I was shaking and sweating.”

James recalled how Bill was polishing some glass during their scene together and noticed how nervous he was.

The actor added: “He [Bill] went, ‘You’re shaking like a leaf, son, either stop shaking or think of doing something else’.

“After that stint on Corrie, I said I don’t want to be an actor, or I don’t want to be an actor like this, because it was so frightening to me!

“Being thrown into the lion’s den, first off. I then went and did theatre and other things, but yeah, never again. My hat goes off to the way they act in those shows because it’s so quick.”

Luckily, it wasn’t enough to turn him off of acting completely as James has gone on to star in many well known shows. Recently, he appeared as Raef Lonsdale in the 2025 BBC drama series Wild Cherry, one of the more villainous characters in the show.

While speaking to Alan Titchmarsh he joked he ‘can’t remember’ the last time he didn’t play an evil character, admitting it may have something to do with his eyebrows.

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh is available to watch on Saturdays on ITV from 9:30am

For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.