Pick of the week
Your Friends and Neighbours
Jon Hamm returns as the charming yet flawed financier-turned-cat burglar Andrew “Coop” Cooper. Despite being offered his former job back, Coop chooses to continue his risky escapades. After emerging from the explosive finale of season one unscathed, he soon faces conflict with his partner and rival Samantha Levitt. Additionally, age begins to affect him as a back spasm interrupts his latest heist. Occasionally, the series hints at a satire of suburban overconsumption, but it tends to favor a lighthearted tone, resulting in an entertaining, if somewhat insubstantial, romp. Available on Apple TV from Friday 3 April.
Portobello
Consider the scenario where, at the peak of his fame, Noel Edmonds was accused of involvement in organized crime. A similar event occurred in early 1980s Italy when Enzo Tortora, host of a popular variety show, was convicted of being a member of the Camorra. This uniquely strange story is the foundation of HBO’s first Italian original series, directed by Marco Bellocchio, who captures the cultural nuances with precision. Fabrizio Gifuni portrays Tortora as a helpless figure, terrified as a bizarre conspiracy driven by grudges gains unstoppable momentum. Available now on HBO Max.
Boom Box: Beats and Betrayal
In 2009, a recording studio named Boom Box opened in Edmonton, north London, promising local youth from a deprived area a chance to succeed. Junior, who recorded music there, described it as
“the light at the end of the tunnel.”However, Boom Box was not what it seemed. This four-part series combines first-person accounts and dramatized reconstructions to reveal the morally complex story of a studio that was actually an elaborate police sting operation. The series raises questions about whether this was innovative detective work or racially biased entrapment. Available now on HBO Max.
If It’s Tuesday, It’s Murder
This light-hearted comedy-drama follows a group of Spanish tourists on a week-long holiday in Lisbon that takes an unexpected turn when one of them is murdered on the first day. Instead of returning home, the remaining tourists decide to investigate the crime themselves. While the seven-episode series does not prioritize plausibility, it offers moments of quirky humor for viewers willing to overlook its unlikely premise. Available on Disney+ from Tuesday.
Love on the Spectrum
Shows like this and ’s earlier series tread carefully to showcase the warmth and humor of their subjects without making them the target of jokes. Now in its fourth season, Love on the Spectrum continues to thoughtfully explore the emotional challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. As the season progresses, several participants experience anxiety around events such as first dates and meeting potential in-laws, while the possibility of wedding bells looms. Available on Netflix from Wednesday 1 April.
Dear Killer Nannies
Juan Pablo “Juampi” Escobar has a complex relationship with his family’s history. As the son of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, his childhood was marked by wealth but also severe restrictions, living under constant guard from his father’s violent henchmen. This intense drama offers a fresh perspective on Escobar Sr’s story, told through Juampi’s eyes as he gradually stops viewing his father as the Robin Hood of Medellín and confronts the harsh reality of his life as a violent criminal. Available on Disney+ from Wednesday 1 April.
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island
The newest group of television’s overgrown Mean Girls are the women of Rhode Island, nicknamed “The Ocean State.” It is described as a place
“where nobody tells anybody the truth, everyone lies to each other’s faces and then talks shit behind their back.”While this may sound unpleasant, the series reveals how one person’s dreams can be another’s anxiety nightmare. Central to the drama is Rulla, a newcomer to this world of private boats and polo matches, who, along with her husband, becomes the subject of various unsavory rumors. Available on Hayu from Friday 3 April.
