From whistle-blowing scandals to tense and passionate romances and everything in between, this week’s slate of television shows is brimming with entertaining possibilities. The return of the heady Shondaland period drama Bridgerton is only the tip of the binge-watching iceberg, as an unmissable, “addictive” 00s show makes its way to Netflix.
Also heading this way in the next seven days is a Channel 4 drama starring Call the Midwife and Ghosts actor Charlotte Ritchie, and a BBC drama series dubbed “television at its best,” by fans on IMDb, has resurfaced on Netflix. Praised for its “stunning writing,” the show boasts an impressive cast that includes The Long Shadow’s Lee Ingleby, Granchester’s Morven Christie and Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston.
Sci-fi fans will no doubt be pleased about the return of the Apple TV series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and for those in need of a mystery fix don’t fear, a crime drama dubbed a “masterpiece,” by fans on IMDb is on its way. To find out what’s about to keep you glued to the telly-box this week, keep scrolling.
Netflix
Bridgerton season, 4 part 2
After that steamy bathtub teaser trailer, Bridgerton finally returns with season four part two to conclude Benedict (Luke Thompson) and Sophie’s (Yerin Ha) upstairs-downstairs love affair.
The mismatched pair aren’t the only ones with an enviably passionate love story that needs some airtime: what of the Dowager Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and her new flame Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis)?
Part two will also welcome back Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), much to the fandom’s utter relief.
Bridgerton season, 4 part 2 is available to watch from Thursday 26 February on Netflix
Channel 4
Dirty Business
Inspired by real events, Channel 4’s new drama Dirty Business follows the decade-long investigation into illegal sewage dumping in Oxfordshire.
At the helm of the case is former police detective Ashley Smith (David Thewlis), alongside professor of computational biology Peter Hammond (Jason Watkins) and whistleblower Mickey Lazarus (Asim Chaudhry), as the trio are determined to expose a major water company’s pollution scandal.
Meanwhile, the Preen family are also seeking justice after their eight-year-old daughter Heather dies after contracting e-coli 0157 as a result, they believe, of her coming into contact with raw sewage.
The series also stars Call the Midwife and Ghosts star Charlotte Ritchie as Sophie Harrison.
Dirty Business is available to watch on Monday 23 February from 9pm on Channel 4
BBC
The A Word
Ten years after it first aired on BBC The A Word has found a new home, and hopefully audience, on Netflix. Referred to as ‘one of the best TV dramas,’ the 2016 series follows the dysfunctional Hughes family, the parents of whom recently discover their youngest child Joe (Max Vento) is autistic.
After a period of denial, five-year-old Joe’s parents, Alison and Paul (Granchester’s Morven Christie and The Long Shadow’s Lee Ingleby and respectively), must create a new reality that sees their family thrive, which means they must also confront their own issues, hard as that may be.
The A Word is available to watch from Sunday 1 March on Netflix
CBS Photo Archive
The Mentalist
The 2008 crime drama has been given a new lease of life on Netflix. The series follows former “psychic” con artist Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), who acts as a consultant for the police using a unique blend of psychology, keen observation and manipulation skills to help solve murders for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Mentalist also stars Prison Break’s Robin Tunney as Special Agent Teresa Lisbon.
The Mentalist is available to watch from Sunday 1 March on Netflix
Apple TV+
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, season 2
Godzilla spin off Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is back bringing more chaos and catastrophe. According to Apple TV, season two is set to reunite heroes and villains alike with the revelation of “buried secrets.”
Kong’s Skull Island will serve as the setting for the action, where “the ripple effects of the past make waves in the present day, blurring the bonds between family, friend and foe — all with the threat of a Titan event on the horizon.”
Monarch Legacy of Monsters, season 2 is available to watch from Friday 27 February on Apple TV
Warner Bros. Television
One Tree Hill
Fans of the iconic 00s show One Tree Hill will be able to stream the angsty, coming-of-age drama on Netflix as of this week. The series, which ran from 2003-2012, follows the two warring estranged half brothers Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) and Nathan Scott (James Lafferty) in the quiet town of Tree Hill North Carolina.
From high school to adulthood, the series sees tumultuous relationship of the Scott boys spill on and off the basketball court as they navigate first loves (and heartbreaks), friendship, grief and the family trauma that damaged their bond in the first place.
One Tree Hill is available to watch from Sunday 1 March on Netflix
BBC
Shrill
Fans on IMDb were “blown away,” by Aidy Bryant’s “funny and touching” series and there’s a good chance you will be too.
The series is centred around Annie Easton, as the young woman attempts to navigate life, love and work in the face of fatphobia. Based on Lindy West’s book of the same name, Shrill couches body-positive themes within humour as it follows Annie’s journey towards boosting her esteem.
Shrill is available to watch from Wednesday 25 February on Netflix.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. Â For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. Â She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
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