TV Suggestions, Now and Coming Soon

B80DF6BE 9632 4F88 9BCF 5246836A409F Midlife and Beyond Happy New Year. I hope you have had a restful time. Like many of you, I succumbed to the flu. Following a few mutations and two lots of antibiotics, I’m finally seeing an improvement. My forced captivity and removal from anything jolly or sociable has enabled me to get lots of rest. One upside is I have watched some TV shows that I’d been meaning to, and I’ve started books I have wanted to read – every cloud has a silver lining! 

Sometimes, these involuntary retreats from the hamster wheel make us re-assess, allowing us to reflect on the year ending and what we hope for going forward. I’m not one to make New Year resolutions but, once I shake this flaming thing off, I’m hoping to get back into my fitness routine which is my daily walk, followed by a little strength training.

One event I enjoyed watching was 5BE9BEBB 576B 42F2 81C6 D272ED2B4415 Midlife and Beyondthe amazing progression of Luke,The Nuke”, Littler, the young seventeen-year-old darts player from Warrington. We first watched him play in a competition while in our local pub and have followed his progress, since, culminating in him winning the 2024 World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace, London.  What an amazing achievement for one so young. He has such a laid-back chilled demeanour for a lad his age, which we all found endearing. He celebrated with a kebab and time out on his Xbox – what a star!! My son is highly amused by my new interest in darts. 

Between the coughing and wheezing, there’s nothing better than snuggling up to watch some good TV. So, depending on your personal preferences, here’s a varied mix that may appeal.

9C67A180 7DA4 4241 A903 24AE2C2E9AF0 Midlife and BeyondLockerbie: A Search for Truth (Five Episodes) – Mini Series Sky Atlantic and Now TV

This is a harrowing piece of television covering one of the worst terror attacks, here, in the UK. I vividly remember the evening it happened. My oldest son was around eighteen months old and he had just gone off to sleep. My other half was due in from rehearsals with a few musicians when the news flash (bulletin) appeared on TV, as it did in those days. I remember being shocked knowing Lockerbie wasn’t far from us. I hoped that the outcome wouldn’t be as bad as it most certainly played out to be.

It was 21st Dec 1988, thirty-eight minutes following takeoff from London, when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie. Two hundred and seventy people died as a result – 243 passengers, 16 crew members and 11 people on the ground. This series tells us how Dr. Jim Swire and his wife, Jane, fought for many years to seek justice and the truth for their daughter Flora, who was travelling to America for Christmas.

Dr. Swire never stopped fighting to know the truth. This drama shows us the frustration he came up against and how inept and secretive the various governments were throughout his journey. We also see the heartbreaking human side to this tragedy, losing their beautiful child, and sister, Flora, who had just won a place at Cambridge University. Dr Swire was played with great conviction and dedication by Colin Firth. This was always going to be a hard watch but I’m now more knowledgeable on what followed on from that cold night. This series was expertly written and delivered – a tribute to every victim.

D9613890 EC75 4804 80AC 480D0AAED69E Midlife and BeyondPlaying Nice. Mini Series ITV (Four Episodes)

I initially watched an interview with Niamh Algar and James Norton, the lead actors in this series, which spiked my interest. Both are talented actors I look out for because they are always in top-quality productions. When the series aired, it got a slating. But, the concept and quality acting still made me curious to give it a try. Sometimes, it’s good to ignore the nay-sayers and see for yourself. The story pulled me in, right away – and the rugged landscape of Cornwall was the perfect backdrop. The storyline centres around two couples, who find out their babies have been swapped not long after birth and what happens from there. I won’t say anything more apart from the fact that there are lots of twists and turns. This series is a good, entertaining watch and the book has good reviews, too.

3BDD4622 35D2 4DBA 9FC1 DA9F002639C8 Midlife and BeyondBad Sisters – Series One and Two available on Apple TV+

After watching the first episode, I was uncertain if I wanted to proceed. But, I decided to give it a shot. Thank goodness I did. By the second and third episodes, I was completely hooked. The dark humour in the writing is superb.

I loved the authentic relationship between the Garvey sisters, lots of banter and humour, making allowances for each other’s mistakes, as siblings tend to do. And, always looking out for each other. Then there is the stinging, hurtful delivery of JP (John Paul) who is married to Grace, one of the sisters, which made my blood boil!

I loved the beautiful backdrop of Dublin, making me want to return and go visit theForty Footfor a swim – if you watch it, you will know what I mean. 

This series has comedy, drama, mystery and murder. And, a cracking soundtrack of songs. I highly recommend you give it a watch.

266E1CD0 598B 4532 95E2 4B1A0C5B1988 Midlife and BeyondDexter – Original Sin (10 Episodes).   Mini Series. Available to stream on Paramount+

If you are a fan of theDexterseries, you will look forward to what is ahead! Following the original series of Dexter which starred Micheal C Hall (2006 to 2013), there have been a few spin-offs. The first wasDexter – New Blood(mini-series 10 episodes) which was released in late 2021, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am currently watchingDexter – Original Sin”. And now (drum roll!), to be released this summer, we haveDexter: Resurrection(which I am very excited to watch!). 

The current series,Original Sin”, takes us to Miami, 1991. Here, we meet a young Dexter Morgan.  We see how his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer. He is guided to channel his inner darkness as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer with the guidance of his father, Harry.

The whole Dexter series has been one of my family’s favourite TV shows. We all loved the original and, up to now, haven’t been disappointed with the spin-offs – which have all starred Micheal C Hall apart from Original Sin which, again, has not disappointed. Patrick Gibson who plays a young Dexter Morgan nails the part, as does the rest of the cast. This is a must-watch.

A5E385A1 592B 497F 8AC5 BC1366F45BB4 Midlife and BeyondDay of the Jackal – Mini-Series (10 Episodes).

Storyline

“The Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. He soon meets his match in a tenacious British Intelligence officer who tracks him down in a thrilling “cat-and-mouse” chase across Europe”. IMDB description

Eddie Redmayne is fantastic in the role ofThe Jackal.He is cold, calm, calculated and ruthlessas well as being a master of disguise, which I found to be fascinating. He is everything you’d imagine an assassin to be. The portrayal of the female British Intelligence Officer wasn’t my favourite and kinda let the series down a little.  

I loved the beautiful location shots across Europe and that the jackal was fluent in the various languages, adding more to the professional killer profile This has been renewed for a second series.

A few more quick recommendations!

2FAFC29F 565C 419F 961D 8D8593F667C5 Midlife and BeyondTrue Crime documentaries,Killer CasesandKiller in My Village”

Are you fascinated by true crime stories? A good murder mystery always makes for gripping TV. However, what fascinates us more is real-life crime cases and how they are solved.

An expert revealed that watching true crime shows is our way of preparing for similar situations in the real world. Another warned that this fascination with the macabre can leave us with an over-heightened awareness when going about our everyday routines like driving a car, walking down the street or being at home, alone.

Hopefully, this is not the case. But, whatever our reasons for watching the true crime genre, it has exploded in recent years. Podcasts and documentaries, examining past cases in forensic detail; books about notorious murders; and television dramas that bring to life the stories behind the gruesome headlines, we seemingly cannot get enough of true crime.

The key components of a good documentary are:

  • re-enactments of the crime scenes;

  • survivors speaking about the events, and

  • police investigation speakers.

I don’t watch a lot of true crime. However, two series I look out for areKiller Cases”, which is my first documentary of choice and the second is,Killer in My Village”. The first half of “Killer Cases” tells us the chain of events leading up to the crime. The second half is the gathering of evidence and trial. The events are quick and are efficiently put together. The result usually gives us a conviction. 

“Killer in my Villagealways begins with residents describing their picturesque UK village where everyone knows and looks out for one another, and informing us that crime is rare in the neighbourhood. Then, a gruesome murder unfolds – mind-boggling! My only criticism is facts are often repeated in an attempt tostring outthe episode.   But, if true crime is your thing, give it a go.

C5E601C5 AE49 49A3 96E7 B992104294F6 Midlife and BeyondTo Come in 2025 (what we have to look forward to)

The White Lotus (Season 3) – 16th February

Squid Game – The Challenge (Season 2)– Now Available

Unforgotten (season 6)- To Be Announced (TBA)

Dexter: Resurrection – TBA

Poker Face (Season 2)– April 2025

And Just Like That (Season 3) – TBA

Stranger Things (Season 5) – TBA

The Last of Us (Season 2) – April 2025

The Night Manager (Season 2) – TBA

The Walking Dead: Dead City – (Season 2) TBA

The Handmaid’s Tale (Season 6) – Spring 2025

I hope you have enjoyed my post, which is not sponsered.  If you have any comments or recommendations yourself, please let me know in the comments as I/we go through a lot of TV series and films, in our household.  Share my post (below) with anyone who may find it useful, hopefully enjoyable.

Until the next time!!

Alison

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6 Comments

  1. We watched the original Dexter, but we haven’t watched any of the other shows. I really like Michael C Hall and enjoyed him in Six Feet Under. I think he did that before Dexter. I love Stranger Things and was so surprised to see they were doing another season. For some reason, I thought the last one out had been the last one. I’m kind of surprised And Just Like That is getting another season as it was panned here in the states. We watched Nobody Wants This which was OK. There will be a second season. I’m always glad when a series ends in a cliffhanger, and there’s a next season.

    Thanks for all the recs. I’m not sure how many I can find here in the states, but I’d like to watch the Lockerbie one. I remember that very well, too. You must have been terrified. My husband was in the air in NYC when the towers were hit on 9/11. So, I know that terror. He saw the first tower on fire, but the second one hadn’t been hit yet. I doubt I will ever forget that day of not knowing if he was alive or not…until he called hours later.

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    • Haven’t watched “Six feet under”. I’ll have to look out for that one. Regarding “ And just like that”. I found some of the characters highly irritating, hence, I found myself fast forwarding when they were on – not sure if I’ll bother watching unless the reviews state the storyline’s have improved. Oh Marsha, It must have been terrifying for you on that awful day when the towers were hit – I really can’t imagine what that must have felt like, waiting to hear from your husband – it must have been the longest few hours. x

  2. I don’t think I’ve watched any of these! And some of them look really good, especially Playing Nice. I can’t imagine going through that! Thanks for the suggestions!

    • You’re welcome, Laura! “Playing nice” is everyone’s nightmare scenario. Great watch though.

  3. Karen Ball
    /

    Some good recommendations. We love a good murder mystery too and there seems to be loads of choice about ( just as well with the weather/winter months upon us !) Thoroughly enjoy Scandi Crimes, watched many over the years but more recently ‘Wisting’ carrying on from series one and two. Also The Nordic Murders were a decent watch along with DNA – just started on series one. Of course we need the subtitles on !!! If you like a crime book then can say the LJ Ross inspector Ryan books are brilliant – always enjoy the references to places in our neck of the woods. I only have a couple left in the series to read, though gather there’s a new one out in February. Hope you are feeling more yourself now Alison, take care and happy viewing/reading xx

    • Thank you, Karen for these recommendations. We go through lots of TV! More so at the moment due to hibernation. Like you I love to loose myself in a good book, can’t beat a good story, makes these dark days brighter. xx

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