This year is off to a solid start with new series and much-anticipated films worth all the salty, buttery popcorn.
New on Apple TV+:
Constellation
The eight-episode psychological thriller follows the story of Jo (Noomi Rapace), a mother and astronaut who returns to Earth after a fatal accident aboard the International Space Station, only to find that key pieces of her life are missing. Apple TV+ describes the series as exploring the dark edges of human psychology and a woman’s desperate quest to learn the truth about space travel’s hidden history while trying to recover all that she has lost. Rapace’s co-stars include Jonathan Banks, James D’Arcy, Julian Looman, and Barbara Sukowa. Premieres Feb 21.
Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of A Legend
Lionel Messi is widely considered one of the best football players of his generation – and for good reason. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has conquered nearly every piece of football real estate there is. Discover his epic journey through five World Cups, culminating in Argentina’s victory in 2022. In addition to exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Messi, the four-part docuseries also features interviews with other footballers, such as Gary Lineker, Enzo Fernandez, Emiliano Martinez, and Rodrigo De Paul. Premieres Feb 21.
New on Disney+
Shogun
An original adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, FX’s Shogun is a historical action-adventure set in 1600 Japan at the dawn of a century-defining civil war, where Lord Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada) fights for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him.
Unlike the 1980 miniseries, the focus won’t strictly be on the main character, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis). In this version, Blackthorne winds up shipwrecked in a Japanese fishing village, with little hope of ever returning to his native England. To survive, he must adapt to his new culture and serve Toranaga. The 10-episode series features a nearly all-Japanese cast, including Tadanobu Asano, Fumi Nikaido, Tokuma Nishioka, and Takehiro Hira. Premieres Feb 27.
The Impossible Heir
Born into an impoverished single-parent household with nothing but his good looks and charm, Kang Inha (Lee Jun-young) is determined to make something of himself. He discovers that his father is the chairman of the hugely successful Kangoh Group. Shunned by the rest of his new family, Inha teams up with his intellectually gifted friend Han Taeoh (Lee Jae-wook) to hatch a plan to take over the company. They steadily begin their ascent until an equally ambitious woman (Hong Suzu) with a similarly troubled past threatens to derail their plans forever. Premieres Feb 28.
New on HBO Go:
The Accidental Influencer
Starring Shu-Yao Kuo, Aviis Zhong, Ke-Fang Sun, and Ken Lin, the HBO Asia Originals comedy-drama series follows the life of Red Ho, a Taiwanese woman who dreams of owning an apartment and marrying her boyfriend before she turns 30. However, her dreams of a perfect life are dashed when he dumps her on her birthday and she quits her stable job. At a loss, she decides to air her grievances online and accidentally becomes an Internet sensation, sending her on an unexpected journey. Premieres Feb 10.
Blue Beetle
Directed by Angel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is the story of a recent college graduate who returns home to find it is not quite as he left it. Jaime (Xolo Mariduena ) finds himself unexpectedly in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When it suddenly chooses Jaime as its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armour capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero. Premieres Feb 9.
New on Netflix:
Avatar: The Last Airbender
In a live-action remake of the Nickelodeon animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender, Gordon Cormier plays 12-year-old Aang, a fearless, easy-going boy who happens to be the Avatar, a master of the four elements – fire, water, earth and air – and the keeper of peace and balance in a world threatened by the terrifying Fire Nation. Many unforgettable characters appear along the way, including the waterbender Katara (Kiawentiio), her brother Sokka (Ian Ousley), the firebender Zuko (Dallas Liu), Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), and Uncle Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee). Premieres Feb 22.
One Day
One Day is a romantic, 14-episode British drama series based on David Nicholls’ bestselling novel of the same name (it was previously adapted into a 2011 film starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess). It reveals a love story spanning decades between students Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) and Emma Morley (Amika Mod), who first met on Jul 15, 1988, the day of their graduation. The series follows them both on the same day, Jul 15, over the course of 20 years as they weave in and out of one another’s lives and share in their hopes, dreams, squabbles, missed opportunities, and tragedies. One Day also stars Joely Richardson and Eleanor Tomlinson. Premieres Feb 8.
New on Prime Video:
Apartment404
Apartment404 is an eight-episode retro reality variety programme featuring Blackpink’s Jennie, Yu Jae Seok, and other celebrities. The plot: a six-person cast investigates the truth behind extraordinary events that occur in their apartments, all in one building. Because the episodes are based on true stories, each will have a unique setting and time period. With the help of special guests, the cast members will divide into two teams and compete against one another. There will be one winner at the end of the series. Premieres Feb 23.
This Is Me… Now
Jenny from the block is back with an upcoming album and this accompanying documentary film. Irreverent and thought-provoking, she pokes fun at her three failed marriages, and shares a glimpse of her life with husband Ben Affleck (who co-wrote it). It also tracks the making of the album and Lopez’s quest for love and companionship. Among its star-studded cast are Fat Joe, Trevor Jackson, Trevor Noah, Kim Petras, Keke Palmer, Jennifer Lewis, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Sofia Vergara, and Post Malone.
