Remember your New Year resolution to get fit? Well, if you break it, it’s probably because this new lot from streaming services has turned you into a couch potato. Get ready to be entertained.
New on Apple TV+:
Criminal Record
An anonymous phone call revives an old murder case and throws two brilliant detectives – one a young woman, June Lenker (Cush Jumbo), in the early stages of her career, the other a well-connected cop Daniel Hegart (Peter Capaldi) seeking to defend his legacy – into confrontation with each other as she looks into his old case and uncovers a few crucial discrepancies in this powerful London crime thriller. As they clash, race, institutional failure, and the search for common ground in a polarised Britain are all aspects that the show tackles. Premieres Jan 10.
Masters Of The Air
This nine-episode limited series companion to 2001’s Band Of Brothers (2001) and 2010’s The Pacific by producers Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman is based on Donald L. Miller’s book. It follows the 100th Bomb Group of the US Air Force, also known as the Bloody Hundredth because of its severe losses during bombing raids against Hitler’s Third Reich, harsh conditions, lack of oxygen, terror of combat at 7,620 metres above Germany, and psychological trauma. Cinematically impressive, it was filmed in locations ranging from bucolic fields and villages in southeast England to harsh POW camps in Germany. The cast includes Callum Turner, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Barry Keoghan, Ncuti Gatwa, and Kai Alexander. Premieres Jan 26.
New on Disney+:
Echo
Marvel Studios’ next big superhero is also superhuman. Sort of. Her eyes don’t shoot laser beams, and her mind cannot produce sonic booms or chase villains across the multiverse, but Maya Lopez/Echo rises to become the boss of New York street gang Tracksuit Mafia under the tutelage of crime lord Kingpin despite being deaf and having a prosthetic leg. Echo’s superpower? The human ability to adapt. Deafness sharpens Maya’s observational skills, making her a lethal physical combatant who can mimic martial arts moves instantly. Starring Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, and Zahn McClarnon. Premieres Jan 10.
A Shop for Killers
Based on a novel by Kang Ji Young, this series promises dramatic action galore. The story revolves around the life of college student Jung Ji-An (Kim Hye Joon) in modern-day Korea. After her parents’ deaths, she moves in with her uncle Jin Man (Lee Dong Wook), who runs a mall. Ji-An becomes the target of highly trained assassins as she uncovers the truth behind her uncle’s death and his profession in the mall. What does Ji An’s uncle’s hidden past have to do with her inheritance, or is there more she can learn? You’ll have to watch to find out. Premieres Jan 17.
Flex X Cop
In Flex X Cop, a new take on Korean crime dramas, the son (Ahn Bohyun) of a wealthy Korean conglomerate owner finds himself in a new position with Gangha Police Station’s Violent Crimes Unit 1 as a result of a procedural mishap. Used to getting his way, he initially butts heads with the department leader, Lee Ganghyun (Park Ji-hyun), but as the weight of his new responsibility begins to sink in, he uses his unique skillset and wealth to push through departmental bottlenecks, helping to bring offenders to justice and solve serious cases. Premieres Jan 26.
New on HBO GO:
True Detective: Night Country
Scarily atmospheric, Night Country is a frosty variation of the anthology crime series True Detective, which wrapped its third season in 2019. The storyline? Eight men mysteriously disappear in Ennis, Alaska. Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) investigate, only to find themselves in for more than they expected in Ennis, which experiences the polar night (uninterrupted darkness for months). It requires them to confront their own darkness and dig into the haunted truths buried under the eternal ice. Premieres Jan 15.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre
This flashy spy caper from Guy Ritchie follows Orson Fortune (Jason Statham), a superspy with a formidable skillset and an expense account to match employed by the British government to investigate the theft of a deadly new weapons technology at all costs. Fortune’s team, including minxy tech genius Sarah (Aubrey Plaza), is employed by the British government to secure it before it hits the black market. Brokering the deal is shady arms trader Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant), eager to sell it to the highest bidder. Premieres Jan 20.
New on Netflix:
Badland Hunters
A bad-ass huntsman, zombies and an evil doctor in a post-apocalyptic Seoul – what’s not to love? Marvel star and Korean actor Don Lee is the fearless protagonist who springs into action to rescue a teenager abducted by a mad doctor. Judging from the trailer, it looks set to be an action-packed flick full of shoot-’em-ups on par with his earlier role in Train to Busan. Premieres Jan 26.
The Brothers Sun
Expect drama, comedic moments and lots of action throughout the eight-episode series, which begins with the mysterious assassination of the head of a powerful Taiwanese triad. The incident prompts his eldest son Charles Sun (Justin Chien) to go to Los Angeles to protect his mother and brother – who has no idea about the true nature of his family. Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh plays the fiercely protective mother who defends her family at all costs. The three start discovering what family truly means, all while dangerous people hunt them down. Premieres Jan 4.
Griselda
This series stars Sofia Vergara and is based on real events. Created by Eric Newman and Andrés Baiz, it is inspired by Griselda Blanco – a devoted mother and ambitious Colombian businesswoman who created one of the most profitable drug cartels in history. Her lethal blend of unsuspected savagery and charm helped her expertly navigate between business and family. Alberto Guerra and Christian Tappan co-star. Premieres Jan 25.
New on Prime Video
Expats
Set against the turbulent backdrop of 2014 Hong Kong, the six-part limited series is creator, director, and writer Lulu Wang’s adaptation of Janice Y. K. Lee’s bestselling novel, The Expatriates. Nicole Kidman plays Margaret, an American expat reeling from a personal tragedy. Helping her heal and regain control over her life are Hilary (Sarayu Blue) and Mercy (Ji-young Yoo) support her. But things turn when Mercy appears to have something to do with Margaret’s tragedy. According to the plot description, the series explores what happens when victimhood and culpability blur. Kidman and Wang also serve as executive producers. Premieres Jan 26.
Role Play
Kaley Cuoco and David Oyelowo star in this comedic take on the assassin genre. As Emma, she lives in New Jersey with her loving husband (Oyelowo) and two kids. When the couple decides to spice up their love life with a little role-playing, things go haywire as he discovers she is an assassin for hire. Bill Nighy and Connie Nielsen also star in the film, shot mainly in Berlin, Germany. Premieres Jan 12.
