High Country
Monday, streaming on Foxtel and Binge
This atmospheric drama was created by Marcia Gardner and John Ridley, who both worked as writers on the hit Aussie drama Wentworth — this speaks volumes.
Like that show, which has a spin-off series coming to screens next year starring Rachel Griffiths (what a coup!), the scripts and storylines in this are tightly written and well executed, designed to keep viewers invested and guessing episode to episode.
That’s harder to do than it looks, and you’d be surprised how few local dramas manage to pull off the kind of taut storytelling Gardner and Ridley make so effortlessly.
They’re on point with this second season, which sees Brendan Cowell (who is also front and centre over in Apple TV’s great drama Last Seen) join the cast as a detective working alongside Leah Purcell’s Sergeant Andie Whitford in her High Country location.
Andie is grappling to come to terms with the events that transpired in last season’s explosive finale. This season picks up where we left off, with Andie, her colleagues and family dealing with the fallout of Sam’s (Ian McElhinney) devastating confession.
His story, along with Andie’s continuing quest for answers, is interwoven with the crime being investigated this time around, which involves Cowell’s character — his brother and sister-in-law are murdered aboard their houseboat, and it’s a messy and complicated affair.
If you’re looking for a new mystery to sink your teeth into, you’re in luck: this one’s terrifically watchable. Do not miss this excellent drama.
Slow Horses
Wednesday, streaming on Apple TV Plus
Balinese nightlife is pretty terrific, apparently. I couldn’t tell you — because instead of being out and about during my recent villa stay in Seminyak, I was instead holed up in my tropical bolthole inhaling episodes of this fabulous sixth season.
Based on the sixth and seventh novels by Mick Herron, it sees Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) and his Slow Horses on the run after a kill list emerges and they start being bumped off, one by one.
Who wants this ragtag bunch of spies dead, and why?
Lamb’s on the case, and he’ll be damned if he’s going to let anyone else take out his Joes (before he has the chance!).
This might be my favourite season yet.
Neagley
Wednesday, streaming on Prime Video
Reacher fans will want to check out this new spin-off series, which sees Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley. She’s now working as a private investigator in Chicago, and when a friend dies, she’s on the case, investigating his suspicious death.
Apocalypse
Wednesday, streaming on Foxtel and Binge
Jonathan LaPaglia narrates this fantastic new reality series, which sees 14 contestants dropped into a post-apocalyptic town with no amenities, zero food and water, and absolutely no rule of law. They have to survive for 28 days, which is a darn sight harder than it sounds.
MobLand
Friday, streaming on Paramount Plus
The controversy surrounding this show has threatened to drown out the buzz at times. But if you can tune out the noise, this Guy Ritchie series starring Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren is worth a watch.
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