BY LAURA BRADING
Yes, you’ve probably read the book and seen the not-so-great 2011 movie adaptation starring Anna Hathaway, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also watch the love story’s latest iteration as a Netflix series. Starring Leo Woodall (the pretend-nephew from season two of The White Lotus) and Ambika Mod, their chemistry is what the best rom-coms are made of. Add to the mix a killer soundtrack and bite-sized episodes, and you’ve got yourself an exquisitely bingeable series. (Netflix)
Set in a Slim Aarons looking country club in the 1960s, this AppleTV+ comedy series is worth watching for the costumes and set alone. Featuring a star-studded cast including Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Kaia Gerber, and Ricky Martin, Palm Royale follows Maxine (Wiig), a former beauty pageant queen who is trying to find her way into a group of elite women who rule the Palm Beach enclave. The first four episodes are out now. (AppleTV+)
Set in a Slim Aarons looking country club in the 1960s, this AppleTV+ comedy series is worth watching for the costumes and set alone. Featuring a star-studded cast including Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Kaia Gerber, and Ricky Martin, Palm Royale follows Maxine (Wiig), a former beauty pageant queen who is trying to find her way into a group of elite women who rule the Palm Beach enclave. The first four episodes are out now. (AppleTV+)
A retelling of the real-life scandal that erupted between Truman Capote and his New York socialite circle and one-time friends, the ‘Swans’, after the author revealed their dark secrets. The definition of a star-studded cast, the series features Naomi Watts, Chloe Sevigny, Diane Lane, Demi Moore, Calista Flockhart, Molly Ringwald and Tom Hollander as Capote. Reviews have said that the series is more vibes than substance, but I could overlook this based on some incredible performances (Watts is perfection as Babe Paley), and the stunning portrayal of New York high society. (Binge)
I have zero interest in action blockbusters, but when Maya Erskine and Donald Glover are cast to play a couple, I tune in, no matter the genre. Starring as Jane and Jone in the latest reboot of Mr & Mrs Smith, every episode of this spy caper is infused with charm and intelligence and humour. Very fun and very refreshing with bonus points for the excellent fashion. (Prime Video)
If you like your TV bizarre, uncomfortable and with a strong undercurrent of satire, then The Curse is your new favourite series. Directed by Nathan Fielder and starring Emma Stone, the series takes viewers behind the scenes of a reality TV show about eco-conscious housing designed by self-proclaimed “good people” in the fictional town of Española. It’s about performative altruism, privilege, and, sometimes, the supernatural. You will cringe and laugh, and you will not be able to look away. (Paramount+)
Set in 1980s Brisbane, this widely acclaimed adaptation of Trent Dalton’s bestselling novel showed the world a very different side of Australia to that of Summer Bay. For starters, its central character Eli Bell spends most of his time after school hanging at home with his drug-addicted mum and mute older brother, or fishing with a notorious ex-crim. There are plenty of grim moments, but the cracking plot and stellar ensemble cast (Simon Baker, Phoebe Tonkin, Anthony LaPaglia, Deborah Mailman…) keep you on the edge of your seat and, somehow, smiling. We challenge anyone to watch just one episode at a time.