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If Renegade Nell is to be believed, London in the 1700s was overrun with dandy highwaymen, high born magistrates and those who like to dabble in the dark arts. Not exactly the standard stamping ground of Happy Valley alumni Sally Wainwright, and yet that is exactly who is steering the ship in this new swashbuckling

In a culture oversaturated with superhero spin-offs, multiple multiverses and so many studios looking to get involved – no one mention Sony – Extraordinary is something special.   Written and created by Emma Moran, this hugely inventive superhero sitcom came with a radical twist and some perfect casting in the shape of Mairead Tyers (Jen). A

Shogun needed to feel authentic, exceed expectations and crucially measure up to its predecessor. A trick this excellent series from Disney+ pulls off in minutes remaining faithful to the novel.   Co-creators Justin Marks (Top Gun: Maverick) and Rachel Kondo go beyond conflicting cultures to embrace universal themes. Pulling together all the subtle threads in this

Oliver Twist is a tale as old as time, that speaks to the underdog in everyone, and celebrates triumph over adversity in the most definitive terms. The Artful Dodger (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Fagin (David Thewlis) may only be fleeting figures in that landmark fiction, but this Disney+ approved follow-up, that takes these light-fingered reprobates from

Making her way into the Marvel Spotlight, Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) already represents a formidable force of nature, and a progressive step forward in storytelling for this superhero studio. Echo might be the first step into an adult arena that the Disney sponsored powerhouse has made in terms of projects, but for this series to

Percy Jackson made his movie debut battling the Lightning Thief in 2010 and laying the groundwork for another fantasy franchise to match Harry Potter. With Logan Lerman (Hunters) in the title role, this first foray was directed by Chris Colombus and made just enough noise to warrant a sequel in 2013, when Percy came back

With seismic intensity and more powerhouse performances than most shows can muster, The Bear returns to Disney+ from 19 July for another run. Created by Christopher Storer, this Emmy nominated Chicago based drama has turned actor Jeremy Allen White (Shameless) into a Golden Globe winner, with his scenery chewing turn as Carmen ‘Carmy’ Berzatto. A

With an old skool Cold War vibe, a dash of alien infiltration, and the emergence of an avenging angel from his intergalactic safe house, Secret Invasion starts strong as Marvel attempts a resurrection of sorts spearheaded by one grizzled Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Donning a beanie hat and wealth of facial hair, audiences are

Returning to screens after 26 years, Oscar-winning screenwriter Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) revisits some old friends from South Yorkshire, who once found fame giving it The Full Monty. Much of what made that original film work came down to its character actors. Headlined by Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Tom Wilkinson, and Paul Barber, The Full

With an edgy 70s vibe and pulsing disco beat, creator Robert Siegel (The Wrestler) opens up a Pandora’s box of sexual liberation in Welcome to Chippendales, his new original series streaming on Disney+ from 11 January. It’s a slickly produced and dynamically stylised dip into the world of Somen ‘Steve’ Banerjee (Kumail Nanjiani), the founder

To quote Dylan Thomas: ‘Many rage against the dying of the light, as advancing years and dwindling faculties see them stripped of their dignity. Mortality, legacy and those we leave behind us become more important as that time ebbs away.’ Nowhere else are those sentiments felt more deeply than in The Old Man, which hits Disney+ from 28

Surfaces slick with rainwater cast neon reflections into the night sky. Foreboding concrete buildings close in around a lone figure cloaked by darkness, who bows his head against the curious. Nearby, pounding bass beats assault the senses, while overzealous doormen admit revelers after an intrusive body search. Welcome to the world of Andor, streaming exclusively on

Launching as part of Disney+ Day, new drama Mike reveals the force of boxing legend Mike Tyson in his prime, giving a new generation the change to experience the impact of this cultural icon first hand. Read more at: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mike-review-unflinching-mike-tyson-pulls-no-punches-102545910.html

What women wouldn’t want to be perpetually gym fit, genuinely statuesque, and bright green with a She-Hulk swagger? This show asks the question from the outset, introducing Jennifer Walters (Tatiana Maslany) to eager audiences alongside her cousin Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Created in the biblical sense by Stan Lee and then streamlined in this iteration by head

Light & Magic, which premieres on Disney Plus from July 27, is everything anyone could ever want from a documentary series focusing on ILM (Industrial Light and Magic). Directed by Lawrence Kasdan, and featuring every luminary in the industry from Dennis Muren through to John Knoll, the enthralling six-part series uses unseen stock footage, numerous

With only six episodes to make an impression Hawkeye was up against it from the outset. Audiences were cautious, viewing figures were poor and people seemed oddly indifferent. It featured a second tier Avenger, another arrow totting teenage and promised nothing new on paper. The reality is that Hawkeye might have been Marvel’s strongest small screen outing since WandaVision, with

That Hawkeye continues to build momentum, drop plot points and introduce intriguing curveballs is to be applauded. With the arrival of Florence Pugh and everything she established in Black Widow, there is also a real sense that the final episode will hold something special. Opposite Hailee Steinfeld, she possesses the same scene stealing charm she displayed in that previous

This may be the best show Marvel has ever done. No arguments, no debates and no room for naysayers. As it creeps into a fourth episode with no real threat, but a whole bunch of on-screen chemistry between Hailee Steinfield and Jeremy Renner, something starts to happen. Hints of an overarching villain have already been

Alaqua Cox is a name people should get comfortable with. Her introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe will light fires, forge in-roads and welcome a chrome domed villain back into the fray. Being both deaf, disabled and Native American, Echo turns Hawkeye on its head. ASL (American Sign Language) also broadens the playing field further by making

Penned by Jonathan Igla, a writer on Mad Men and producer of Bridgerton, Hawkeye feels like a return to form for Marvel. Introductions are slick, call backs offer context and Jeremy Renner finally gets the spotlight. For more films than most people care to mention Hawkeye has been relegated to the back row. A bit part player in an action-packed melodrama, wrapped

This is always the way things were going to go. What If…? has been creating alternate realities for eight weeks, so creatively it made sense to bring that together. With a pimped up Ultron armed to the teeth and almost unstoppable, bringing together these disparate variations made perfect sense if the intention was to tie things up

That this episode postulates, hypothesises and blasts a hole in the hull of multiverses everywhere is enough to recommend it. That there is a seismic cameo prior to the credits running is perhaps another more important point to make. By tying elements from Age of Ultron and Civil War into a mix which is heavily mechanoid in nature, might

Aerial fist fights, global frat parties and an errant polar bear define this seventh foray into the animated world of What If…? Heading up a cast which includes Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings and Jeff Goldblum briefly, Marvel’s God of thunder makes quite the impression. A fact that comes through effortlessly, as Chris Hemsworth seems to be having

By combining elements of Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther and Iron Man amongst others, episode six offers up some serious food for MCU thought, turning heroes into villains, villains into world powers and bringing female empowerment centre stage. Featuring voice work from Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Paul Bettany amongst others, What If…? raises some intriguing questions without offering up all the

This week’s episode plays like a greatest hits compilation with added zombies. It has a roll call of original cast members which will draw in the fan faithful, then follows that up with decent dialogue and genuine performances. Injecting the lightness from Spider-Man: Homecoming and tipping a hat to WandaVision, episode five of What If…? is maybe the best one to

There is something compelling about the idea of love viewed through a rose-tinted prism. That moment of compulsion which shapes us into something else, merely though the extended proximity of another. In the darkest episode yet What If…? addresses just that notion, by turning Doctor Strange into a toxic love story, which audiences will find hard to shake off.

The Avengers coming together was a turning point for the MCU. That is when a disparate string of blockbuster films coalesced into something else. This is when comic book franchises turned into big business. Audiences were enthralled, Disney expressed an interest and studios started running to catch up. Without that defining moment which saw a

Episode two of Marvel’s What If…? comes with a certain degree of poignancy built into its fabric, as this is the last work Chadwick Boseman ever did. From the outset, his rich embodiment of T’Challa comes through effortlessly. Intonation, self-assurance and an innate dignity make his presence a real pleasure. By melding both Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy,

Breaking new ground on your first animated series is one thing, shaping it around a preposition which offers infinite possibilities with no concrete resolutions is quite another. However, that is the route Marvel has decided to take with the new series Marvel’s What If…?. That Disney have just offered up a limitless sandbox of invention in

Ensconced within an Obsidian tower sits an omnipotent being. A character of such vile cunning that time itself bends to his will. Surrounded by the echoes of lives perpetually on repeat, this deity bides his time. That Sylvie and Loki encounter him is unfortunate, but somehow fitting under the circumstances. What follows is an episode

After that mid-credit sequence last week, the internet went into meltdown. Multiverse doors were thrown open, everything was called into question and Loki kicked into another gear. Leading on from that, writer Tom Kauffman continues to ensure that all bets are off with ‘Journey Into Mystery’. Billowing clouds of time-consuming matter prowl a barren wasteland, Lokis are

Purgatory for some involves sharp slaps, nut sack attacks and pure subjugation. For our strung out narcissist, it proves to be one in a long line of humiliations due for delivery in episode four. Bouncing from a dying planet and back into the deceptive custody of TVA number crunchers, Loki one and two continue raising

People talk a lot in episode three of Loki. Conversation is key, inquiring minds interrogate and psychiatrists would have a field day. As literal variations on a theme sit across from each other in first class, sipping champagne and playing mind games, the world burns. Barren landscapes, extinction level events and gaudy techno steampunk production design

This is where the time jump shenanigans kick off. Following the revelation that Loki is tracking himself through time in various guises, things take an interesting turn. Shadowy figures cloaked in cowls skulk ominously, while Mobius works hard to keep his charge on the straight and narrow. Soul searching is in abundance, as Loki gets

Anti-heroes are a rare breed. Irksome, irascible and prone to possess more humility than most archetypes, they are there to promote a quandary. Audiences gravitate towards them, but do so firm in the knowledge that such things are a guilty pleasure. Nowhere does that sentiment feel more appropriate than in the presence of Loki. A preeningly

There is a turning point in this finale which makes the running time worthwhile. Forget that extended action sequence, redemptive team up segue and power broker reveal. Those moments may have been pretty, awe inspiring and polished like a new pin, but they were ultimately window dressing. Where this final episode really starts to gain

For those who feel short changed by this series, episode five brings something substantial to the table. Wyatt Russell finally steps out of the shadows, taking ownership of John Walker in all his tarnished glory. Brandishing that shield and kneeling like a penitent man, his presence will be forever burned into the collective unconscious. What

There is no denying the chemistry between Bucky, Sam and Baron Zemo. Daniel Bruhl is having a blast adding humanising shades to his heinous creation. He may never to be trusted, but neither is Zemo likely to be dull. Theological conversations, cyclical debates and navel gazing may be happening around him, but he does his

There is nothing wrong with formulaic action adventures. Globe trotting action flicks have been making people happy for over a hundred years. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier embraces this ethos by visiting exotic locales, introducing a plethora of underworld connections and bringing in an old adversary. In so doing, it not only includes essential genre elements

With the advent of Wyatt Russell as John Walker something has started to happen this week. Friction has been quickly introduced to a show which spent much of its opener defining boundaries. What we get a lot more of, a lot more quickly, is Sam and Bucky. That smart arse chemistry which made those initial

After the radical departure of WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier lands squarely in familiar Marvel territory. This opener feels like a refresher as Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan slip back into the action seamlessly. Aerial set pieces, high octane visuals and moments of moderate threat carefully influence mood. Back story is slotted in amongst essential relationship building,

There is a surefooted self-assurance to WandaVision which comes with confidence. A confidence built on innovation and driven by considered calculation, which continues to see Marvel consolidate its position one medium at a time. They strive to put story first, investing time in fresh talent and pushing the envelope creatively. This complex piece of television is just

This retrofitted Charles Dickens fable repurposed for the Marvel multiverse is savvy, subtle and entirely in keeping with its progressive cannon. Playing like a narrative homage to that Endgame changer, episode eight provides back story and flexes its intellectual story telling muscle. Central to this conceit is Agatha Harkness, played with a perverse pleasure by Kathryn Hahn.

Aside from the Modern Family makeover, there are enough Easter eggs to satisfy the most eagle-eyed fanboy this week. Glitches in the fabric of this superficial suburbia mix seamlessly with a Wanda in flux. Elizabeth Olsen displays a gift for direct to camera delivery which elevates the series. Whether submerged beneath bed clothes or snacking on indeterminate

Channelling the ghost of Frankie Muniz, Wandavision embraces sitcom self-awareness, steady-cam credit sequences and upbeat Americana. In an episode which embraces comic book origins, saccharine soaked family moments are broken up by darker hues. Evan Peters displays a lightness of touch and self-assurance in his portrayal of Pietro, which complements an already excellent ensemble cast. From the

As we slide into the Eighties, Marvel begins to extend its reach, lay down essential building blocks and make way for Phase Four. Florescent leg warmers, huge perms and era specific distractions cloak an intricate game of plotline poker. Slowly but surely this superficial sitcom-slash-delicate defence mechanism is crumbling away. Orchestrating from within is a

We are not in Kansas anymore, as Marvel goes full Cinematic Universe with added Easter eggs. Using flashback to tie things together, WandaVision broadens the narrative canvas, introduces new chess pieces into play and goes more than a little meta. Links are forged to entries in the franchise cannon, while emotional issues are unpacked. Avengers: Endgame and its aftermath

After the drab monochromatic colour scheme of those opening episodes, this over saturated Sixties vibe feels fresh. Disarming in its simplicity, this Wizard Of Oz moment which bookended episode two cranks up the optimism before tossing audiences another curveball. Accelerated pregnancy, situation specific sight gags and some Easter egg heavy infomercials, mean that WandaVision starts resembling something more Marvel multiverse. By embracing elements of The Truman

The Stepford Wife façade which underpins episode two is stranger for its adherence to normality than anything else. West View feels like an intricately constructed Norman Rockwell township, where everything is perfectly polished. Where neighbourhood watch meetings and small-town talent contests take precedence over anything else. Thankfully Wanda and Vision are the reality check in this

There is something deceptively simple about WandaVision, which will wrongfoot audiences from the outset. On the surface this is a picture-perfect picket fence pastiche of Americana, defined by outmoded gender roles, canned laughter and two-dimensional farce. What makes it intriguing is the idea of placing two franchise favourites within this contemporary society, then watching them play house. They come with the blockbuster baggage of