Golden Globe-winning Scottish actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars franchise, Halston, Trainspotting) shines in an adaptation of Amor Towles’ best-selling novel, A Gentleman In Moscow.

McGregor plays Count Alexander Rostov who, in the aftermath of the 1917 Russian Revolution, discovers his nobleman past places him on the wrong side of history.

The story goes that when he’s spared immediate execution, a Soviet tribunal banishes him to an attic room in the opulent Hotel Metropol, threatened with death if he ever sets foot outside.

As the years pass and some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history unfold outside the hotel’s doors, the aristocrat adapts to his new life as he finds friends, lovers and a new family.

“Heart-warming and sometimes heart-breaking … and as much as anything, the stage for a wonderful performance by its star,” writes the Los Angeles Times.

Alongside McGregor, the series stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Ahsoka, Kate, Birds of Prey) as the self-made film actress Anna Urbanova, Alexa Goodall (The Devil’s Hour, Lockwood and Co) as the Count’s young friend Nina and Johnny Harris (Without Sin, This is England ’86) as the secret police officer Osip.

Fehinti Balogun (Dune, I May Destroy You) plays Mishka, the Count’s best friend from university.

“Unlike anything else on television,” The Times says of the limited eight-part series on Paramount+.

Risten-Alida Siri Skum as Elsa in Stolen. Photo: Netflix

Stolen

Netflix

While not true ‘Scandi Noir’, as told through the eyes of police, this film is based on the critically acclaimed novel of the same name by award-winning author and former crime reporter Ann-Helén Laestadius.

The Swedish drama follows a young woman’s struggle to defend her Nordic heritage, where climate change is threatening reindeer herding, and young people choose suicide in the face of collective desperation.

But the story also lays bare the tensions that arise when modern ideas come up against a traditional culture.

“While a series of apparent hate crimes are at the core, the story touches on much bigger themes including inequality, loss and revenge – and with Laestadius on board as an executive producer it promises to stay true to the spirit of the novel,” Tech Radar writes.

“What at first appears to be a crime novel – and a horrifying, real life crime at that –  becomes something much bigger.

“Stolen sounds like it’ll be a very different proposition from the usual crime dramas, and if the reviews of the book are any indication Netflix could have something very special – and disturbing – on its hands.”

Palm Royale

Apple TV+

An ensemble cast spearheaded by Hollywood favourite, comedian and actress Kristen Wiig, the series is loosely based on the novel Mr and Mrs American Pie, by Juliet McDaniel, and set during the powder-keg year of 1969.

Wiig’s character Maxine Simmons is desperate to break into Palm Beach high society and will go to any lengths to escape being one of the “have-nots”.

Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Leslie Bibb, Amber Chardae Robinson and Carol Burnett star alongside Wiig, (best known for her Saturday Night Live gigs, Bridesmaids and Paul).

Franklin

Apple TV+

Starring and executive produced by veteran Hollywood actor Michael Douglas, this eight-part drama is based on A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America, by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff.

The series explores the story of the greatest gamble of Benjamin Franklin’s career, when in December 1776, Franklin is world famous for his electrical experiments, but his passion and power are put to the test as the fate of American independence hangs in the balance.

He goes on an eight-year secret mission to France and without any diplomatic training, Franklin convinced an absolute monarchy to underwrite America’s experiment in democracy.

By virtue of his fame, charisma and ingenuity, Franklin outmanoeuvred British spies, French informers and hostile colleagues to engineer the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with Great Britain in 1783.

Diplomats and historians still regard it as the greatest single tour of duty by an ambassador in our nation’s history, as without French aid, America could not have won the Revolution.

STEVE (Martin) a documentary in 2 pieces

Apple TV+

The two-part doco explores his story from two distinct points of view, with companion documentaries that feature never-before-seen footage and raw insights into Martin’s personal and professional trials and triumphs.

ARK: The Animated Series

Paramount+

With voice-casting brilliance – Michelle Yeoh, Russell Crowe, Gerard Butler and Vin Diesel – this all-new original series is based on the hit adventure video game ARK: Survival Evolved.

When a 21st-century paleontologist finds herself resurrected on a mysterious primeval island populated by prehistoric beasts, she must learn to survive with new allies from throughout time.

Musica. Photo: Prime Video

Musica

Prime Video

Rudy Mancuso, a charismatic but directionless young street performer from Newark’s closeknit Brazilian Ironbound neighbourhood, has a unique view of the world.

Thanks to a rare condition called synesthesia, he experiences everyday noises – from car horns to water droplets to doors slamming – as a series of complex rhythms.

It’s a love-triangle drama series starring Camila Mendes, where Rudy tries to balance his cultural heritage, the women in his life and the música inside his head.

Star Trek: Discovery

Paramount+

Join Commander Michael Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery for an epic adventure across the galaxy for the fifth and final instalment.

Truelove

Foxtel, Binge (BBC)

A British thriller over six episodes, it follows the country’s first high-ranking retired female police officer, Philippa Leach, who reunites with an old flame and SAS veteran at a funeral.

From the team behind The End of the F–king World, this series makes us rethink the meaning of love and friendship when we enter our twilight years and contemplate assisted dying.

QI – Series 20

Foxtel, Binge (BBC)

There’s a solid 14 30-minute episodes in this Rose d’Or–winning and BAFTA–nominated comedy quiz show full of quirky facts in which contestants are rewarded more if their answers are ‘quite interesting’.

Hosted by Sandi Toksvig each episode has a different theme in which the celebrity guests have to answer questions, avoiding repeating common misconceptions and urban myths.

It is OK to be wrong but do not be obviously, boringly wrong.

Guests include Jimmy Carr, Richard Osman, Ross Noble, Josh Widdicombe and Rose Matafeo.

Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story

Disney+

For those who love the story of classic 1980s rock bands, this four-part, all-access original docuseries chronicles the epic past and uncertain future of one of the most recognisable bands in the world and its front man Jon Bon Jovi.

The Veil

Disney+

This is an international spy thriller series that explores the surprising and fraught relationship between two women who play a deadly game of truth and lies on the road from Istanbul to Paris and London.

We Were The Lucky Ones

Disney+

Based on Georgia Hunter’s New York Times best-selling novel, this television adaptation is a limited series inspired by the incredible true story of one Jewish family separated at the start of WWII.