If this is Peak TV, then why is there a sense of deja vu about so many new shows…like One Night? Everything seems to be a pastiche of other shows that have gone before them. And while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, only time will tell if these new TV mysteries are worth taking the same journeys again.
One Night (Paramount+) is an Aussie drama starring Nicole Da Silva, Yael Stone and Jodie Whittaker. It is now a given that every Aussie drama has a British star, but extra points here for Jodie Whittaker speaking Aussie, while Kat Stewart puts on her poshest accent to play her English wife. Bravo, and particularly for that supporting cast of Tina Bursill and Noni Hazlehurst.
Like Black Snow (Stan) and The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart (Prime), One Night is about how women deal with domestic violence trauma. It’s tough subject matter, but done sensitively. Ironically, One Night begins on the very same day that Lost Flowers ends, so that’s either a canny marketing move or a step too far.
Holding (UKTV) is a four-part murder mystery based on a novel by Graham Norton and directed by actress-comedian Kathy Burke. That combo raises expectations that are never quite met here, despite an all-Irish cast of Conleth Hill (Game Of Thrones’ Varys), Siobhan McSweeney (Derry Girls’ Sister Michael), Pauline McLynn (Father Ted’s Mrs Doyle) and Brenda Fricker.
Holding is set in one of those quaint villages where everyone is quirky or horny. The Lovers (Thursday on Foxtel/Binge) has a more modern vibe being set in Belfast, but everyone is still quirky and horny.
Political broadcaster Seamus (Johnny Flynn) meets supermarket stacker Janet (Roison Gallagher) and their hijinks are ridiculous. Despite that, the characters are charming, and given its title, The Lovers should deliver.
You know who else can still deliver? TV legend Dick Van Dyke who is guest starring on Days Of Our Lives (Wednesday on Foxtel/Binge) at the age of 97. Amazing.
Read more Mercado on TV here.
Welcome to TV Gold: Mediaweek’s weekly TV podcast
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Who Is Erin Carter?
Regular weekly episode: One Night, Who Is Erin Carter? plus Pluto TV, sub numbers & classic movies
Two major drama series this week – a quirky action thriller from Spain and England, Who Is Erin Carter? (Netflix), then a new Australian drama about female relationships, One Night. Andrew talks about the unleashing of 50 new FTA FAST TV channels via Pluto TV and James details the subscriber numbers and how best to budget when it comes to streaming subscriptions. We also look at six classic movies new to Paramount+ this month. Remember to email us: [email protected]