This week's streaming lineup is a captivating mix of poignant dramas and thrilling adventures, but one show stands out for its unique blend of heart and darkness! Get ready to dive into a world of friendship, secrets, and unexpected journeys with the seven best shows you absolutely need to stream this week.
Pick of the Week: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
Following the beloved "Derry Girls," Lisa McGee returns with a comedy-drama that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. It masterfully weaves beautifully rendered notes of female friendship with undertones of farce, horror, and, in true McGee fashion, enough emotional depth to keep the stakes incredibly high. The story centers on three friends in their late 30s – Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara – who reunite for the wake of Greta, the fourth member of their close-knit, yet mildly traumatized teenage posse. The lingering reasons for their unresolved pain are gradually unveiled as Greta's fate becomes an itch the trio can no longer ignore. It's a series that is both sweet and remarkably sharp.
- Where to Watch: Netflix
- Available From: Thursday, February 12th
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
From the prolific Ryan Murphy comes another compelling miniseries, chronicling the whirlwind romance between presidential scion John F. Kennedy Jr. and the ambitious Calvin Klein "VIP whisperer," Carolyn Bessette. When they first met, JFK Jr. was grappling with the immense weight of his family name and the constant spotlight on his perpetual single status. Their relationship unfolded, in true 90s fashion, through the lens of the tabloids. It's a story brimming with glamour and tragedy – a must-watch for those already invested in their saga, though it might leave others feeling a bit bewildered.
- Where to Watch: Disney+
- Available From: Friday, February 13th
The Artful Dodger
After a brief hiatus, this rompish Dickensian sequel returns to whisk us away for more light-fingered hijinks down under. Jack Dawkins, once known as the Artful Dodger, has seemingly left his criminal past behind after being transported to Australia and has now become a surgeon. However, his past comes calling when Norbert Fagin makes an appearance, leveraging Jack's connections for a daring heist. Will Jack's burgeoning relationship with the high-born Lady Belle Fox offer him redemption, or will Fagin find another opportunity to exploit? Prepare for some good, old-fashioned fun.
- Where to Watch: Disney+
- Available From: Tuesday, February 10th
Lead Children
This drama offers a heroic spin on a bleak true story. Starring Joanna Kulig, it portrays Jolanta Wadowska-Król, a doctor in 1970s Poland who bravely speaks out about the grim reality faced by hundreds of children living near a toxic industrial smelter. As disabilities and birth defects become alarmingly common, it's revealed that the youngsters are suffering from lead poisoning. But with the steelworks being the town's primary employer and the backdrop of the Soviet Union's decline, Wadowska-Król is risking far more than just her career. This series delves into the courageous fight against overwhelming odds.
- Where to Watch: Netflix
- Available From: Wednesday, February 11th
Cross
This earnest police drama, set in Washington D.C., manages to rise above the generic thanks to its twisty plotting and its occasional attempts to explore the complexities of being a Black police officer in modern America. Aldis Hodge stars as the troubled yet gifted homicide detective Alex Cross, who this time is tasked with protecting philanthropic billionaire Lance Durand. However, the threats to Durand are merely the tip of a vast iceberg, revealing a meticulous, ruthless, and terrifyingly ambitious serial killer on the loose.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video
- Available From: Wednesday, February 11th
Lolita Lobosco
Prepare for more dark deeds in delightful places with this Italian cop drama, returning for its third season in the charming seaside town of Bari. Much like many small-screen detectives, Deputy Police Commissioner Lobosco has returned to her hometown after years away. Yet, as she reconnects with the gentle rhythms of the place, she finds herself investigating a range of crimes, from organ trafficking to suspicious skydiving accidents. While never remotely gritty, it offers plenty of sun-dappled escapist fun.
- Where to Watch: Channel 4
- Available From: Friday, February 13th
Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix
In light of her various struggles with mental health, it's clear that being in Little Mix wasn't an easy journey for Jesy Nelson. Leaving the band was also a profoundly difficult decision, and she's eager to set the record straight about her motivations. However, as this six-part documentary series reveals, things were about to become even more challenging for the singer. It's uncomfortably intimate at times, exploring the difficulties Nelson experienced surrounding her pregnancy and, eventually, the birth of her twins, both of whom have since been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. This series offers a raw and honest look at resilience.
- Where to Watch: Prime Video
- Available From: Friday, February 13th
But here's where it gets controversial... While many of these shows offer compelling narratives, the portrayal of real-life tragedies, like in "Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix" and "Lead Children," always sparks debate. Is it ethical to delve so deeply into personal struggles for entertainment? And what about the artistic liberties taken in dramatizing historical events? These are questions that truly make you think.
What do you think? Which of these shows are you most excited to watch? And do you agree with the points raised about the ethics of depicting sensitive real-life stories? Let us know in the comments below!
