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Critics are raving about The Diplomat, the new Netflix series starring Keri Russell as a diplomat (obvs) trying to avoid a world war. According to critics, it sits somewhere between Homeland and Succession, and just listen to them rave: “Netflix’s smartest show in years” (Daily Beast), “Extremely entertaining” (Rolling Stone), “Talks a big game – and backs it up” (Indiewire), and, “Smart, twisty TV” (NPR). If you’re looking for something meaty to binge over the weekend, The Diplomat may be your best bet.
Elsewhere, there are plenty of must-see shows out this week, like the reboot of the much-loved 90s body-swap show Quantum Leap (Neon), which has already been renewed for a second season. Colin Farrell’s grim Arctic whaling yarn The North Water (TVNZ+) finally makes its New Zealand streaming debut, two years after it was released. Consent (TVNZ+), a dark college drama, also sounds like it’s worth checking out. Reviewers say Drops of God (Apple TV+) does for wine what Succession did for media – watch the tasty trailer here. And don’t forget that the second weekend of Coachella is streaming for the first time (minus Frank Ocean).
If you want to stay at home and watch a movie from the comfort of your couch, Ana de Armas and Chris Pine’s Ghosted (Apple TV+) looks like an update of Mr & Mrs Smith with a little more rom-com thrown into the mix. If you’re heading out to theatres, be careful: Ari Aster and Joaquin Phoenix’s Beau is Afraid is the week’s big new release, and it’s had some indecipherable reviews. Sample: “Bonkers movie is almost unreviewable,” declared News.com.au’s bewildered critic. Consider yourself warned.
