TV & Film Recommendations
If You Only Watch One, Make It …
The Celebrity Traitors
- Channel: BBC One; Availability: Available now
- Summed Up: The most hotly anticipated TV show of 2026 makes its debut with a brilliant cast of stars.
- Reviewer Notes: Lucy Mangan notes the cast feels slightly muted, but highlights Claudia Winkleman’s charm, stating that the opening episode tends to be the weakest.
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Further Reading:
Pick of the Rest
War
- Channel: NOW & Sky Atlantic; Availability: Available now
- Summed Up: A high-profile divorce drama featuring Sienna Miller and Dominic West.
- Reviewer Notes: Lucy Mangan describes it as a “soap opera with money, talent, and plot to burn.”
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Further Reading:
Blue Lights
- Channel: BBC iPlayer; Availability: Available now
- Summed Up: A modern cop drama with a focus on contemporary injustices.
- Reviewer Notes: Jack Seale praises its timely relevance to current national issues.
East of Eden
- Channel: Netflix; Availability: Available now
- Summed Up: Florence Pugh stars in this adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic focusing on family drama.
- Reviewer Notes: Lucy Mangan calls it “brilliant and compelling entertainment.”
The Salisbury Poisonings: A Spy Next Door
- Channel: Sky Documentaries & Now TV; Availability: Available now
- Summed Up: A gripping documentary about the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
- Reviewer Notes: Jack Seale finds it a nicely busy feature-length documentary.
Film
If You Only Watch One, Make It …
Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie
- In Cinemas Now
- Summed Up: A documentary based on Salman Rushdie’s memoir detailing the assassination attempt.
- Reviewer Notes: Peter Bradshaw highlights Rushdie’s courage and commitment to freedom of expression.
Read the full review
Further Reading:
Pick of the Rest
Extra Geography
- In Cinemas Now
- Summed Up: A funny boarding school comedy based on experiences of two friends.
- Reviewer Notes: Peter Bradshaw discusses its themes of sex, class, and friendship.
Derek vs Derek
- In Cinemas Now
- Summed Up: Engaging documentary about two farmers with contrasting methods.
- Reviewer Notes: Leslie Felperin appreciates the film’s depth in exploring their relationship.
Take It or Leave It
- In Cinemas Now
- Summed Up: A docufictional comedy about the rise of Madness, the ska-pop band.
- Reviewer Notes: Peter Bradshaw admires its authentic portrayal of pre-fame life.
Now Streaming
Idiots
- Platform: Apple TV+; Availability: Available now
- Summed Up: A goofy road trip comedy featuring Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr.
- Reviewer Notes: Owen Myers praises the comedic moments throughout.
Books
If You Only Read One, Make It …
Deep into the Sixties: Britain 1965-66 by David Kynaston
- Reviewed by: Blake Morrison
- Summed Up: A vivid social history capturing the essence of the Beatles era and political strife.
Pick of the Rest
On the Equality of All Things by Carlo Rovelli
- Reviewed by: Farrah Jarral
- Summed Up: Philosophical explorations on relativity and subjective experience.
Stations by Louise Kennedy
- Reviewed by: Clare Clark
- Summed Up: A follow-up story about Irish emigrants capturing raw human emotions.
Dodge City by Patrick deWitt
- Reviewed by: Keshava Guha
- Summed Up: A quirky novel about a 1960s U.S. draft dodging journey.
The Fall of the West by Owen Jones
- Reviewed by: Houman Barekat
- Summed Up: A thought-provoking analysis of geopolitical shifts over the last 25 years.
You May Have Missed
The Traveller by Andrea Wulf
- Reviewed by: Nick Bartlett
- Summed Up: An insightful look into George Forster’s journey with Captain Cook, nominated for the Baillie Gifford prize.
Albums
If You Only Listen to One, Make It …
Meshell Ndegeocello: Synonym
- Label: Blue Note; Availability: Out now
- Summed Up: An album celebrating queer liberation with diverse collaborations and musical styles.
- Reviewer Notes: Alexis Petridis highlights its experimental nature and a unique artistic vision.
Pick of the Rest
Trá Pháidín: Cloch’s Claí
- Label: World of Echo; Availability: Out now
- Summed Up: A joyous evolution of folk music with themes of cultural nostalgia.
- Reviewer Notes: Jude Rogers appreciates its refreshing take on tradition.
Greg Freeman: All Set the Bone
- Label: Transgressive; Availability: Out now
- Summed Up: Ambitious alt-country album that shows growth but lacks immediate appeal.
- Reviewer Notes: Shaad D’Souza notes its impressive scale and detailed songwriting.
On Tour
Paraorchestra; Sinfonietta/Jonny Greenwood
- Location: Southbank Centre, London; Tour: Ongoing
- Summed Up: A vibrant performance of Steve Reich’s work praised for its energy and discipline.
- Reviewer Notes: Clive Paget notes the spectacular execution and engaging atmosphere.
