2020

In the Know

TV 

Elena (Margherita Mazzucco) tries to upgrade herself into the Neapolitan intelligentsia while trying to score with Nino (Francesco Serpico), which threatens her friendship with Lila (Gaia Girace)

In the Know

Theatre 

The BBC's new Talking Heads remake uses Alan Bennett's original stories along with well as two premieres. Jodie Comer, Martin Freeman and Imelda Staunton star

In the Know

TV 

Based on Eleanor Catton's Booker-winning novel, The Luminaries is an endlessly confusing murder-mystery wrapped in gold nuggets and zodiac signs. Eva Green stars

Tried and Tested

TV 

Michaela Coel wrestles with hurricane confessions and complicated flashbacks, as I May Destroy You continues to be one of the best TV shows of the year

In the Know

TV 

Lila (Gaia Girace) and Elena (Margherita Mazzucco) return for the next chapter in Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan coming-of-age story, The Story of a New Name

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Netflix 

Ryan Murphy's political anthology series soldiers on, as after surviving high school his ambitious protagonist Peyton (Ben Platt) is running for Senate

In the Know

TV 

Based around the Salisbury Novichok attacks on Sergei and Yulia Skripal in 2018, this three-part BBC drama follows the efforts by Tracy Daszkiewicz (Anne-Marie Duff) to contain the poison

In the Know

TV 

Episodes 3 and 4 of Michaela Coel's BBC series plunges into the sticky issues of consent, drugs, and period sex

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Netflix 

In Da 5 Bloods, Spike Lee examines the impact of the Vietnam from the perspectives of four African-American veterans: tackling PTSD, war stories, and black history. Chadwick Boseman stars

Tried and Tested

Cinema 

At once relevant and timeless, the story of Anthony Bryan, who was wrongly threatened to be deported, is brought to the BBC by his brother, playwright Stephen S. Thompson

In the Know

TV 

In this new BBC drama from Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You follows the carefree life of Londoner Arabella (Coel), who pieces together the traumatic night before

Tried and Tested

TV 

The final two episodes of the BBC adaptation see Sally Rooney's lovers finally accept their pain, and lean into their love for one another

In the Know

Netflix 

Steve Carell and Greg Daniels (The Office) create a new workplace comedy, about a team establishing a military Space Force. John Malkovich and Lisa Kudrow co-star

In the Know

TV 

In the season finale, Villanelle (Jodie Comer) considers different career options and Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) gets closer to her enemy

Tried and Tested

TV 

Connell and Marianne suffer individual losses in titanic spadefuls in episodes nine and 10, as abusive relationships and premature deaths create a sense of immense anguish

In the Know

Netflix 

From Spike Lee's new Vietnam drama Da 5 Bloods to the return of Ryan Murphy's eccentric satire The Politician, Netflix in June ranges from the dark to the colourful

In the Know

TV 

In episode three, Villanelle (Jodie Comer) is encouraged to keep killing by the Twelve, Eve (Sandra Oh) is catching up with her assassin/lover, and Konstantin (Kim Bodnia) is stressed

Tried and Tested

TV 

The second half of the BBC's Normal People lurches into focus with great pain – Hettie McDonald directs a strained academic year and a suffocating holiday

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Netflix 

With White Lines, Álex Pina (Money Heist) brings a bingeable Netflix crime-drama that ridiculously explores the Ibizan underworld with enjoyable abandon. Daniel Mays stars

In the Know

TV 

In episode six, Eve (Sandra Oh) investigates her ex's puncturing and Villanelle (Jodie Comer) hangs with Konstantin (Kim Bodnia) after last week's explosive finish

Tried and Tested

Cinema 

Eliza Hittman cements herself as one of the most exciting filmmakers around with her new film, a young woman's odyssey to get an abortion in the US

In the Know

TV 

Based on the novel by Wally Lamb, I Know This Much Is True follows the decades-long relationship between house-painter Dominick (Mark Ruffalo) and his schizophrenic brother Thomas

Tried and Tested

TV 

Lenny Abrahamson directs his last two episodes of the series by dealing in extremes, delivering an hour of television both satisfying and devastating

In the Know

TV 

Episode 5 is all about Villanelle (Jodie Comer) as she travels back to Mother Russia to visit her family. Get ready for strange reunions, harvest festivals and Elton John

Tried and Tested

Netflix 

In The Eddy, Damien Chazelle revisits his musical roots: this time in present-day Paris. André Holland (Moonlight) stars as club owner Elliot, whose past catches up with him

We love

TV 

Marianne and Connell navigate the end of school and the start of college in two searing, stunning episodes crystallising the devastation of youthful mistakes

Tried and Tested

Cinema 

Chilean director Pablo Larraín reunites with his No and Neruda star Gael García Bernal in this evocative mix of family drama and dance film

In the Know

Netflix 

The mastermind behind Glee, American Horror Story, The Politician and more returns with a love letter to Golden Age Tinseltown in Hollywood

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TV 

In episode 4, Eve (Sandra Oh), Villanelle (Jodie Comer), Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) and Konstantin (Kim Bodnia) all question their life choices

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Netflix 

From Steve Carell resuming hilarity in Space Force to Barbra Streisand smashing her first film role in Funny Girl, Netflix in May has plenty to pass the time in self-isolation

In the Know

TV 

Episode 3 shows how funny Killing Eve can be, as Villanelle (Jodie Comer) makes friends with a baby and Carolyn (Fiona Shaw) tries to have fun

In the Know

TV 

We've watched four episodes of Normal People, based on Sally Rooney's second novel, and we're already in love with it. Here's why you need to watch the upcoming BBC adaptation