PICK OF THE WEEK

The Umbrella Academy, Netflix, Thu 8 Aug

Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Justin H Min and Ritu Arya are back for one last outing of dysfunctional superhero drama, The Umbrella Academy. On this timeline, the Hargreeves siblings find themselves without their powers (gasp) and teaming up with their father to avoid being erased from existence altogether (double gasp). Expect the usual emo grunge, brilliant fight scenes, special effects and choreographed dance routines with Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally joining proceedings.

Olympics 2024, BBC, until Sun 11 Aug

It’s already given us Celine Dion’s comeback, another knitted jumper from Tom Daly, Snoop Dogg as the breakout mascot, cemented Simone Biles as the GOAT, and a total of 38 medals and counting for Team GB (10 gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze… and counting), the Paris Olympic Games are the gift that keeps on giving. With plenty of events still to watch and a closing ceremony which promises to be just as glittering, star studded and daft as the opening, we’ll be sad when it’s all over.

On The Edge, Channel 4, Mon 5 Aug

Tanya Reynold and Iwan Rheon are *On The Edge*

Channel 4’s BAFTA award-winning anthology series which showcases new writing and film making talent returns, and with it some superb star power too – hello Sex Ed’s Tanya Reynolds, GoT Iwan Rheon, The Flatshare‘s Anthony Welsh and Downton’s Paul Copley. On The Edge explores some pretty heavy themes – identity, otherness, acceptance, grief, love – through some interesting mediums, like a mermaid who looses her tail for one. It’s raw, immersive and utterly compelling.

Fans of reality dating shows will be pleased to know the UK is finally getting in on the Love is Blind action! The global hit show which sees fifteen single men and women date, fall in love and get engaged before actually clocking eyes on each other launches this week with hosts Emma and Matt Willis at the helm. We’re in it for the tears, tantrums, backstabbing and at least one jilt at the alter.

Slip, ITVX, Thu 8 Aug

There’s many ways to explore the monotonies of midlife milieu, and then there’s the Zoe Lister-Jones way where an orgasm cracks open a parallel universe. Mae (Lister-Jone), is restless in her marriage, after a one night stand with the rather dishy Eric (Amar Chadha-Patel) she wakes up to a whole new life married to him instead. In order to find her way back to her original husband, and herself, Mae explores many parallel universes, many spouses and situationships in this slick, whip smart and funny series.

The Instigators, Apple TV+, Fri 9 Aug

Matt Damon reunites with his Bourne Identity buddy, director Doug Liman, for this amusing thriller. He plays depressed, broke, ex-marine Rory whose desperation for money leads hims to ex-con Cobby (Casey Affleck) and a foolhardy heist. Naturally the heist backfires so the pair find themselves on the run from police and some angry crime bosses with Rory’s therapist (Hong Chau) in tow. A mile and laugh a minute, The Instigators is a perfect intro to your weekend.

Blue Ribbon Baking Championship, Netflix, Fri 9 Aug

Mr American Pie himself, Jason Biggs, hosts this new baking competition which makes The Great British Bake Off look like child’s play. Ten Blue Ribbon winning pastry masters from across America battle it out to win $100,000 but only the baker with the most inventive, delicious and masterful desserts will win. Joining Biggs is former White House pastry chef, Bill Yosses, award-winning artisan baker, Bryan Ford, and Sandra Lee who will all be on judging duties and making contestants cry into their cakes.

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