2020

In the Know

TV 

My Brilliant Friend now examines the pains of unrequited love as Elena (Margherita Mazzucco) is made to bear the rising romance between Lila (Gaia Girace) and Nino (Francesco Serpico)

In the Know

Netflix 

From Spike Lee's furiously evocative detective movie BlacKkKlansman to Steven Spielberg's classic dino-drama Jurassic Park, Netflix in July has plenty to think about and escape from

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Netflix 

From Steve McQueen's gruelling slavery drama 12 Years A Slave to Lin-Manuel Miranda's colossally popular stage musical Hamilton, this week in TV taps into a more honest American history

In the Know

TV 

Cate Blanchett stars as political activist Phyllis Schlafly in the much-awaited Mrs America, chronicling Schlafly's opposition to the women's liberation movement in the 1970s

In the Know

TV 

Arabella (Michaela Coel) continues to struggle with her second work, but finds communal solace in her support group. Terry (Weruche Opia), on the other hand, is sceptical

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

Cinema 

During the coronavirus crisis, cinemagoing has temporarily changed – but there's still of opportunities for a movie night under the stars. Here's the best drive-in cinemas in London

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

In the Know

Netflix 

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

Tried and Tested

TV 

Adam Kay's bestselling memoir is heading to the small screen in a BBC-AMC co-production – and Ben Whishaw will be playing the author himself

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

In the Know

Netflix 

From the ever-relevant racial dystopia in Noughts + Crosses to the beautiful adaptation of Sally Rooney's millennial novel Normal People, TV in 2020 has been awash with great drama

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

Cinema 

As Black people continue to face injustice – it's high time we expand our viewpoint, to support and champion Black filmmakers. Here are 12 suggestions to start an education

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

In the Know

TV 

The Big Little Lies writer cooks up a new HBO drama with an equally star-studded cast – Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant lead the dark and mysterious The Undoing

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

In the Know

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 

Following the supremely successful A Christmas Carol, Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) continues his series of BBC Dickens adaptations with Great Expectations. Tom Hardy produces