'I'm a TV critic – I'm convinced Netflix's August thriller will blow me away'
August has finally arrived – and a month of fantastic TV binge-watching awaits.
Sure, you can spend the last full month of summer soaking up the sunshine… but when you need a reprieve from the real world, then losing yourself in a hypnotic thriller or a guilty-pleasure dating show can be exactly what you need to feel some comfort.
In just a few weeks, Netflix is releasing one of its most highly-anticipated thrillers of the year, which stars British acting legend Suranne Jones as the Prime Minister. Count me in.
Next week, the most popular TV series the streaming giant has ever released – which topped a quarter of a billion views – is finally returning for its second season after three years.
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As always, there's too much television out there to possibly watch everything… so these are the seven top choices I've singled out for the month.
I go through phases with reality dating shows. Sometimes, I watch a whole bunch one after the other, such as recently when I raced through Temptation Island, quickly followed by Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark. At other times, I go through a dating show drought.
But we hopeless romantics are in for a treat this month, beginning with the new season of Perfect Match, which launches today. The programme follows singletons from various Netflix releases who are brought together for the ultimate dating crossover event.
What makes this year's series even more special is that we already know one couple that end up together – Love Is Blind UK star Ollie Sutherland and Love Is Blind US AD Smith. Not only do they fall for each other, but they're now engaged and expecting their first child. I don't care about the spoilers – I can't wait to see how their love story unfolds.
Perfect Match season 3 is available to stream from Friday August 1 on Netflix, with new episodes coming on Friday August 8.
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We might still be in August, in the height of summer (although thankfully, the UK heatwave seems to have abated). But with Wednesday making its highly-anticipated comeback for season 2, the lead-up to spooky season is officially in full swing.
I grew up with the Christina Ricci-era version of The Addams Family, so I found the first season of Tim Burton's latest weird and wonderful adaptation delightfully macabre from start to finish. No one else could have played Wednesday Addams as eerily well as Jenna Ortega, and the supporting members of the cast were also instrumental in bringing this deadly series to life.
As season two arrives, I can't wait to discover how British acting legends Billie Piper and Dame Joanna Lumley add even more flamboyancy to the series, as the psychic protagonist returns to Nevermore Academy.
Wednesday season 2 part 1 premieres on Wednesday August 6 on Netflix, followed by part 2 on Wednesday September 3.
It's been almost a decade since we Marvel fans were treated to our first glimpse of Wakanda in live-action, when the fictional country of the heroic Black Panther was shown in the blockbuster movie Captain America: Civil War.
Since then, director Ryan Coogler has expanded the world of the Black Panther in the 2018 film and its 2022 sequel Wakanda Forever, with the latter paying heartfelt tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman in a stunning spectacle.
Now, Disney Plus subscribers can learn even more about the history of the nation, with the four episodes following Wakandan warriors who embark on courageous missions throughout history. The style of animation swept me away from just the trailer alone, and I can't wait to learn more about Black Panther lore now that Shuri (Letitia Wright) has taken up the mantle.
Eyes of Wakanda is available to stream from Friday August 1 on Disney Plus.
When Love Is Blind UK released its first season in 2024, there had already been multiple seasons of the original series in the US, where hopeful singletons start by dating in pods without seeing each other, and decide to get engaged in a single week.
By the time the UK version launched, some Netflix subscribers were starting to feel Love Is Blind fatigue… but that feeling was quickly brushed to one side when they watched the programme hosted by showbiz power couple Matt and Emma Willis. The casting for the UK show was absolutely on point, and fans were desperate for more (this writer included).
We're days away from Love Is Blind UK returning with season two, and I say bring it on! The trailer promises that drama will be 'unleashed' – and I have my popcorn at the ready.
Love Is Blind UK season 2 launches on Wednesday August 13 on Netflix.
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There's something about hearing Sir David Attenborough's voice, listening to the national treasure as he narrates an incredible feat of nature, that immediately makes the world feel a little more at peace. Wouldn't you agree?
After decades of leaving millions of people amazed by the wonders of plant and animal life, he's doing so yet again in a new BBC programme, Parenthood, which launches on Sunday and follows the plights of animal parents.
I've already been mesmerised by the short clips I've seen from the programme, including a gorilla snuggling with her newborn baby moments after he was born, and a mother spider sacrificing herself by allowing her babies to feed on her. Gruesome, but heartwarming all the same.
The natural world is full of marvels we're often too distracted to notice, and Sir David knows exactly how to remind us to pay attention.
Parenthood begins on Sunday August 3 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
If Katherine Kelly is starring in a gripping British TV drama, there's a strong chance you're going to be on the edge of your seat the entire time.
The Mr Selfridge star's latest role sees her play a flight attendant in Channel 4's In Flight, who's blackmailed into smuggling drugs on a plane in a bid to save her imprisoned son. At first, Jo Conran seems in over her head by the criminal activity she's been inadvertently sucked into. But it appears there's more to her than meets the eye.
Five years ago, I adored Kaley Cuoco's dark comedy drama The Flight Attendant. While there doesn't appear to be anything comedic about In Flight, I have high hopes for this fast-paced TV series, which also stars Stuart Martin and Ashley Thomas.
In Flight premieres on Tuesday August 12 at 9pm on Channel 4.
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Suranne Jones as the Prime Minister? I'm sold already. More Trending
This month, Netflix is delivering yet another TV thriller that's guaranteed to have viewers glued to their screens with Hostage, a drama that follows said PM Abigail Dalton (Suranne), whose life is flipped upside down when her husband Dr Alex Anderson (Ashley Thomas) is kidnapped.
As soon as the trailer was released, fans of Suranne were singing her praises, calling her 'phenomenal', a 'national treasure' and an actress who could 'do no wrong'. After she blew us all away with her performances in dramas including Vigil and Gentleman Jack, I'd have to agree.
Netflix has a steady stream of stellar thrillers from the past few years, including Black Doves and Department Q. I have a feeling Hostage is going to be the streaming giant's next winner.
Hostage premieres on Thursday August 21 on Netflix.
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