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Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Words of War review — Maxine Peake is fearsome as a Putin critic
A muscular cast, a gifted TV director and an executive producer credit for Sean Penn lift this political biopic above its decidedly creaky limitations. This is the true-life tale of the impossibly brave Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was a committed Putin critic and in 2006 was assassinated in her Moscow apartment building. The touchstones are Veronica Guerin and A Private War. • Read more film reviews, guides about what to watch and interviews Politkovskaya is played with typically fearsome integrity by Maxine Peake, charting the journalist's coverage of the Second Chechen War and her increasingly strident attacks on Putin.'The only terrorist that the Russian people need to fear is their own president,' she writes. Politkovskaya's concerned husband is played by Jason Isaacs , her harried editor by Ciarán Hinds and her nemesis from the secret police by Ian Hart. All are speaking in their own accents. This isn't a bad choice from the director James Strong (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) — nobody wants to watch a bunch of seasoned thesps rolling their Russian Rs like wannabe Bond villains — but it's not entirely successful. It clashes with the physical environment (Russian language signage, newsflashes and headlines) and occasionally flirts with absurdity, as if an Irish newspaper editor is warning a Manchester journalist about an FSB heavy from Liverpool. Other quibbles include a willowy non-role for Harry Lawtey as Politkovskaya's lachrymose son Ilya, and a sympathetic Chechen terrorist who says, 'It's an honour to meet you, Anna Politkovskaya. Back home they write songs about you.' Really? Still, it works. Peake is that good. Isaacs is also that good. And the subject is compelling and timely. The film suggests that Martin Niemöller's famous line about authoritarian regimes coming for the journalists first has rarely been more relevant (see Trump's shakedown of the White House press pool). A powerful closing title sequence, set to Radiohead's Lucky, features a collage of some of the 1,500 journalists killed pursuing stories, claims the film, in the modern era.★★★☆☆ In cinemas from Jun 27 and on digital from Jun 30 Times+ members can enjoy two-for-one cinema tickets at Everyman each Wednesday. Visit to find out more. Which films have you enjoyed at the cinema recently? Let us know in the comments and follow @timesculture to read the latest reviews
Metro
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
ITV drama streamed 30,000,000 times confirms season 4 a year after final episode
The hit ITV drama from the creator of Line of Duty is officially coming back for season four – after the show has been off the air for over a year. The bomb threat drama Trigger Point stars Vicky McClure as Afghan war veteran Lana Washington, whose bomb disposal team is tasked with protecting the public from explosives and terrorist threats. Produced by Jed Mercurio, the nail-biting show has been commissioned for a fourth season before the third has even aired. Season three wrapped filming in London last month and is set to hit screens this autumn, with the freshly renewed fourth season coming in 2026. The show averaged eight million viewers for its second series and became the second most-watched drama on ITV1 (behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office) when it aired way back in 2024. McClure, 42, will film the batch of season four episodes this summer, sharing a short clip from the set of Trigger Point season three to confirm the good news. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video McClure showed her blackened fingers, presumably from filming bomb stunts, and told fans: 'We're having a brilliant time. We're nearly wrapped. It's very explosive in there but I can't show you. She then teased: 'What I can tell you is I've got a little secret. This is not the end. We're about to bounce straight into series four.' McClure added: 'I can't wait to continue the story of Lana Washington and her colleagues and the brilliant people that make this show.' In a statement the Line of Duty star said she's 'buzzing' ITV have backed the drama enough to greenlit season four before the third has even aired. 'I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show and I cannot wait to continue Lana's journey on Trigger Point,' said McClure. More Trending ITV's Director of Drama Polly Hill praised the show as one of ITV's 'most-watched dramas' of 2024, adding: 'I'm delighted that this thrilling series is returning for a fourth series. 'I know audiences will be once again on the edge of their seat as Lana and the team take us on another thrilling ride to keep the capital safe.' Mercurio and McClure are both listed as executive producers for the upcoming fourth season, with Bloodlands writer Chris Brandon on board to pen the scripts. View More » Trigger Point series 1-2 are available to stream on ITVX, with series 3 arriving this autumn. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: You can finally binge all 4 episodes of 'fantastic' historical drama for free MORE: Stephen Mulhern makes major TV mistake for first time in 10 years MORE: Richard Madeley reveals grisly injury live on Good Morning Britain after horror fall
ITV News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
ITV RECOMMISSIONS TRIGGER POINT STARRING VICKY McCLURE, PRODUCED BY HTM TELEVISION
ITV has recommissioned a fourth series of Trigger Point, starring Vicky McClure and produced by Jed Mercurio's HTM Television. The announcement comes as filming concludes on the third series, which has been in production across London since January. Series three of Trigger Point will air in the autumn schedule this year on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITX and STV Player, with series four coming to screens in 2026. Series three also received a special honour in March when Her Majesty The Queen visited the Trigger Point set and met with the team to mark the start of ITV's 70th year celebrations, and following the success of the series. The last series to have aired - series two - averaged 8.1million viewers and was streamed 30million times on ITVX. On recommissioning the propulsive drama series for a fourth time, ITV's Director of Drama, Polly Hill commented: 'Trigger Point is one of ITV's most-watched dramas of last year after Mr Bates vs The Post Office so I'm delighted that this thrilling series is returning for a fourth series. I know audiences will be once again on the edge of their seat as Lana and the team take us on another thrilling ride to keep the capital safe.' Trigger Point follows a team of bomb disposal officers, known as EXPOs, as they dedicate themselves to keeping the capital safe from explosive devices and terrorist threats. Leading actress Vicky McClure, who plays Expo Lana Washington, will film series four across the summer months. 'We're all buzzing ITV have such faith in this series to commission a fourth before the third has even aired. I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show and I cannot wait to continue Lana's journey on Trigger Point.' The series is in association with All3Media International, who distribute the series internationally. The new series is written by Chris Brandon (Bloodlands) and will be directed by Jennie Darnell (Payback, Line of Duty) and Nirpal Bhogal (DI Ray, Grace) with series producer Kristian Dench (The Capture, Red Eye) and block producer Kingsley Hoskins (The Road Trip, The Flatshare). Executive producers are Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty, Breathtaking), Daniel Walker (Boat Story, The Tourist), Jessica Sharkey (Breathtaking, Derry Girls), Chris Brandon, and Vicky McClure.
The Irish Sun
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Future of Vicky McClure's Trigger Point revealed by ITV ahead of series three launch this autumn
THE future of ITV drama Trigger Point has been revealed ahead of series three's launch this autumn. Trigger Point stars Washington , a bomb disposal operative. 3 The future of ITV thriller Trigger Point has been revealed Credit: ITV 3 Vicky McClure stars in the leading role Credit: ITV 3 The show launched in 2022 and has aired two series to date Credit: ITV ITV have now recommissioned the high-stakes show for a fourth series. Earlier this year, Vicky Polly Hill, ITV 's Director of Drama, shared her excitement about the show being confirmed to return. She said: " Trigger Point is one of ITV 's most-watched dramas of last year after Mr Bates vs The Post Office so I'm delighted that this thrilling series is returning for a fourth series." Read more on Trigger Point Polly added: "I know audiences will be once again on the edge of their seat as Lana and the team take us on another thrilling ride to keep the capital safe." While star Vicky commented: "We're all buzzing ITV have such faith in this series to commission a fourth before the third has even aired." She continued: "I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show and I cannot wait to continue Lana's journey on Trigger Point ." The premise follows a bomb squad in London and the difficult situations they handle on a daily basis. Most read in News TV Vicky's character, Lana, leads a Metropolitan Police bomb squad - but has a background as an Afghan War veteran. In particular, the show's second series was a huge hit with viewers and gained 8.1 million viewers when it aired. Future of huge ITV drama confirmed after explosive cliffhanger ending to latest series It became the second most watched drama for ITV , with taking the spot of number one. The Sun Trigger Point would be receiving a third series. A source revealed: 'Someone is targeting individuals, and demanding revenge. 'Working alongside the police counterterrorism unit, the bomb disposal squad race against time to find the bomber before they claim their next victim.' Eric Shango, Nabil Elouahabi, Natalie Simpson and Maanuv Thiara were also revealed to be returning. Earlier this year, Channel 5 Trigger Point " show following Britain's bomb disposal squads. Trigger Point airs on ITV1 and STV - and is available to stream on ITVX. Crime dramas on ITVX Crime drama buffs have a wide selection of choices on ITVX - here is a selection of some of the programmes available to binge. Professor T: Based on a Belgian TV series of the same name, former Death in Paradise lead Ben Miller plays the title character. Professor Jasper Tempest is a criminologist with OCD who helps the police solve crimes. The cast also includes Emma Naomi, Barney White and Andy Gathergood. This series follows a mother's grief for her son, who was killed in an accident. Nicholas Blake's novel of the same name has been adapted for the programme. Stars include Cush Jumbo, Jared Harris, Billy Howle and Geraldine James. Red Eye: Starring Richard Armitage, Jing Lusi and Lesley Sharp star in this six-part thriller, which mostly takes place during an all-night flight between London and Beijing. With dead bodies piling up and a mystery to unravel, the heroes must work fast to get to the truth. This Australian drama originally aired as a miniseries in 2022, with the episodes dropping in the UK in February 2023. Four months later, the show was renewed for a second season. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill stars in the leading role of barrister Brett Colby. Martin Clunes stars in this drama based on true murder investigations. Series one focused on the death of Amélie Delagrange, which took place in 2004, while the second depicted the search for serial rapist Delroy Grant.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Watched everything? Here are seven hidden gems you might have missed
So many options but nothing that floats your boat? Can't find anything new and exciting to dive into? Despite the monthly drops of titles from the band of streamers, wading through the hype and the home pages can be oddly frustrating and frequently unrewarding. So here are some suggestions, recent drama series that you might've missed that could fit the bill and warm the winter nights. Or at least keep you happily absorbed through the chills. Toxic Town (Netflix) Jack Thorne wrote Adolescence, one of the year's standout drama series. Here he tackles a different social issue in a four-part drama based on an actual case in the UK. In 2009, a group of mothers from the Northamptonshire town of Corby took legal action against a local steelworks, claiming its harmful waste had caused limb deformities in their babies. In the mould of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, this quietly powerful drama chronicles an historic legal action in which working-class litigants, initially unprepared for the entrenched opposition they're facing, refuse to give up the fight. Directed in low-key style by Minkie Spiro, its top-drawer cast is headed by Jodie Whittaker (Dr Who, One Night) as feisty Susan McIntyre, who meets the more reserved Tracey Taylor (Aimee Lou Wood, The White Lotus, Sex Education) in a hospital labour ward. Key supporting roles are capably filled by Brendan Coyle, Robert Carlyle and Rory Kinnear. Caught (Netflix) Over the past decade, novelist Harlan Coben has become a TV darling involved in a host of crime thrillers, some adapted from his books and others original screenplays. His fast-moving, deftly plotted mysteries (including Fool Me Once, Stay Close, Safe, Just un regard and The Five) make for ideal TV fodder, although the quality of the productions varies. Loading Most have smart set-ups, so it's easy to get hooked, but some quickly fade into the forgettable category. This one (original title Atrapados), based on his novel, is set in the Argentinian lakeside town of Bariloche and focuses on hard-charging investigative journalist Ema Garay (Soledad Villamil). She hosts a true-crime show online and has built an admiring following, in part because she live-streams her capture of culprits. Now she's hot on the trail of a rapist who grooms teenagers using a popular video game to establish relationships. But things get messy when she publicly outs a suspect and it emerges that she might be mistaken. Caught raises questions about citizen journalists and the rules that they play by, as well as the impact that their work can have. The Stolen Girl (Disney+) Given the title, it's not a spoiler to reveal that a child disappears early in this five-part drama, shattering her distraught parents, Elisa (Denise Gough, Andor) and Fred (Jim Sturgess). Elisa impulsively agrees to an invitation from another school mum (Holliday Grainger) for her nine-year-old, Lucia (Beatrice Campbell), to have her first sleepover. But when she returns to collect her daughter, the house is empty. It's a nightmare scenario played at a melodramatic pitch as Elisa becomes increasingly frantic and frustrated by what she sees as a lack of progress in the police investigation. As questions pile up in the twisty thriller developed by writer Catherine Moulton from Alex Dahl's novel, it emerges that the past is an important player and little is as it initially seems. La Palma (Netflix) This compact, four-part Norwegian series, built around the 2021 volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands, initially views the calamitous event from a tightly focused pair of perspectives. Fredrik and Jennifer (Anders Baasmo and Ingrid Bolso Berdal) are struggling with marital tensions when they arrive for their summer holiday with their sensitive teenage daughter (Alma Günther) and autistic son (Bernard Storm Lager). Meanwhile, a keen trainee (Thea Sofie Loch Naess), who has joined the local geological research team, identifies disturbing shifts in the areas being monitored, spurring a debate between the scientists about the implications of the discovery and the need to alert authorities. The tale subsequently opens out to include local officials concerned about sounding alarm bells at the height of the tourist season and the foreign affairs department in Oslo responsible for assisting its citizens. The build-up is handled with skill, and when nature unleashes its devastating power, the impact is suitably shocking and spectacular. Think Jaws with a volcano rather than a shark. Zero Day (Netflix) Loading Robert De Niro's first starring role in a TV series casts him as a respected former US president summoned from retirement after the country suffers a devastating cyberattack. The incumbent president (Angela Bassett) appoints him to lead a commission investigating the cause of the attack, identify its perpetrators and protect the nation from another one. His unit is given unprecedented powers to arrest, detain and question suspects. De Niro resembles an ageing lion, a once-esteemed king of the jungle now plagued by cognitive problems that he's endeavouring to conceal. Series creators Eric Newman, Noah Oppenheim and Michael Schmidt use the country-under-siege set-up as a springboard to explore how panic and pragmatism can drive a political agenda, and how that fear can be exploited, which seems an especially timely topic. The supporting cast is loaded with talent, including Jesse Plemons, Lizzy Kaplan, Connie Britton, Dan Stevens, Joan Allen and Gaby Hoffman. Paradise (Disney+) Writer-producer Dan Fogelman and actor Sterling K. Brown worked together on the beautifully crafted family drama This is Us. Here, they venture into different territory with an eight-part series that introduces Brown as Xavier Collins, a dedicated secret-service agent assigned to protect the US president (James Marsden). He's also the devoted dad of two children, the fate of their mother emerging in flashback as the drama unfolds. A murder on Xavier's watch casts suspicion on the highest levels of government but, beyond that, this is a series where the less you know about the plot, the better. One teaser should be enough: a zinger of a twist ends the first episode. Marsden is well-cast as a Kennedy-esque POTUS, as is Julianne Nicholson as an icily controlling powerbroker. Prime Target (Apple TV+) This eight-part thriller intriguingly ponders whether scientists and mathematicians can be held responsible for the ways in which their discoveries are deployed. Gifted Cambridge mathematician Edward Brooks (Leo Woodall) is obsessed with his study of prime numbers and it emerges that his work has the potential to cause chaos: he could unearth a code that can crack any digital system. Loading It's a significant threat to a range of entities that come gunning for him. Taylah Sanders (a magnetic Quintessa Swindell), an American government agent, comes to his aid and their partnership creates an odd-couple-on-the-run scenario, with Ed as a tunnel-vision academic and Taylah a gutsy tech wiz who can run like an athlete, shoot like a pro and hotwire a car. They're a dynamic, if perpetually vulnerable, duo. What TV shows have you watched recently that you think deserve extra recognition? Please let us know in the comments below.
