- Film And TV
- 14 Oct 21
From documentaries on some of sport's most legendary names and the return of the greed-obsessed Roy family, to coming-of-age stories and historical dramas; the couch is the only place to be when the cold snap hits this October.
Ridley Road (BBC One, October 3)
Four-part drama Ridley Road is based on Jo Bloom's novel of the same name, which was first published back in 2015, and stars newcomer Agnes O'Casey in the lead role of Vivien Epstein. Set among the Jewish community in London in 1962, it exposes the darker side of just about to swing London, as fascism and anti-Semitism are on the rise, resulting in pitched battles on the streets of the city. Epstein, a Jewish hairdresser, decides to go undercover among the neo-Nazis, putting herself in mortal danger. Eddie Marsan, Rory Kinnear and Tamzin Outhwaite also star.
Succession Season 3 (Sky Atlantic and Now TV, October 19)
The story of the rich and dysfunctional Roy family continues for a keenly anticipated third season. This saga of conflict, greed and betrayal is dripping with drama, cruelty and plot twists. An all-star cast of Brian Cox, Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Matthew Macfadyen, Alexander Skarsgard and Adrien Brody return for season three, which starts with Logan Roy (Cox) rallying his familial, political and financial allies after a corporate ambush by his son Kendall.
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Colin In Black And White (Netflix, October 29)
In 2016, NFL star Colin Kaepernick inadvertently began a revolution after he refused to stand for the American anthem before a game in protest of systemic racism. Other players later began taking the knee during The Star-Spangled Banner, but Kap's contract wasn't renewed, and he accused the NFL of colluding to keep him out of the league. Nevertheless, the momentous act sealed his legendary status. The new Netflix series charts Kaepernick's story as a black adopted child of a white family, overcoming difficulties to become a football player and icon of socio-political change, starring Jaden Michael.
Swagger (Apple TV+, October 29)
O'Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill and Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis star in this drama series inspired by Kevin Durant's youth basketball experiences. Apple TV+ have emphasised that the 10-episode series is not a biopic of the NBA superstar, though creator and showrunner Reggie Rock Bythewood worked with Durant himself on the project, alongside Imagine's Brian Grazer. Swagger explores basketball players, their families and coaches, all of whom walk the fine line between dreams and ambition. Off the court, the show reveals what it's like to grow up in America.
Maid (Netflix, October 1)
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Margaret Qualley stars in this limited series, inspired by the New York Times best-selling memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, And A Mother's Will To Survive by Stephanie Land. It follows the story of Alex, a single mother who turns to housecleaning to make ends meet, as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy. It's a stunning, raw and inspiring exploration of a mother's resilience.