3 TV shows to stream now
Arctic adventures, care home crises and the secrets of a submarine… here’s what’s on the box this month
By Christopher Kingston
VIGIL
Streaming now on BBC One and iPlayer
The creators of Line of Duty and Bodyguard have done it again – and if you’re anything like us, you’re already all over this thrilling six-part drama. But just on the off-chance that you’re not, let us convince you why it’s worth a watch…
Living legend Suranne Jones stars as Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva, who ‘s next case sees her clambering aboard a Trident nuclear submarine as she leads the investigation into a mysterious death onboard. But she soon finds herself in deep waters when she becomes entangled in a conspiracy that threatens Britain’s nuclear deterrent.
With an all-star cast featuring British acting talents like Line of Duty‘s Martin Compston, Bodyguard‘s Anjli Mohindra and Game of Thrones actress Rose Leslie, you already know you’re in for a quality voyage…
THE NORTH WATER
Streaming on BBC2 and iPlayer from Friday 10th September
Surely destined to be another one of the must-see dramas of 2021. The North Water is a five-part drama based on the 2016 novel (of the same name) by Ian McGuire – and tells the disastrous tale of an ill-fated whaling trip to the Arctic in 1859.
Perhaps most surprising about The North Water is that it has a stellar cast led by Hollywood heartthrob (and everyone’s favourite bad boy) Colin Farrell, who plays whaler Henry Drax. But the story itself revolves around disgraced ex-army surgeon Patrick Sumner (Jack O Connell), who agrees to be the ship’s doctor in his search for redemption. And if you’ve already seen the trailer for this one, you’ll already know dramatic don Steven Graham is also onboard as Captain Brownlee.
All we’ll say now is this: as the crew struggle for survival amid the bitter Arctic wasteland, things soon become desperate…
HELP
Streaming on Channel 4 and 4OD from Thursday 16th September
When we heard Channel 4’s new one-part drama starred Scouse super-duo Stephen Graham and Jodie Comer, we knew we’d be tuning in. And then we heard about the plot…
After struggling through a difficult upbringing at home, school and then in work, Sarah has always found it hard to “fit in” – until she discovers her calling as a carer at Sunshine Homes. She soon becomes known for the connections she’s able to make with her patients – especially with 47-year-old Tony, who has Young Onset Alzheimer’s.
Tony’s illness causes periods of confusion and violent outbursts which the other staff members have difficult handling, but not Sarah. Her success at working with Tony really begins to build her confidence and restore her self-belief. And then March 2020 hits…
As we watch Sarah and her colleagues fight tooth and nail to protect the care home’s residents against indifference and incompetence amid a global pandemic, we find that Help shines a much-needed light on one of the biggest tragedies of the pandemic. Heartbreakingly poignant.
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