Fellow Travelers
The era of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-communist purges was characterised by paranoia, betrayal and secrets. This slick drama explores what was arguably the most dangerous secret of them all – a same-sex love affair. Matt Bomer is Hawkins Fuller, a political fixer who is warm when he can afford to be; ice-cold when he needs to be. When he catches the eye of earnest Republican operative Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey), sparks fly. Can such an alliance have a future? As fans of Thomas Mallon’s novel will know, the answer is yes. Encompassing both triumph and tragedy, the relationship spans the following decades, taking in emancipation, disco and the horror of Aids.
Paramount+, from Saturday 28 October
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The Lions of Sicily
A picturesque and sun-dappled costume drama set in 19th-century Italy and adapted from Stefania Auci’s novel The Florios of Sicily. Two brothers, Paolo and Ignazio, decide to leave Calabria for the bright lights of Sicily. They launch a spice business and, before long, have an economic empire. However, the arrival of the independently minded Giulia spells trouble, and soon the family are tearing themselves apart as competitors gather and the issue of succession begins to rear its head. It’s glossy, nicely realised and never remotely understated.
Disney+ , out now
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Castaway Diva
In one of the more bizarre and arbitrary recent premises for a comedy-drama, this new Korean series introduces Seo Mok-ha, a country girl who is on her way to Seoul to follow her dreams of becoming a K-pop star when, inexplicably, she finds herself stranded on an uninhabited island for 15 years. None of it makes much sense but eventually Seo does reach the city, where she finds doors opening to a surprising extent, considering her lack of obvious talent. Park Eun-bin is an engaging lead and holds the whole eccentric business together.
Netflix, out now
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The Search for Instagram’s Worst Con Artist
Most people would be wary of a 21-year-old influencer who claimed to have cured their own brain tumour. But desperation can be exploited – and for Belle Gibson the claim initially worked well, gaining her a book deal and millions of Instagram followers devoted to her apparent abandonment of chemotherapy in favour of a miraculous wellness regime. One slight problem: Gibson never had cancer. Her entire story was a fabrication. This documentary explores the case and ponders Gibson’s motives.
ITVX, from Thursday 2 November
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All the Light We Cannot See
In the bomb-scarred and starving town of Saint-Malo, France, in 1941, a blind woman broadcasts readings of Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea over the radio. There is a battle swirling around her, as the locals try to keep her location hidden from the Germans. But one soldier is Werner, a shortwave radio genius who has fallen in love with her readings. Adapted from Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel, this sweeping series starring Aria Mia Loberti and Mark Ruffalo moves slowly but with a stately, sinister grace as the darkness of war encroaches upon human vulnerability.
Netflix, from Thursday 2 November
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Blue Eye Samurai
“Under the law, revenge is a luxury for men. Women must be practical.” This is the advice given to samurai warrior Mizu as she prepares to avenge the fate of her mother, who gave birth to her after being kidnapped and raped by white men. Mizu ignores the advice and what unfolds is a visually striking and intense animation exploring racial and gender identity – in order to carry out her mission, Mizu must at various points conceal both. It’s dark, gripping stuff and a fine voice cast includes Maya Erskine, Stephanie Hsu and George Takei.
Netfix, from Friday 3 November
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Invincible
Mark Grayson has a fear of turning into his father. This anxiety is complicated by the fact that Mark’s dad was Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth. But Omni-Man wasn’t quite as heroic as the younger Mark imagined so, as he develops powers of his own, there’s a legacy to address. Based on Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley’s comic book, the second season of this generic but accomplished animation is a coming-of-age story – after Nolan’s betrayal last season, Mark is less innocent but eager to transcend the memory of his father.
Prime Video, from Friday 3 November
