Pick of the week
Kaos
Charlie Covell clearly has a thing about the apocalypse. The scriptwriter of The End of the F***ing World has now turned their attention to Greek mythology in a dark comedy that explores prophecies connected to the end times. Jeff Goldblum is Zeus, a cruel and all-powerful but still oddly insecure god. It turns out he has good reason to be suspicious: a plot to take him down is under way, involving other gods and three intrepid humans. Kaos wears its concept lightly – no prior knowledge of the classical source material is necessary and it’s irreverent enough to work as a snarky family drama. The stellar supporting cast includes Billie Piper and Suzy Eddie Izzard.
Netflix, from Thursday 29 August
***
Only Murders in the Building
As season four of this fun true-crime podcast comedy arrives, it has upped the star power once again. To an already impressive cast – Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez – this latest run adds Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria and Zach Galifianakis, all playing themselves as the gang head to Hollywood and things become more meta. However, season three ended on a cliffhanger, so expect some answers regarding the Sazz Pataki shooting. Is someone trying to kill Charles? Certainly, the carnage shows no sign of abating any time soon.
Disney+, from Tuesday 27 August
***
Bangers & Cash: Live
A sort of petrolhead Antiques Roadshow; this spin-off event from the popular TV show takes place in the grounds of picturesque Scampston Hall in North Yorkshire and sees numerous classic vehicles and motoring memorabilia on display and going under the hammer. It’s big: over the course of the weekend, more than 15,000 people are due to attend, which creates logistical challenges for the indefatigable Mathewson family who run the event. Good-natured fun with plenty of interesting vintage motoring titbits if that’s your thing.
U, from Thursday 29 August
***
Terminator Zero
A sinister animated trip into the Terminator Universe and, with widespread concerns about the potentially uncontrollable possibilities of AI, a timely one. However, we’re going back to the future here: 1990s Japan, where scientist Malcolm Lee is developing a system to compete with Skynet as judgment day (which, as fans will know, also happens to be 29 August, the release date of this series) approaches. However, as a familiar-looking and relentless robot assassin attempts to foil his plan, he’s reliant on a mysterious soldier for protection.
Netflix, from Thursday 29 August
***
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
“War is coming to Middle-earth”, though, given season one, it’ll be coming fairly slowly. The fantasy epic – fuelled by the appendices of The Lord of the Rings – represents a deep historical prequel to JRR Tolkien’s more celebrated stories. Sauron is now making his presence felt, revealing a dark power that will make him almost impossible to defeat. The discovery of new rings raises the stakes: in the wrong hands, they could deal a mortal blow to the whole land. While the show looks spectacular, the suspicion remains that the story could be told more economically.
Prime Video, from Thursday 29 August
***
Chastity High
Netflix’s first foray into Japanese YA drama is set in an ultra-elite high school that has banned dating between boys and girls. Will this move allow the kids to concentrate on their studies? Not so much. Instead, it provides an opportunity for a blackmailer nicknamed “Love Keeper” who surreptitiously photographs the illicit trysts of her classmates and threatens to give them to the school authorities. But the chaos doesn’t stop there. Soon, kids are using the rule to settle old scores, innocent children are being expelled and the law is getting involved. Generic but fun.
Netflix, from Thursday 29 August
***
K-Pop Idols
K-pop is a demanding vocation: in March this year, singer Karina was forced into an earnest apology to her fans after it was revealed she had a boyfriend. This six-part series sneaks us behind the velvet rope and reveals a squeaky-clean and slightly joyless world in which performers Jessi, Cravity and Blackswan hone their craft. Terrifying levels of fame and fortune are almost within their grasp but, as many stars before them have discovered, perfection – in performance, image and behaviour – isn’t an aspiration but the baseline requirement.
Apple TV+, from Friday 30 August
