Pick of the week
Meet the Owens
First the elephant in the room, which Michael Owen addresses head on. Is he really, as he describes himself, “a boring prick”? This documentary series sees the former Liverpool and England striker welcome cameras into both his racing empire (he owns 140 horses) and his family life (he has four children). As he messes around cheerfully, the impression that emerges isn’t exactly boring, more average. He’s a well-to-do, middle-aged bloke who embarrasses his kids, indulges his interests and seems amiable enough, within the confines of a documentary edit. Accordingly, this series is likely to confirm most people’s preconceptions about its subject.
Prime Video, from Friday 28 August
***
Adults
A comedy about house-sharing twentysomethings in urban America? It’s a concept that never runs out of commissioning steam, though most such shows seem doomed to wither and die in the shadow of Friends. Adults has at least made it to a second season and it celebrates with a self-referential cameo from Girls star Zosia Mamet (“You think you’re the first ones to be young and adorable in New York?”). Although it never transcends its forebears, Adults remains perky enough, but the plotting doesn’t really go anywhere – it’s still a directionless stew of bad decisions and casual hookups.
Disney+, from Friday 28 August
***
9/11: Reunited
A quarter of a century has passed since the terrorist attacks on the US that reshaped global politics. For documentary-makers, the struggle to find angles that don’t feel repetitive or exploitative continues. This series seeks an uplifting take on those awful events, speaking to people who survived because someone risked their life to save them. In many cases, they have never met their guardian angels, but this is put right with frequently moving results. As 9/11 recedes into history, this is a reminder of the humanity behind the numbers. PH it’s still a directionless stew of bad decisions and casual hookups.
National Geographic, from Sunday 23 August
***
Dog Park
While we await more Colin from Accounts, here’s another canine-centred meet-cute comedy from Australia. Roland (Leon Ford) is a grumpy, emotionally constipated man with a crumbling marriage. When his wife goes abroad for work (or possibly just to get away from him), Roland is left in charge of their teenage daughter and lively terrier. Soon, he’s dragged into an over-friendly community of dog walkers (“Did your daddy forget that this is a leash-on area?”) with inevitably redeeming results. Sweet rather than sharp but an easy, gentle watch all the same.
U, from Monday 24 August
***
The Airport Chaplain
Airports are emotionally charged places so it makes sense that most of the major terminals have a religious minister or two on hand. This slightly odd drama stars Hugo Weaving as Tobias Wallace, an unorthodox airport cleric who, like many a small-screen authority figure before him, sometimes cuts corners but usually gets results. However, his rule-bending eventually goes too far and causes a serious security breach – which brings him into the crosshairs of his new manager Mira (Shabana Azeez of The Pitt fame) who can’t relate to his maverick ways.
Netflix, from Wednesday 26 August
***
Dalliance
It’s boomers behaving badly in this drama set among the well-to-do sixtysomethings of Sydney. Hugo Weaving stars as Billy, whose chance encounter and instant chemistry with restaurateur Dani (Heather Mitchell) sets off a chain of events that threatens to tear his family apart. Billy is happily married to Rose (Georgie Parker), so much so that he thinks he can introduce his new lady friend to his wife. This proves to be a miscalculation with serious consequences. It’s soapy but it’s good to see an exploration of the romantic adventures of older people.
Paramount+, from Thursday 27 August
***
Dark Matter
Back to the Dessen family multiverse for a second season of this smart sci-fi. With many alternative realities to choose from, Jason and Daniela seem to have found a good one. But the arrival of another Jason creates a desperate flight to the Box. Meanwhile, tech CEO Leighton Vance wants to use the portal for good – but he’s hard to trust. There’s plenty to like about Dark Matter, particularly the performances from Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connolly. But the show doesn’t quite convince as either existential reflection or freewheeling thriller.
Apple TV, from Friday 28 August
