The A Word
A is for autism in this UK drama series, at its heart, young Joe Hughes, played with aplomb by Max Vento. When Joe is diagnosed, his parents, Alison and Paul (Morven Christie and Lee Ingleby) are flooded with worries. As with most families, none of them knows how to talk about it or express their many feelings adequately, causing friction and adding to their stress. This smart contemporary drama is filled with ideas about parenthood, disability, community and communicating. It’s also audacious and funny, raw and loving.
‘The A Word’ is a much-loved family drama with a difference
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Netflix
The story of our Royal Family can be stranger than fiction at times, so it makes the perfect material for a period drama series.
Intrigue, wealth and scandal set against the political backdrop of the day have been a ratings hit for Netflix as viewers relive key moments for the Windsors in this fictionalised account.
The Royals themselves have been a little disapproving of the treatment of some historical events, but the idea that they might have been streaming The Crown along with the show’s fans – who include Hollywood stars as well as the general public – makes it even more tempting to watch.
Total episodes: 4 x 50min
This Dutch series is based on events that took place in the 1990s where the titular Stanley is Stanley Hillis, one of the country’s most infamous criminals. Over three decades, Stanley evolved from ‘gentleman’ bank robber to ruthless kingpin. In the early ’90s, thousands of kilograms of drugs (as well as weapons and explosives) were allowed to enter the country in an effort to catch the leader of the Dutch drug empire.
The four-part
Stanley presents the cat-and-mouse game between the Justice Department and the criminal underworld, introducing us to remarkable characters on both sides. With Stanley’s group marred by mistrust, money problems and betrayal, heads surely roll. A fascinating look at this recent criminal history, Jeroen Spitzenberger stars in the lead role.
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