Another bank holiday already? And you're looking for something to watch? We've got you covered...
Deadwood: The Movie (Sky Atlantic, 9pm Saturday)
https://youtu.be/s0WrXmhvXTA
It’s back! Deadwood, the HBO western widely regarded as one of the very best TV dramas ever produced, ended after season three way back in 2006. But it felt like there were many more stories to tell about the town of Deadwood and its colourful, foul-mouthed inhabitants. Fans’ wishes have finally been fulfilled, and pretty much the whole gang has gotten back together for this long-awaited TV movie. It’s time to get reacquainted with Seth Bullock, Al Swearengen, Calamity Jane et al one last (?) time.
When They See Us (Netflix)
https://youtu.be/u3F9n_smGWY
Another week, another Netflix series - but this one has quite a bit of buzz behind it. When They See Us is the latest from Selma director Ava DuVernay. The four-episode mini-series explores the ‘Central Park Five’ case, which began with the brutal attack of a woman in New York in 1989. The subsequent convictions (later overturned) of five young men were hugely controversial, and the whole case has become one of the most infamous in US legal history. This new take on the story has been critically acclaimed, and boasts an impressive cast including the likes of Vera Farmiga and Felicity Huffman.
The Virtues (Channel 4 On Demand)
Shane Meadows has over the past two decades established himself as one of the UK's most accomplished social realists - telling compassionate, thoughtful and often challenging stories about normal people. After winning acclaim with his film work, he made a confident jump to television three televised sequels to This Is England. Now he's back with The Virtues - a harrowing but immensely powerful mini-series that has won particular praise for the astonishing work of Meadows' frequent collaborator Stephen Graham. With one episode to go, this weekend is a good chance to catch up on the three episodes broadcast so far.
The Revenant (RTÉ 2, 9pm Monday)
Not necessarily the most obvious Bank Holiday Monday night viewing, but definitely a worthwhile choice. Perhaps best known as the film that finally won Leonardo DiCaprio his Oscar, this is a brutal, intense survival film that’s gruelling (by design) but rewarding. Director Alejandro G Iñárritu chooses long, complex shots that are often staggering to behold, and the landscapes are as beautiful as they are deadly.
Main image: When They See Us, picture by Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix
