February’s NOW TV schedule sees the premieres of a relationship comedy with a twist and a gripping mystery.
There’s also the second outing for a homegrown period drama and a fifth series for arguably America’s most intelligent talk show.
10 things to watch on Netflix this February
On the film front, there are first showings for a big-screen reboot of a 90s TV show, an old-fashioned swashbuckler and the latest chapter in a never-ending franchise.
Here’s are 10 titles you need to look out for over the 28 days.
Viceroy’s House (Sky Cinema, Feb 2)
No stranger to the upper-class period drama, Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville portrays Lord Mountbatten in this acclaimed dramatization of India’s partition in 1947.
Gillian Anderson, Michael Gambon and Manish Dayal also star in an entertaining history lesson helmed by Gurinder Chadha, a director renowned for her absorbing cross-cultural tales (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride And Prejudice).
King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (Sky Cinema, Feb 2)
Grossing just under $150m on a budget of $175m, King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword was deemed as one of last year’s biggest box-office flops.
But while Guy Ritchie’s take on the medieval British leader certainly has its problems, the high-octane action, Jude Law’s scenery-chewing performance and baffling cameos (David Beckham, anyone?) make it an entertaining enough pure popcorn movie.
Baskets Season 3 (FOX, Feb 5)
Despite an Emmy win for Louie Anderson and the presence of The Hangover star Zach Galifianakis, this low-key dramedy about a rodeo clown has slipped under the radar on this side of the Atlantic (its third season premiere is going out at the ungodly hour of 1am on Fox). But it remains one of the most beautifully melancholic shows on the box.
This time around, Christine (Anderson) becomes the unlikely CEO of Baskets Family Rodeo, Chip (Galifianakis) subsequently gets a full-time job again and Dale (also played by Galifianakis) becomes frustrated at the lack of respect for his business acumen.
Baywatch (Sky Cinema, Feb 9)
Zac Efron playing an insanely-ripped dudebro in a broad US comedy? Surely not?
Obviously not concerned with typecasting, the former HSM star once again shows off his multiple six-packs here.
But it’s The Rock who steals the show as the new-look Mitch Buchannon in a slightly unnecessary but entertaining enough adaptation of the 90s guilty pleasure.
Jamestown Season 2 (Sky Atlantic, Feb 9)
Sky One were so convinced they had a hit on their hands with period drama Jamestown that they commissioned a second series before a single episode had even aired.
Luckily for them, an impressive average of 1.3 million viewers tuned in to watch three spirited young women (Naomi Battrick, Sophie Rundle, Niamh Walsh) bring a touch of girl power to the all-male titular town.
This second series will see the entire community fall under suspicion from a horrific crime and the newly arrived Angolan workers learn how to adapt to their new environment.
SMILF (Sky Atlantic, Feb 13)
Nominated for two Golden Globes earlier this year, SMILF (which stands for Single Mother I’d Like To F***) is the brainchild of Frankie Shaw, who’s perhaps best-known for her role of Shayla in the first series of Mr. Robot.
Shaw writes, directs and stars in this semi-autobiographical sitcom about a twenty-something single parent and her attempts to achieve that elusive work-life balance, while Rosie O’Donnell plays her mother and Connie Britton her boss.
More: Film
Bliss (Sky Atlantic, Feb 14)
Following the news that Lindsay Lohan will show up in the second series of Sick Note, along comes another Hollywood actress making an unlikely appearance in a British comedy.
This time around it’s Heather Graham (Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Bowfinger) making the trip across the pond to join Jo Hartley (This Is England) as the wives of Stephen Mangan’s likeable bigamist in the Bristol-based Bliss.
Fast & Furious 8 (Sky Cinema, Feb 16)
Increasingly preposterous stunts, tons of exposition, countless refences to ‘family’ – you know the score by now.
But this eighth instalment of the never-ending franchise does have a few new tricks up its sleeve, namely the additions of Scott Eastwood, Charlize Theron and, most surprisingly of all, Helen Mirren to the adrenaline-charged, lunk-headed madness.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (Sky Atlantic, Feb 19)
Fresh from his headline-grabbing grilling of Dustin Hoffman over the sexual assault allegations against the actor, John Oliver returns to screens for a fifth series of his award-winning satirical look at the news.
Described as ‘The Daily Show with more prep time,’ Last Week Tonight has proved to be so successful that HBO recently announced it will remain on air until at least 2020.
Save Me (Sky Atlantic, Feb TBA)
One of Coronation Street’s most successful graduates, Suranne Jones looks set to have another hit on her hands with this brand-new series from the makers of Line Of Duty.
Save Me sees Jones play the mother of a 13-year-old girl who goes missing, and the ex-partner of the man (Lennie James) accused of being responsible.
If the trailer is anything to go by, then Save Me looks like it could be just as gripping as recent NTA award winner Doctor Foster.
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