Top 7 TV Shows to Watch This Week

The final days are drawing near for Rome, described as a “cesspool of corruption and decay.” While the weary citizens await the often unreliable grain ships, the brutal spectacles at the Flavian Amphitheatre keep them distracted from their struggles. This sweeping drama zeroes in on the political intrigues around Emperor Vespasian, played by Anthony Hopkins, his problematic sons, shady bookmaker Tenax (Iwan Rheon), his gladiator companion Scorpus (Dimitri Leonidas), and the various slaves and underlings compelled to do their bidding. Though lavishly produced, some of that budget might have been better allocated to refining a somewhat clunky script.
Prime Video, from Thursday, 18 July

Laura Lippman’s 2019 novel gets a noirish, evocative, and beautifully staged adaptation by director Alma Har’el. Set in 1960s Baltimore, it tells the story of two women—one Black, one Jewish. When a Jewish child disappears just before Thanksgiving, it leads housewife Maddie Schwartz, portrayed by Natalie Portman, to leave her family and search for the girl. Maddie enters the life of Cleo Sherwood (Moses Ingram), a smart yet struggling woman trying to navigate Baltimore’s darker side while raising her young family. The tale becomes simultaneously gritty and mildly surreal.
Apple TV+, from Friday, 19 July

Simone Biles’ well-documented brilliance made her struggles at the 2020 Olympics difficult yet illuminating to watch. By displaying her flaws, she also underscored her earlier achievements. This four-part documentary delves into the extreme levels of discipline required to be a gymnast and the challenges when things fall apart. However, there’s also a story of redemption as Biles finds happiness in her personal life and gears up to “write her own ending” at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Netflix, from Wednesday, 17 July

Orlando Bloom, a self-proclaimed thrill-seeker, takes viewers on an adrenaline-filled adventure. Across three episodes, Bloom travels to exotic locations, engaging in activities like wingsuiting, deep sinkhole plunging, and rock climbing. While the training processes involved will appeal to extreme sports enthusiasts, the series often feels self-indulgent—akin to watching someone enjoy a very costly gap year. Viewers can expect plenty of buzzwords about stepping out of comfort zones and moments of dubious jeopardy.
U, from Tuesday, 16 July

The final season of this film spin-off marks a concluding bout of tongue-in-cheek karate action. As we revisit the Valley, it appears calm: the Cobra Kai dojo has been shut down, and excitement for the Sekai Taikai world championship is growing. However, as preparations continue, unease sets in. Could an old nemesis be prepping for one last fight? True to form, Cobra Kai successfully straddles the line between parodying cheesy martial arts dramas and serving as a prime example of the genre.
Netflix, from Thursday, 18 July

This time-travel drama explores the nostalgia inherent in its reboot nature. Dr. Ben Song, played by Raymond Lee, primarily lives in the past but occasionally ventures into the future as he meets aliens in Area 51 and finds himself in situations ranging from cold war standoffs to bank heists. This season marks the series’ end, which is regrettable as Lee has imbued his character with real heart. But then again, the future of nostalgia is always unpredictable.
Paramount+, from Thursday, 18 July

René Redzepi, founder of Noma in Copenhagen—a restaurant famed for its sustainability and multiple Michelin stars—narrates this exploration into the diverse facets of food. By examining common foods like bananas, pork, and chili from sociological and political angles, Omnivore serves as a culinary map of the world. The series also offers troubling glimpses into our future: are we prepared for how changing monsoon patterns might affect global rice production?
Apple TV+, from Friday, 19 July