Harmonica
Back in the 1990s, couple Harry and Monica were the chart-topping country music duo Harmonica. Since then, their life has gone a little off key. In a last-ditch attempt at salvaging their career and their relationship, they take off on a European tour, bringing their problems to a crescendo, but also offering them a chance to find their long-lost harmony. This five-part Swedish offering is a treat, and stars the show’s creators Jonas Karlsson (The Perfect Patient) and Josephine Bornebusch () as Harry and Monica.
The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen
Danish (who was no stranger to pseudonyms) became known for her writing talent, most notably for her semi-autobiographical novel Out of Africa (which was later adapted into the Academy Award-winning Sydney Pollack film starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep). But this period drama takes us back to before she was recognised as an artist (Blixen was born in 1885), and when, as a young woman, she was humiliated and scorned by a society in which she was forging her own place. In this sensitive and dreamy series, which was in competition at this year’s Canneseries, Connie Nielsen portrays the talented Blixen with depth and aplomb.
The Machinery – season 2
Fans of this Swedish drama will be thrilled season 2 is on its way. If you’re not across it, jump aboard . We first met Olle (Kristoffer Joner) when he woke up drunk on a ferry cosied up to a gun and a stash of cash. We don’t have much intel on what will unfold in season 2, throwing us into delicious suspense, but we do know that Olle is now serving a jail term, and accused of involvement in a murder committed by his ex-wife Monika (Emilia Roosman). We trust Olle will again be thrown into a rapid sequence of events driven by his shady past.
Who Shot Otto Mueller?
In a kind of dramatised game of Cluedo, this gripping eight-part Estonian-Swedish drama centres around the shooting of legendary businessman and former Soviet wrestling champion Otto Mueller in his own home on his 65th birthday. The eight family members present each has a different motive, and a different version of the events leading up to the murder. But which of them shot Otto? From Estonian screenwriter Birk Rohelend, this series will grab hold of you.
Two Sisters
Based on the book series by Hannah Widell and Amanda Schulman, Julia Ragnarsson and Dilan Gywn star as sisters Vanessa and Alicia. The pair live together and share everything, but when little sister Alicia moves in with her boyfriend, she rocks the boat for Vanessa, who, not used to fending for herself, finds self-destructive ways to deal with the change. Meanwhile, Alicia is trying to adapt to an unfamiliar lifestyle of luxury with the wealthier Philip (Hannes Fohlin). This eight-part Swedish sibling drama is full of love and intense emotion.
Below
From Norway comes this gripping six-part drama in which Fanny’s life is changed instantly when a traffic accident kills her best friend and leaves her paralysed from the waist down. Starring Maria Austgulen as Fanny, Below takes the young woman through the many and varied challenges presented by her new wheelchair-bound life, the first one being the move into her sister’s place, made more awkward as they’re not exactly close. The series doesn’t sugar-coat a thing, and is all the stronger for it.
Delete Me
Teenagers Marion (Amalia Holm) and Marit (Thea Sofie Loch Naess, , now streaming at SBS On Demand) are about to finish high school and have their eye on an American college scholarship through their places on the national synchronised swimming team. But in the midst of enjoying the infamous Norwegian high school celebration – “a month-long celebration centred on drinking, party buses and wild challenges” – they discover how quickly their lives can turn upside down by the releasing of a sex tape. With its contemporary themes, this coming-of-age seven-part drama from creator Marie Kristiansen is on point.
Where Were You?
Over to Denmark now, and another drama series with teenage girl protagonists – best friends, 16-year-old Louise (Filippa Navarana) and Monica (Maja Ida Thiele). When Monica is raped at school by an unknown perpetrator, Louise is determined to find the culprit. But when all signs point to the rapist being Thais (Vilmer Trier Brøgger), her crush, things get complicated. This seven-part series packs a strong punch with Navarana and Thiele in only their second roles for television.
Pørni
Norway’s refreshingly relatable six-part comedy-drama Pørni is about the dilemmas you end up in when you do your best for your loved ones and yourself: in that order. Pørni has two daughters with a self-absorbed ex who has moved to Copenhagen, an ailing father who is going through a teenage-like phase, and has taken in her 15-year-old nephew, after her sister was killed in a car accident. Also on her laden plate is her job in child welfare, where she has a crush on Bjørnar, the county lawyer. Pørni is about an everyday but challenging life, and celebrates the humour present in the chaos.
Departure – season 3
Canadian thriller Departure adds to its repertoire of tragic events involving passenger vehicles. started with a missing plane, in it was a crashed train. Season 3 opens with a ferry sinking while travelling from Boston to Canada. Archie Panjabi returns as lead detective Kendra Malley, on the case in this edgy, fast-paced contemporary thriller that taps into global themes. Alongside Panjabi, the award-winning ensemble cast includes Eric McCormack, Kris Holden-Ried, Mark Rendall, Jake Weber, Patrick Sabongui, Cihang Ma, Brit MacRae and Savonna Spracklin.
Season 3 of Departure is now streaming . ( and are also streaming.)
Infiniti
In this thrilling French drama with a strong sci-fi bent, we travel to the International Space Station where the crew is in distress. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, local cop Isaak Turgun discovers a decapitated body curled up and covered in wax on a rooftop. It belongs to American ISS astronaut, Anthony Kurz. But his French astronaut lover, Anna Zarathi, is convinced he is alive and calling out from space. She sets out to rescue him, forming an unlikely partnership with Turgun to bring him home. But how could he be in two places at once? A very satisfying watch with global politics swimming in the undercurrent.
Barrumbi Kids
Nick Bonson (12) and Caitlin Hordern (14) make their acting debuts in ‘Barrumbi Kids’. Source: NITV
Barrumbi Kids premieres at 7.30pm on NITV, Friday 18 November, airing weekly. All episodes are now streaming .
Stuck
Morgana Robinson and Dylan Moran are ‘Stuck’. Source: Hat Trick for BBC
Season 1 of Stuck premieres at 9.25pm, Monday 28 November on SBS VICELAND. All five episodes will screen back-to-back. The full season is now streaming .
Got, Got, Need
Jamie Redknapp and his father Harry in ‘Got, Got, Need’. Source: Jackpot Productions
FIFA World Cup 2022 (TM)
The FIFA World Cup is back, and back home on SBS. SBS and will broadcast all 64 matches exclusively free to air, with eight live games shown on SBS VICELAND at the same time. The Socceroos are in Group D, with Denmark, Tunisia and defending champions, France. Qatar kicks off in the opening Group A match against Ecuador on 21 November (coverage starts at 2am AEDT with kickoff at 3am). We cannot contain our excitement! The countdown is on!
Add the to your favourites list, where you will find the full SBS schedule of matches and daily highlights.
Source: SBS On Demand
War Of The Worlds – season 3
Gabriel Byrne and Léa Drucker are back, as Prof Bill Ward and Dr Catherine Durand, among other familiar faces, for season 3 of War of the Worlds. Bill is in prison after saving humanity, and dives further into the depths of despair. People the world over are suffering visceral hallucinations, linking back to season 1’s alien attack. Adina is back for more violent attacks. Catherine discovers something shocking in space, and sets out to stop her sister Sophia from being tortured by the hallucinations. Zoe is on a personal mission too. And we reunite with many season 2 survivors – it’s down to them to stop another global disaster. How good is this show?
Season 3 of War Of The Worlds is now streaming . (Stream and to catch up.) Dive into season 3 now: