Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Bel-Air - Season Four/Series Finale

It's season finale time for Peacock’s Bel-Air. Streaming on Stan in Australia, the three week episode drop concluded yesterday. With a three episode final binge yesterday, I have now concluded the series.

In season four, Will tries to balance the fun and excitement of senior year with the expectations that have brought him to this moment. 

Carlton tests his own resolve as he deals with the fallout of some very big decisions that could threaten his future. Together, both boys will help each other through this pivotal time in their lives. 

An unexpected power shift will threaten the brotherhood between Phil and Geoffrey, whose loyalties to the Banks family will be tested. Viv struggles with reinventing herself as she looks at motherhood from a different perspective. 

Its Ashley’s freshman year in high school and she’s working through a rebellious phase but quickly learns that the status quo may no longer serve her. Hilary goes on a journey of self-exploration.

Bel-Air was the reimagined version of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and is based on Cooper's short fan film of the same title. 

Starring Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones, & Simone Joy Jones. 

I caught up on the first three seasons back-to-back, so watching the final eight episodes was a breeze.

It felt like a good time to end this teen-pre Uni drama. Also expect a surprise cameo.

Not as amazing as Peacock's The Day of the Jackal, however I do look forward to The Copenhagen Test landing later this month.

For now, I'm halfway through the All's Fair finale. Wow!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - The Day of the Jackal - Season One

The Day of the Jackal is a British spy thriller television series, based on the Frederick Forsyth novel and 1973 film of the same name. 

Starring Eddie Redmayne & Lashana Lynch. 

I am very late to the party, with, the first series began airing in November 2024. That same month, it was renewed for a second series. Bring it on I say! Binge needs more content, ASAP! This however, is one of the best things for Peacock (USA) to have ever streamed. Maybe because it's partnered with Sky (UK Atlantic) 

The Day of the Jackal received positive reviews from critics and received two Golden Globe Award nominations, Best Television Series – Drama and Best Actor for Redmayne.

Reimagined into a contemporary political setting, this series is based on a popular novel which centres on a ruthless British assassin, known only as “the Jackal", and the intelligence officer intent on capturing him.

The Jackal, (Redmayne) makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. But following his latest kill, he meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer (Lynch) who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.

Filmed in multiple locations, this was perfect, addictive escapism. Read on for how episode ten went down, or if you are like me (late to the party), get on Binge now! Ten episodes, easy watch! Do it now!

River's release is postponed indefinitely. Bianca quits MI6, as Kirby refuses to keep pursuing the Jackal. 

Kirby is revealed to be acting under orders from Whitelock, together secretly working for Winthrop. Kirby lures Bianca with an unsanctioned operation to kill the Jackal. 

Bianca accepts the job, recruiting Vincent. They follow a lead to stake out the Jackal's Spanish estate, which Nuria eventually abandons with Carlitos. While attempting to leave Croatia, the Jackal sustains wounds and ultimately kidnaps an elderly couple. 

He kills them when they attempt to overpower him. He eventually returns home. Bianca and Vincent infiltrate the house, but a drunken Alvaro startles them and gets himself shot and killed, alerting the Jackal. 

The Jackal then kills Vincent and leads Bianca on a chase through his house. Tricking her into believing that she could win, he allows her to monologue about her personal achievements before shooting her in the neck and killing her. 

Fleeing the house, the Jackal is ambushed by Winthrop's men. Kirby is later promoted to Chief. She claims that Bianca and Vincent went rogue, but Halcrow knows the truth thanks to a final text message from Bianca. 

In Budapest, the Jackal meets with Zina, who also escaped an attempt on her life. She reveals Winthrop's identity as her employer. The Jackal agrees to exact revenge but heads off in search of Nuria and Carlitos first.

This was a quality thriller. Binge, you did good getting this Peacock title. Here is hoping I don't have to wait too long for season two. It's just on around a year the season one finale aired.

Film Influencer 2025 - Now You See Me: Now You Don't

I have been missing the movies after a week or so off, so with a Sydney Summer heatwave, what better place to be than the cinema. After a ten year break, Now You See Me: Now You Don't, is the third instalment in the Now You See Me film series.

Following 2016's Now You See Me 2, returning cast Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, & Morgan Freeman, are now joined by Justice Smith, Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, & Rosamund Pike.

Rosamund Pike is outstanding as the sequels big bad, while another, sequel is in development for the film series.

So far receiving mixed reviews from critics, with many deeming it an improvement to its predecessors. What did I think? Watch the trailer and scroll down.

The tricks were fun, the new cast added a new generation of magicians/tricksters to the growing cast.

I must say, the film did leave you on a mini Mark Ruffalo based cliffhanger.

This was enjoyable, fun, put your feet up cinema. Good job team. When December gets crazy, it's also nice to see a fun, popcorn film where you can just let the worries of the world disappear for around two hours.

Until next time. A big TV week of finales. The critically destroyed, All's Fair wraps its first run. Whilst Loot and Bel-Air streams it's final three episodes, ever.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't, gets a solid 3 Stars.

AACTA Awards 2026 Nominations (TV and related nominees) | Predictions

Nominations have just been announced for the AACTA Awards 2026.

Fast facts - 

• AACTA Festival will run for 5 days from February 4 – 8th 2026.
• AACTA Awards Industry Gala: Wednesday 4 February 2026
• AACTA Awards will screen at 7.30pm AEDT, Friday 6 February on Channel 10.
• Apple Cider Vinegar has topped the TV nominations
• The Newsreader and The Narrow Road to the Deep North followed with 12 nominations and Mystery Road: Origin at 11 nominations
• Next were Mix Tape (8 nominations), The Survivors (6 nominations) and The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer (5 nominations)

Predictions bold and in red.

AACTA Award for Best Miniseries

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Samantha Strauss, Liz Watts, Louise Gough, Helen Gregory, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning – See-Saw Films / Picking scabs (Netflix)

• Invisible Boys – Nicholas Verso, Tania Chambers – Asphodel Films and Feisty Dame Productions (Stan)

• Mix Tape – Angie Fielder, Polly Staniford, Aoife O’Sullivan, Tristan Orpen Lynch – Aquarius Films and Subotica (in Ireland) (Binge, Foxtel)

• The Last Anniversary – Nicole Kidman, Per Saari, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Samantha Strauss, John Polson – Made Up Stories, Fifth Season and Blossom Films (Binge, Foxtel)

• The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Jo Porter, Rachel Gardner, Shaun Grant, Justin Kurzel, Alexandra Taussig – Curio Pictures (Amazon Prime Video)

• The Survivors – Tony Ayres, Andrea Denholm, Cherie Nowlan, Andrew Walker – Tony Ayres Productions | Matchbox Pictures and Universal International Studios. (Netflix)

AACTA Award for Best Drama Series

• Bay of Fires – Marta Dusseldorp – Archipelago Productions and Fremantle Australia (ABC)

• Black Snow: Jack of Clubs – Rosemary Blight, Milly Olrog, Lucas Taylor, Ben Grant – Goalpost Pictures (Stan)

• Mystery Road Origin – Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey – Bunya Productions (ABC)

• The Family Next Door – Melinda Wearne, Dean O’Toole, David Ogilvy, Jenny O’Shea – Beyond Productions Pty Ltd (ABC)

• The Newsreader – Joanna Werner, Michael Lucas – Werner Film Productions (ABC)

• The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer – Hamish Lewis, Michael Brooks, Ally Henville, Ian Collie, Rob Gibson – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd and Easy Tiger Productions Pty Ltd (Binge, Foxtel)

AACTA Award for Best Narrative Comedy Series

• Austin – Joe Weatherstone, Catherine Nebauer – Northern Pictures (ABC)

• Bump – Dan Edwards, John Edwards, Claudia Karvan, Kelsey Munro – Roadshow Rough Diamond (Stan)

• Ghosts – Kylie Washington, Sophia Zachariou, Bree-Anne Sykes, Joshua Mapleston – BBC Studios Productions (Network Ten, Paramount+)

• Mother and Son – Jude Troy, Richard Finlayson, Matt Okine, Alexandra Cameron – Wooden Horse (ABC)

• Strife – Steve Hutensky, Katie Amos, Asher Keddie, Mia Freedman, Sarah Scheller, Lorelle Adamson – Made Up Stories and Fifth Season (Binge, Foxtel)

• Top End Bub – Rosemary Blight, Ben Grant, Miranda Tapsell, Joshua Tyler – Goalpost Pictures (Amazon Prime Video)

AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama  

• Alycia Debnam-Carey – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Aisha Dee – Watching You

• Kaitlyn Dever – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Tuuli Narkle – Mystery Road Origin

• Teresa Palmer – Mix Tape

• Anna Torv – The Newsreader

AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama

• Mark Coles Smith – Mystery Road Origin

• Jacob Elordi – The Narrow Road to the Deep North

• Travis Fimmel – Black Snow Jack of Clubs

• Sam Neill – The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer

• Hunter Page-Lochard – Reckless

• Sam Reid – The Newsreader

AACTA Award for Best Acting in a Comedy

• Claudia Karvan – Bump

• Asher Keddie – Strife

• Ben Miller – Austin

• Sally Phillips – Austin

• Angus Sampson – Bump

• Denise Scott – Mother and Son

• Miranda Tapsell – Top End Bub

• Michael Theo – Austin

AACTA Award for Best Documentary

• Ellis Park – Justin Kurzel (Dir.), Nick Batzias, Charlotte Wheaton – GoodThing Productions

• Journey Home, David Gulpilil – Maggie Miles (Dir.), Trisha Morton-Thomas (Dir.), Rachel Clements, Jida Gulpilil, Lloyd Garrawurra – Savage Films and Brindle Films

• Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke – Lorin Clarke (Dir.), Richard Keddie – THW Film Company & Lorin Clarke Productions

• Songs Inside – Shalom Almond (Dir.), Katrina Lucas – Songs Inside Pty Ltd

• Unbreakable – The Jelena Dokic Story – Ivan O’Mahoney (Dir.), Jessica Halloran (Dir.) – In Films

• Yurlu | Country – Yaara Bou Melhem (Dir.) – Illuminate Films

AACTA Award for Best Comedy Performer

• Hamish Blake – Lego Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the Galaxy

• Melanie Bracewell – The Cheap Seats

• Aaron Chen – Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee

• Tom Gleeson – Hard Quiz

• Luke McGregor – Portrait Artist of the Year

• Guy Montgomery – Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee

• Sam Pang – Sam Pang Tonight

• Julia Zemiro – Crime Night!

AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama

• Essie Davis – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Aisha Dee – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Michelle Lim Davidson – The Newsreader

• Robyn Malcolm – Mystery Road Origin

• Heather Mitchell – The Narrow Road to the Deep North

• Susie Porter – Apple Cider Vinegar

AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama

• Luke Carroll – Mystery Road Origin

• Mark Coles Smith – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Daniel Henshall – The Family Next Door

• Daniel Henshall – The Newsreader

• Matt Nable – Apple Cider Vinegar

• Ashley Zukerman – Apple Cider Vinegar

AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program

• Dancing with the Stars – Peter Beck, Amanda Bainbridge, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Productions Australia (Seven Network)

• Eurovision Song Contest 2025 Grand Final: Access All Areas – Paul Clarke, Emily Griggs, Angela Downing – Beyond Productions (SBS)

• I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Australia – Beth Hart, Alex Mavroidakis, Josie Steele, Clare Bath – ITV Studios Australia (Network Ten)

• Lego Masters Australia: Grand Masters of the Galaxy – David McDonald, Hamish Blake, Di Yang, AJ Johnson – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)

• Portrait Artist of the Year – David McDonald, Kate Feely, Maria Handas – Endemol Shine Australia (ABC)

• That Blackfella Show – Rowdie Walden – ABC (ABC)

AACTA Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Program

• Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee – Bronwynn Bakker, Cameron Bakker, Guy Montgomery, Greg Sitch – Kevin & Co and ABC (ABC)

• Hard Quiz – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

• Sam Pang Tonight – Sam Pang, John Origlasso – One Wolf Productions (Network Ten)

• Spicks and Specks – Rowdie Walden, Anthony Watt – ABC (ABC)

• Taskmaster Australia – Bronwynn Bakker, Cameron Bakker – Kevin & Co and Avalon (Paramount+)

• The Weekly with Charlie Pickering – Charlie Pickering, Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Frank Bruzzese – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

AACTA Award for Best Children’s Program

• Do Not Watch This Show – Andy Lee, Greg Sitch – Lee Bones Productions (ABC)

• Hard Quiz Kids – Chris Walker, Kevin Whyte, Tom Gleeson, John Tabbagh – Thinkative Television and ABC (ABC)

• Play School: All Together – Bryson Hall, Lyndal Mebberson – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

• Space Nova – Suzanne Ryan, Yasmin Jones – SLR Productions and Giggle Garage (ABC)

AACTA Award for Best Stand-Up Special

• Aunty Donna: The Magical Dead Cat – Jessica Galea, Georgia Mappin, Tom Downey

• Celia Pacquola: I’m As Surprised As You Are – Kevin Whyte, Celia Pacquola

• Claire Hooper: So Proud – Kyran Nicholson, Claire Hooper

• Geraldine Hickey: Don’t Tease Me About My Gloves – Kevin Whyte, Geraldine Hickey

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival – The Allstars Supershow – Rowdie Walden, Susan Provan

• Melbourne International Comedy Festival – The Gala – Rowdie Walden, Susan Provan

AACTA Award for Best Factual Entertainment Program

• Alone Australia – Riima Daher, Joseph McMahon, Beth Hart, Keely Sonntag – ITV Studios Australia (SBS)

• Gogglebox Australia – David McDonald, Will Minchin, Natasha Pizzica – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)

• Muster Dogs Collies and Kelpies – Michael Boughen, Matthew Street, Lauren Rudd – Ambience Entertainment Pty Ltd (ABC)

• Take 5 with Zan Rowe – Zan Rowe, Nikita Agzarian, Josh Schmidt – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

• The Piano – Bethan Briegel-Jones, Gemma Murphy, Josie Mason Campbell – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• The Secret DNA of Us – Josie Mason Campbell, Sophie Meyrick – Eureka Productions (SBS)

AACTA Award for Best Documentary or Factual Program

• End Game with Tony Armstrong – Steve Bibb, Dan Brown – Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films, Allstory Pictures and Barking Mad Productions, Smashing Films, Allstory Pictures (ABC)

• I Was Actually There – Loni Cooper, Josh Schmidt, Julie Hanna – Docker Media (ABC)

• The Assembly – Melissa Maclean, Mark Fennessy, Therese Hegarty, Julie Hanna – Helium Pictures (ABC)

• The Kimberley – Electra Manikakis, Nick Robinson, Peta Ayers, Mark Coles Smith – Wild Pacific Media (ABC)

• The People vs Robodebt – Paula Bycroft, Michael Cordell, Andrew Farrell – CJZ (SBS)

• Who Do You Think You Are? – Maxine Gray, Carolyn Kung – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd (SBS)

AACTA Award for Best Lifestyle Program

• Gardening Australia – Gill Lomas – ABC (ABC)

• Grand Designs Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• Love it or List it Australia – Karen Warner, Geoff Fitzpatrick, John Luscombe, Howard Myers-Rifai – Beyond Productions (Binge, Foxtel)

• Restoration Australia – Brooke Bayvel, Michael Collett – Eureka Productions (ABC)

• Selling Houses Australia – Caroline Swift, Kam Vurlow, Monique Bushby – Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia Pty Ltd (Binge, Foxtel)

• The Cook Up with Adam Liaw – Emily Griggs, Gavin Jarrett – SBS (SBS)

AACTA Award for Best Reality Program 

• Australian Idol – Joel McCormack, Riccy Felixberto, Wes Dening – Eureka Productions (Seven Network)

• Australian Survivor: Australia v The World – Amelia Fisk, David Forster, Phoebe McMahon, Toby Trappel – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)

• Married At First Sight Australia – Tara McWilliams, Alexandra Spurway, Stevo Petkovic, Dimi Theodoulou – Endemol Shine Australia (Nine Network)

• MasterChef Australia – Marty Benson, Adam Fergusson, Eoin Maher, April Mackay – Endemol Shine Australia (Network Ten)

• The Amazing Race – Rikkie Proost, Alenka Henry, Jane Rowley – Eureka Productions (Network Ten)

• The Great Australian Bake Off – Emily Commens, Amanda Bainbridge, Deb Spinocchia, Kylie Washington – BBC Studios Productions Australia (Binge, Foxtel)

More info and categories can be found here.

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Film Club - Season One

Best friends Evie and Noa have watched films together since they first met five years ago. But are they only there for the love of movies?⁣

This English romantic comedy-drama is from Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus) and Ralph Davis.

Commissioned by BBC Three, the series streams on Binge in Australia. Alongside Wood & Davis, Suranne Jones, Nabhaan Rizwan, Adam Long & Liv Hill star in this six part comedy.

Filming got underway in Manchester in late 2024, with the series landing on Binge around October.

We are now getting into the catch up TV era part of 2025.

Sports, repeats, non-ratings filler content, thank god for streaming.

Binge have struggled with filling the content void of HBO when they lost the contract mid this year.

Film Club isn't perfect, its quirky, a bit romantic, very English. Also, Aimee Lou Wood is super sweet as the lead.

OK so if you are in need of romance in the lead up to the holidays, Film Club is a bit of fun. Not sure if there is a chance of a season two. Watch this space...

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Malice - Miniseries

Malice may be in the running for the most addictive series of Q4, Scorchin' Summer Streamin' for 2025.

This delicious revenge drama/thriller stars Adam (Jack Whitehall) is a charismatic tutor who charms his way into the life of the wealthy Tanner family while they’re on holiday in Greece.  

When the family’s nanny falls dangerously ill, Adam orchestrates his way in to their London home and his true vengeful nature begins to emerge.

Alongside Whitehall, X-Files and Californication legend, David Duchovny stars, with Carice van Houten, Christine Adams & Raza Jaffrey.

Malice streams now on Amazon with all six episodes either ending with a cliffhanger or a bang! I am fairly sure this is a miniseries with how episode six unfolds, however there is room for more Malice in Greece or the UK.

Amazon usually does either Superhero/anti-superhero/male action series well or teen dramas like The Summer I Turned Pretty. So it was refreshing to see Malice follow The Girlfriend, in the revenge/drama genre.

David Duchovny is delicious as this mega rich alpha father, who gives zero fucks about his family or businesses he invests in.

My mother and father were (like Reckless) hooked after episode one. So much so they stayed up later than me, night one of watching to conclude episode one.

To be fair, I was done and dusted binge watching this in around 36 hours.

Honestly, drop everything, stop watching Love Island and Big Brother, as this is so much more intense.

Really and truly in my upcoming RATED, this will be top 10, or even top 5 easy. Smashing!

Scorchin' Summer Streamin' 25 - Reckless - Miniseries

New SBS/NITV Original Reckless is a fast paced four-part series starring Tasma Walton (The Twelve, Mystery Road) & AACTA Award winner Hunter Page-Lochard (The Newsreader, Critical Incident).

All episodes stream now on SBS On Demand. Reckless is a deadly funny thriller straight out of Freo where guilt, family and dysfunction collide in a wickedly funny, high-stakes thrill ride. 

When feuding siblings June (Walton) and Charlie (Page-Lochard) cover up a deadly hit and run in their hometown of Fremantle, their lives spiral wildly out of control. As the lies pile up, so do the consequences and soon, everyone in town has something to lose.

Fast and fearless, Reckless, written by Kodie Bedford (Mystery Road, Return to Paradise) and Stuart Page (Total Control, Cleverman) is a uniquely Australian take on crime and chaos where small-town secrets, family feuds and guilt make for explosive TV.

I started this show a little while back on SBS On Demand with my parents. Aged 71 and 90. Both loved it. Me in my mid-40's means this little series that aims high, is a multi generational crowd pleaser.

I look forward to seeing how SBS's other new drama, The Chaplain turns our. As back in September, Reckless was named as one of two of SBS new upcoming dramas. So I was a little surprised Reckless landed this side of Christmas and 2025. You can view what SBS has in store for 2026, here.

Either way Reckless streams now, showing off the chill WA. The series moves fast across four action packed episodes.

Until next time!