High Potential, marks the second network series (I watch) to conclude, somewhat early. Usually these series end mid May, however this year. These shows are either starting later (like in October, rather than September) and ending around a month earlier.
The ABC series is based on the 2021 Franco-Belgian television series HPI : Haut potentiel intellectuel.
Starring Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory, an intellectually gifted cleaning woman who becomes a police consultant. Also starring are Daniel Sunjata as Morgan's partner Adam Karadec and Judy Reyes as Selena Soto, the head of their unit.
Last month, the series was renewed for a third season. We will find out next month whether it stays on Tuesdays or moves nights. In Australia this series streamed on Disney+.
Adding five episodes to its second successful run. The eighteenth episodes saw, a woman who is one half of a TV celeb couple is found dead by the pool of a hotel, which happens to be the same hotel that Lucia works.
Morgan is not sure that Karadec can stay objective when Lucia is suspected of being involved. It's later revealed the murderer was a con-artist and Lucia's ex-boyfriend; Lucia is arrested as an accessory due to hiding evidence of the murder.
Meanwhile, Morgan and Wagner meet with Quinn and Wagner Sr. to gain information on Roman. Quinn warns Morgan about what she's getting into, but gives her a file that Lyla Flynn, the FBI Agent that Roman worked with, was actually dirty, and planned on coming clean, but was killed by Roman.
At home, Ava needs an idea for an art project, and tears up pieces of Roman's art to make it. While at Ava's art show, Morgan gets called by Wagner to meet a possible informant.
A shadowy figure watches Ava from a distance, as Morgan goes to meet Wagner, only to find him bleeding from a bullet wound in his back.
Cliffhanger alert. Who murdered Shameless star Steve Howey as Nick Wagner? Why was he only in the show for one long season?
Time will tell when High Potential (maybe ABC's most successful drama) returns most likely later this year. Will it be September or October? Time will tell. CBC have their upfronts announcement next week. With the majority of their series concluding in October.
Shrinking has just concluded its (equally) longest season. Even though its once less episode than the previous season, episode one was close to an hour! For a comedy! That's lengthy!
Lead by Jason Segel, the grieving therapist who decides to become drastically more involved in his patients' lives.
Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, Lukita Maxwell, & Ted McGinley also star.
Back in January, Shrinking was renewed for a fourth season. Apparently there will be changes to the story next season. However the cast will remain the same.
This was one of my favourite series when it first debuted back in 2023. However like all comedies, sometimes the main elements of the series just become a little stale. The acting is on point in this series. It also tackles serious, big issues, which at times makes it hard to laugh at Parkinson's. Or the death of Jimmy's (Segel) wife.
Season three opens up as Paul's Parkinson's symptoms have worsened; he befriends a patient, Gerry, while waiting in the neurology clinic. Paul's neurologist Dr. Sykes amicably ends her sexual relationship with Sean.
Jimmy has been regularly meeting Louis on a park bench to discuss their lives.
Liz and Derek's older son, Matthew, moves back home.
Brian and Charlie, preparing for their baby to arrive, have still not discussed what role Ava will play in their lives; Brian initially admits to wanting a closed adoption, but changes his mind after meeting with Ava and agrees to let her visit regularly.
Alice is visited by the Wesleyan University women's soccer coach at her latest game. The coach offers her a scholarship, but Alice turns it down, anxious about moving away from her loved ones; she later accepts the offer at Jimmy's encouragement.
As Paul and Julie get the former's affairs in order, Jimmy impulsively suggests they get married, which they realise will solve their problems; Gaby arranges a wedding ceremony for them in Jimmy's backyard, with Jimmy giving a heartfelt speech. Paul sees Gerry in his kitchen afterwards and talks with him, but Julie does not see him; Paul realises it was a hallucination.
So there was a lot going on in this first episode of the 11 episode run.
I enjoyed the show. The laugh out loud moments weren't the same as they were in season one. However, Harrison Ford continues to impress, embracing a role in comedy.
He also plays the role so well. Michael J. Fox as Gerry was also a realistic touch, to Ford's touching storylines. Which again make this hard to laugh sometimes. The show touches you and makes you feel, whilst also trying make you lol.
It did achieve this well in seasons one (and to an extent) season two. However I am hoping there is a nice refresh in season four. That said this is still one of Apple TV's shining gems.
Years in Apple TV is absolutely killing it. With a line up currently of Imperfect Women, Monarch, Shrinking just concluding and the returning, Your Friends & Neighbours, they truly do have a solid line up.
Memory of a Killer just got renewed by FOX on the buzzer ahead of the finale Tuesday night. Wow all this Easter viewing, finales, The Boys and The Testaments returning/starting wow! I need more public holidays.
The crime thriller/drama streaming locally on Stan, is based on the 2003 Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer and the 1985 novel of the same name.
Patrick Dempsey leads, alongside Michael Imperioli, Richard Harmon, Odeya Rush, Daniel David Stewart, Peter Gadiot, Michaela McManus & 9-1-1 Lonestar queen Gina Torres all star.
Angelo Doyle (Dempsey) is a contract killer and family man struggling to keep his two lives separate. His worlds begin to collide when an attempt is made on his pregnant daughter's life. Angelo often visits his Alzheimer's-ridden brother in a memory care facility, while there are signs that the disease is starting to affect Angelo as well.
Angelo Ledda lives two totally separate lives — fearsome NYC hitman and sleepy upstate Cooperstown photocopier salesman and father. Both of them are threatened when he is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, a disease he already lost his older brother to.
Memory Of A Killer premiered on another public holiday earlier in the year, concluding on Easter Tuesday. The tight ten episode order worked well. I'm not sure how a 22 episode order network series would work. Come to think of it not sure how season two will work. Either way though, it's renewed, likely to stream next January. On Stan.
Network TV has been fairly safe this season in the US. Loads of returning series. Basketball heavy on NBC. The CW ditching dramas (almost entirely) and FOX (where Memory of a Killer) having limited dramas (one is a Canadian co-pro) with a large number of animated comedies, with a side of a few live action comedies.
Like Animal Control (which annoyingly) streams on Binge. It will conclude a little later this month. It has also been renewed.
Next week CBS will announce their upfront announcement with a solid returning roster. Including new Yellowstone spin-off Y: Marshalls. Which is damn fine. Also the production quality is a lot higher than most other network series.
Memory of a Killer started strong, however with the main characters storyline, I feel this could be limited. Like Found and a number of other network series of recent years.
For now, this was decent. My parents like it. It looks better than some of your run of the mill, budget network series. It feels (without the swearing and sex) like it could be a streaming series original. That's a compliment by the way.
OK so back on April Fools Day I posted my 2026 Q1 streaming favourites. Ranked and RATED.
Now I will combine the last, long six months of summer. Yes that's right. March was OMG hot, April has been warm again after some cooler days. November is shorts/t-shirt weather and October/May can be warm too.
US network TV drama season is wrapping up. Some early this year. FOX, ABC both have seasons wrapping up this month. CBS after a winter olympics break and March Madness, will continue with the old fashioned May finales. Some later than usual like NCIS: Sydney.
These will be covered in my new series, Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26'.
Move over HBO, Amazon takes out the top spot, with local series, Deadloch. Paramount+ is also strong at numbers three and seven. However Paramount+ also got the worse series of the last six months, with the forgotten miniseries, The Serial Killer's Wife.
ABC (Australian) & STAN did well again. Bot earning local titles in the top ten. It was also Ryan Murphy season with three titles in the top 20. Meaning Disney+ had a decent summer.
If you do however need some further shows to add to your watchlist, you can view all my previous lists click through the links HERE
1. Deadloch - Season Two (AU) 2. Heated Rivalry - Season One 3. Landman - Season Two 4. All's Fair - Season One 5. Dear Life - Miniseries (AU) 6. The Madison - Season One 7. Down Cemetery Road - Season One 8. Loot - Season Three 9. Dog Park - Season One (AU) 10. The Last of Us - Season Two 11. Malice - Miniseries 12. The Beauty - Season One 13. Platonic - Season Two 14. Steal - Miniseries 15. The Day of the Jackal - Season One 16. Slow Horses - Season Five 17. Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette 18. Industry - Season Four 19. Chad Powers - Season One 20. Black Bird - Miniseries 21. Gen V - Season Two 22. RFDS - Season Three (AU) 23. Blue Murder Motel - Season One (NZ) 24. Trigger Point - Season Three 25. Reasonable Doubt - Season Three 26. Paradise - Season Two 27. Task - Season One 28. Bel-Air - Season Four/Series Finale 29. Spartacus: House of Ashur - Season One 30. Reckless - Miniseries (AU) 31. The Assassin - Miniseries 32. Fallout - Season Two 33. All Her Fault - Miniseries 34. The Better Sister - Miniseries 35. Mother & Son - Seasons One - Two/Series Finale (AU) 36. Homebodies - Miniseries (AU) 37. Goolagong - Miniseries (AU) 38. Sunny Nights - Season One (AU) 39. Return to Paradise - Season Two (AU) 40. 9-1-1 - Season Eight 41. I Love LA - Season One 42. Run - Miniseries (AU) 43. He Had It Coming - Season One (AU) 44. Ghosts (Australian TV series) - Season One (AU) 45. Hotel Costiera - Season One/Series Finale 46. Dept. Q - Season One 47. Squid Game 오징어 게임 - Season Three/Series Finale 48. The Copenhagen Test - Season One 49. It's Florida, Man - Season Two 50. Hostage - Miniseries 51. The Night Manager - Season Two 52. The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Miniseries (AU) 53. The 'Burbs - Season One 54. Watching You - Miniseries (AU) 55. His & Hers - Miniseries 56. English Teacher - Season Two/Series Finale 57. The Chair Company - Season One 58. ted Season Two/Series Finale 59. Peacemaker - Season Two/Series Finale 60. Animal Control - Seasons One - Three 61. Long Bright River - Miniseries 62. Only Murders in the Building - Season Five 63. The Imposter - Miniseries (AU) 64. Morning Wars - Season Four 65. Happiness - Season One (NZ) 66. The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox - Miniseries 67. Tulsa King - Season Three 68. Power Book IV: Force - Season Three/Series Finale 69. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - Season One 70. Sirens - Miniseries 71. The Nowhere Man - Season One 72. Murdaugh: Death in the Family - Miniseries 73. It – Welcome to Derry - Season One (Chapter One) 74. Agatha Christie's Seven Dials - Miniseries 75. Monster: The Ed Gein Story 76. Atomic - Miniseries 77. Red Eye - Season Two 78. The Rainmaker - Season One 79. Tell Me Lies - Season Three/Series Finale 80. School Spirits - Season Three 81. Talamasca: The Secret Order - Season One/Series Finale 82. Film Club - Miniseries 83. Wonder Man - Season One 84. Boots - Season One/Series Finale 85. Girl Taken - Miniseries 86. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - Season Three 87. Palm Royale - Season Two/Series Finale 88. The Lowdown - Season One 89. 56 Days - Season One 90. This City Is Ours - Season One 91. The Serial Killer's Wife - Miniseries
The Drama is selling out sessions over the Easter long weekend. If Project Hail Mary was already a box office supertstar, The Drama is the new romantic black comedy-drama film written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli that had sessions full this weekend at Broadway.
Starring Zendaya plus Twilight's Robert Pattinson, this has real star power ahead of the return of Euphoria and the second Pattinson Batman film.
The Drama has thus far received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. It is really nothing like the trailer suggests.
I went in with fairly medium expectations. However when it was revealed what Zendaya as Emma Harwood, the film took a turn.
I mean, best friend Alana Haim as Rachel (yes from the hit band, Haim) was shocked! With the wedding incoming, Pattinson as Charlie Thompson had serious questions about his upcoming marriage.
This film went to some dark places. It tackled issues the US does not often like to talk about.
I was fully immersed for the near two hour run time.
I was loving the drama, plus how the film dealt with a real hot button issue. I am not sure this will go over with some Americans, however it needs to be discussed. I'm not telling you what the worst thing Emma ever did. However, it's not what you expect it to be.
This felt original, well acted and stuck to a good run time. I was impressed. 4 Stars.
If you are looking for a film this Easter, go on, support your local cinema.
Bait is yet another Amazon binge for me whilst being on Easter leave. Gosh pre-Easter, the full moon, it was a lot!
This British limited 6-part television series created by + starring Riz Ahmed. Now Ahmed was in one of the best miniseries of all time on HBO (in my mind). The Night Of was incredible. HBO at its best. In it's 2016 prime!
Now on Prime, or Amazon, Ahmed is a struggling British Pakistani actor as he auditions for the role of James Bond amid public backlash and family relationships.
Bait had its world premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, being released for streaming late last month. Thus far, Bait ha received positive reviews from critics. What did I think? Check out a brief public holiday/long weekend take below the trailer.
An actor (Ahmed) in London suffers an existential crisis while auditioning for the role of James Bond. Alongside Ahmed, Guz Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Aasiya Shah, Ritu Arya, Weruche Opia & Sajid Hasan also star in the six episode limited series.
This is also a rare 20-30 minute series on Amazon. The last I loved was axed after one season. Dick Wolf's On Call.
I wanted to like this. Amazon has been on a roll. Deadloch was incredible. Cross was a fun ride. The Boys final season starts next week.
So I was a little sad to be disappointed by this.
I love Ahmed, I liked the meta concept, however I just didn't find it that funny.
That said, I may not be the target market. Either way, critics love it, so check it out now on Amazon. If you are keen for some long weekend streaming.
Public Holiday Fest Streaming 26' is the new TV series right up until the new financial year on July 1st.
Now I live in NSW. We have very limited public holidays. However, over the next three months we got:
Good Friday - Today
Easter Monday - Next week
Anzac Day make up day - Monday 27 April
Kings Birthday - Monday 8 June
So it doesn't seem like a lot but July - September, there are none. When I lived in British Columbia, Canada, we had like one a month! So April is exciting AF!
So this allowed me to catch up on some Amazon series (like back in Fiji). Cross (which concluded last month) was first up!
Based on the Alex Cross novel series written by James Patterson, starring Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, & Juanita Jennings.
The second season was released back in mid-February, airing episodes weekly. Unlike most Amazon series which of late however been a binge affair.
Last month, the series was renewed for a third season. Upon the second season renewal announcement, Jeanine Mason. Along with Wes Chatham, Matthew Lillard & Michelle C. Bonilla.
Amazon does these Jack Ryan, Reacher, male lead crime/action series well. Cross has a few more twists, with less action sequences. However its still damn fine TV.
Aldis Hodge is hot AF! He fits into every outfit like a glove. Then when he has his shirt off. LORDY!
Season one was a big hit on the service. This is the third incarnation of Alex Cross in films or on television. Season two expands on that and gets deeper than season one did.
Season two gets more in-depth on Cross (Hodge), Kayla Craig (Alona Tal), and John Sampson (Mustafa).
Each of the three main characters in season two have their own agendas and storylines that they’re involved in. As always, each season of the show is based on an original that was inspired by the book series.
This season is based on another original story. Pieced together with story elements from season one. This serialised season is broken up to focus on all of the main characters. Each of their stories are very effective in helping to develop their characters and move them forward.
The main story featuring Alex Cross is about a corrupt businessman named Lance Durand (Lillard), the CEO of Crestview Industries. He has a seed that can grow anywhere so he can help people in any country grow food to help starvation and low income families in poor areas of the world. The problem is that he’s using child labor to do his work in his factories around the country.
To get such a lofty lifestyle, he had to leave some collateral damage in his wake. Which in turn, caused some people to want to seek revenge for that collateral damage. It’s an investigation he’s working on with Kayla Craig from the FBI once again. This is a far-reaching investigation that goes to Chicago, the Texas/Mexico border, and Sunrise, Florida. It’s the kind of story that I’ve loved regarding this character.
Two supporting stories revolve around Tal’s character and Simpson’s characters. One deals with something from her path that has creeped up through the cracks and could threaten her career. The other is about a family member who has come back into his life after thought gone for years. The problem is this thought gone family member was arrested for murder and her relative has to investigate said murder to try to prove her innocent, but that doesn’t change their relationship at all. Which is very complicated at best.
The two subplots support the main story very well. They all intertwine together to give the show a well layered experience. Throw in a third with Hodges’ character and the series ups the antenna from season one.
If you like crime thrillers, Cross is 100% for you!
See you for another Amazon series Bait real soon. Bye for now and drive safe, stay safe, this glorious long weekend!
