With a welcome stretch of rest, perhaps a long weekend for some, it’s worth planning the agenda for downtime: a cruise itinerary and maybe a series binge. Short seasons, miniseries, and limited runs dominate current production, giving a wealth of options. To help you decide, here are five fresh picks that respect your free time and kick off with real innovation.
2. The Walk-in (Movie, five 45‑minute episodes; available starting Tuesday the 5th)
Stephen Graham brings his trademark reliability to this compelling British miniseries. Known for acclaimed TV roles ranging from crime dramas to intense character studies, he portrays a real‑life figure who sits at the crossroads of extremism and reform. The series follows a former neo‑Nazi who, after years in Australia, becomes an activist against the far right. Hope rather than hatred takes center stage as the story reveals how a mole infiltrated a violent movement and helped avert a planned atrocity. The script, crafted by the Oscar‑nominated Jeff Pope, gives shape to a tense narrative of transformation and accountability.
3. Criminals (Disney+, eight one‑hour episodes)
This globe‑trotting thriller ventures beyond its origin to capture a prismatic heist world. Filmed across Canada and a fictional province near Barcelona, with stops in France and Italy, it places a masterful spin on the crime genre. Director J Blakeson threads a careful balance between suspense and human drama as, three years after a major coup, a gang faces a deadly challenge from a killer who begins pruning their ranks. The ensemble cast anchors the tension, while the new feel of a shared living space in Washington complicates loyalties, making the stakes feel personal and immediate.
4. Scott Pilgrim Makes a Splash (Netflix, eight half‑hour episodes)
A surge of animated television has arrived, and this project stands out for its ambition. Building on a beloved comic saga, it offers a fresh, world‑spanning take that blends humor, action, and nostalgia. Canadian writers helped shape the storytelling, with animation by a renowned studio known for translating graphic novels to screens. The eight chapters unfold with bold visual invention and a heartfelt homage to pop culture from the 1990s and early 2000s. It’s a vivid celebration of friendship, music, and self‑discovery rendered in vibrant color and kinetic pace.
5. Cooking with Chemistry (Apple TV+, eight 45‑minute episodes)
Despite some talk about prestige fatigue, there’s still room for thoughtful, challenging television. This adaptation of a beloved novel brings food science and feminist thought to the foreground, led by a compelling cast and a showrunner with a clear eye for dramatic texture. The latest Apple TV+ slate demonstrates a commitment to ambitious storytelling that invites adults to think deeply while being entertained. The production values are high, and the narrative threads weave science, cuisine, and character growth into a cohesive, memorable arc.
6. Blue Lights (Movistar Plus+, six one‑hour episodes)
This compact quartet of detective drama arrives with a human focus. Set around a Belfast police station, it follows three rookie officers navigating the demanding realities of policing. Grace, a single mother, balances work and family; Annie is lively yet principled; and Tommy brings a quiet intensity to the team. The cast delivers nuanced performances that avoid one‑note villains, instead presenting a layered world where personal history and community tensions affect every decision. The series uses its shorter format to tighten tension and sharpen character detail, offering a grounded, emotionally resonant look at contemporary policing.
Citation: These selections reflect current streaming offerings and storytelling trends across North American and European markets. (Citation: Production notes and network announcements for the respective programs.)