We have spy thrillers, adaptations and go behind the scenes at couples therapy. We travel to 16th century Spain, up to Finland and Norway, and uncover what really happened at Roswell, as well as laugh along with the ‘B99’ crew, back for season 7. And we screen the final season of ‘Homeland’.
The Little Drummer Girl
Based on John le Carré’s bestseller of the same name, and directed by visionary filmmaker Park Chan-Wook (The Handmaiden), this pulsating series weaves a suspenseful and explosive story of espionage and high-stakes international intrigue. Set in the late 1970s, we follow Charlie (Florence Pugh, Little Women), a fiery would-be actress and idealist whose resolve is tested after she meets the mysterious Becker (Alexander Skarsgård) while on holiday on Greece. It quickly becomes apparent his intentions are not what they seem, and their encounter entangles her in a complex plot devised by spy mastermind, Kurtz (Michael Shannon, Knives Out). Stand-out performances by the accomplished cast make for thrilling viewing.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
As the, season 7 sees demoted Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) back on the streets and driving Detective Peralta (Andy Samberg) and the whole team round the bend. As always, we can expect shenanigans a go-go from our favourite cops in creator Michael Schur’s beloved comedy.
Season 7 of Brooklyn Nine-Nine premieres on SBS at 8.30pm on Friday 7 February. Episodes drop weekly, delivered straight from the US, and stream immediately after broadcast.
Episodes of season 6 are currently available (for a limited time)
The Plague
Seville, Spain, 16th century. The plague is raging through the city all while the New World’s riches are pouring in. Against this backdrop, in season 1, series lead, Mateo (Pablo Molinero) was forced to enter the beleaguered city to rescue Valerio (Sergio Castellanos) to clear his debts, and managed to save himself from being burned at the stake under order of the Inquisition.
Season 2 opens on Mateo’s new life in the New World, but he soon returns to Seville to help quash a death threat to Valerio from the Garduñas. Back in town, Mateo is also caught up in helping Teresa (Patricia López Arnaiz), who fans will remember from season 1, escape the mob family’s clutches. New memorable characters centred around the Garduñas keep this series as compelling as ever, and the brilliant production heightens our immersion in the period.
Season 2 of The Plage premieres at SBS On Demand on Thursday 13 February.
Exit
Based on true stories from the exclusive world of Oslo’s high finance, this Norwegian drama follows four friends who seem to have it all, except a way out. The men share a distinct narcissistic drive as well as a party pad, unbeknownst to their partners and families. There, they escape the boredom of their lives with hedonism and reckless partying.
From successful writer/director Øysten Karlsen (Dag, One Night), the series also boasts a top-class cast, many of whom will be familiar to SBS viewers, including Simon J. Berger (Conspiracy of Silence), Pål Sverre Hagen (Valkyrien), Tobias Santelmann (The Last Kingdom), Jon Øigarden (Mammon), Ine Marie Wilmann ( now at SBS On Demand) and Agnes Kittelsen (Happy, Happy).
Homeland
The end of season 7 saw Carrie (the magnificent Claire Danes) captured by Russian national, Yevgeny Gromov. Upon her release 7 months later as part of a prisoner exchange, Carrie’s barely lucid, her medication having been withheld. She seems not even to recognise Saul, her mentor (the magnetic Mandy Patinkin).
In this final season of the gripping drama, Carrie returns to Kabul, but since she’s last been, it’s become a very different, much more dangerous place. But she’s up for it, desperate for a ‘shot at some payback’.
The eighth and final season of Homeland premieres weekly on SBS Viceland Mondays. Season 7 is also available to stream
Couples Therapy
This documentary series from the US follows four couples in their weekly therapy sessions. Guided by world-class therapist, Dr Orna Guralnik, the couples move through struggles, confrontations and breakthroughs. This insightful series unlocks the hidden world of other people’s relationships.
Season 1 of Couples Therapy airs weekly from Thursday 13 February on SBS Viceland. The full season is also available to stream .
Dublin Murders
Creator Sarah Phelps has based this crime series on Tana French’s novels, In The Woods and The Likeness. Detectives Rob Reilly (Killian Scott) and Cassie Maddox (Sarah Greene) investigate the murder of a young girl, found in dense woodland on the outskirts of Dublin. Reilly’s past connects him strongly to the case, and as he’s drawn to investigate another missing child, he’s plunged further into his own past than he’s ever wanted to go. The tension ramps up as secrets he’s worked desperately hard to keep hidden edge ever closer to being revealed. The dynamic between Reilly and Maddox is a major drawcard.
Season 1 of Dublin Murders airs weekly on SBS and SBS On Demand from Wednesday 19 February.
Project Blue Book
Dr J. Allen Hynek (Aidan Gillen, Game of Thrones) and Captain Michael Quinn (Michael Malarkey, The Vampire Diaries) are back, this time, uncovering the truth behind what really goes on at Area 51 in Roswell, New Mexico. While the official word to the people is that nothing is amiss, Hynek and Malarkey know better, and face threats not only to themselves but to their loved ones in their determination to reveal the truth. Being based on declassified materials from the FBI imbues this series with an extra creepy gravitas.
Season 2 of Project Blue Book airs weekly on SBS from Wednesday 19 February. Season 1 is also available to stream in full.
Shadow Lines
Cold War, 1950s. The hottest spot would’ve been Washington or Moscow, right? How about Helsinki? It’s over Finland, wedged as it is between East and West, that the KGB and CIA are vying for control. Fresh from her student days in the US, Helena (Emmi Parviainen), on her return home, is promptly recruited by her godfather to join a top-secret taskforce to prevent the two global powerhouses from meddling in the presidential election and keep the country independent. But as Helena discovers the truth about her past, her personal and professional lives collide. With long-held secrets and political agendas coming to a head, the Finns must overcome lies and distrust if they have any chance of succeeding.
Co-writers mother and daughter duo Kirsti and Katri Manninen bring us this fascinating look inside Finland’s recent past.
Season 1 of Shadow Lines premieres at SBS On Demand on Thursday 20 February.
The A Word
A is for autism in this drama series from the UK, at its heart, young Joe Hughes, played with aplomb by Max Vento. When Joe is diagnosed, his parents, Alison and Paul (Morven Christie and Lee Ingleby) are flooded with worries. As with most families, none of them knows how to talk about it or express their many feelings adequately, causing friction and adding to their stress. This smart contemporary drama is filled with ideas about parenthood, disability, community and communicating. It’s also audacious and funny, raw and loving.
Seasons 1 and 2 of The A Word premiere at SBS On Demand on Friday 28 February.
More from The Guide
Comedy director Anna Dokoza on calling the shots on ‘Shrill’
