Australian streaming services are delivering a powerhouse lineup of new and returning series this week, headlined by the long-awaited return of a slick espionage thriller and a high-stakes follow-up to a hit suspense drama.
The Night Manager Makes a Triumphant Return
A decade after its acclaimed first season, The Night Manager is back for a second instalment, streaming on Prime Video from Sunday. The series propelled its star, Tom Hiddleston, into the spotlight as a top contender for James Bond, and now he reprises his role as the ex-military hotelier turned operative, Jonathan Pine.
With the original Bond era concluded, the show fills a void for sophisticated spy action. This new chapter finds Pine in a low-key surveillance role when a familiar face from his past draws him into a dangerous new conspiracy. He crosses paths with a formidable new villain claiming to be the true disciple of arms dealer Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie) and a woman with ambiguous motives.
The globetrotting plot moves from London to Spain and the jungles of Colombia, uncovering secrets linked to Pine's history. Original cast members Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman, and Alistair Petrie return in smaller roles, joined by newcomers including Diego Calva and Camila Morrone. Fans won't have to wait another ten years, as a third season has already been commissioned.
Star-Studded Mysteries and Tense Thrillers
This week also brings fresh adaptations and suspenseful returns. On Thursday, Netflix adds to its collection of Agatha Christie mysteries with Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials. This three-part miniseries, featuring an ensemble cast including Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham-Carter, and Martin Freeman, revolves around a suspicious death at a classic English country manor.
Also on Thursday, Apple TV+ debuts the second season of Hijack. Recently knighted Sir Idris Elba returns as negotiator Sam Nelson. Two and a half years after the plane hijacking, he finds himself at the centre of another crisis, this time within the confined, labyrinthine tunnels of the Berlin U-Bahn metro system, where appearances are dangerously deceptive.
For thriller movie fans, Netflix releases The Rip on Friday, January 16. The film capitalises on the enduring appeal of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as an on-screen duo, casting them as two cops who discover a massive $24 million stash during a bust. The windfall quickly sows distrust, challenging their partnership and judgement.
More Bingeworthy Content to Stream Now
Already available on Netflix is the new series His & Hers, a crime drama with a personal twist. When a woman is murdered near Atlanta, the investigation brings together detective Jack (Jon Bernthal) and ruthless TV reporter Anna (Tessa Thompson), who share a complicated history as estranged spouses. The first episode concludes with a major twist that sets the tone for the series.
This week's offerings provide a rich selection for Australian audiences, from high-octane espionage and claustrophobic suspense to classic whodunits and gritty crime dramas, all available at the click of a button.
