New to TVNZ+: May 23-29

The foreign language drama renaissance continues on TVNZ+, with acclaimed Italian crime series Petra and French thriller Revival (aka Renaissance) streaming from May 23.

Reads one description of Revival:

Thanks to a heart transplant, Florence (Claire Keim) can resume her life alongside her husband Vincent (Pierre-François Laval) and their adopted daughter, Zoé. But plagued by terrible nightmares, she wants to know more about her donor. She discovers that it was Ana, a young Belgian woman who was also adopted and died in a car accident. A tragedy with murky circumstances that prompted Simon, Ana’s father, to conduct his own investigation. Disturbed, Florence joins him in his quest for the truth, unaware that it will threaten her marriage and her own daughter. A six-episode series that quickly draws the viewer in, even if some of the plot devices are a bit worn.

Petra (seasons 1-3) is named after an Italian detective who solves crimes with the help of her partner in 90-minute instalments. According to one source:

In terms of suspense, Petra Delicato and Antonio Monte’s investigations could be more compelling. This is partly because the creators seem more interested in character depth and strong character development. The crimes that lure the former lawyer from the police archives are certainly bizarre, and the story develops its own pace and charm, even when it occasionally leans more towards drama than crime-solving.

Appropriation Nation (May 26) explores how aspects of Māori culture, including language and traditional designs, are exploited for profit.

Comedians Kura Forrester and Tom Sainsbury join activists Tina Ngata and Tāme Iti, director Chelsea Winstanley and broadcaster Stacey Morrison in a series that boldly bills itself as a “funny and insightful new series [that] … offers an unforgettable exploration of Māori culture, humour, and society”.

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke (May 24) is a true-crime docuseries about a YouTuber who shares her wholesome, happy family life with millions of subscribers — only to be arrested for child abuse.

“The case has already been international news, tabloid fodder and discourse grist, but unlike a lot of buzzy streaming documentaries, Devil is not a sloppy rehash,” the New York Times said. “Instead, it is pointed and insightful.”

Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World (May 29) is a four-part docuseries about what happened behind-the-scenes when music’s superstars united the world to fight famine with Live Aid in 1985.

When the CNN and BBC co-pro first screened on Sky Arts late last year, Stuff described its reflections as “insightful, revelatory and hilarious”.

Also new are every episode of The Unicorn (May 27), the Walton (White Lotus) Goggins sitcom about the widowed father of two daughters who learns to date again, and these TVNZ linear debuts.

Live sport includes ANZ Premiership Netball (May 23-24) and the historic OFC Pro League Final at Auckland’s Eden Park (2,45, May 24).