New to TVNZ+: November 11-17

Orphan Black: Echoes (November 16) is a sequel to the 2013-17 Canadian sci-fi cloning series that bills itself as taking “a deep dive into the exploration of the scientific manipulation of human existence”.

It follows a group of women in the near future as they weave their way into each other’s lives and unravel the mystery of their identity.

Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones), Keeley Hawes (Crossfire), Amanda Fix and Avan Jogia star in another AMC+ series that’s wound up on TVNZ+ in this market because of the US-based streamer’s financial woes (although this week it reported a 4% rebound in streaming subs).

Co-creator John Fawcett told Radio Times: “The spin-off is a very different show. If you go with the expectation that you’re going to see Orphan Black, you’re going to probably be disappointed. It’s got its own feel, it’s got its own identity.

“What makes it Orphan Black, there’s a bit of a slow burn to it. I think it’ll be exciting for fans to discover.”

House of Maxwell (November 11) charts the extraordinary saga of a family mired in decades of controversy and criminality.

“This confidently told documentary on Robert and Ghislaine Maxwell’s relationship feels like HBO drama Succession at times – but far, far grislier,” said The Guardian.

The Sydney Morning Herald dubbed it “Succession on steroids” while The Times observed: “Ghislaine Maxwell’s reputation is in shreds, but as House of Maxwell (BBC2) showed, there’s scope for a bit more shredding.”

Also new are:

• Our Guy in Colombia (November 14), which lets Guy Martin loose in one of the most beautiful, bio-diverse and violent countries on the planet (“hugely entertaining” — The Guardian);
• Alone UK (November 13), in which 11 contestants are dropped into the remote Northern Canadian wilderness;
• Being Human S1-5 (November 11), a 2011-2014 series about vampires and werewolves living in a haunted house;
• Deadly Class (November 16), a 2019 Syfy series about a school for assassins (“despite well executed action and smart casting, Deadly Class struggles to meet the dark set by other spooky teen shows” — Rotten Tomatoes);
• Queer Academy (November 14), a guide to LGBTTQIA+ communities and culture.