New to View: March 14 – 20

A weekly guide to what’s new of note on air and online

Following the 8.00 return of The Casketeers, this telemovie dramatises how imprisoned Kiwi grandmother Sharon Armstrong (Rima Te Wiata) was duped into becoming a drug mule. “There was scepticism among some New Zealanders that Armstrong was oblivious to the plot, but The Tender Trap depicts just how easy it is to exploit someone who is lonely and vulnerable.” — Stuff.

➢ The Lost Pirate Kingdom Netflix

Documentary series that plunders the real lives of pirate legends like Blackbeard, Henry Jennings, Benjamin Hornigold, Henry Vane and Anne Bonny. “The Lost Pirate Kingdom uses a production technique called Hyper Dynamic Animation. This has allowed World Media Rights to re-create the pirate republic of Nassau as it was in 1715 with 4K back projection in front of live action.” — World Screen.

➢ Finding Joy Acorn TV

“Silly costumes are the closest thing we get to comic material on Finding Joy. Written and produced by Amy Huberman, who also plays the ditzy title character, this insufferably smug and witless ball of giddy fluff poses as a send-up of social media’s influencer culture — but, rather than satirising the nitwit conventions of a weird world, the show merely wallows in them.” — The Times.

Wednesday

➢ NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui  Maori TV, 8.30

The latest instalment of NZ Wars — Stories of Waitara won a NZ TV Award — uses dramatic reenactments, interviews, historical records, haka and digital storytelling to depict the 1863 invasion of the Waikato.

➢ Under Suspicion: Uncovering the Wesphael Case Netflix

This true-crime series follows the high-profile court case of Belgian politician Bernard Wesphael, who was accused of murdering his wife in 2013. “Wesphael’s case is one of the most intriguing to come out of Belgium in quite some time, and it has resulted in one of the most binge-worthy series to come out on Netflix this month. You don’t want to miss it.” — Looper.

➢ Mayans MC Neon

“Despite nearly a year and a half passing since we last caught up with EZ and Angel Reyes in the Mayans M.C. Season 2 finale, only a few months have passed for those in the FX series. During a February 2021 interview with EW, series executive producer and showrunner Elgin James revealed that the show will pick up just a few months following the attack on the Vatos Malditos, murder of Dita Galindo (Ada Maris), and head games played by Lincoln Potter (Ray McKinnon).” — CinemaBlend.

Thursday

➢ Press TVNZ OnDemand

“Press is a thoughtful take on the newsroom that strikes a balance between authenticity and high drama, with a venom-tongued Ben Chaplin spearheading a sterling ensemble.” — Rotten Tomatoes.

Friday

➢ The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Disney+

“Follows the heroic duo as they team up after Avengers: Endgame and grapple with a world in which Steve Rogers is no longer Captain America. The early consensus seems to be that the show is an action-packed drama that’s rather distinct from WandaVision and with some surprising emotional depth.” — The Hollywood Reporter.

➢ Sky Rojo Netflix

“If you’re a fan of Spanish crime drama Money Heist, chances are you’ll love this new series from the same team. Veronica Sanchez, Yany Prado and Lali Esposito play Coral, Gina and Wendy, prostitutes on the run from their pimp Romeo (Asier Etxeandia) … Along the way, the trio face numerous problems but learn some valuable lessons while strengthening their bond.” — Daily Mail.