Athens: Birth of Democracy (CBC Gem)
Host Anthony Morgan travels to the birthplace of democracy, Greece, on The Nature of Things.CBC/Merit Motion Pictures
We take democracy, with its ideals of equality and human rights, for granted today. After all, the ideology has existed for more than 2,500 years. But in order to properly appreciate the idea, it’s important to revisit the past, which is exactly what this episode of The Nature of Things does.
Opinion: Love is one of democracy’s most powerful resources
Follow along as host Anthony Morgan travels to the birthplace of democracy, Greece, to investigate how and why the concept was created. Through archeological findings and key interviews, the episode explores how democracy has changed throughout the years, the impact it had on society and what modern social constructs can learn from the past.
Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole (Netflix)
Tobias Santelmann is titular the Harry Hole in the Netflix series based on Jo Nesbo's crime thrillers.Francisco Munoz/Netflix
Cat-and-mouse serial killer detective dramas are a helpful distraction from the real world, especially when you’ve got a cast that includes Tobias Santelmann and Joel Kinnaman. This series adaptation is based on the popular Norwegian crime novels, which were once made into a 2017 film, The Snowman.
Harry Hole author Jo Nesbo finds pride, worry in being a bestselling writer
Santelmann plays the titular, troubled detective Harry Hole, a brilliantly flawed man who will do whatever he must in order to bring in a cunning bad guy, Tom Waaler (Kinnaman), who also happens to be his colleague. Beware that the nine-episode offering can be slightly graphic at times and drags during some scenes, but overall the chemistry between the leads makes it a compelling enough binge during a gloomy weekend.
Daredevil: Born Again (Disney+)
Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones and Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil star in the second season of this Marvel Cinematic Universe show.JoJo Whilden/Supplied
The MCU is alive and well over at the Mouse House, with the second season of this unlikely superhero series back to connect the franchise dots. Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) reprises the leading role in what is expected to be a much more even season with a unified vision, following behind-the-scenes showrunner and creative changes over the course of Season 1.
This season is all about characters fighting their inner demons when a new serial killer (Hunter Doohan) hits the scene, leading to big reveals, twisty turns and signature Marvel fight sequences. New episodes drop every week while production on the previously ordered third season continues. And yes, for those keeping track, that Season 3 order makes Daredevil the MCU’s longest-running TV series.
For All Mankind (Apple TV)
Sean Kaufman is a new addition to the For All Mankind cast.Apple TV/Supplied
A few short decades ago, the space race was real and aspiring galaxy travellers had plenty of opportunities to dream about. This series, which launches its fifth season this weekend, imagines a world where that race never ended.
Although it can be slightly soapy at times, For All Mankind remains one of Apple’s most underrated series, going back in time to offer ripple-effect drama over generations. This season, the action takes place in 2012, where the creators are planning to bring the story into the current day with a multiple-episode arc. Also new are the additions of cast members Mireille Enos (reuniting her with The Killing co-star Kinnaman), Costa Ronin and Sean Kaufman.
The Wrong Mans (BritBox)
James Corden and Mathew Baynton star in The Wrong Mans, a classic story of mistaken identity combined with comedy.Des Willie/Supplied
Before James Corden became one of North America’s most overexposed personalities, he delighted audiences with his sense of humour in this comedic crime thriller alongside Mathew Baynton. The pair co-created the BAFTA-nominated series and starred in all 10 episodes over two seasons, which are available this weekend for the first time on BritBox.
It’s a classic story of mistaken identity with plenty of situational humour and character quips to keep things light. That can be a hard balance when you’re dealing with topics such as murder and international conspiracy, but Corden and Baynton do it with charisma and aplomb.