What to Watch: Disclaimer, The Franchise, Ali Wong: Single Lady and Grand Designs: Australia

Disclaimer

Friday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

If you’ve read Renee Knight’s novel, you’ll know this psychological thriller will likely be every bit as twisty-turny as the book — to say much more would be to entirely spoil it for viewers.

So book readers, consider this your word of warning: steal yourselves, and keep schtum.

If you’re still gloriously in the dark, just sit back and enjoy the ride knowing you are in safe hands: the series stars Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline (complete with plummy English accent), is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron and boasts Sacha Baron Cohen and Kodi Smit-McPhee in supporting roles.

Say no more, right? Based on this alone, it’s surely worth a look.

But it’s the story that’s likely to have viewers hooked — it’s hard to predict where it all ends up, especially if you’re judging on the first, glacially slow, few episodes (stick with it).

Blanchett stars as acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft, whose reputation slowly unravels through the course of the series after she receives a novel from an unknown author — she reads it and is horrified to discover that it details all the dark secrets she thought she’d kept hidden for the past few decades.

Who has written the book, and why?

The story, which flips from flashback to present-day events, plays tricks with the audience as it lapses in and out of different perspectives — it says some interesting things about memory, recollection, grief and trauma, though to say much more would be to ruin things for those about to dip in.

If you’re a fan of keep-you-guessing television, you won’t want to miss this one.

The Franchise

Monday, streaming on Binge

Oscar-winner Sam Mendes! Emmy-winner Armando Iannucci! Succession’s Jon Brown! These are the three incredible creators behind this new comedy, all about the infighting that’s taking place behind the scenes on a big blockbuster franchise movie (think anything from the DCU or Marvel). If you loved Veep, The Thick Of It and Call My Agent, you will likely inhale this one. Can’t wait for you all to see how “the cinematic sausage” is made! This one’s going to be big.

Ali Wong: Single Lady

Tuesday, streaming on Netflix

This one’s for all of us who loved Ali Wong’s smash-hit comedy breakout, Baby Cobra — and have been obsessively consuming everything she’s done since! In this special, the Beef star “opens up about post-divorce life and the quest for love” — will her new bloke, Barry star Bill Hader rate a mention? Probably not, but I care not: I adore everything Wong does and I can’t wait to chortle along to this one.

Question Everything

Wednesday, 8.30pm, ABC

Jan Fran, Wil Anderson and a heap of panellists are back with another season of satirical news p-taking. Their aim? We’re quoting here — “to put a stick in the spokes of the broken news cycle” — and honestly, journos: duck for cover. Each episode they’re taking a look at the news and the way it’s being told, and by whom, uncovering the “tricks and tropes” of media organisations — think Gruen, but with stories instead of ads. This take-no-prisoners show is sure to ruffle some feathers.

Grand Designs: Australia

Thursday, 8pm, ABC

While we’re partial to a bit of Grand Designs UK, we’re excited for the return of the local version too, this time headed to the ABC, and with professor of architecture (and all round nice bloke) Anthony Burke at the helm. The first episode sees him teaming with the show’s OG, Kevin McCloud, for a road trip around the east coast, sticky-beaking at some truly glorious properties — it’s a bit of fun, but not why we’re here. Thankfully, it’s back to the format as Burke follows a build each week in subsequent eps.