What’s on: What to watch, stream, read and listen to April 2021

 

Monday, April 26 

The Oscars, 9.30pm, RTÉ 2 

Sure, we’ve seen all the best red carpet snaps already, but to fully experience the Hollywood glamour of the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony, you can tune into RTE 2 tonight. Moments to look out for include Yuh-Jung Youn, who took the opportunity in her acceptance speech for best supporting actress in Minari to say hi to Brad Pitt, and Daniel Kaluuya using his speech to embarrass his mother. 

Tuesday, April 27 

Cosc, 7pm, RTÉ 1

This series explores the stories of books, songs and films that were banned in Ireland, and the latest episode dives into Seven Drunken Nights, the 1967 single from the Dubliners. Although it reached number seven in the UK charts, it was deemed offensive, and wasn’t allowed to be played on RTÉ radio, which ironically gave it a major publicity boost. 

Wednesday, April 28 

Headspace Guide to Sleep, Netflix 

Director of Meditation at Headspace, in this new series Evelyn Lewis Prieto dives into the complex world of sleep, unpacking myths that surround it and giving us tools to help us drift off more easily. 

Thursday, April 29 

Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor

The Costa-award winning, three-times Booker-longlisted author Jon McGregor’s new novel tells the story of an Antarctic research expedition gone wrong, and the way one disaster has far-reaching consequences for the families of those involved. 

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Monday, April 19

Steelers, Amazon Prime

Just dropped on Amazon Prime comes this documentary about an all-gay rugby club in London is the uplifting start to your week you need. Premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival, it follows a rugby season of the Kings Cross Steelers, but more than that it reframes the often oppositional dialogue around sports and LGBTQI+ stories. Meeting the community of players and coaches, it’ll leave your heart full.

Tuesday, April 20

Desert Island Discs with Helen McCrory

This episode was released in July 2020, but in light of the sad passing of Helen McCrory last week, it’s worth revisiting her Dest Island Discs episode. Through her selection of songs she talks about her childhood antics, her Hollywood run-ins, a career on stage and, perhaps most poignantly, how much she loves dancing with her husband, Damian Lewis. A bitter-sweet listen, find it here. 

Wednesday, April 21

The Sinner, 10.35pm, TG4

Season 3 of The Sinner returns this week, and if anyone was wondering whether it would continue without its season-one star, Jessica Biel, the show is positively thriving. Taking a case a season and following police detective Harry Ambrose, for this season he heads to Upstate New York to look into a fatal car crash, only to uncover so much more. The first episode is on tonight at 10.35pm on TG4.

Thursday, April 22

The Stowaway, Netflix

This week’s Netflix Original drop is a sci-fi thriller featuring Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson and Toni Collette. Three crew in a spaceship headed to Mars discover an engineer hidden onboard after benign knocked out while completing last-minute modifications. With only enough oxygen and food for three and unable to return home, they must try and find a way to survive.

Friday, April 23

Shadow and Bone, Season 1, Netflix

Based on Leigh Bardugo’s best-selling Grishaverse fantasy novels, Shadow and Bone is a new Netflix series set in an alternate universe that’s already been widely praised by critics. Orphan Alina Starkov discovers her ancient Grisha talent to summon an element, in her case, light. This may be the answer to reviving her barren homeland but her skill also makes her a target and a useful weapon for the King. Mal, a talented tracker, is sent to find her and bring her back. 

Saturday, April 24

The Hard Crowd by Rachel Kushner

You might have read one of Rachel Kushner’s novels, such as The Flamethrowers and The Mars Room. This is her first venture into non-fiction, and the 19 essays of The Hard Crowd are equally as thought-provoking. Following her through tough break-ups and wild motorbike races through Mexico, Kushner explores ideas of friendship, love, imprisonment and the American dream. Out now. 

Sunday, April 25

Baby Done, Sky Cinema

We’ve all watched in awe at the glow-up of actor Matthew Lewis, to the point that “Neville Longbottom” became a verb. Now he starts as the romantic male lead alongside Rose Matafeo? in this hilarious and sweet comedy from Taika Waititi of Hunt for the WIlderpeople fame. Discovering that she is pregnant and feeling completely unprepared for adulthood never mind motherhood, she attempts to live out all her most adventurous fantasies before the baby arrives, much to the chagrin of her long-term boyfriend, Tim.

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Monday, April 12

Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World, BBC One, 9pm

This three-part series follows climate activist Greta Thunberg on her 2019 sustainable trip around the world to connect with world leaders and climate activists about the necessary changes needed to stop global heating.

Tuesday, April 13

All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star, BBC Two, 8pm

Join comedian Katherine Ryan in this six-part series to find Britain’s next jewellery star as eight jewellers are judged by industry leaders in a glittering Bake Off style competition.

Thursday, April 15

https://youtu.be/m-ZEcV_jxzs

Frank of Ireland, Channel 4, 10pm

Brothers Brian and Domnhall Gleeson team up for this new, hilarious comedy series, executive produced by Sharon Horgan, about Frank (played by Brian), an idle musician trying for a new lease on life.

Friday, April 16

https://youtu.be/xad_lrlTzw8

Leonardo, Amazon Prime 

Poldark’s Aidan Turner takes the lead in this eight-part dramatized series on Italian master Leonardo da Vinci.

Photography by Netflix.