Gef Box: A Divisive Book Adaptation and a Western Space Drama

Looking to get wrapped up in a sci-fi fantasy series? Or maybe you’re more into book adaptations? My recommendations will suit all tastes. 

Blue Lights

In a world of cop drama after cop drama, prepare yourself for another.

With viewers already making links to the lauded Happy Valley, this new Belfast-based series is making its mark in the police drama genre. Rookie recruits in the Northern Ireland Police Services have two months of probation left and, judging by the first episode, it won’t be easy.

Siân Brooke stars as Grace, a mother who chooses to change her career in her 40s. She works alongside fellow green recruits Tommy and Annie as they struggle to leave it all at the police station at the end of each day. Its setting alone makes for compelling storytelling and the characters each have their own well drawn out backstory, which make for can’t-switch-off TV.

Tune into BBC One every Monday at 9pm. Catch up on iPlayer. 

Great Expectations

A new Dickens adaptation from BAFTA award-winning Steven Knight, this stars well-known names like Olivia Colman, Fionn Whitehead and Matt Berry.

Great Expectations follows Pip, an orphan who wishes for more in life, until the darkly eccentric Miss Havisham shows him a new world of possibilities. A large part of this story represents a critique of the class system, making it very much a layered experience.

It’s a coming-of-age story that has caused quite the stir amongst viewers already. Most recently, it was slammed by Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley, who criticised it for its added risque scenes. This isn’t the first adaptation, coming 18th in a long line of previous works, but this is by far the darkest. Filled with violence, sex and swearing, it may not be to everyone’s tastes, with some labelling it ‘creative’ and many disagreeing with the route the series takes.

It’s airing Sundays at 9pm on BBC One and the full series is available on iPlayer. 

Binge-worthy box sets

Firefly

Nathan Fillion on a spaceship in a series filmed like a Western. Need I say more? 

Set 500 years in the future, the renegade crew of a small transport spaceship make a living by taking on any job that puts food on the table. The group, some of whom fought on the losing side of a civil war, are all from very different backgrounds but live together on the fringes of space and society.

It poses the idea that humankind will still face the same problems as we do today, whether that be in politics, morality or ethics. This is one of the biggest reasons a sci-fi can somehow be so relatable to its audience. The other reason is its characters.

The writing and casting of Firefly is immaculate. Nathan Fillion couldn’t have been a more perfect choice for the equally loyal and antagonistic lead. Other cast members include Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Ron Glass and Summer Glau. The found family aspect of their relationships with each other is what proves to be a driving point for the series.

Unfortunately, its journey was cut short when it was cancelled after one season – something fans are still protesting today. On a more positive note, it was given the chance to wrap up its loose ends in a film, released in 2005. Although I’ll warn you now, get your tissues ready.

It came out in 2002, so provided you forgive some of the CGI, you’re in for a real treat.

Jump in anywhere

The Movies That Made Us

This American-made documentary series analyses popular films from the 1980s and 1990s and tells the stories behind them.

Hear some of the never-before-told stories behind some of the most memorable and biggest movies, such as Aliens, Elf and Jurassic Park. My personal favourite episode looks at Back to the Future, in which the show takes a deep dive into the nightmare of casting issues, leading all the way into actual filming.

Before the beloved Michael J. Fox stepped into the role of Marty McFly, actor Eric Stoltz tried it on for size. In fact, he began the movie’s production before being replaced when creators decided to go another route with the character.

Another episode, which focuses on Dirty Dancing, illustrates how difficult it was to get the film made in the first place, with a total of 43 production companies turning it down before Vestron, a small studio, agreed to make the movie.

All three seasons are on Netflix.