In the Name of Love - Entertaining New Comedy-Drama Series

By Jon Donnis

Secrets, scandals, and family ties collide in In the Name of Love, a bold new comedy-drama heading to the UK this September. The exclusive premiere launches Monday 8 September with the first two episodes, followed by two fresh instalments each week.

Set against the backdrop of Norway's straight-laced 1970s, the story uncovers a family whose unconventional livelihood was rooted in the adult film industry. Decades later, the children are grown, the parents have separated, but the past refuses to stay buried. When Balder and his wife host their daughter's baptism, the entire family gathers. Almost. Balder's estranged father turns up uninvited, sparking old tensions and bringing hidden truths to light.

Based on the untold true story of director Bård Breien, the series explores morality, rebellion, and the messy clash between freedom and decency. With Maria Bonnevie, Trond Espen Seim, Jakob Oftebro, Jonas Oftebro, and Ingrid Gaever leading the cast, this eight-part Viaplay Original promises sharp humour, heartfelt drama, and plenty of surprises.

On Viaplay, from 8 September. Norwegian with English subtitles.

Sky Arts Launches 24-Hour Heroes to Celebrate Unsung Arts Workers

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky Arts has announced the launch of 24-Hour Heroes, a new portrait series highlighting the people who keep the UK's arts world running around the clock. The initiative comes ahead of the Sky Arts Awards at The Roundhouse, London, on 16th September.

The series celebrates 24 unsung arts workers, from stage managers unlocking doors at dawn to cleaners and book editors working late into the night. It showcases the wide variety of roles that sustain creativity across the country.

On launch day, 27th August, Sky Arts will reveal the portraits on Instagram. Photographs have been taken by photographers across the UK, including Ricky Darko, Julie Broadfoot and Simon Murrell. The full collection will then be displayed at The Roundhouse during the Awards.

Those featured include stage managers, bar staff, cleaners, archive curators, book award judges, literary agents, directors, costume designers, wig makers, photographers and even Jelly Bean, a Jack Russell and Pomeranian mix who works as a canine wellbeing officer at the National Theatre of Scotland.

The participants come from a range of organisations across the UK, such as Soho Theatre, National Theatre Scotland, Youth Music, Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, Scottish Opera, Art UK, London Film School, Leeds City Council, Royal Theatre in London and Billy & Andy's Music School in Manchester.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: "Too often, attention goes only to those on stage or in front of the camera, but the truth is the arts are powered 24/7 by an army of extraordinary people working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the UK arts world thriving. We want to champion the unsung Arts Heroes with the Arts Hero Award, the riggers, engineers, drivers, mentors and many more, and remind the public that the arts really are for everyone."

Patrick Ahaotu, cleaner and assistant building supervisor at National Theatre Scotland, said: "As one of the first points of contact with NTS, my job has given me the opportunity to work alongside people from all walks of life, talent, skills and backgrounds, which has helped in building my confidence and improving my communication skills."

Eliyah Reihana, receptionist and admin assistant at London Film School, added: "For me, the arts are about the people I meet every day, the friendships, the stories and the shared passion for creativity."

The 24-Hour Heroes series also marks the opening of nominations for the Arts Hero Award as part of the Sky Arts Awards. Members of the public and arts organisations can nominate their own Arts Heroes by 4th September at Sky Arts Awards website https://skyartsawards.sky/arts-hero-award.html

The Sky Arts Awards take place on 16th September at The Roundhouse, London, and celebrate the best of British and Irish culture across comedy, dance, film and literature, as well as opera, visual art and theatre, recognising both the talent in the spotlight and the essential work behind the scenes.

Netflix to Stream 2026 World Baseball Classic Live in Japan

Image: Netflix Press

By Jon Donnis

Netflix will become the new home of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan, marking the first time the platform will deliver live coverage of the tournament to Japanese audiences. The announcement comes through an exclusive media rights partnership with World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI), the organisation jointly operated by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association.

All 47 games of the 2026 tournament will be available to stream live and on-demand across Japan. Fans will be able to watch on any device, from smart TVs to mobile phones, as part of their existing Netflix subscription, offering unparalleled access to one of baseball's most prestigious international competitions.

The tournament will feature elite teams from around the globe, with Team Japan aiming to defend its 2023 championship title. The 2026 edition will take place across four locations: Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida, beginning on 5 and 6 March 2026.

Noah Garden, MLB Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, said the partnership reflects the growing popularity of the tournament and WBCI's commitment to reaching fans through innovative digital platforms. "By joining forces with a leader in entertainment, we are not only honouring the tradition of baseball, but also embracing the future," he said.

Kaata Sakamoto, Vice President of Content at Netflix Japan, added: "We are committed to ensuring all fans, whether lifelong supporters or new to the game, can experience the tournament in a way that fits their lives today. We are excited to deliver a new kind of viewing experience that brings fans even closer to the action, the players, and the heart of the tournament, wherever they are."

The World Baseball Classic has previously seen Netflix collaborate with Major League Baseball on globally-distributed documentaries, including The Turnaround (2024), The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox (2024) and The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox (2025).

Further details, including programming schedules and exclusive content, will be announced in the coming months. Fans in Japan will now have a front-row seat to world-class competition, seeing top international players compete for national pride in the sport's official National Team World Championship, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 on the BBC. How to watch and who’s bringing it to you

By Jon Donnis

The Women's Summer of Sport rolls on and the spotlight now swings to England, where the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 takes centre stage. It is the latest stop in BBC Sport's packed calendar of women's sport, a summer where new stars will rise and reputations will be made.

Every match of the tournament will be live on the BBC, with full coverage across TV, radio, online and the BBC Sport app. From the opening kick-off right through to the final whistle, fans can follow every twist and turn, whether they are watching at home, on the move, or catching up later on iPlayer. The big group stage fixtures featuring England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will all be shown live on TV, and every knockout clash is covered too.

Fronting the action is Gabby Logan alongside Ugo Monye, guiding viewers through the tournament's biggest moments. In the commentary box, Sara Orchard, Andrew Cotter and Claire Thomas bring the matches to life, while Sonja McLaughlan, Sarra Elgan and Elma Smit will be pitch-side, capturing the stories unfolding at ground level.

The punditry team is stacked with rugby pedigree. World Cup winners Maggie Alphonsi and Katy Daley-McLean, former England head coach Simon Middleton and co-commentary great Brian Moore are set to provide sharp insight and unique perspective. Coverage of the home nations will be boosted by voices who know those campaigns inside out: Siwan Lillicrap and Philippa Tuttiett for Wales, Deborah McCormack and Heather Lockhart for Scotland, and Sene Naoupu and Anna Caplice following Ireland's journey.

Adding another layer of energy, former England 7s star and Gladiators favourite Jodie Ounsley will be on the ground at selected games. She will be soaking up the atmosphere in the stands, chatting to fans and bringing supporters even closer to England's campaign.

With world-class talent both on the pitch and in the studio, and with BBC Sport delivering every angle of the competition, the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 is set to be unmissable.

Brassic’s Last Ride: Why I’m Counting Down to Series 7

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

The trailer has dropped and I'm buzzing. The Brassic gang are back for one final ride, and it looks like they are going out on top and in style. Series 7 lands on Sky and streaming service NOW on 25 September, and from the first shots alone it feels like a farewell made for fans who have stuck with Vinnie and co through every scrape.

After that near death scare at the end of Series 6, the crew clearly have a new lease of life. Confronted with how fragile it all is, they are grabbing each day by the horns. With that mindset there is no telling what trouble they will get into, which is exactly why I cannot wait.

This final chapter promises everything we love about the show. There are lederhosen fuelled escapades, a school reunion that careers wildly off the rails, and gangsters who seem even more unhinged than before. Among the chaos the emotions land too. Old wounds start to sting again, friendships are pushed to the edge, and the gang have to face what their future and their past really mean. It feels riotous, messy, very funny, and surprisingly tender. In other words, peak Brassic.

The cast list reads like a greatest hits. Joe Gilgun returns as Vinnie, with Michelle Keegan as Erin, Ryan Sampson as Tommo, Aaron Heffernan as Ashley, Parth Thakerar as JJ, Joanna Higson as Sugar, Steve Evets as Jim, Dominic West as Dr Chris, Neil Ashton as Davey, and Bhavna Limbachia as Meena. There are new faces, there are surprise returns, and there is a whole lot of heart threaded through the madness.

Co-creator and writer Danny Brocklehurst has said they always wanted to leave the party while it was still fun. After fifty episodes that feels right. Brassic has become a proper hit, but at its core it has always been about friendship and love, and that is the spirit they are choosing to leave with. The series is produced by Calamity Films, and you can sense the confidence of a team closing the curtain on their own terms.

If you are new to the show, there is time to catch up. Series 1 to 6 are on Sky on demand and on NOW. For the rest of us, it is one more round of escapades, bad decisions, good intentions, and the kind of loyalty that keeps this found family together.

Roll on 25 September. No half measures, no slowing down. One last blowout with the Brassic lot, then we say goodbye the way they would want us to, with a laugh and a lump in the throat.

Why Alien Autopsy Could Be Sky’s Most Fascinating Docuseries Yet

Image: Artist John Humphries with his alien creation

By Jon Donnis

I cannot be the only one who remembers the buzz of the 90s, when a grainy black and white film seemed to show an alien being dissected by men in hazmat suits. It was everywhere. TV news, magazines, whispered playground debates. Was it real, was it fake? For years the footage hung over pop culture like a half-forgotten ghost. Now Sky is bringing it all back with Alien Autopsy (w/t), and I am honestly itching to see how this one unfolds.

Directed by John Dower, the man behind My Scientology Movie and the BAFTA-winning Lockerbie, the new Sky Original docuseries promises to dig deep into what really happened. In 1995, that 18 minutes of footage supposedly from Roswell shocked the world. Some swore it was undeniable proof of extraterrestrials, others thought it was the slickest hoax of the century. As it turned out, a group of filmmakers in a London flat were behind the recreation, but the nagging question never went away. Could they have based it on something genuine?

What excites me most about this series is that it doesn't just stop at the infamous tape. It pulls in the wider history of UFO sightings and obsessions, from Roswell's legendary crash site to Scotland's Calvine photo. And it lands at a moment when UFOs are suddenly headline news again. We've got military whistleblowers talking openly about unexplained aerial encounters, and governments actually taking it seriously. That makes the timing of this show feel spot on.

I can already imagine the mix of nostalgia and intrigue. The vibe of the 90s, when The X-Files was on everyone's TV and conspiracy theories spread by word of mouth instead of TikTok. Combined with today's climate, where we're asking again if we're alone in the universe. That combination feels electric.

The fact that this story has never had a premium documentary treatment before is wild in itself. Dower and the Mindhouse team seem determined to give it the seriousness, and maybe even the playfulness, it deserves. I have no idea if this will settle the mystery or just make it weirder, but either way I'll be glued to it.

Alien Autopsy (w/t) will be landing soon on Sky Documentaries and streaming on NOW. Count me in.

Sky Reveals First Look at Amadeus, a Bold Reimagining of Mozart’s Rise and Fall

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky has given audiences a first glimpse of Amadeus, a five-part limited series that promises to blend "historical drama" with a rockstar sense of energy. Will Sharpe (Giri/Haji, The White Lotus) stars as Wolfgang 'Amadeus' Mozart, Paul Bettany (WandaVision, A Very British Scandal) plays the envious court composer Antonio Salieri, and Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin, Black Doves) takes on the role of Constanze Weber, Mozart's devoted wife.

Adapted from Peter Shaffer's award-winning stage play by Joe Barton (Black Doves, Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project), the series tracks Mozart's meteoric rise and the dangerous obsessions it inspires. Arriving in Vienna at 25, no longer a child prodigy, Mozart seeks creative freedom, only to clash with the devout and increasingly jealous Salieri. Constanze remains a stabilising presence, fiercely loyal as she navigates the chaos surrounding her husband's genius and personal demons.

As Mozart dazzles audiences and courts alike, Salieri's envy grows into a consuming obsession that spans three decades, threatening everything he holds dear and culminating in a shocking personal reckoning. The story promises to explore the complexity of talent, ambition, faith, and the cost of genius in a way that is both epic and intimate.

Amadeus is set to launch on Sky and streaming service NOW later this year, offering viewers a dramatic, modern take (that usually means woke) on one of history's most celebrated composers.