Welcome to another edition of ‘Up Next’ here at Screen Times. This week sees the premiere of 'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey' on TV+ and a performance quite unlike anything you've seen before from Samuel L. Jackson. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the first two episodes or any of the other shows releasing this week over on Twitter. Earlier this week, Apple held their first event of the year titled 'Peek Performance' where they unveiled Friday Night Baseball as well as a huge slate of Original Films coming to TV+. The internet may have had a little too much fun with Henry Cavill's new look in 'Argylle', but it's one that we certainly can't wait to see. Check out all the news here on the site and don't forget to check out our podcast, where we'll be breaking down all the news and diving into the announcements in detail with iMore.com's Stephen Warwick.
It's awards season and while you may have to wait a little longer until The Oscars at the end of the month, the highly-anticipated BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards takes place this weekend on Sunday March 13th from London's Royal Albert Hall. The event will be hosted by Rebel Wilson and several Apple Original productions have been nominated across the various awards categories. Mahershala Ali is nominated for Leading Actor for 'Swan Song' while Emilia Jones and Troy Kotsur are both nominated for Leading Actress and Supporting Actor respectively for 'CODA'. In the UK, the Awards will be broadcast on the BBC and can be viewed on Britbox in the US & Canada.
The 27th Critics' Choice Awards also take place this Sunday from the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, with Apple Original productions also nominated in several awards categories including 'CODA' (Best Picture), Troy Kotsur (Best Supporting Actor, 'CODA') and Sian Heder (Best Adapted Screenplay, 'CODA'). You can watch the event in the US on TBS and the CW Network.
With that, here’s our guide to your week ahead on Apple TV.
Apple TV+
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
S1, E1-2 | TV-MA
Ptolemy Grey (Samuel L. Jackson) is an ailing man forgotten by his family, by his friends, and by even himself. Suddenly left without his trusted caretaker and on the brink of sinking even deeper into a lonely dementia, Ptolemy is assigned to the care of orphaned teenager Robyn, played by Dominique Fishback. When they learn about a treatment that can restore Ptolemy’s dementia-addled memories, it begins a journey toward shocking truths about the past, present and future. You can read our full review by James Lees here on Screen Times now.
Severance
S1, E5 | 43 min | TV-MA
Irving and Dylan confront Burt about his lies. Mark and Helly discover a strange new department.
Servant
S3, E8 | 30 min | TV-MA
With only three episodes left in the season, things are certainly heating up at the Turner household. This week, Isabelle threatens to uncover Dorothy’s past.
Suspicion
S1, E7 | 45 min | TV-MA
Vanessa and Scott investigate Martin Copeland as the suspects try to hunt him down. Katherine risks everything in a shocking interview.
The Problem with Jon Stewart
S1, E6 | 56 min | TV-MA
We’re being told the planet is headed towards catastrophe if we don’t fix climate change. What will it take for everyone to change their behaviour?
Central Park
S2, E12 | 24 min | TV-14
As season two continues, Owen and Paige set out to make the castle everything they dreamed it would be—if they can get the approval.
The Snoopy Show
S2, 6 Episodes | TV-Y
Dive into new adventures with the happy-dancing, high-flying, big-dreaming beagle, who’s joined by best friend Woodstock and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
Apple Arcade
Monument Valley 2+
4+ | Adventure
Guide a mother and her child as they embark on a journey through magical architecture, discovering illusionary pathways and delightful puzzles as you learn the secrets of the Sacred Geometry. 'Monument Valley 2+' is the sequel to the Apple Game of the Year 2014 and presents a brand new adventure set in a beautiful and impossible world.
Apple Fitness+
This past week, the Fitness+ team celebrated International Women's Day with workouts featuring fantastic playlists from all-female artists and a chance to earn a special award on March 8th. This week's 'Time To Walk' Guest was Malala Yousafzai. Malala is the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize and an advocate for girls' right to education in her native country of Pakistan and around the world. She became a target for speaking out and was nearly assassinated at age 15. Malala talks about how a great friend can make you feel at home anywhere in the world and what fuels her activism.
Apple Music
Alexisonfire - Sweet Dreams of Otherness
Rock | 2022 | 4 min 44 secs
This week's pick is the first track from Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire who have announced their first studio album in 13 years, ‘Otherness’. Speaking of the group’s explosive new single, lead singer George Pettit explained: “This song was largely Dallas’ [Green] brainchild, but over the course of writing this record it became more of a mission statement for the band." “It’s kind of about performance and embracing a newfound confidence in a state of peculiarity.” The accompanying video by actor/director Jay Baruchel ('This Is The End', 'Random Acts Of Violence', 'How To Train Your Dragon') can be viewed above.
ScreenTimes Apple TV Recommendations
The Worst Person in the World
TV App | 2hrs 8 min | R
Sigmund: “Coming to the TV app on Tuesday is one of my highly anticipated digital releases for the year. The Worst Person in The World is a modern dramedy about the quest for love and meaning in contemporary Oslo. Chronicling four years in the life of Julie (Renate Reinsve), a young woman who navigates the troubled waters of her love life and struggles to find her career path, leading her to take a realistic look at who she really is. The third part in Trier’s so-called “Oslo Trilogy,” the film sees Julie's mid-life crisis take her from the arms of her boyfriend Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) into the embrace of the enticing Eivind (Herbert Nordrum), her romantic ambivalence in sync with her aimless career path. Divided between the men, each challenging in their own uniquely handsome way, she’s likewise divided between versions of herself, unsure what she wants to do or who she wants to be. Its a film as sure of itself as it is honest."
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
TV App | 1hr 55 min | PG
Devon: “Lately I’ve been enjoying Severance on Apple TV+, which is directed by Ben Stiller. Most know Stiller as a comedic actor, but the first time I experienced his work behind the camera was 2013’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Stiller both directed and starred in the film that tells of a man with a richer imagination but no courage to flesh out his dreams in his real life. Circumstances force him out of his comfort zone as he goes on a globe-trotting adventure in search of a very special photo. In addition to Stiller, the film stars Kristen Wiig, Kathryn Hahn, and Adam Scott, whom Severance fans will instantly recognize. It's a fun and inspiring film that I very much enjoyed and gave me confidence that his work on Severance would be solid as well. If you like what Stiller’s done on Apple TV+, be sure to check out his previous behind-the-scenes work including The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
Better Things
FX | New episodes every Monday | TV-MA
Jonathan: "I love Pamela Adlon! Last week marked the beginning of the final season of one of my all-time favourite shows, Better Things. Created, written by, directed and starring Adlon, the show follows Sam, an actor with 3 kids who is very similar to her in real life. The stories are so real, funny and heartfelt it’s an irresistible half hour. Did I mention I love Pamela Adlon? She anchors the whole show and is incredibly watchable. If you’ve never checked this show out you’re missing out on a modern-day classic."
Taskmaster
TV App, YouTube, Amazon Prime, All 4 (UK) | Game Show | TV-MA
James: “I only discovered 'Taskmaster' at the beginning of this year and as someone living in the UK and who's sense of humour this show very much appeals to, I was amazed that it had taken this long. 'Taskmaster' is a game show that sees a panel of celebrity contestants compete against one another in hilarious and outrageous tasks over the course of ten episodes to see who can earn the most points and win a golden trophy in the shape of host Greg Davies' head. Following each ingenious and often tricky task, the contestants are held to account by Davies, who serves as the Taskmaster himself, assigning points based on performance and his co-host Alex Horne, who is the creator of the show and brainchild behind the tasks themselves. The show is wildly creative, laugh-out-loud funny and increasingly comforting as you get to know the contestants over the course of a season. The show's 13th season is due to air sometime this year and it only keeps getting better and better."