Welcome to another edition of ‘Up Next’ here at Screen Times. This week saw the release of tvOS 15.4 and our Founder and Editor-in-Chief Sigmund Judge took a deep dive into the new features and improvements. We also got our first look at the Essex Serpent starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston as well as the news that it will arrive on TV+ in May. You can keep up to date with that and all of the other Apple TV+ news right here on Screen Times.
This week, 'WeCrashed' arrives on TV+ with three episodes. The series is based on the Wondery podcast and tells the story of the rise and fall of WeWork. You can read our full review by Sigmund Judge now.
We also wanted to give a special mention to some of the fantastic creations that have been coming out of the Severance fan communuity. Creative Developer @iamrob_in rebuilt the interface of the refinement software used by the team in the show and Readful Things posted these absolutely fantastic pieces with stunning attention to detail.
Next week marks the premiere of 'Pachinko' on TV+ and you can read our full review from Tuesday. All we'll say for now is that this show is incredibly special and we can't wait to talk about it more. Apple recently released an inside look at the show, which you can check out below.
Also this week, Emilia Jones sat down with Zane Lowe on his Apple Music Radio show to discuss her role in 'CODA', working with Troy Kotsur, how music inspires her and more. You can check out part of their conversation here.
With that, here’s our guide to your week ahead on Apple TV.
Apple TV+
WeCrashed
Premiere | S1, E1-3 | TV-MA
Starring Academy Award and SAG Award winners Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, 'WeCrashed' is based on the hit Wondery podcast and inspired by actual events — and the love story at the center of it all. WeWork grew from a single coworking space into a global brand worth $47 billion in under a decade. Then, in less than a year, its value plummeted. What happened? Read our full review now.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey
S1, E3 | 57 min | TV-MA
Ptolemy begins treatment to restore his memories, drifting in and out of fever dreams about his life as Robyn keeps vigil at his side.
Severance
S1, E6 | 40 min | TV-MA
The team angers Cobel by forming an alliance.
Servant
S3, E9 | 28 min | TV-MA
There's only two episodes left this season and after the shocking final moments from last week, it's hard to predict what will happen next in the Turner household. Dorothy and Frank hatch a plan to get Leanne out of the Turner household for good.
Suspicion
S1, E8 | 42 min | TV-MA
Season Finale. As Leo’s countdown begins, Cresswell’s past leads Vanessa and Scott to uncover the truth.
The Problem with Jon Stewart
S1, E7 | 57 min | TV-MA
Cable news positions itself as a safeguard of freedom and democracy - but is that undermined byratings-driven ploys to keep people watching?
Central Park
S2, E13 | 23 min | TV-14
Owen's mom derails a trip to the botanical garden when she makes a surprise visit. Paige chases a lead while writing a fluff piece on gifting suites.
Stillwater
Season 2 | 7 Episodes | Kids
Siblings Karl, Addy and Michael have a very special next-door neighbor: a wise panda named Stillwater. His friendship and stories give them new perspectives on the world, themselves, and each other.
Apple Arcade
There are no new titles joining Apple Arcade this week. Instead, here's a relaxing title from the back catalogue that we can't recommend enough.
Patterned
4+ | Puzzle
'Patterned' is, quite simply, one of the most relaxing games we've ever played. The game presents players with a huge library of repeating patterns, which are then presented in black and white with the aim of filling in each piece to complete a full-screen, beautiful colour version. Think jigsaw puzzles meet colouring books and you’ve got 'Patterned'. The soundtrack is wonderful and it looks excellent on Apple TV and also plays brilliantly with the Apple Pencil on iPad Pro. We have spent hours on this game and it’s ideal for winding down at night.
Apple Fitness+
This week is Anja's last week before her maternity leave and we wanted to highlight her new 20 minute HiiT and 10 minute rowing workouts this week, which will have you sweating and fighting to catch your breath! We can't wait to workout again with Anja when she returns. This week also sees the arrival of a new collection titled 'Resilience for Life's Ups and Downs', which is focused around mindfulness and designed to help you adapt to whatever challenges may come your way.
Apple Music
Nada Surf - Let Go
Alternative | 2002 | 52 mins
We're digging into the archives for this week's Apple Music recommendation. Nada Surf recently released a new, rerecorded version of their 1996 hit single 'Popular' and after checking it out, we went back to re-visit their 2002 album titled 'Let Go'. The 12-track album still holds up twenty years later and features a fantastic mix of melancholic pop rock that is sure to get stuck in your head. Highlights include the catchy 'The Way You Wear Your Head' and the poignant 'Blonde on Blonde'. Pefect music for a wet, rainy Sunday afternoon.
ScreenTimes Apple TV Recommendations
Turning Red
Disney+ | 100 minutes | PG
Jonathan: “An easy choice this week. This film was an absolute joy to watch. As well as giving voice to the Asian community that’s so underrepresented in western cinema, it tackles the issue of girls going through puberty in an authentic and thoughtful way. On top of that, Turning Red is the most fun I’ve had watching a Pixar film in many years. It’s so energetic, vibrant and funny. I can’t wait to be able to show this to my daughter when she starts watching films.”
A League of Their Own
TV App | 128 mins | PG
James: "With the recent announcement that MLB Friday Night Baseball is coming to Apple TV+ beginning April 8th, I thought it would be a good time to revisit one of my all-time favourite basbeball movies - and one of my favourite sports movies in general. This women's wartime baseball tale holds such a special place in my heart. There's something strangely romantic about the sport and how it's presented here and this film is like a warm blanket. It's also one of Tom Hanks' best performances and features a brilliant cast including Geena Davis and Madonna. The camaraderie between the team, the excitement of the games, the cinematography, the emotional framing device - it's all perfect. The end makes me tear up every single time - but remember, there's no crying in baseball."
The Act
Hulu / StarzPlay (UK) | 8 episodes | TV-MA
Devon: "I’m sticking with Severance-adjacent content this week with my pick of Hulu’s 2019 limited series The Act. This one stars Patricia Arquette in a much less subtle and subdued role than we’re used to seeing on Severance. In this series based on a true story, Arquette plays Dee Dee Blanchard, a mother with Münchausen syndrome by proxy who convinces everyone that her daughter, Gypsy (Joey King), is terminally ill. This act goes on for many years with disastrous results. I already knew the story before watching the series, but this one had me refreshing my Hulu app every week to catch each new episode as soon as it was released. Arquette received an Emmy for her role, and it was very well deserved. It’s a tragic, bizarre story, but one told so gut-wrenchingly well by the creators and cast."
Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber
Showtime | Weekly episodes, 3 currently available | TV-MA
Sigmund: "This week’s recommendation is Super Pumped: the Battle for Uber, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kyle Chandler and Kerry Bishé. It’s the story of the ride-sharing company, Uber, from the perspective of the company’s CEO Travis Kalanick, who is ultimately ousted in a boardroom coup after tense internal and external battles that ripple with unpredictable consequences. Directed by Allen Coulter and produced by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, you may see some familiar faces, including Apple’s very own Tim Cook (played by Hank Azaria)."