What TV shows are on Amazon Prime Video? We’ve put together a list of the best TV shows streaming on Amazon Prime Video tonight
DEAD RINGERS
Why you should watch: This was of interest due to having seen the 1988 film version starring Jeremy Irons, which was directed by David Cronenberg. The story follows gynaecologists the Mantle twins, identical from head to toe, who are on a mission to change the way women give birth, performing ethically questionable procedures on infertile women to achieve this. Rachel Weisz gives a stellar performance as the twins, which would be no mean feat with the constant costume and character changes. Be warned that there are gory scenes and lots of blood. Giving birth is a messy business.
Director: SEAN DURKIN, LAUREN WOLKSTEIN, KARENA EVANS
Cast: RACHEL WEISZ, BRITNE OLDFORD, POPPY LIU, MICHAEL MCKEAN, JENNIFER EHLE, KITTY HAWTHORNE
THE TERMINAL LIST
Why you should watch: Chris Pratt takes off his Guardians of the Galaxy costume to star in this action series as James Reece whose entire platoon of Navy SEALs is ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. Reece returns home to his family with conflicting memories of the event and questions about his culpability. However, as new evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces working against him, endangering not only his life but the lives of those he loves. Based on the book series by former Navy SEAL Jack Carr, there are gruesome scenes in this one as Reece goes on a killing rampage to avenge his fellow SEALS. Some episodes are rated R due to this. This is a well-made action series with lots of plot twists. If you’re a seasoned viewer of crime drama, you’ll probably have the end worked out after a few episodes.
Director: FREDERICK E.O. TOYE, SYLVAIN WHITE, M.J. BASSETT
Cast: CHRIS PRATT, RILEY KEOUGH, CONSTANCE WU, TAYLOR KITSCH, JEANNE TRIPPLEHORN, JD PARDO, NICK CHINLUND
CITADEL
Why you should watch: Every espionage trick in the book is employed here. It’s over-the-top action from the start, lots of near misses and explosions, and no one on any level can be trusted. It was refreshing to see the talented Leslie Manville step away from her usual characters. And I must say Priyanka Chopra is a stunning woman. The independent global spy agency Citadel, tasked to uphold the safety and security of all people, was destroyed by operatives of powerful syndicate Manticore. Citadel’s elite agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives and have remained hidden ever since, unaware of their pasts. Mason and Nadia are tracked down by former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick, who desperately needs help to prevent Manticore from establishing a new world order. It’s not great, but it’s not all that bad either.
Director: NEWTON THOMAS SIGEL, JESSICA YU, JOE RUSSO
Cast: RICHARD MADDEN, PRIYANKA CHOPRA, STANLEY TUCCI, ASHLEIGH CUMMINGS, LESLIE MANVILLE, ROLAND MOLLER, MOIRA KELLY
THE POWER
Why you should watch: Based on the bestselling novel by Naomi Alderman, this is an interesting concept, where women actually have a powerful attribute to wield. They develop a mysterious new ability to electrocute at will, leading to an extraordinary global reversal of the power balance. Of course, having such a power can be an asset when used appropriately, but as the drama moves forward it becomes obvious it can also be used negatively. The story follows various women who have this power and the way in which they use it, and of those close to them on whom the circumstances have an effect. Entertaining viewing, albeit not perfect.
Director: UGLA HAUKSDOTTIR, LISA GUNNING, LOGAN KIBENS, NEASA HARDIMAN, SHANNON MURPHY
Cast: TONI COLLETTE, RIA ZMITROWICZ, JOHN LEGUIZAMO, TOHEEB JIMOH, EDDIE MARSAN, ZRINKA CVITESIC, AULI’I CRAVALHO
CHLOE
Why you should watch: This drama series is tagged as a thriller, but it doesn’t really reach that level. It’s an engrossing story, but there were a few unexplained issues with some of the scenes. Perhaps I’m just being picky. The scenario tells of Becky, still living with her mother and working as a temp, who compares herself to the picture-perfect life of her childhood friend Chloe. But when Chloe dies suddenly, Becky’s need to find out how and why leads her to assume a new identity and engineer a “chance” meeting with Chloe’s best friend, Livia, and infiltrate Chloe’s group of close-knit friends, which includes her husband, Elliott. Through her alter-ego Sasha, Becky becomes a powerful “someone”, far more exciting and addictive than the “no one” she is as Becky. But Becky risks losing herself completely in the game she is playing. There are a few flaws, but it is interesting viewing, especially as it shows how manipulating social media can be and the influence it has on some vulnerable people.
Director: AMANDA BOYLE, ALICE SEABRIGHT
Cast: ERIN DOHERTY, POPPY GILBERT, PIPPA BENNETT, BILLY HOWLE, BRANDON MICHAEL HALL, JACK FARTHING, LISA PALFREY
NIGHT SKY
Why you should watch: With Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons heading the cast, this was one reason to watch this sci-fi series. They star as Franklin and Irene York, a couple who years ago discovered a chamber buried in their backyard which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. They’ve carefully guarded their secret ever since, but when an enigmatic young man enters their lives, the Yorks’ quiet existence is quickly upended, and the mysterious chamber they thought they knew so well turns out to be much more than they could ever have imagined. Great viewing. The concept is different, and the acting is excellent, an all-round well-produced sci-fi drama.
Director: PHILIP MARTIN, JUAN JOSE CAMPANELLA, JESSICA LOWRY, SHARI SPRINGER BERMAN, SARA COLANGELO, VICTORIA MAHONEY
Cast: SISSY SPACEK, J.K. SIMMONS, CHAI HANSEN, KIAH MCKIRNAN, ADAM BARTLEY, JULIET ZYLBERBERG, ROCIO HERNANDEZ
DEADLOCH
Why you should watch: There’s something to offend everyone in this comedy crime drama set in Tasmania. I’d be interested to see what the Tasmanians think of how they are portrayed here. And the detective from the Top End may not go down well with the locals either. In fact, that character detracts from what would otherwise be a well told story. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more obnoxious character, which is down to good acting, I guess. The town of Deadloch is thrown into a quandary when dead bodies start turning up all over the place. The local police have never seen anything like it. An out-of-town detective is brought in to assist, but she ends up offending everyone in sight. There are a few plot anomalies here, but all in all it’s entertaining viewing. Just prepare to be offended at some stage.
Director: BEN CHESSELL, BECK COLE, GRACIE OTTO
Cast: KATE BOX, MADELEINE SAMI, ALICIA GARDINER, NINA OYAMA, TOM BALLARD, HOLLY AUSTIN, DUNCAN FELLOWS, KRIS MCQUADE
JURY DUTY
Why you should watch: Have only ever been called for jury duty once in my life but got out of it because I was a senior. Being old does have some advantages. This comedy series is hilarious. Loved James Marsden sending up his celebrity status. The scenario follows Ronald Gladden, who serves jury duty on a civil trial in Los Angeles. To him there is nothing out of the ordinary in proceedings. Little does he know, however, that all the other participants – his fellow jurors, the judge, the plaintiff and defendant, everybody – are actors, the trial isn’t real, and everything is staged. There are some wonderful characters here and it’s quite feasible that Ronald believes what is happening around him. Very entertaining.
Director: JAKE SZYMANSKI
Cast: RONALD GLADDEN, JAMES MARSDEN, ALAN BARINHOLTZ, SUSAN BERGER, DAVID BROWN, KIRK FOX, RASHIDA OLAYIWOLA
PATRIOT
Why you should watch: This is a send-up of every espionage story you’ve seen. It’s highly entertaining. Michael Dorman steps away from the role he is most known for, to star as John Tavner, who doesn’t fit in with his quirky colleagues at the industrial piping corporation where he works. They don’t realise that his life is anything but mundane. To prevent Iran from going nuclear, he has assumed a fake persona as an average businessman, but he’s actually a highly-skilled intelligence officer who took the piping job because it is too dull to be noticed. Unfortunately for him, a European cop is at his heels trying to discover who he is, and Steven, a chubby employee with a recent brain injury, is starting to remember a horrible act which John might have inflicted. This is excellent viewing. Dorman, who is also a musician, sings the songs in the soundtrack.
Director: STEVE CONRAD, TUCKER GATES, TED GRIFFIN, MICHAEL TRIM
Cast: MICHAEL DORMAN, TERRY O’QUINN, MICHAEL CHERNUS, KURTWOOD SMITH, KATHLEEN MUNROE, ALIETTE OPHEIM
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Why you should watch: This comedy series is a remake of the 1992 film version which tells of the beginnings of the WWII All-American professional women’s baseball league. This is a heart-warming, funny production, delving into the lives of the women whose passion is to play baseball. Of course, they are thwarted at every turn. They struggle to be taken seriously and are constantly objectified by the organisers, audience and press. Maybelle Blair, who was the inspiration for the story, came out as a lesbian at age 95, for the first time, at the premiere of this series in 2022. Loved the characters here, and the music of the times just makes the story shine. Excellent viewing.
Director: JAMIE BABBIT, ANYA ADAMS, AYOKA CHENZIRA, WILL GRAHAM
Cast: ABBI JACOBSON, D’ARCY CARDEN, CHANTE ADAMS, NICK OFFERMAN, DALE DICKEY, ROBERTA COLINDREZ