by Lauren Heskin
01st Feb 2021
01st Feb 2021
The start of a new month usually means new stuff to watch on the streaming services, and February is no different
Stuck for ideas on how to spend your evening? February sees the launch of tonnes of new stuff on streaming sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime, while TV welcomes back Pheobe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag to the air and Scottish actor James McAvoy sits down for a virtual Q&A all in the same of youth theatre.
Here’s what’s on tonight.
STREAM
Mean Girls, Netflix
It’s October 3rd. Okay, no it isn’t, it’s February 1st, but today is the day that Mean Girls finally lands on Netflix. The Tina Fey-scripted film launched the careers of Rachel McAdams (who also filmed a little movie called The Notebook the same year), Amanda Seyfried and Lizzie Caplan, as well as relaunching Lindsay Lohan form child star to quality comedic actress.
Teenager Cady Heron moves from Africa… I’m actually not going to summarise this for you because You’ve seen it a dozen times and will now watch it a dozen more. Come on loser, we’re going to watch it right now.
Also on Netflix from today are all six seasons of Parks and Recreation and the entire series of Vampire Diaries, as well as films like Zac and Mimi make a Porno and Magic Mike.
Ex-Machina, Amazon Prime
Production company A24 are known for their indie sleeper hits, especially ones with subtly dark undertones (think Midsomar, Hereditary, Moonlight and Room) and Ex-Machina is no different.
It stars Domhnall Gleeson in his breakout role as Caleb, a coder who wins a weekend in the mountaintop home of his tech company founder, Nathan, played by Oscar Isaac. However, his golden ticket ends up being something completely different as he’s asked to take part in a highly advanced AI experiment with Nathan’s robot Ava, played by Alica Vikander.
The casting is impeccable, the tension is palpable without with overwrought and it asks some really interesting questions about what qualifies as human.
Also on Prime from today are Forest Gump, Passengers, Dream Girls, Miss you Already and Captain Fantastic.
ATTEND
Masterclass with James McAvoy, 8pm
The Edinburgh Youth Theatre run an online masterclass every Monday, inviting different industry professionals to discuss their career. Tonight’s guest is actor James McAvoy, star of Atonement, X-Men and M. Night Shyamalan’s critically acclaimed thriller SPLIT and GLASS. He is going to sit down for a Q&A with Shauna Macdonald.
Tickets are just a donation to the youth arts and kicks off from 8pm this evening. You can book here.
WATCH
Fleabag. 9pm RTE2
Pheobe Waller-Bridge is back with the very first episode of Fleabag on RTE2 tonight at 9pm. You probably caught the award-winning second season, but the first, based on Waller-Bridge’s one-woman show, is just as excellent, if maybe a little darker.
It follows the unnamed Fleabag as she navigates dating, family relationships and a loss that she has not yet come to terms with. Equal parts dark, twisty and hilarious, it’s necessary watching.