Gangs of London – Season 1

Gangs of London offers a gruesome and gripping tale of ferocious vengeance in the multicultural setting of London. The assassination of Finn Wallace, leader of London’s most formidable gang family, marks the catalyst for an unrelenting outbreak of fully-fledged gang wars; ideal television for lovers of mobster movies and thrillers. The quest to identify who ordered the hit, and the carnage that follows, will keep you hooked and thirstful for some sweet (and undoubtedly cruel) justice. Featuring a star-studded cast including Joe Cole (Black Mirror, Peaky Blinders), Sopé Dirisù (Humans), and Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones), this is one of Stan’s most exciting exclusives to dip your toes into.

8.1

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GANGS OF LONDON

SEASON 1

Moonbase 8 – Season 1

Tales of aspiring moon landers, space explorers, and astronauts is hardly new ground for television, but Jonothan Krisel’s Moonbase 8 provides an interesting angle. This dry comedy follows the journey of three divorced, mediocre trainee astronauts preparing for their first lunar mission. The strength of this show lies in its casting, with comedian heavyweights Fred Armisen (Portlandia), Tim Heidecker (Tim and Eric Awesome Show), and Academy Award nominee John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) bouncing off each other with remarkable chemistry. The show has its killer moments, but its saturation of considered, specific humour may be too unbearable for some viewers.

6.0

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MOONBASE 8

SEASON 1

Des – Season 1

This pick is the furthest thing from a family viewing, yet, its tragic subject matter is handled exceptionally well. Des is a crime-drama detailing the true story of serial killer Dennis Nilson (David Tennant), who blankly admitted to murdering at least 12 young men after his arrest in 1983. Through miasmic discussions with police and bleak court scenes, this mini-series finds its weight in displaying uncomfortable truths, rather than unfolding suspense. Thankfully, Des doesn’t sensationalise the infamous killer. This is avoided by consistently showing the audience the “human cost of Dennis Nilson” (Lewis Arnold, director) as well as Tennant’s masterfully careful and commanding performance.

7.8

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DES

SEASON 1

The Moodys Christmas –  Season 1

Sometimes, a chaotic and hilariously flawed Christmas dinner bursting with somewhat-relatable family drama beats a mytholigised, unrealistic take. This is certainly the case for the American remake of The Moodys Christmas, starring Emmy Award nominees Denis Leary and Elizabeth Perkins. This three-part mini-series prioritises quick laughs and awkward situations over lesson learnings, making for much sharper comedic moments. Eccentric moments of tension, such as counting Grandma’s consumption of scotch and inconveniently timed break-ups, make this a cruisy couch viewing for the holiday season.

6.7

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THE MOODYS CHRISTMAS

SEASON 1

Twin Peaks –  Season 1 (Stan Exclusives)

This iconic Stan series isn’t new by any measure, but not mentioning it would feel blasphemous to the art of memorable TV. If you haven’t heard of Twin Peaks, it’s the quirky magnum opus of director David Lynch. Hinging on the mysterious death of homecoming queen Laura Palmer, this show fits into the crime/drama/horror space, while offering something far more complex. Twin Peaks manages to capture the quaint, pedestrian characteristics of small-town communication and operation, while still delving into uncanny surrealism, in a tone not previously explored for a TV show. Keep an eye out for Kyle MacLachlan’s exceptional performance and Lynch’s hypnotic cinematography.

9.0

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TWIN PEAKS

SEASON 1