Sometimes a mother’s love can be taken to the extreme. It’s definitely the case in this crime drama where Elmer and his controlling mother La China Jurado have a contract killing business. Unable to feel emotions after an accident, Elmer falls for Violeta, a teacher he’s hired to kill, which does not go down well with China. She has manipulated Elmer all his life and there’s no way another woman is going to jeopardise her enterprise. Elmer learns to love while his mother tries to eliminate Violeta. A crime series which explores killing people to make the grass grow greener.

An excellent series from Poland this is an offbeat and humorous story, which follows a UFO investigation in the 1980s.  After an alleged UFO landing in Truskasy in Warmia, two men, a fading TV star and an extraterrestrial enthusiast, embark on an intellectual quest to ascertain the extraterrestrial beings’ origins, drawing everyone from their orbit into their debate. As these two characters strive to persuade the world of their respective theories, a powerful politician exploits paranormal activity to seize power over the country. Totally entertaining.

Many moons ago I lived in London and was invited to a friend’s uncle’s welcome home party. Assuming he had been overseas, I later discovered that Uncle Ronnie had been in the infamous Wormwood Scrubs for armed robbery. I must say I found his armed robber friends quite charming! Watching this documentary with Lee Wenham describing the audacious plan to ram-raid the Millennium Dome and steal an exquisite diamond collection worth 350 million pounds, took me back to that party. After two previous holdups went pear-shaped for Lee and his gang, I was dubious about their ability to carry it off. Great viewing with aspects from criminals, police and the CEO of De Beers Diamond.

Inspired by The Twilight Zone, there are now seven seasons of this excellent Emmy Award winning series to binge watch. If you have qualms about technology, the stories here may provoke alarm. This superb anthology series explores a twisted, high-tech multiverse where humanity’s darkest instincts collide. In Season 7 each episode delves into a different dystopian scenario, examining themes of addiction, manipulation, and the dark side of innovation. The “black mirror” is the shiny screen of a TV, a monitor, a smartphone. We’re surrounded by them.

There have been a number of great series coming out of Turkey recently. This is an interesting story of Zehra, a student who travels to Istanbul and takes up lodging with her mother’s estranged best friend, unbeknown to said mother. But they struggle to see eye-to-eye across cultural divides. Although Zehra attempts to follow her faith, she is torn when out with her university friends as they frequent various nightclubs. Istanbul is the setting for these two women struggling to find their identity.

The cowboy-themed romantic drama is very much to the fore of late. Here is another one. Everyone is attractive and fit. The cowboys are forever taking their shirts off. But it’s an easy watch if you’re in the mood for ranch action, business underhandedness with a bit of love thrown in and an annoying soundtrack. It’s described as a western saga, and it explores the intersecting lives and loves of three ranching families set against the sweeping tundras and rolling rivers of Texas hill country. Oh, and there’s a tornado thrown into the mix. You never know what may occur when you’re stuck in the basement with your old high school crush! Plus, for good measure, there’s an unsolved murder.

Often, it’s a treat to return to a series which, for me, was a highlight of 2024. Created by and starring Richard Gadd, this is a remarkable scenario. Inspired by a true story, the hit 2019 Edinburgh Fringe one-man stage-play follows the writer and performer Donny Dunn’s warped relationship with his female stalker and the impact it has on him as he is ultimately forced to face a deep, dark buried trauma. The revelation of which was unexpected. This is a haunting tale of how you can meet someone and form a friendship without any premonition of what lies ahead.

Another excellent crime drama from the Swedes. The story follows criminologist Lejla who returns to a small community in Sweden, a place where she once was held captive by an unknown perpetrator, but which is also her foster parents’ home. Her foster mother has died, her foster father was the former police chief Valter. Soon the couple starts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a girl. As is the case with most small towns, no one is above suspicion, and no one can be trusted. A good twist at the end, which was refreshing.