After viewing the documentary Queen of Chess, I decided to revisit this excellent series. Based on the book by Walter Tevis, a story revolving around chess didn’t, at first, appear to be one of excitement, but once you start you will be binge watching this excellent series. The mesmerising Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Beth Harmon, who, as a nine-year-old orphan is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. By the age of sixteen, she’s competing for the US Open championship. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes very tempting. One of the best series on offer.

This thriller series created by Lisa McGee of Derry Girls fame is the highlight of the month. It follows three lifelong friends, Saoirse, Robyn and Dara, who reunite for the wake of a former classmate, only to be pulled into a dark mystery involving a childhood secret. It is filled with sharp, witty Irish repartee between the girls as they struggle to rekindle the camaraderie of their teenage years. The standout performance is Bronagh Gallagher as Booker. The plot does get a tad convoluted, but that doesn’t detract from the entertainment. A few Irish viewers may cringe at the portrayal.

Adapted from the novel by Alice Feeney, this thriller series set in Dahlonega, Georgia, follows estranged couple Anna, a reclusive news reporter, and Jack, a local detective, as they independently investigate a brutal murder that unearths dark secrets from their shared past. A plot twist hinted at early on will be picked up by any avid viewer of crime fiction. I found the central relationship somewhat detached, but it remains an engaging watch.

An excellent ensemble cast anchors this German espionage thriller about ex-spies Simon and Meret, who operate a Berlin safe house until a past threat resurfaces. Now fleeing hitmen, Russian agents, and old enemies, they must also confront the fragility of their marriage. As with many spy dramas, the multiple threads can become confusing, but it remains compelling.

Watching this documentary is like a spiritual journey. Zen Buddhist monk Jeong Kwan’s cooking and life at Baekyangsa Temple create a calm, meditative experience. The landscape is stunning and beautifully photographed. You will be enlightened by the way food is utilised and transformed by decades-old soy and fermented pastes. Truly magical.

This documentary follows Gordon Ramsay as he opens five culinary experiences inside London’s 22 Bishopsgate. We see him balancing expansion with family life. Despite all his shenanigans, he remains enormously watchable. A visit to Jeong Kwan’s temple might do him good.

Based on a confronting true story from 1970s Communist Poland, this exceptional series follows a young doctor who discovers lead poisoning affecting local children near a steelworks. Facing a system more concerned with its image than public health, she fights to save them. Bleak yet inspiring.

An emotional crime thriller about Eun-su, who hides deep scars from childhood abuse and devises a flawless murder plan to save her friend from domestic violence. An honest and raw exploration of trauma.

This sci-fi series arrives with five seasons available. Described as “The Walking Dead with aliens,” it follows survivors rebuilding after an alien invasion. Bleak but with glimmers of hope.

A revealing documentary told through the stories of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. By sharing their experiences, they aim to prevent future abuse and expose the systems that enabled him.