Television
Drama goes close to history
Peter CravenThere’s a lot of history in this lustrous new series and a superb gallery of players.
Creation of a popular hero
Simon CatersonCrocodile hunter Steve Irwin had a special relationship with his dad.
Guilty secrets
GRAEME BLUNDELLThe Affair continues to delve into the repercussions of infidelity, long after the thrill is gone.
Towering figure of harbour city
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: Artsville: Harry Seidler — Modernist, 10pm, ABC.
The royal treatment
GRAEME BLUNDELLTwo top-shelf British series deserve to be welcomed with great fanfare.
Politics in its Machiavellian glory
Graeme BlundellPick of the day: House of Cards, streaming on Netflix.
Reservations about UK hostelries
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: The Hotel Inspector, Lifestyle, 9.30pm.
The place we call home
GRAEME BLUNDELLFormer radio star Tim Ross is taking a witty and wise look at the designs that define the way we live.
A life surrounded by death
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: The Jinx: The Life And Deaths of Robert Durst, Box Sets, 4.10pm.
Where our food comes from
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the Day: For The Love Of Meat With Matthew Evans, 7.30pm, SBS4.
Brain training to great extremes
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: Todd Hampson’s BodyHack, Channel 10, 8.30pm.
Noirish Christie adaptation
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: And Then There Were None, 8.30pm, BBC First.
‘Some people make mistakes’
Verity EdwardsWriter Judi McCrossin on what draws us to her TV dramas The Secret Life of Us and The Wrong Girl.
Web gems
GRAEME BLUNDELLInternet hits Insecure and High Maintenance have moved to pay-TV without losing any of their racy humour.
Presenter tested by parasites
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the Day: Michael Mosley: Infested, BBC Knowledge, 8.30pm.
Something borrowed, something new
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: Say Yes To The Dress Australia, 7.30pm, TLC.
Far from a Midsummer nightmare
GRAEME BLUNDELLPick of the day: A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, 9.25pm, BBC First.
Stolid coppers
GRAEME BLUNDELLDCI Banks testifies to the longevity of the police procedural; Shadow Trackers to the popularity of ghost-hunting.
More Stories
This (hugging) life
Wendy HornI weighed up the situation and thought: what the hell! I walked towards him and he towards me. Hug accomplished.
Guilty secrets
GRAEME BLUNDELLThe Affair continues to delve into the repercussions of infidelity, long after the thrill is gone.
Fantastic magic
PHILIPPA HAWKERJK Rowling’s latest addition to the Harry Potter franchise has attracted fans old and new to its cast.
Danes steal our moment in sun
Deirdre MackenSummer in Australia is a signal for the world to be jealous. But this year the natural order has been overturned.
Lyrical tribute
International opera star Sumi Jo’s latest concert tour honours two of the most important women in her life.
Frenemies spin a dazzling tale
Malcolm ForbesWhite Teeth author Zadie Smith ventures outside her comfort zone in her new novel and the results are captivating.
The dotted line
Peter CravenNicolas Rothwell’s deeply personal essays explore the paradoxical idea that some laws are violated to be upheld.
Rhythm and rhyme
Staff writersJazz poetry is defined as poetry that demonstrates jazz-like rhythms and the feel of improvisation.
Rowling’s brave new world
Stephen RomeiFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is JK Rowling’s screenwriting debut. Does she have another hit on her hands?
Angry at underdog’s plight
david strattonBritish director Ken Loach has spent his career championing the rights of those who live on struggle street.
