What To Watch, Read and Listen to Throughout August

August 2023

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Popular screenings, new dramas and old favourites…

Whether you're joining the crowds flocking to the cinema or you're looking for something new to read or listen to, here's everything to keep you entertained this month.

WHAT TO WATCH

The Hundred
BBC
The Hundred returns for its third season on 1st August and you can keep up to date with all the action on the BBC as the summer of cricket continues. The Hundred brings together eight teams from across seven cities – Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers (Leeds), Oval Invincibles (London), Southern Brave (Southampton), Trent Rockets (Nottingham) and Welsh Fire (Cardiff); and brilliant sport will be supported by live music performances from rising stars DYLAN and Rudimental.

Hijack
Apple TV
Flight KA29 is hijacked during a seven-hour journey from Dubai to London and it’s up to a corporate negotiator to try to save everyone on board. Starring Idris Elba, the finalé of this gripping series airs on 2nd August so it’s the perfect show to binge-watch this month.

Mark Cavendish: Never Enough
Netflix
This documentary (coming to Netflix on 2nd August) charts the rise, fall, and comeback of professional cyclist Mark Cavendish. He’s one of Britain’s greatest sporting heroes and through footage from his childhood and exclusive interviews with him, his wife and his teammates we’ll learn how, after hitting rock bottom, a 36-year-old Mark came back fighting.

Only Murders in The Building (Season Three)
Disney+
For the true crime lovers, or simply fans of Selena Gomez and Steve Martin, season three of this comedy/murder mystery arrives on Disney+ on 8th August. Charles, Oliver and Mabel are determined to solve a murder behind the scenes of a Broadway show, but it proves to be potentially their toughest case yet. The first two seasons are available to stream now. Season Two saw big twists and guest appearances from Tina Fey and Cara Delevingne, so we’ve got high hopes for this season (rumour has it that Paul Rudd has joined the cast alongside Meryl Streep).

Wolf
BBC
Obsessed with the neighbour he believes murdered his brother in the 90s, a DI tries to to right the wrongs of others. Elsewhere, a wealthy family are the victims of a psychopath's games. With episodes airing weekly throughout the month, this adaptation of Mo Hayder’s novel is so bizarre it’s addictive, and it’ll leave you asking ‘what have I just watched?’.

Barbenheimer
Hi Barbie! We’re obsessed, and so it seems are you. The release of Barbie and Oppenheimer last month lived up to the hype and if you haven’t dressed head to toe in pink and been to the cinema to get a picture in a Barbie box, you’ve more than likely sat on the edge of your seat for three full hours to see the developing and designing of the atomic bomb. If you haven’t done either, jump on the bandwagon quickly before they leave your local cinema.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Almost on par with the incredible cast of Barbie and Oppenheimer (Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Paul Rudd and John Cena star in this movie), this one’s for the kids – and the big kids. The Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers to be accepted as normal teenagers in this animation which arrived in cinemas on 31st July. But they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed.

We loved

Lost In The Lakes
Tom Chesshyre
Following a weekend pootling around Penrith, I was feeling inspired and picked up this book to continue living my best Lakes life. Travel writer Tom Chesshyre takes readers with him on a journey around the Lake District, perfectly describing the beauty of its towering mountains, deep valleys and, of course, stunning lakes – stopping off at a cosy inn or two along the way (as you/we do). Even better, he goes off the beaten track and shares plenty of places tourists often miss. If anything’s going to inspire you to pop on your walking boots and head out exploring, it’s these notes from a 379-mile hike.

Life’s Too Short
Abby Jimenez
If you’re looking for the perfect poolside page-turner for your holiday then look no further than Abby Jimenez’s romantic yet heartbreaking read. Sometimes you just can’t beat a boy-meets-girl book to get lost in and this story is no different. It tells the tale of an accidental travel influencer with an uncertain future whose sister leaves her to look after her baby niece. Enter a hot-shot lawyer/landlord and you can work out the rest. The best thing about this book is the depth to the characters, as you really feel like you know them, but prepare for tears as you invest in their happiness.

On our to-read list

The Ghost Ship
Kate Mosse
In 1621 a mysterious vessel floats on the water known as the Ghost Ship. Its captain has hunted pirates to liberate those enslaved but now it’s under attack and the crew are at risk of capture, and the bravest among them might not be who they seem. This is the sequel to The City of Tears, the third novel in The Joubert Family Chronicles from bestselling author Kate Mosse.

Lioness
Emily Perkins
When rumours of corruption gather around her husband's latest development, Therese begins to look at the luxury around her with fresh eyes, and she finds herself enchanted by her neighbour Claire’s freedom.

The soundtrack to your summer

Songs to Live By
In each episode of this podcast which celebrates Black culture, Vick Hope is joined by two guests from different generations to share songs that have shaped them.
Our favourite episode: Jordan Stephens and Benjamin Zephaniah
Vick is joined by Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan Stephens and poet Benjamin Zephaniah who pick tracks by The Streets and The Meditations and talk about spoken word, lyrics and life.

Song Exploder
On Song Exploder, musicians take apart their songs and explain how and why they were released.
Our favourite episode: The Killers
Singer Brandon Flowers and drummer Ronnie Vannucci break down the song Rut from the 2017 album Wonderful Wonderful. Ronnie explains how drums are a ‘physical instrument’, and that sometimes it takes a bit of vocalising (or shouting) to put together a song.