Top new series in April 2023

Box set favourites return, the new series from the creator of ‘Peaky Blinders’ and new SBS Originals. April will have you glued to your screen.

(L–R) ‘Rogue Heroes’, ‘Conviction – The Case of Stephen Lawrence’, ‘Appetite’, ‘Asking For It’. Source: SBS

You’re The Worst – seasons 1–5

‘You’re The Worst’. Source: SBS

If you missed this mouthy American sitcom when it first launched in 2014, now’s your chance to absorb the brilliance. British Chris Geere and American Aya Cash play Jimmy and Gretchen – he, a writer whose income is actually derived from magazine writing not his novel and she, a party animal cum music publicist – are set deep in their ways and cynical as hell. When they meet – at Jimmy’s ex’s wedding – they enjoy a one-night stand insisting they’re not interested in a relationship. Life has other plans. The Atlantic’s review, “Terrifyingly real”, sums it up.

All 5 seasons of You’re The Worst are streaming at SBS On Demand from Saturday 1 April. Get cracking here:

Wayward Pines – seasons 1–2

‘Wayward Pines’. Source: Distributor

In another reprisal, this one from 2015/16, we’re bringing you both seasons of Wayward Pines, the American crime mystery series named for the bucolic setting in Idaho where two federal agents have gone missing. Secret Service agent Ethan Burke (Matt Dillon – need we say more?) heads to town to investigate but soon learns he might never get out of there alive. If you like your TV series skin-crawlingly creepy, this one’s your jam.

Both seasons of Wayward Pines are streaming at SBS On Demand from Saturday 1 April.

Michael Palin: Into Iraq

‘Michael Palin: Into Iraq’. Source: Distributor

We think we know Iraq from news reports, but what’s life really like there? Bringing his signature warmth and humour, Michael Palin travelled the length of the River Tigris in March 2022 to meet locals and get a sense of how the locals live and thrive in a region that once formed the cradle of civilisation, but that more recently has witnessed turmoil and bloodshed. This three-part docu-series is a vivid and varied portrait of a complex and beautiful country.

Michael Palin: Into Iraq premieres exclusively in Australia at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, Wednesday 5 April. Episodes continue weekly on 12 and 19 April. Catch up at SBS On Demand.

Rogue Heroes

‘Rogue Heroes’. Source: BBC

Based on Ben Macintyre’s best-selling book, SAS: Rogue Heroes, this six-part British series is a dramatised account of how the Special Forces unit, known as the SAS, was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of WWII. From the creator of Peaky Blinders, the humour’s just as dark to match. The man-heavy cast is all-time: Dominic West (The Crown), Connor Swindells (Sex Education), Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones), with Jack O’Connell (Lady Chatterley’s Lover) and Sofia Boutella (Atomic Blonde).

Rogue Heroes premieres exclusively in Australia on SBS at 9.30pm, Wednesday 5 April. Episodes continue weekly on SBS with episodes available at SBS On Demand the same day they go to air. Catch up now:

The Wall – season 3

‘The Wall’ – season 3. Source: Pixcom

Detective Sergeant Céline Trudeau (Isabel Richer) is back, and this time, an old trauma in her childhood village disrupts the beauty of the Indian Summer – 30 years ago, her cousin and best friend Veronique was murdered here. Now, Céline and Alex (Alexandre Théberge) set out to track down her killer, who was never found. Among the suspects are her old friends and neighbours, even members of her family. Subtitled ‘The Orchard’ season 3 of this French-language Canadian drama series joins seasons 1–2, which are now streaming.

Season 3 of The Wall premieres exclusively in Australia and is now streaming at SBS On Demand. Season 1 and season 2 are also streaming. Dive into season 3 now:

Asking For It

‘Asking For It’. Source: John Platt

From Jess Hill (See What You Made Me Do), this bold, thesis-driven series uses first-person testimony to explore the status of consent in Australia, in all areas of life and from teenagers through the full adult age range. What does consent look like across cultures, at schools and universities, within marriages and same-sex relationships, within institutions and at the highest levels of government?

Asking For It premieres exclusively in Australia at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand, Thursday 20 April. Start watching here:

Conviction: The Case of Stephen Lawrence

‘Conviction: The Case of Stephen Lawrence’. Source: SBS

Steve Coogan plays DCI Clive Driscoll in this three-part true-crime drama about Britain’s most infamous murder: the racially motivated killing of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence. While an ultimately successful conviction was reached, the investigation was beset by hostility, outright sabotage, racism and corruption, and astonishing levels of complacency within Britain’s largest police force. A gripping and emotional tale told by a committed ensemble cast.

Three-part series Conviction: The Case of Stephen Lawrence premieres on SBS at 9.30pm, Thursday 20 April, continuing on 27 April and 4 May. Catch-up is only available at SBS On Demand for 30 days after each episode goes to air. Here is episode 1:

 

Appetite

‘Appetite’. Source: SBS

In this SBS On Demand Digital Original short-form series, an unlikely trio of food delivery riders get tangled up in a mission to uncover the truth and expose a multinational behemoth when one of their fellow riders dies on the streets of Sydney. We’re very proud of this show and its vibrant ensemble cast of newcomers.

Appetite premieres exclusively in Australia at 9.30pm on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, Saturday 22 April. The hour-long version will go to air. You also have the option of streaming each 10-minute episode at SBS On Demand. Here is episode 1:

 

Amazon – The Lost World

‘Amazon – The Lost World’. Source: SBS

In its dense unexplored vastness, the Amazon rainforests have been home to only a few remote and scattered tribes – or so we thought. Now, explorer and paleoanthropologist Ella Al Shamahi rewrites its history, unveiling a previously unknown ancient and complex civilisation. As they travel the Amazon, the experts who feature in this incredible three-part documentary, which premieres on Earth Day, contend with dangerous animals, drug cartels, gold miners and poachers, but persist to reveal the rich history of the societies that once existed in the midst of this enigmatic jungle.

Three-part docu series Amazon – The Lost World premieres exclusively in Australia at SBS On Demand on Earth Day 2023: Saturday 22 April. 

The Allegation

‘The Allegation’. Source: Drehstartfoto

From a screenplay by best-selling author Ferdinand Von Schirach, this German series is inspired by the appalling true story of 25 men and women accused of running a child pornography ring in the city of Worms. This fictitious version is set in a small town where a child is diagnosed with chronic sexual abuse, with devastating consequences. It focuses on one of the defendants’ lawyers, Richard Schlesinger (Peter Kurth) and the mysterious Azra (Narges Rashidi) from the Berlin underground who take matters into their own hands using definitive methods.

Seven-part crime drama The Allegation premieres exclusively in Australia and is now streaming at SBS On Demand.

Pray For Blood

‘Pray For Blood’. Source: Distributor

We’re in Mexico City where a killer is presenting victims’ bodies to echo chilling Aztec rituals of human sacrifice. The first murder takes place under cover of Independence Day fireworks, and prompts crime reporter Eugenio Casasola to join forces with police inspector Edith Mondragón to find the killer. This creepy 10-part murder mystery is from International Emmy-award-winning showrunner, Zasha Robles (Falco). If you liked Black Wedding, Infiniti and Pagan Peak, you’ll love Pray For Blood.

Ten-part crime drama Pray For Blood premieres exclusively in Australia and is now streaming at SBS On Demand. Warning: contains graphic violence.