New things for 2023
Books! Telly! Films!
What will be distracting and entertaining us this year? The picture is still emerging but as you know, I’m keen on unearthing the great things that aren’t necessarily being pedalled in every Best Of list going.
While I continue to forensically investigate what’s out there, below is a list of some of the books, TV and film coming our way that have piqued my interest so far.
Any new intel is always welcome to please do drop any hot tips in the comments.
BOOKS
I’m one of the few people on the planet who hasn’t watched Schitt's Creek but Really Good Actually, the debut novel from the show’s screenwriter Monica Heisy, about a woman navigating her first year as a young divorcee, sounds good. It also appears to continue last year’s vogue for novels with slightly sardonic sounding titles (I'm Sorry You Feel That Way, They're Going to Love You). 17 January
I’m intrigued by another debut, this one from the US. Everything's Fine by Cecilia Rabess is a dark romance between a liberal black woman and her conservative white male colleague set in the years leading up to the election of Donald Trump. Oooh. 8 June
The navel gazer in me likes the sound of Becky by Sarah May. Set during the 90s tabloid era, it’s the story of Becky Sharpe (yes, it’s a modern take on Vanity Fair), a young woman determined to get to the top of the ladder at the newspaper where she works, no matter how many lives she ruins in the process. 26 January
I’ll read pretty much anything that Hadley Freeman writes so I’ll be adding her new memoir, Good Girls: A Story and Study of Anorexia, to my list. 2nd March
I don’t want to sound like a broken record but just to remind you that Curtis Sittenfeld’s new novel, Romantic Comedy is coming on 6th April (and it’s BRILLIANT).
TELEVISION
Happy Valley You never hear a bad word about this show, currently in its third and final series. I’m generally a bit allergic to British crime dramas as I mostly find them stilted, poorly made and depressing but everything about this is meant to be totally brilliant. BBC, now
Pamela, A Love Story An intimate documentary about Pamela Anderson (made with Pammy’s full permission unlike Disney’s Pam & Tommy from 2022), featuring frank interviews. Netflix, January (There’s a book of the same name too, which a reliable source tells me is excellent - 31st Jan)
Fleishman is in Trouble Taffy Brodesser-Akner, best profile writer of all time and author of the 2019 book, has been breathlessly live Tweeting the making of this TV adaptation for ages so I’m suitably worked up about its arrival. It stars Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, Lizzy Caplan and Adam Brody - great casting. Disney+, February
Frasier Hey baby I hear the blues a-callin’. A re-boot of a spin off which proves that there’s no such thing is dead IP. I loved Frasier so I’m interested to see what they do with it in 2023. Paramount+, some time this year
Succession Obviously. Hurry up, season 4! Sky Atlantic, Spring
One Day The TV adaptation of David Nicholls’ brilliant bestselling novel. My unpopular opinion is that Ann Hathaway was actually very good as Emma Morley in the not great 2011 film (despite the dodgy accent). Let’s see what the TV series brings. Netflix, some time this year
FILM
Your Place or Mine Why aren’t more rom coms being made? Why? Thankfully, the Netflix algorithm has created this film, starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher (old school!) Blurb: Debbie and Peter are best friends and total opposites. She craves routine with her son in LA; he thrives on change in NY. When they swap houses and lives for a week they discover what they think they want might not be what they really need. Not sure about that last bit but sure. Like The Holiday meets When Harry Met Sally? Netflix, 10th February
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret Yes, they’ve finally made a film of Judy Blume’s seminal 1970 coming of age novel and it even stars Rachel McAdams. In cinemas, I think in April
Barbie Compelled to see Greta Gerwig’s take on Barbie. Starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. In cinemas, 21st July
Legally Blonde 3 Very little info out there but exciting nonetheless. Some time this year
So much to look forward to.
See you next time!
Hannah