Neon’s Everyone Else Burns, TVNZ’s Then You Run among great shows to stream this Matariki weekend

ANGEL CITY (NEON)

This three-part HBO documentary is a fly-on-the-wall, intimate look at the trio of actor Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Kara Nortman and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman’s – and others’ – efforts to start a football club from scratch, have it be successful both on and off the field and run it in such a way that would always put the players’ needs first.

As director Arlene Nelson’s (the helmer of last year’s enlightening, entertaining and, at times, deeply disturbing Secrets of Playboy series) engaging, warts-and-all tale demonstrates though, the task was far from easy.

Like Disney+’s look at the Matildas’ build-up to this year’s World Cup – The World At Our Feet – this benefits greatly from the participants’ willingness to let the cameras in and be candid in front of them.

EVERYONE ELSE BURNS (NEON)

The Righteous Gemstones might just have to up their game – thanks to the arrival of this new divine British sitcom.

Everyone Else Burns’ Lewis family are a little different to the American televangelist and megachurch pastors though – this quartet more focused on surviving the impending rapture, rather than living opulent lives.

Between heathen neighbours, shunned former members, a slick rival, an ancient religious rulebook, a caravan holiday, a teenage sex-ed class and the Tupperware of Sin, there’s plenty of mirth-filled situations for hapless and blinkered David patriarch (Simon Bird) to find himself mired in.

Closer to Father Ted than The Vicar of Dibley, this irreverent series is not for the easily offended, but – for devout lovers of UK comedy – this is well worth seeking out.

HIJACK (APPLE TV+)

Unfolding in real time, this seven-part thriller follows the high-stakes journey of a plane bound for London as it is taken over by ne’er-do-wells. As authorities on the ground scramble for answers, back on board, Idris Elba’s Sam Nelson attempts to use his business negotiating skills to try and save the lives of all the passengers.

The cast also includes Archie Panjabi, Max Beesley, Eve Myles and Neil Maskell.

A compelling cross between 24 and the cinematic mile-high heists of Flightplan, Air Force One, United 93 and 7500, this does a terrific job of keeping you glued to the action.

Having already demonstrated their ability to create gripping, character-filled television with Netflix’s Criminal and Lupin respectively, creators Jim Field Smith and George Kay here ensure the audience are given just enough information to keep them ahead of the major players, while tantalisingly not revealing all their secrets too early

MUSCLES & MAYHEM: AN UNAUTHORIZED STORY OF AMERICAN GLADIATORS (NETFLIX)

Debuting in 1989 and running for seven glorious seasons, the reality competition American Gladiators pitted athletic average Joes up against a cast of Running Man-esque single-named “superheroes” like Nitro, Storm, Laser, Ice and Blaze in events such as Assault, Joust, Hang Tough and Powerball.

This five-part docu-series provides plenty of jaw-dropping and incredible first-hand accounts of the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of the much-loved show.

What comes across is just how cobbled together the original conceit was. The pilot was shot in an equestrian centre, “protection” was a combination of modified motorcycle and baseball gear and no medical staff were employed.

THE RIGHTEOUS GEMSTONES (NEON)

John Goodman, Edi Patterson, Adam Devine and writer-creator Danny McBride star in this nine-part, third season of this hit comedy about a world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed and charitable work.

As this instalment opens, siblings Jesse (McBride), Judy (Patterson) and Kelvin (Devine) are forced to deal with dwindling attendances and donations in the wake of their father Eli’s (Goodman) semi-retirement, while he is visited by another figure from his past.

“[It] remains consistent in its outrageous opulence and crude humour, but its latest chapter is unusually well-timed,” wrote Variety’s Alison Herman, while Roger Ebert.com’s Nandini Balial thought that “it continues to be one of HBO’s best series, with excellent production value, vivid costume work, and of course, great writing”.

THEN YOU RUN (TVNZ+)

Based on the 2014 novel You by Croatian-German writer Zoran Drvenkar, this eight-part thriller focuses in on a close-knit group of rebellious London teenagers who are on holiday in Rotterdam.

However, when the estranged father of one of them – Tara (Normal People’s Leah McNamara) is found dead, they find themselves on the run across Europe with three kilos of heroin and a host of deadly criminals snapping at their heels.

“A frenetic hybrid of Luther and The Hangover, with an added sprinkle of Scandi-noir bleakness,” wrote The Guardian’s Rebecca Nicholson. “This is highly stylised, pulpy action and it twists and turns with dizzying speed. It is gruesome and gory, and obviously total nonsense from start to finish, but it is a riot – and very moreish. I sat down to watch one episode, and tore through three.”

TOM CLANCY’S JACK RYAN (PRIME VIDEO)

The fourth and – apparently – final, six-part season of this action series sees John Krasinski’s take on Tom Clancy’s beloved character facing his most dangerous mission yet.

As the new CIA deputy director, Ryan is tasked with unearthing internal corruption. As he begins his investigations, he discovers a link between a drug cartel, a terrorist organisation and a conspiracy that could involve the very system he has always sought to protect.

If it all sounds a little familiar, that’s because it’s essentially an adaptation of Clancy’s Clear and Present Danger, which was made into a hit Harrison Ford-starring movie in 1994.

“Serves as a perfect finale to the gripping series,” wrote The Times of India’s Abhishek Srivastava. “Packed with adrenaline-pumping action and thrilling plot twists at every corner, the show operates at full throttle.

THE WALKING DEAD: DEAD CITY (TVNZ+)

This six-part spin-off from the long-running action-drama focuses on two of The Walking Dead’s most popular characters – Negan Smith (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan).

It follows their adventures, as they travel into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan cut off from the mainland long ago. Crumbling, the city is now filled with the dead and denizens who have made this part of the Big Apple their own world – one full of anarchy, danger, beauty and terror.

“Delivers a compelling tale that ushers in an exciting next chapter for The Walking Dead franchise,” wrote TV Fanatic’s Paul Dailly, while Variety’s Jessica Liese thought it was “a well-told, self-contained story that retains many of its predecessor’s best qualities while deepening two of its most beloved characters”.