New and Noteworthy on AMC+, Shudder, and Acorn TV This February
For fans of gripping dramas, chilling horrors, and compelling true crime, February has been a bumper month for new releases and recent additions across AMC+, Shudder, and Acorn TV. Whether you’re after gritty period pieces, suspenseful thrillers, or insightful documentaries, there’s something to keep you glued to your screen.
This Week’s Must-Watch Releases:
The Field of Blood – Premiered 16 February (Acorn TV & AMC+)
This slick drama, based on Denise Mina’s popular novel, transports viewers to the gritty streets of Glasgow in the early 1980s. The series centres on Paddy, a low-level newspaper employee whose life takes a dramatic turn when a murder investigation hits close to home, involving her own family. The stellar ensemble cast includes acclaimed actors David Morrissey (known for The Walking Dead) and Peter Capaldi (of Doctor Who fame). This second season delves into The Dead Hour, the next instalment in the Paddy Meehan series. It sees Paddy striving to forge her own career path against the backdrop of the significant miners’ strike and the rapidly evolving landscape of journalism.True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here – Premiered 19 February (AMC+)
This six-episode season of True Crime Story offers a deep dive into the often-overlooked challenges and intricacies of justice within small towns. The series shines a spotlight on a diverse range of cases, from baffling unsolved disappearances to instances of wrongful convictions and deaths that occurred while in police custody. Leading the charge is advocate and actress Hilarie Burton-Morgan (One Tree Hill, The Walking Dead). The series embarks on a powerful journey across Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, relentlessly seeking accountability and justice for the victims.
By engaging directly with the families of those impacted by these cases, as well as community members, local journalists, and legal professionals, the series meticulously uncovers systemic flaws within the criminal justice system. It serves as a vital platform, encouraging viewers to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced.
Recently Added Gems to Binge:
Dark Winds Season 4 – Added 15 February (AMC+)
The compelling fourth season of Dark Winds plunges viewers into a desperate search for a missing Navajo girl. The investigation pulls Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito away from the familiar safety of the Navajo Nation and into the unforgiving urban sprawl of 1970s Los Angeles. They are in a race against time to rescue the girl from a dangerously obsessive killer with unsettling ties to organised crime.
Executive produced by Hollywood heavyweights Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin, alongside star Zahn McClarnon, Dark Winds has garnered significant critical acclaim, boasting a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its first three seasons. The series also features a talented cast, including Kiowa Gordon (The Red Road, Roswell, New Mexico) as Jim Chee, Jessica Matten (Rez Ball, Tribal, Burden of Truth) as Bernadette Manuelito, and Deanna Allison (Accused, Edge of America) as Emma Leaphorn.Honey Bunch – Added 13 February (Shudder & AMC+)
This Shudder Original horror film from 2025 introduces Diana, who awakens from a coma with her memories fractured. Seeking experimental treatments, she and her husband relocate to a remote facility. As the procedures become more intense, their marriage faces immense strain, and Diana starts to harbour serious doubts about her husband’s true intentions.My Life is Murder Season 5 – Added 9 February (Acorn TV & AMC+)
The latest season of this beloved Australian-New Zealand crime comedy-drama promises eight fresh and thrilling cases that only the inimitable Alexa Crowe (portrayed by Lucy Lawless, the iconic Xena: Warrior Princess) can solve. As always, Alexa isn’t alone; she’s joined by her loyal friends and family, and even her cantankerous cat, Chowder, continues to be a source of mischievous chaos.
This season kicks off with Alexa enjoying a sun-drenched holiday in Fiji, which takes a sinister turn when a familiar adversary makes a surprise reappearance. But solving murders isn’t her only unresolved business; she also reconnects with Jesse (played by Craig Parker, known for Spartacus and Xena: Warrior Princess), her former police partner. Could he be the one that got away? With the unwavering support of her whānau (extended family), Alexa dives headfirst into a new series of high-stakes investigations. Buried secrets are unearthed, and the path to justice proves to be far more complex than it initially appears. One thing, however, remains crystal clear: Alexa Crowe is not backing down.Cold Call – Added 2 February (Acorn TV & AMC+)
This gripping dark thriller follows June (Sally Lindsay, Scott & Bailey), a single mother whose life is irrevocably changed by a fateful phone call. Driven by increasingly desperate measures to secure her family’s future, June finds herself the victim of a devastating scam that wipes out her life savings. Determined to track down those responsible, she enlists the help of an old flame (Daniel Ryan, Mount Pleasant).Terrifier 3 – Added 1 February (Shudder & AMC+)
Prepare for mayhem as Art the Clown returns in this 2024 horror film, poised to unleash his signature brand of terror upon the unsuspecting residents of Mile County. The unsuspecting townspeople are peacefully drifting off to sleep on Christmas Eve, unaware of the bloody chaos about to unfold.Fear the Waking Dead Seasons 7 & 8 – Added 1 February (AMC+)
Arm yourself for the final two seasons of post-apocalyptic pandemonium with Fear the Waking Dead, AMC’s original spin-off of the immensely popular The Walking Dead.
Season 7 depicts the devastating aftermath of Teddy’s (John Glover) apocalyptic vision, where nuclear warheads shattered the Texas landscape. Now, the survivors are tasked with forging a new beginning from the ashes. The season features a strong cast including Lennie James, Kim Dickens, Colman Domingo, and Rubén Blades.
In Season 8, Morgan’s (Lennie James) and Madison’s (Kim Dickens) desperate mission to rescue Mo from PADRE takes an unexpected and grim turn. The characters find themselves living under PADRE’s oppressive and cynical rule. Demoralised and dejected, the arduous task of reigniting hope for a better world falls to the very person they set out to save – Morgan’s daughter, Mo.Rise of the 49ers – Added 1 February (AMC+)
This captivating limited series event chronicles the dramatic and iconic era of the San Francisco 49ers during the 1980s and early 1990s. The series draws upon a treasure trove of rare and previously unseen footage from NFL Films, including intimate team speeches and candid behind-the-scenes photographs of the legendary head coach Bill Walsh.
The series features insightful interviews with club legends and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Steve Young, and Eddie DeBartolo Jr. Adding a unique perspective, each episode will also include on-camera contributions from Tom Brady, a native of San Mateo, California, and a lifelong supporter of the 49ers.
