A Dystopian Drama That Has Captured the Hearts of Viewers
A Portuguese series titled 3% has been making waves among fans of dystopian dramas. Initially launched on Netflix in 2016, this show follows a group of young people living in a poverty-stricken area known as Inland. Each year, an elite group chooses to live in a virtual paradise called Offshore, and the young residents of Inland compete for a place there through a series of tests. Only 3% of candidates succeed, leading to a fierce battle of wits each year.
The majority of the candidates are forced to return to their impoverished conditions after taking part in the selection process, often too debilitated to survive. The story centers around Michele, a young woman with no family and a strong sense of justice, played by Bianca Comparato. The series highlights the high-stakes tests that divide social inequality in the futuristic society and the rebellion aiming to take down the system.
The series, which concluded in 2020, has won over viewers since its launch, with an impressive 85 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans have praised it as “tremendously underrated.” One fan wrote on IMDb: “I was really surprised by the fact that this show is really unknown. It is a great TV series that definitely deserves more recognition.”
Another viewer commented: “Cinematically and visually stunning, a political, Hunger Games-esque storyline with believable acting, and I thought very interesting, lifelike characters. The script is intelligent, the characters are strong, and the interaction is elegant in its simplicity and natural air.”
One fan added: “3% is one of those rare shows that only gets better and better as it goes. Season 3, so far, is shaping up to be the most enthralling season yet, which, let me tell you, is absolutely saying something! The world continues to be fleshed out, and the already quite complex characters are only getting more interesting.”
Another fan wrote: “Do yourself a favour; watch at least to episode three before you pass judgement. You won’t regret it!” A fourth fan added: “This is truly an outstanding dystopian/post-apocalyptic series. The acting, the shots, the pace, the character development, the storyline… Everything is on point! Seasons 1, 2 and 4 were, for me, all riveting.”
A fifth fan concluded: “I watched this out of boredom, but boy, was I glad that I did. It totally caught me off guard by how wonderful this show was. It is intelligent, futuristic, and well acted; all in all, absolutely amazing.”
A New Season of Deadloch
After the success of the first season, the Australian dark comedy series Deadloch has returned for a new season, leaving long-term fans delighted. Created by Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan, the show is set in a fictional town in Tasmania and follows a community turned upside down when a local man is found dead on the beach.
Two female detectives, Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and Senior Sergeant Eddie Redcliffe, are soon on the investigation together. Their work is supported by their overseeing constable, Abby Matsuda, and officer Sven Alderman. Much of the drama focuses on Dulcie and Eddie coming to terms with each other’s vastly differing working styles as they try to find out what happened ahead of the town’s annual Winter Festival.
The second series of the show sees a major turning point for the action, with the detectives arriving in Darwin to investigate the death of Eddie’s former police partner. However, their plans are diverted when another body is discovered in a remote town called Barra Creek, and the detectives are sent on the case.
The synopsis teases: “Sticky, sweaty and juggling comprehensive thrush infections, the detectives find themselves embroiled in a world of crocodile-fuelled tourism, overstretched Indigenous rangers, cagey locals, and seven-metre prehistoric predators – all of whom call Barra Creek’s stretch of land, and water, their home.”
Since its release, the critics have been full of high praise for the series, with the Telegraph branding it the “best murder mystery on TV” and Decider concurred, praising the show’s “wickedly funny” cast. On social media, fans have expressed their excitement, with one user writing: “I’m obsessed with watching Deadloch season 2,” while another chimed in: “Deadloch season 2 is as chaotic as I’d hoped.”
Another fan wrote: “Damn.. I kinda.. a little bit.. a lot.. want more Deadloch. Amazon, give us season three,” while a fourth wrote on IMDb: “I need more seasons!” A fifth viewer encouraged: “Deadloch delivers on all fronts. This comedy-drama successfully sets up a mystery that is harder to guess than some of the mystery dramas that take themselves more seriously. You have to watch this.”
A Western Drama That Fans Can’t Get Enough Of
Netflix fans have heaped praise on a Western drama that they’ve been left “addicted” to watching. The Canadian series Heartland, which follows the story of two sisters living on a ranch, first launched back in 2007 and last year released its 19th season. Amber Marshall and Michelle Morgan play siblings Amy and Lou Fleming, who grew up on the Alberta-based cattle farm in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Their tight-knit family includes grandfather Jack, played by Shaun Johnston, their father Tim, portrayed by Chris Potter and ranch hand Ty (Graham Wardle). The action follows as together they manage their ranch amidst a series of personal challenges, financial ups and downs, and blossoming romantic relationships.
The brand-new 19th season is said to include many dramatic new storylines, including the family forced to evacuate amid wildfire threats to the ranch. Elsewhere, Amy navigates a brand-new relationship while balancing her daughter’s life and reputation, while Tim and Jack are forced to make critical decisions about the future of the ranch.
Since its release, it’s garnered hundreds of positive reviews from fans, with one writing on IMDb: “A true gem. I have watched every episode more than once. It’s the one show that leaves one with a sense of family and community with both people and animals. It’s a slice of heaven.”
Another raved that the series was “the best show ever,” adding: “This show is completely amazing! The storyline, plot, the characters, the beauty, the memories. There’s so much to this show that can teach us about life and the choices we make and the love it shows us. Call me crazy but I’m in love with this show!”
A New Reimagining of The Magnificent Seven
It comes after it was announced a legendary Western film will be re-imagined six decades after it first hit screens in a new drama series, with Hollywood actor Matt Dillon leading the cast. Streaming service MGM+ confirmed that the There’s Something About Mary star will step into the leading role of Chris Adams in the re-make of The Magnificent Seven.
The cult movie, which was first released in October 1960, follows seven skilled fighters hired by desperate villagers to protect them from a local bandit gang. It was re-imagined for the first time by American network CBS in 1998 starring Ron Perlman, and again in a 2016 film starring Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt.
Now Matt, 62, will take on the role of the leader of the gunfighters battling against a land baron who wants to seize the area for himself. Written and produced by Heroes creator Tim Kring, filming for the new series is set to take place in Calgary, Canada, during the summer.
MGM+ teased of Matt’s character: “Stoic, steady under pressure, and with an unflinching gaze that does most of the talking for him, Chris has no patience for hypocrisy or cruelty and holds fast to a quiet moral code.”
The streamer added: “Set in the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, The Magnificent Seven follows seven gifted but flawed mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village after it is massacred by mercenaries working for a ruthless land baron trying to seize their land. As the team embeds itself and prepares to defend against overwhelming odds, they grapple with a central question: is violence acceptable to defend people whose faith is based on non-violence?”
The series explores the backstories of each of the Seven, what’s at stake for them, and why they choose this mission – delving into themes of honour, sacrifice, redemption, morality, and faith.
MGM+’s global head, Michael Wright, added of the actor, who has been on screen for more than three decades: “Matt Dillon brings extraordinary depth and gravitas to this iconic role. His ability to portray complex, morally conflicted characters makes him the perfect choice to lead our reimagining of The Magnificent Seven.”
The Magnificent Seven will be made available around the world, including the UK, United States, Spain, Germany and Italy.
