Murder gets hilarious in this week’s top TV viewing

From murder mayhem to a raunchy new show from the creators of Euphoria, these are the 10 must-watch shows this week.

DEADLOCH

Friday, Amazon Prime Video

From the wickedly funny minds of Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan comes this brilliant eight-part crime comedy, Deadloch. The pair said they were inspired somewhat by Olivia Colman in Broadchurch and wondered what would happen if they dialled up the comedy against a backdrop of murder – and the result is outstanding. The Tasmanian town of Deadloch, a once sleepy seaside hamlet, is left reeling when a local man turns up dead on the beach. Two female detectives are thrown together to solve the case: fastidious local Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins (the always fabulous Kate Box) and a “rough as guts blow-in” from Darwin, Senior Investigator Eddie Redcliffe (the hilarious Madeline Sami) along with their overeager junior constable Abby (Nina Oyama, who is a standout in this role). As the town prepares to launch the annual arts, food and culture event – Winter Festival – the trio have to put their differences aside and work together to find the killer. Viewers will fall in love with the quirky characters, while being on the edge of their seats trying to work out who the killer could possibly be.

Just stop – there’s no way Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) and Ted (Jason Sudeikis) will end up as lovers. Picture: Supplied

TED LASSO

Streaming, AppleTV+

I am filled with all the emotions ahead of the reputed final episode of one of my favourite TV shows of all time. I want to see how the writers wrap up the three-season story arc, but will they do they show justice? All clues are pointing to Ted heading home to Kansas – the series has been littered with Wizard of Oz references, so we know there’s no place like home. While viewers might hanker for more Ted in their life, Richmond FC don’t need Ted anymore. They’ll have Nate, Roy, and perhaps even a redeemed Jamie. Who knows if it will be the fairytale with Richmond winning the championship? But please, people – just stop trying to ‘ship Ted and Rebecca.

The plot thickens in North Shore … Rob Carlton as Lloyd, John Bradley as DS Max Drummond, and Kirsty Sturgess as DS Meg Driscoll. Picture: Ten

NORTH SHORE

Wednesday, 8.40pm, Ten

We’re just over halfway in this addictive series, and each week I have a new theory as to what happened to Sophie. This episode sees Abigail (Joanne Froggatt) under pressure to close the trade deal, when Simon (Dan Spielman) admits they will lose millions from an investment in one of Lloyd’s (Rob Carlton) businesses. So she’s having to consider a proposition from Greg (Matt Passmore). Furious at Meg’s (Kirsty Sturgess) betrayal, Max (John Bradley) struggles to get his informant onside. But it’s the revelation of an affair between Sophie (Bailey Spalding) and Oscar (Jonathan Lagudi) that helps turn the case.

He’s back … Scott Disick will feature more in this third season of The Kardashians reboot. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith

THE KARDASHIANS

New episodes, Wednesdays, Disney+

The Kardashians – and Jenners – are back, with the third season of their rebooted reality show. And Scott Disick has returned to the spotlight after taking a back seat in season two. Disick, the ex of Kourts and father of their three children, has long been an integral part of the family, but since Kourtney married Blink 182’s Travis Barker, he hasn’t been spotted at quite as many family functions. He always brings the drama – but then again who doesn’t in this family? In other good news for fans, Kim confirmed there’ll at least 20 more episodes.

All smiles … a new documentary delves into the smiling enigma who was Mary Tyler Moore. Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

BEING MARY TYLER MOORE

Streaming Foxtel On demand

The seven-time Emmy-winning actor was one of Hollywood’s most beloved TV stars, playing characters close to her own persona, from the The Dick Van Dyke Show to her groundbreaking role of single career woman Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. But Moore remained a smiling enigma to her fans. This two-hour special uses rare footage and previous interviews to go behind that cheery facade, delving into her personal struggles, triumphs, and tragedies, including the death of her 24-year-old son, Richard, her younger sister’s lethal overdose and her own health battles.

Home And Away Justin (James Stewart) trying to escape the clutches of the dangerous doomsday preppers cult. Picture: Seven

HOME AND AWAY

From Thursday, 7pm, Seven

It’s an explosive week of chaos and carnage – quite literally – as the lives of some of the Bay’s most beloved residents are put on the line, Justin (James Stewart) is left fighting for his life at the hands of dangerous doomsday preppers cult, Vita Nova, who have taken a vulnerable Andrew (Joshua Hewson). Meanwhile, Marilyn’s (Emily Symons) battle against corrupt skincare company, Stunning Organics, reaches an climax when she receives a mysterious box. What she and the rest of the Bay’s residents don’t realise is – the box contains a bomb.

Tim Ross is indulging his not-so-inner architecture nerd in Designing A Legacy. Picture: ABC

DESIGNING A LEGACY

Sunday, 7.30pm, ABC and iview

He was once much better known for his comedy pairing with Merrick, but design nerd Tim Ross is once again sharing his other deep passion in this new two-part series about Australian architecture. Tonight’s first episode sees Ross on Bruny Island where he meets architect John Wardle, who shows him through his stunningly redesigned 1830s cottage. Wardle won an award for the conservation and renovation of the historic cottage for the way the “new elements heal the old with sympathetic material choices and inventive reinterpretations”.

Lily-Rose Depp stars in The Idol – the new series from Euphoria’s Sam Levin with Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye. Picture: Supplied

THE IDOL

Monday, Binge

This new series from Euphoria’s Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim, and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye follows Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), a pop starlet making her way back to her rightful status as greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Previews haven’t been sent to media but given the details released and the reactions from the crowds at Cannes, where the first two episodes premiered, it looks like the sex-and-drug-levels will be at least on a par with those of Euphoria. The star-studded ensemble cast includes Aussie singer/songwriter Troye Sivan, Dan Levy and Hank Azaria.

Courtney Hanson, managing director of North Marine, and Andy Ridley, CEO Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

REVEALED: REEFSHOT

Monday, Stan

Led by the founder of Earth Hour, Andy Ridley, this doco follows a collective of conservationists, scientists, Traditional Owners and everyday citizens as they rally the public to save our Great Barrier Reef from climate change. In Ridley’s latest project, the citizens of the Great Barrier Reef, this group of unlikely local heroes pool resources and blend ancient knowledge with modern science to attempt one of the world’s biggest and most important biological surveys – the Great Barrier Reef Census.

Funny woman stars Gemma Arterton.

FUNNY WOMAN

Tuesday, 8.30pm, Fox Showcase

Gemma Arterton. steps into the shoes of charismatic Barbara Parker, the force of nature who takes London by storm in this comedy drama, based on Nick Hornby’s book. Set in the ‘60s, it follows Barbara’s journey from Blackpool beauty queen to comedy superstar, where she finds her comic voice in the male-dominated world. Watching Lucille Ball on the telly at the laundrette, dreaming about her future she says wistfully: “I’d love to get paid to muck about.” Enter Rupert Everett as an old-fashioned showbiz agent.

Originally published as Murder gets hilarious in this week’s top TV viewing