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This week, new drama Adolescence, starring Stephen Graham, comes out on Netflix, telling the chilling story of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a fellow pupil.
But that’s not all the week has in store.
American TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney’s new book Paper Doll is released, the third season of The Wheel of Time drops, and gamers rejoice as WWE 2K25 is finally here.
Read on for this week’s biggest releases…
‘An ordinary family’s worst nightmare’
Netflix
If you’re a parent, then prepare to be terrified by Netflix’s new four-part crime drama series Adolescence, which is out on Thursday.
I’ve had a sneak preview, and can tell you that the opening scenes alone are highly stressful. We see police officers smashing their way into a house, before arresting a 13-year-old boy on suspicion of murdering a female classmate.
The visibly distressed boy is then taken to a police station, while his family protest his innocence.
This is a one-shot drama, co-created and co-written by Stephen Graham, who also stars as the boy’s father. It also features Top Boy’s Ashley Walters, and newcomer Owen Cooper.
Graham described the plotline as “an ordinary family’s worst nightmare”, while co-writer Jack Thorne told me he hoped it would inspire a conversation “about technology, about education, about parenting”.
TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney’s new book
You probably know American influencer Dylan Mulvaney from her viral social media videos, detailing her gender transition.
The 28-year-old trans actress is now publishing a new book, Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer, which comes out on Tuesday.
The book promises an intimate reflection of her life pre and post-transition.
Topics include her first break in theatre, and the first time her dad recognised her as a girl. She also touches on the controversy surrounding her sponsored video for Bud Light, which led to a backlash and calls for a boycott of the brand.
She told me she hoped the book would “help folks, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, feel a little more connected to their most authentic selves”.
Get ready for The Wheel of Time
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On Thursday, series three of The Wheel of Time drops on Amazon Prime.
Based on Robert Jordan’s fantasy book series, it stars Rosamund Pike – of Saltburn and Gone Girl fame – who is also executive producer.
We’re told that in the latest instalment, the threats against the Light (the force of good in the world) are multiplying.
Expect good vs evil, magic, destiny and adventure. In short, everything you might want from a thrilling fantasy series.
The popular WWE2K series is back
By Tom Richardson, Newsbeat reporter
If you’ve always dreamed of entering a pro wrestling ring but don’t fancy the gruelling training regimes, performance schedules or being body-slammed IRL, there’s always video games.
It’s been a year of big change for WWE so far. It’s moved its flagship shows to Netflix and recently done the unthinkable and made John Cena a heel (a bad guy).
But like clockwork, the popular WWE2K series returns to PC and consoles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series) on Friday.
Fans praised last year’s edition of the annual franchise as one of the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be, and reviews say WWE 2K25 has built on that foundation.
The faithful might be less pleased by the addition of console-exclusive The Island, a new online option that appears to take inspiration from the controversial City mode in publisher 2K’s NBA titles.
But for those who want to keep things simple, the developers hope other new modes and the 300-strong roster of WWE superstars old and new will make players say “Woo!”, “Oh Yeah!” and “Yes! Yes! Yes!”.
Other highlights this week…
Edvard Munch Portraits opens at the National Portrait Gallery on ThursdayBargain Hunt celebrates 25 years on TV with a special show on ThursdayManchester Film Festival starts on FridayCourting’s new album is also out on Friday
