Winter TV Roundup, Week 5


As we reached the end of January, we hit a lull in the tide of new programming. With the Super Bowl and the Olympics on deck, some of the flood is waiting for the end of February and into March. But, still, we’re getting new series. So, which of these new series is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Winter. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Wednesdays:
Riot Women, Wednesdays on BritBox (Premiered January 14)
About: A little late to the party here, as this series has been on a couple weeks. It follows a group of lonely, middle-aged women in England who find an outlet and a future by forming a punk band. The music isn’t bad here, and the stories, while cliché, will tug at your heartstrings. It’s not as easy to find the show, unless you subscribe to this British content streamer. But if you do, and if you’re looking for a series with a blend of drama and humor, this will hit the mark for you. And, as I mentioned, the music is kind of a fun twist, too. The cast does a nice job, and the six-episode format creates a short commitment. Episodes are an hour, with four now available and the fifth debuting tomorrow.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Streaming Series:
Take That, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered January 27)
About: This new Netflix series is a three-part limited documentary on the British boy band of the same name. The band’s most famous member is arguably Robbie Williams, who left the band during its run and established a solo career—and was the subject of the film Better Man. That film was fairly engaging, this docuseries feels more like a by-the-numbers behind-the-music special. Fans of the band, or fans of the genre, might be more moved by that than others. The episodes are only about 50 minutes, and the whole series spans three episodes. It chronicles the beginnings, the rise, the fall, and the aftermath. It’s about what you expect but a little less exciting due to the lower profile of the subject. Again, this will work for you depending on your interest in the band.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

Wonder Man, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered January 27)
About: The latest from the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a standalone, eight-episode comedy. It feels like something fresh and different, which is the idea. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Simon Williams, a struggling actor looking for his big break. He finds it in auditioning for a remain of Wonder Man, a favorite movie from his youth. Along the way he connects with another actor, Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), who is going out for the movie and takes him under his wing. But it turns out Trevor, who has a difficult past, might have some ulterior motives. The series comes from Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed the first two episodes, and Andrew Guest. It’s eight episodes, each about a half hour and all available to stream. The series is somewhat contained, taking place in the larger MCU but not requiring much knowledge of other projects to enjoy it. I really liked the performances, and I enjoyed the back-and-forth between Abdul-Mateen and Kingsley. This makes for a fun binge and is one of the better series to come out of the MCU. It makes for a fun early 2026 watch.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B-

Gangnam Project, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered January 30)
About: This new series dropped on Netflix is a Canadian teenage comedy. It debuted in February of 2024 in Canada and already has two full seasons complete, with plans for more. It centers on Hannah Shin (Julia Kim Caldwell), a Korean/Canadian teen who dreams of becoming a KPop star. When she’s invited to a training center to help tutor those enrolled in English, she finds an opportunity to live out her dreams. If you’re a fan of KPop and teen dramas, this is the series for you. The first season is 10 episodes, each about 25 minutes. It’s a quick binge that has some decent humor and some decent music, again if you enjoy the genre. It’s kind of a niche experience aimed at those in the fan demographic, but it’s well done and has a couple seasons already banked.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered February 1)
About: The Winter Olympics in Italy begins on Friday. In the run up, we’ve seen plenty of series aimed at exploring and building hype for the winter games. This new docuseries on Netflix does just that. It’s a three-part exploration of the top ice dancing couples, following their training, lives, and qualifying runs as they aim for the Olympics. For those who are fans of the Olympics, or just fans of the sport of ice dancing, this is a fun look at the athletes and the process to prepare for the games. Episodes range from 50 minutes to an hour, making for a quick binge that gets you up to speed before the games being.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

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