TV and Culture Guide: What to Watch, Read and Listen to this March

The Apprentice

Every Thursday
BBC One & BBC iPlayer
You’ve got some catching up to do if you haven’t been braving Alan Sugar’s boardroom on a Thursday evening. In this new series, contestants have already been antique-collecting in Jersey, creating virtual escape rooms and cheesecakes, and hosting a corporate day away in the Scottish Highlands.

Celebrity Big Brother

4th March
ITV
It’s back! Following the successful return of Big Brother last year, celebrities are braving the house this spring. We’re still waiting for the full line-up to be announced but rumour has it that Love Island’s Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Chloe Burrows could be joining Fern Britton and Louis Walsh – now that’s something we’d like to see!

The Gentlemen

7th March
Netflix
When Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to a drug empire – and its proprietors aren't going anywhere. This is a new slice of the world that was brought to life in Guy Ritchie’s 2020 film of the same name. We advise you watch that too, if you haven’t already. It’s Hugh Grant like you’ve never seen him before.

Palm Royale

20th March
Apple TV+
In 1969, an ambitious woman tries to find her way into America's most exclusive, fashionable and definitely dangerous high society. But how far will she go to achieve it? Starring Kristen Wiig, it’s based on the novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel.

Renegade Nell

29th March
Disney+
Courageous Nell finds herself framed for murder and becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th-century England, then a magical spirit reveals that her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined. This eight-part series is written and created by BAFTA-award winning writer Sally Wainwright, and stars a Derry Girls fave.

We Loved

IF WE WERE VILLAINS
M. L. Rio
Fans of The Secret History and all things dark academia will love this book. About to be released after serving years for a horrific crime, Oliver Marks speaks to the investigator who put him away. Detective Colborne can’t shake the feeling that some details just don’t add up and what unfolds is a devastating tale of desire, jealousy and betrayal as Oliver relays what actually happened during his fateful time at an elite arts conservatory. Rio’s love for Shakespeare shines throughout the book, with quotes peppered in that brilliantly build the tension of the novel, making the tragedy and violence of the book feel inevitable.

MURDER ON THE MENU
Alex Coombs
Chef Charlie Hunter leaves her city life to set up her own restaurant in the idyllic countryside and it seems like the perfect life, until she becomes the number one suspect in the murder of a prominent local builder. As an outsider, the only way to clear her name is to find the real killer. Combining my two loves (crime fiction and food) I whizzed through this cosy crime novel and was rooting for Charlie to find the killer, as well as keep her restaurant alive. As a qualified chef, Coombs’ food knowledge shines through, so be sure to have a snack to hand whilst reading this book.

UNDER THE STAIRS
Alan J Hill
At a stately home in Burnley in 1936 a young maid falls in love for the first time; in 1959 a young man in the British Army struggles with his identity; and in the 1970s in St Helens a young boy faces his father with legal documents he's found under the stairs. Slowly but surely the pieces of this puzzle begin to be put together, leading to a heart-wrenching final chapter. Told through the generations of one family and based on real events (and in what could have been a very complex tale to follow), these stories are cleverly weaved together so you feel invested in each character's journey. Hill has a skilful way of telling stories so you always want to know what's going to happen next, which is why I finished this book in just two sittings.

Three Female-led Podcasts For 
International Women’s Day

SENTIMENTAL GARBAGE
This podcast is taking back all of the culture that we love, and society loves to hate. We recommend diving in with the episode on Barbie, as host Caroline O’Donoghue discusses the global impact of the doll, Greta Gerwig’s hit film and the Ryan Gosling of it all.

POOG
Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak This hilarious podcast takes a playful look at the wellness trends that have taken the world by storm, including colonics, crystals and face yoga. The aim isn’t to debunk these trends, but to explore them with an open mind and a good sense of humour.

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
With a wonderful sense of humour and solid background research, this podcast explores the often-ignored significant others of famous figures who were pivotal to their success in one way or another. The episode on the tumultuous relationship between Mary and Abraham Lincoln is a great place to start.