House Of Guinness

Debuts on Netflix on Sept 25

Set in late 19th-century Dublin and New York, this historical drama is inspired by the famous brewing dynasty behind Guinness stout.

It begins with the death of patriarch Benjamin Guinness, who turned the family business into an international phenomenon.

His will leaves control of it to his sons Edward (Louis Partridge) and Arthur (Anthony Boyle) in a joint stewardship – sidelining their siblings Anne (Emily Fairn) and Ben (Fionn O’Shea) and sowing the seeds of a power struggle.

But even as they are entrusted with the family empire, all four are hiding dark secrets.

Why watch it: The show’s creator is British writer-director Steven Knight, who also created the acclaimed historical crime drama Peaky Blinders (2013 to 2022).

Fans of lush period pieces and Succession-like family feuds will get both with this look at one of Europe’s most colourful dynasties.

The Paper

Debuts on HBO Max on Sept 4

Domhnall Gleeson in The Paper.

PHOTO: HBO MAX

This spin-off of the American version of workplace sitcom The Office (2005 to 2013) is created by Greg Daniels, who adapted the latter from the original British series of the same name (2001 to 2003).

A mockumentary format is deployed once again, with the same documentary crew now shadowing staff at the Toledo Truth Teller, a beleaguered Ohio newspaper facing budget cuts and irrelevance.

Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, who appeared in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015 to 2019), plays its optimistic editor-in-chief Ned Sampson.

He is desperate to reinvigorate the publication, but must contend with clueless volunteer reporters.

And reprising his role as Oscar Martinez – the accountant at The Office’s fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin – is American performer Oscar Nunez, the only original cast member confirmed so far.

Why watch it: This has big shoes to fill for The Office’s fans, who have immortalised the show’s sharp observations of workplace dynamics with countless viral memes.

No other series has lived up to the original so far, but with American screenwriter and producer Daniels on board, this has as good a chance as any.

Confidence Queen

Debuts on Prime Video on Sept 6

Park Min-young in Confidence Queen.

PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO

A remake of the 2018 Japanese series The Confidence Man JP, this South Korean comedy-drama tracks a trio of con artists who devise elaborate schemes to entrap their targets.

But they rob only the corrupt and take their ill-gotten gains.

Leading them is the chameleon-like Yi-rang (Park Min-young), an heiress and self-described sociopath who was forced into a life of crime as a child.

With her partners James (Park Hee-soon) and Gu-ho (Joo Jong-hyuk), she finds unsuspecting marks in the finance and real estate sectors and delights in making them suffer.

Why watch it: The series promises a combination of suspense, humour and social commentary, and the shapeshifting Yi-rang is a plum role for Park, who starred in the popular K-drama Marry My Husband (2024).

The Murky Stream

Debuts on Disney+ on Sept 26

Shin Ye-eun (right) and Park Seo-ham in The Murky Stream.

PHOTO: DISNEY+

A dark and moody epic set during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, The Murky Stream follows three young people trying to take control of their destinies in a time of lawlessness.

Si-yool (Rowoon) is a gangster who rises up from poverty and becomes a folk hero through brute strength and fighting ability.

Choi-eun (Shin Ye-eun) is a savvy merchant and Jeong-cheon (Park Seo-ham) is a police officer who roots out corruption.

The action takes place along the Gyeonggang River – the historical name of the Han River – a trade artery where power, money and corruption collide.

Why watch it: The first historical K-drama on Disney+, The Murky Stream is directed by Choo Chang-min, whose period drama Masquerade (2012) is one of the highest-grossing South Korean films of all time.

This series also looks set to be a transformative role for Rowoon, a former member of boy band SF9 who is known for his award-winning performances in the dramas Extraordinary You (2019) and The King’s Affection (2021).

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