This weekend I have … a half-hour, and I like variety.
‘Inside No. 9’
When to watch: Now, on BritBox.
This British anthology series is a magical grab bag, perfect for anyone with decision fatigue who still wants a parade of delights. Episodes vary wildly in terms of tone and format: Some installments are thrillers, others are silly style parodies, and most have a tricky twist. The only true through line is that each episode features the number nine and takes place in a single location. Season 8, which arrived on BritBox last month, includes a spooky Christmas tale, a bright spin on necromancy, a game show that doesn’t go according to plan (hosted by Lee Mack) and an off-kilter love story.
… a half-hour, and I’m tired of the grind.
‘Dreaming Whilst Black’
When to watch: Sunday at 10 p.m., on Showtime.
Adjani Salmon cocreated and stars in this six-episode British dramedy about Kwabena, an aspiring filmmaker trapped in a tedious job where he is subjected to nonstop microaggressions and overall cringey vibes. The show’s frequent dream sequences are sometimes Kwabena’s esprit de l’escalier, sometimes enchanting asides, sometimes just a reprieve from his demoralizing gig work. “Dreaming” started out as a web series, and the TV adaptation retains the individuality that defines that format, a real sense of originality and voice. The series begins streaming on Friday, and two episodes premiere each week.
… a few hours, and I want to be swept away.
‘Infamy’
When to watch: Now, on Netflix.
The Polish series “Infamy” (in Polish, Romani and English, with subtitles or dubbed) is a traditional enough coming-of-age drama plot-wise, but thanks to its distinctive setting and vibrant performances, it feels fresh and intense, beautiful and special. The show centers on Gita (Zofia Jastrzebska), a 17-year-old Romani girl whose immediate family returns to Poland after living in exile in Wales for many years. It’s a tough adjustment: Her community is subject to violence and discrimination, and she also bristles at being told to wear a skirt instead of pants and worries about being forced into an arranged marriage. She nurtures a secret dream of being a rapper and insists she be able to go to school, even as she struggles to fit in.
If you miss “Unorthodox,” or if you want a show about teenagers that is far more substantive than the typical wan fare, watch this.
