Lord of the Flies is the first-ever television adaptation of William Golding's landmark 1954 novel, written by Jack Thorne and directed by Marc Munden. A co-production that aired first on the BBC before reaching Netflix, it brings fresh scale and psychological depth to a story that has haunted readers for generations.
After a plane crash strands a group of British schoolboys on a remote Pacific island in the early 1950s, the boys attempt to govern themselves. Ralph (Winston Sawyers) tries to hold the group together with the counsel of the clever, bullied Piggy (David McKenna), but the charismatic, power-hungry Jack (Lox Pratt) foments a rebellion that fractures their fragile society into fear, tribalism, and violence. The production cast a large ensemble of young newcomers, many making their professional debuts.
Released in 2026, the four-part series earned wide critical acclaim for its stunning direction and its unflinching portrait of how quickly civilization can unravel. Filmed on Malaysia's Langkawi archipelago, it stands as a definitive screen version of Golding's parable. It is streaming on Netflix.
When Nick Monohan moved his family away from Chicago and settled in a quiet and pleasantly upscale community where he became Chief of Police, he had no clue what they'd gotten themselves into. The neighbors in The Gates are not what they seem to be and soon the Monohans find themselves immersed in weird goings on and dangerous events seem to occur each night. The neighbors include werewolves, vampires, witches, and even a succubus which is often found in the form of an enchantress or seductress. Frank Grillo (Prison Break, Blind Justice) plays Nick Monohan and his wife Sarah is played by Marisol Nichols (24, Vegas Vacation). Son Charlie Monohan is played by Travis Caldwell and McKaley Miller plays daughter Dana. Of the assorted weird neighbors there is a vampire Dylan Radcliff (actor Luke Mably), his wife who is also a vampire, Claire Radcliff (played by Rhona Mitra), a very nasty witch named Devon (Chandra West) and the seductress Succubus Andie Bates (played by Skyler Samuels). Just your typical subdivision residents. It's all fun, well acted, and well written.
With their sites set on the Olympic Games we follow along with the lives of three teen gymnasts who strive to be the best and reach the ultimate goal of Olympic medals. Popular with viewers and critics as well, Make It or Break It has captivated audiences with the high quality writing and acting on each weekly episode. Kaylie Cruz is played by Josie Loren ( ), Payson Keeler played by Ayla Kell ( ), and Lauren Tanner portrayed by Cassie Scerbo ( ) are three determined teens who have been on the road to the Olympics most of their lives and are determined to be the best they can be physically as well as mentally. They work out at the "Rocky Mountain Gym" which is a fictional place in Boulder, Colorado. The Rock as their gym is known by offers great equipment and a place for the youngsters to meet and compete as they train for their future in gymnastics. There are "no dating" rules which, being teens, is bound to be broken and each new member must pass inspection before they are allowed to join the ranks. Lauren is the devious one who intends to come out on top.
Another reality television show that actually has merit is School Pride. The show is based on an actual restoration on Carver Elementary, a school in Compton, California seven years ago. The schools chosen on this program will receive around two million dollars worth of upgrades and repairs that were sorely needed plus plenty of exposure via the television program. Additionally the student participation helped with School Pride as they were a part of renovations and it is their family, volunteers, and neighbors that help organize the production. The premise is that schools in need of costly repairs can receive help when they showcase how much need there is for improvements and students participate by showing how much pride they have for their school. Somewhat based on the television program "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" the cameras follow students, teachers, and community members performing the renovations badly needed by a particular school. In seven days it's amazing how much can be done and camera crews will return a few months later to see just how much improvement has been made and how it affects the surrounding community.
Starring stand up comedian Denis Leary, Rescue Me deals with real life trauma and the life of a fire fighter in the great city of New York. In a fictional fire house we follow along with the daily activities of the FDNY finest and bravest. Often their private lives call for more bravery than the job. Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) has a dysfunctional family and after losing a close cousin on September 11, 2001 he has problems dealing with the fact that cousin keeps showing up in his dreams or visions. Tommy deals with his alcoholism, unsettling visions, and the stress that goes with being a fire fighter each week. We ride along on the fire trucks as he and his group of firemen go about the business of putting out fires, help injured civilians, and deal with some domestic issues. The recurring guest list is impressive including Gina Gershon, Susan Sarandon, Artie Lange, Maura Tierney, Jennifer Esposito, and Michael J. Fox. As you would expect, the firemen in New York City are kept quite busy and danger is a constant possibility. Denis Leary and Peter Tolan are co-creators of Rescue Me.
What started out as a web based series in Canada has turned in to a successful television program airing on the Sci-Fi network. We find that Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping from The Outer Limits, The X-Files) and a team of experts run a place called Sanctuary where they examine and work with creatures and those people who have extraordinary powers, learning from them and hiding them away from harm. However some prove to be dangerous and must be handled especially carefully. Dr. Magnus is an English scientist who just happens to be 158 years old. She and her team of scientific experts run the organization seeking out assorted people or animals with special abilities and extraordinary powers. Dr. Magnus was trained by her father at a young age to protect the unusual and study the world. Her team includes her daughter Ashley, protege Will Zimmerman, Henry Foss a lycanthrope geek, and as a security and computer expert is one they refer to as Bigfoot (a Neanderthal like assistant played by Christopher Heyerdahl. Studying the abnormal each week includes run-ins with vampires, energy bound creatures, and competition from rival organizations.
With well over one million views on its very first day Mortal Kombat: Legacy could be called a phenomenal hit! Machinima began the ten episode run on YouTube and it is proving that if you launch (online) it they will come. Michael Jai White along with Jeri Ryan are seriously busting chops and taking names this time around even though White (as Jax) still has human arms and Sonya Blade (Jeri Ryan) appears to be tied up an incapacitated throughout half the first episode. We notice that Kano (Darren Shahlavi) also still has both his eyes so this may get interesting if the story line is changed very much. Well presented and with great visuals the series has a PG rating but look for plenty of violence and strong language in spite of that, seemingly because they've tried to set the show with a dark style as seen in movies like Se7en or even Saw with less emphasis on the mystical aspect and more on fast action and bloody scenes to keep all ages begging for more episodes.
Created by Josh Appelbaum, Happy Town depicts your typical small pleasant town full of average and friendly townsfolk until a series of kidnappings occur. Most of the residents assume the one called the "Magic Man" is responsible for the disappearance of seven who are never heard from again. The small sleepy town in Minnesota has been a Happy Town in which to live up until some of the local residents simply vanish in what apparently is a mystical way. The town's deputy, Tommy Conroy (Geoff Stults) can't figure out where the folks are going and residents Jay Paulson (as the deputy known as "Root Beer" Rogers, Rachel Conroy (actress Amy Acker), John Haplin played by Steven Weber), and Merritt Grieves (actor Sam Neill) can't help but worry who will be next to disappear. With the arrival of Henley Boone "Chloe" played by Lauren German the mystery gets deeper as she is determined to solve the intriguing case and find who is behind the disappearances once and for all. Set in a small town in Minnesota much of the show was filmed in and around Ontario, Canada.
Maddie and Ben have been dating (and living together as a couple) for the past nine years and appear to be content with their living arrangements. Neither is quite ready to take the next obvious step which would be marriage. Several relationships are involved and this family, while close knit find their world turned upside down by the announcement that Maddie's younger sister Mia is pregnant and even though she has only known her boyfriend seven weeks, is making plans to marry him. Maddie is stunned when she sees that her parents approve of the news. Now it's time for Ben and Maddie to wonder if they should advance their own relationship or simply allow it to remain stagnant. Maddie Putney is played by Jennifer Finnigan (The Bold and the Beautiful), Mia Putney is portrayed by Joanna Garcia (Reba), Ben Coles is played by Josh Cooke (Without A Trace). Rounding out the cast are Kurt Fuller as Joel Putney the father and Debra Jo Rupp as mom Vicky Putney. This thoroughly entertaining situation comedy is always filled with light hearted fun and romantic involvements.
Describing "Harry's Law," one summary says flatly, "A former patent lawyer brings together a group of misfit associates to form an unconventional law practice." How did the producers ever pitch that concept to the network? Oh, wait. It was NBC. Still, a patent lawyer? Misfit associates? Real exciting, right? Do not judge too quickly, because Kathy Bates applies her quirky charisma to her portrayal of Harriet "Harry" Korn, and she works some small screen magic. A mid-season replacement for one of NBC's cavalcade of epic failures, "Harry's Law" actually looks a lot like a real television drama"”real characters, real actors, real plots, and dialogue peppered with genuinely witty repartee. The premise and some of the best writing come from David E. Kelley, television's answer to John Grisham"”prolific and provocative. As The New York Times observes, "A hallmark of Mr. Kelley's shows is often the thinnest application of logic or reason in depictions of a world dedicated to logic and reason." The settings and courtroom dramas seldom resemble anything in real life, but they tend to recreate the audience's imagination of the legal system and "crusading" criminal attorneys. Close enough. In eight episodes, "Harry's Law" has established a loyal following in a timeslot long dominated by ABC's "Castle." Vegas betting parlours probably will give you odds on "Harry's Law" returning in the fall, and it might be worth risking a dollar or so.
The TV show Greek (originally GRΣΣK) is all about belonging to a fraternity and yet it's even more a family program that caters to family relationships and closeness. College settings are fun and often depict the wildness that does occur while attending a college or university. Most everyone is full of youthful energy and are ready to test the boundaries of their young lives. The cast includes frat members, alumni, and a house mother Casey Cartwright (played by Spencer Grammer) who attempts to keep the house in order and not on the Dean's list. Other cast members include Clark Duke as Dale Kettlewell, Scott Michael Foster as the Captain John Paul "Cappie" Jones, and Paul James as Calvin Owens. Frat houses as we learn are somewhat specialized by their curriculum and several were depicted on the program including Zeta Beta Zeta which is a sorority that caters to those interested in athletics, philanthropy, and academics. Omega Chi Delta offers students that are specializing in networking, academics, and athletics a place to call home while they attend that facility of "higher learning".