Echo
Disney+
She was first introduced in arguably the most enjoyable Marvel spin-off series yet, Hawkeye, and now Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) gets her own series in Echo.
The character was part of big bad Wilson 'Kingpin' Fisk's shady operation, before turning on the mob boss - played memorably by Vincent D'Onofrio firstly in Daredevil, and now again in Echo - and shooting him in the face.
The first episode of the new series is effectively a long recap of Maya's place in the story. We start wit her as a child, sharing the creation story from her Native American people, the Choctaw.
At first this seems like a strange diversion from what's going on - especially as we see the whole thing, not merely hear it in her story - but with accomplished actress Julia Jones (Wind River) appearing in this section, it should be no surprise that there's more to the creation story than meets the eye.
We then run through her childhood into her adult years, and the loss of her parents, to being pulled into the Fisk scene.
It's not until episode two that it feels like we actually pick up some story.
While the first episode is handy in laying the groundwork for what's to come, in a streaming landscape where innumerous programs are fighting for your attention, it's not the best way to grab an audience.
Unless you've already decided you're going to give Echo a chance, the first episode won't give you much reason to continue.
But in episode two Maya makes her way back to her hometown, and must contend with all the family and friends she left behind.
Some of the fight scenes are quiet decent, but a clearer sense of story direction would push it up a level.
A slew of high-profile Native American actors fill out the cast, most notably Oscar-nominee Graham Greene and Tantoo Cardinal.
Quite apart from Echo's shortcomings, it is frankly amazing that a big, expensive action series is led by a deaf actress with a prosthetic foot - this kind of representation is groundbreaking.
Good Grief
Netflix
Daniel Levy has to be one of the all round most delightful people making film and TV at the moment.
The Schitt's Creek creator and star entertained us for six years on his zany sitcom, and now he's branched out to something a little more dramatic in his turn as writer/director/producer/star of Good Grief.
The film stars Levy as Marc, a happily married illustrator in London who works with his charismatic author husband Oliver (Luke Evans in a small but memorable role) on a series of popular books.
But after a glorious Christmas party with all their fancy friends and family, Marc's life is turned upside down as Oliver dies unexpectedly.
The next year is heavy with grief, confusion and financial reckoning, but Marc has his two best friends by his side every step of the way - gallerist Thomas (the immediately lovable Himesh Patel, Yesterday) and free spirit Sophie (Oscar-nominee Ruth Negga, Loving).
They are the kind of best friends who refuse to let you fall apart, partly because they love you, and partly because you need to hold them together too.
The trio head to Paris as the anniversary of Oliver's death nears, and Marc learns a piece of information about his late husband that throws him into a tailspin.
The film also features a truly moving performance by David Bradley (Filch from Harry Potter) as Oliver's father, as well as cameo appearances from Kaitlyn Dever and Emma Corrin.
If you're a Dan Levy fan, this is a must watch.
