Screen Queen: One Shot With Ed Sheeran, Stranger Things, A Man On The Inside & Jingle Bell Heist

One Shot With Ed Sheeran: A Musical Experience

Screening now on Netflix

Before he was famous, I swear I saw Ed Sheeran busking in Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne. I’ve googled the time line, but I’ve not been able to find out whether this is a figment of my imagination, or whether he did, in fact, spend time belting out songs in the pedestrianised mall prior to finding worldwide fame.

His performance (let’s, for the sake of this, assume I was right) stuck in my mind: this red-headed guy was good. Like, REALLY good, and I made a note to remember what he looked like in case he ever “made” it.

Sure enough, fast forward a year or so, and I was at home with a toddler watching Saturday morning Rage — and there he was! The guy I’d seen busking — he’d done it!

I’ve felt a sense of ownership ever since, almost like it was ME who discovered him.

I’ve never been a huge fan of his music, but I’ve always felt a connection with the charming Englishman — and now I see this is not unique to me.

In this excellent music special, Ed takes a stroll through New York with his guitar in hand, meeting people along the way. It’s filmed by Philip Barantini, who is the man behind the award-winning Netflix drama Adolescence, and the same one-shot camera techniques are applied.

It’s magic to see him just out there, in the real world, having all these genuine, heart-felt interactions with fans. There he is, in a cab — being lovely. On the subway — being lovely; serenading a couple, playing at an Irish pub — always, with the loveliness.

Sure, there’s a degree of artifice in this (clearly the situations are set up) but the genuine joy this man brings to the people he encounters is proof he’s the real deal — and makes me 99.9 per cent sure it was him I watched all those years ago.

This is some spectacularly great feel-good TV.

Stranger Things S5

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

This is it, guys: the beginning of the end. The first four episodes of this final fifth season land this Thursday, with another three due on Christmas Day and the finale dropping New Year’s Eve.

To say that I’m eagerly awaiting this would be an understatement — I’m intrigued to see whether The Duffer Brothers, the creators behind this cultural phenomenon, can stick the landing.

I have hope.

And worst case scenario, I’ll just sit through this season and boo every time David Harbour appears on screen (pour one out for Lily Allen — if you know, you know).

A Man On The Inside

Streaming now on Netflix

The delightful Ted Dansen is back, and this time he’s morphing into a university professor to get to the bottom of foul play on campus. Ted’s real life wife Mary Steenburgen pops up playing his love interest — I mean, say no more. Plugging the Only Murders hole in my life….

Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip To Remember

Monday, streaming on Disney Plus

This heartfelt doco is for anyone who has a loved-one or family member battling Alzheimer’s or dementia. Chris Hemsworth and his dad — recently diagnosed with the latter — are off on a motorcycle road trip, spending time with one another and riffing about what it all means. A big, warm hug.

Jingle Bell Heist

Wednesday, streaming on Netflix

Been inhaling festive flicks since Halloween? Pop this one on your radar, if only for the fact that Sex Education and Rogue Heroes’ Connor Swindells stars. And he’s wearing a jaunty little Santa hat. Nuf said.