What To Watch: Run, The Last Year Of Television, Run Away and Daddy Issues season two

Run

Thursday, streaming on Binge

This much-anticipated six-part drama stars The Power Of The Dog’s George Mason as notorious bank robber Brenden Abbott, aka The Postcard Bandit, the real-life figure who’s currently doing time for a string of crimes he committed in the 80s and 90s.

It’s being released in conjunction with a docuseries on January 7 — a great strategy. Abbott’s story has always been a fascinating one (he’s Australia’s longest-serving prisoner who never committed murder), and being able to binge this fabulously watchable drama then dip into the doco detailing what actually happened layers even more depth to the tale.

For those not up with Abbott’s stranger-than-fiction exploits, he infamously robbed a heap of banks back in the day, then successfully escaped jail TWICE, evading police capture for more than five years in the 90s.

The press nicknamed him The Postcard Bandit, and for years his son James Laycock has been fighting to have his father’s lengthy sentence lessened. For a while there, it looked like he may have been successful, with rumours circulating he may be released in time for Run’s premiere.

He wasn’t, and if he serves his full sentence, he won’t see freedom until 2033 (he’ll be 70 years old by that stage, though he is eligible for parole next year).

There are some fantastic performances in this series, especially from Mason, his co-star Robyn Malcolm (she plays his mum) and Ashleigh Cummings, who stars as his girlfriend and first love, Jackie.

WA audiences will particularly enjoy revisiting Perth in the 1980s during the first episode, with production designers doing a stunning job of recreating the time period. Scenes shot on location at Fremantle Prison are exceptionally realistic.

This compelling story is a top-notch local drama, deserving of viewers worldwide.

The Last Year Of Television

Monday, streaming on Binge

Mitch McTaggart is back with his snarky TV takedown and no Aussie network is safe as he painstakingly recaps the year, month-by-month, picking through the hits and misses. Spoiler alert: there appear to be more misses than hits, though he does give credit where it’s due — RFDS and Apple Cider Vinegar both score worthy praise. Every TV programmer needs to watch McTaggart’s final verdict on how to fix free-to-air’s issues: he’s BANG on. One for TV obsessives (me!).

NYE 2025

Wednesday, 8.45pm, ABC

Not ashamed to admit that most New Year’s I’m near or next to the TV, seeing 2026 in with Zan Rowe and Charlie Pickering on ABC. This concert and fireworks celebration is worth a look — the hosts and performers are always so joyous it’s impossible not to get swept up in the fun. This year there will be guest appearances from the peeps from Play School, who celebrate their 60th birthday next year. Big Ted in a tux? Sign me up.

Run Away

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

This is another of Harlen Coben’s thrillers turned into a TV series. Starring James Nesbitt, Ruth Jones and Minnie Driver, its all-star cast will surely draw plenty of eyeballs. Simon (Nesbitt)’s perfect life starts to crumble after his daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange) runs away. He’s drawn into a desperate search to find her, and like most of Coben’s stories, this one twists off in lots of different directions. A bingeable drama that does a good-enough job.

Daddy Issues

Thursday, streaming on SBS on Demand

Big Aimee Lou Wood-sized hole in your life since The White Lotus finished up? Fill it with the second season of this great under-the-radar British comedy series, which sees her starring as new mum Gemma, who, in season two is juggling a baby AND her hapless dad Malcolm (David Morrissey). Malcolm’s struggling to come to terms with his new grandad status, because of COURSE he is! This got rave reviews in the UK. Seek it out if you’ve not yet discovered it.