The Italian crime series Gomorrah expands its narrative with a new prequel, Gomorrah: The Origins, currently airing on Sky Atlantic. Created by investigative journalist Roberto Saviano and rooted in his reporting on the Camorra mafia, Gomorrah first premiered in Italy in 2014. Though it gradually developed a dedicated international following, it remained a niche offering outside its home country. Set in 1977 Naples, this prequel explores the early life of Pietro Savastano, who later emerges as the feared head of the Savastano crime family.
Portrayed by Luca Lubrano as a 16-year-old, Pietro is introduced amid the socio-economic struggles of the Secondigliano district, depicted as dilapidated and afflicted by poverty. The series contrasts this bleak environment with the exuberance of youth, as Pietro and his friends engage in petty crimes for a mid-level mobster known as Angelo “the Siren” (Francesco Pellegrino). The show traces Pietro’s transformation from an ordinary boy into a ruthless mob boss, highlighting his initial moral compromises and ambitions. While the series includes some familiar genre tropes, it delivers a distinct, atmospheric portrayal enhanced by surreal and menacing encounters with established criminal figures, notably Don Antonio.
On BBC1, The Rapture presents a psychological thriller centered on Bethany (India Amarteifio), a young woman incarcerated in a psychiatric facility for the murder of her mother. Bethany experiences visions she claims predict catastrophic events, depicted through frantic biro drawings, leading psychologist Dr. Gabs Fox (Ruth Madeley) to question whether these are genuine premonitions or symptoms of mental illness. Set against the backdrop of a heatwave in a Welsh town, the narrative intertwines themes of religious prophecy, corporate manipulation, and conspiracy theories. Adapted from Liz Jensen’s novel and written by Bryony Kimmings, the show attempts a complex exploration of the supernatural and psychological. However, its ambitious plotting and grand thematic elements occasionally verge on overreach, delivering a serviceable, if uneven, drama for Sunday night viewers.
HBO Max’s President Curtis, a spin-off from the animated series Rick and Morty, follows President Andre Curtis (voiced by Keith David) as he navigates a surreal version of the U.S. presidency. First introduced as an unnamed president in Rick and Morty in 2015, Curtis now takes center stage in his own series, accompanied by his head of security, the half-leprechaun O’Doyle (Jim Rash), and his robotic hybrid chief of staff, Banks (Stephanie Beatriz). The show melds sci-fi, political satire, and comedy, featuring rapid-fire plots that travel between Earth and space, incorporating historical figures and fantastical elements like secret space programs and underground labs. Although it may appeal less to newcomers unfamiliar with its parent series, President Curtis offers a playful and layered meta-commentary on American history and television conventions, balancing its hallucinatory narrative with humor and clever world-building.