The Airport Chaplain

Wednesday, streaming on SBS on Demand

In a world where unique TV concepts are few and far between, this eight-part series, starring Hugo Weaving and The Pitt’s Shabana Azeez, feels genuinely fresh.

It centres on Weaving’s character Tobias Wallace, an airport “chaplain”, which, remarkably, is a real job — the show’s co-creator and executive producer Jude Troy came up with the idea for the character after a chance encounter with one.

Tobias is described as “a fast-moving fixer with a constantly ringing phone, pockets full of cash and an unorthodox approach to the daily crises of an airport”. He’s been putting out spot fires in his workplace for years when Azeez’s character Mira, his new manager, arrives on the scene and shakes things up for him.

Mira has been dispatched to help rein in spiralling costs, and she’s got Tobias in her sights — after all, what is it he does, exactly?

Her arrival is the perfect kick-off point for the drama and, when you think about it, the airport is the perfect place to set a television series — it’s a wonder a show of this sort hasn’t been made already.

“Airports are fascinating places, where people experience reunions, departures, joy, grief, and everything in between, and the series captures that beautifully,” Weaving says.

Exactly!

This boasts a great supporting cast, including Claudia Karvan and Heartbreak High’s Thomas Weatherall. Both characters are beautifully drawn, and viewers will instantly connect with them.

Something tells me audiences are going to adore this heartfelt series — do not miss it.

Gogglebox

Sunday, 7pm, Ten

If there’s one show I never miss, it’s Gogglebox. All these years on, it’s still such fun to spend an evening watching TV with the peeps who appear on this show. I’ve got my faves — the Delpechitras, obviously, but I also love Anastasia and Faye — and they’re back, along with the rest of the gang, who’ve made the move to Sunday nights. Can’t think of a better way to ease into the week — adore this show about shows.

Tampa: The Turning Point

Tuesday, 8.30pm, ABC

This three-part doco series is being released on the 25th anniversary of the Tampa crisis, and I’m sorry, but how was that 25 years ago? The surrounding political storm still feels like it happened yesterday. This sees John Howard, the Norwegian captain of the freighter who rescued the stranded asylum seekers, and some who were onboard speaking about what transpired — fascinating. Don’t miss it.

The Last Sunrise

Wednesday, streaming on Prime Video

Is there a big Off Campus-shaped hole in your life? This movie will go a way to filling it. Based on the novel by Anna Todd, it’s about a holiday romance between Ry (Maia Reficco) and Julian (Fernando Lindez), the hot Spanish guy she falls for while in Mallorca with her mum, played by Eva Longoria. This one’s for the young and young-at-heart (guilty!), and anyone who loves a #BookTok recommendation. A guilty pleasure.

Dalliance

Thursday, streaming on Paramount Plus

Think life gets easier as you ease into your advanced years? Don’t count on it. Starring Hugo Weaving, Heather Mitchell, Georgie Parker and David Wenham, this is about a bunch of 60-something mates navigating their messy next chapter. Co-created by John Edwards (The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way and Tangle), this is a perfect bookend to his generational explorations. Don’t miss it.