FANTASY EPICS

THERE’S NO QUESTION 2022 HAS BEEN THE YEAR OF EPIC FANTASY DRAMAS, most commonly adapted from bestselling novels that take viewers into imagined worlds far from our own. The undoubted highlight has been the long-awaited release of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (pictured) – Prime Video’s series based on JRR Tolkien’s beloved novels and set thousands of years before his most recognisable works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. The show’s release followed on the heels of House of the Dragon, HBO’s prequel-sequel to its mega-hit drama Game of Thrones and again based on material from George RR Martin. Not to miss out, Netflix entered the fray with The Sandman, a series based on Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel series. Together with Prime Video’s previous entry into the genre, of Time, numerous Netflix efforts like Shadow & Bone and Witcher, and the impending return of BBC and HBO drama Materials, there’s certainly no shortage of opportunities for fantasy fans to leave the real world behind.

Fertility Dramas

AN AMAZING QUIRK OF TELEVISION SCHEDULING IS HOW TWO SHOWS WITH SIMILAR STORIES CAN APPEAR WITHIN WEEKS OF EACH OTHER, a phenomenon that is only likely to occur more often now that viewers can easily access series from around the world. In April, Norway’s Made in Oslo (pictured) landed on Viaplay and introduced Elin (Pia Tjelta), a doctor who runs a fertility clinic where she offers patients a chance to become parents. But more than anything, Elin longs to be a mother herself and, as her frustration grows, she becomes prepared to risk her relationships and career to start her own family. Then in June, Netflix debuted Danish series Skruk (Baby Fever), which took a more humorous approach to the subject as fertility doctor Elin drunkenly inseminates herself with a sample from her ex-boyfriend – starting a chain reaction that has both personal and professional consequences.

DQ100: Trends & Trailblazers