Escape To The Chateau

Friday, 7.30pm, Nine

A decade has passed since we first saw Dick and Angel Strawbridge, tiny children in tow, first slip that heavy front door key into its chateau lock — and what a wild ride they’ve been on since.

Over nine seasons and more than 50 episodes, they’ve totally transformed the 45-room Chateau de la Motte Husson in Martigne-sur-Mayenne, France, into a successful weddings business, but also a stunning family home.

The couple made headlines in 2022 after they had a very public falling-out with the production company that filmed their show (toxic audio was released, someone was called the c-word — it wasn’t great), and they severed ties.

Fast-forward and bridges have been built, and in 2025 the couple opened their home once more to a film crew (many of whom were there for original seasons). This 10th series sees them back doing what they do best: being creative in their delightfully whimsical way.

Even the voice-over lady’s back!

It’s been so long since Dick and Angel first decorated the chateau that they’re now in the process of re-doing some of the rooms (Arthur and Dorothy’s childhood bedroom has made way for more age-appropriate spaces), and they have a new events area/honeymoon suite to design and execute.

It’s an absolute delight to find yourself back there, but also to reunite with some of the original faces — yes, “Builder Mate Steve” is still kicking around, as well as Chateau helpers and tradies you’ll remember from years gone by.

Not going to lie: this quietly lovely escapist fairytale got me through a particularly brutal year-long Melbourne COVID lockdown — this new season feels like reconnecting with old friends.

Keep an eye out for new episodes dropping every Friday — the perfect way to ease your way into those weekend jobs.

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders

Tuesday, streaming on Netflix

Dust off your pompoms and start limbering up — we’re back! Season three of this weirdly watchable reality series sees a new batch of hopefuls auditioning for another tilt at cheerleading superstardom. But the dynamic has shifted, and the powers-that-be now find themselves judging candidates who are there because they’ve seen the show. Can they cut it? Or are they only there for the fame? This is shaping up to be another fun series.

I Will Find You

Thursday, streaming on Netflix

Wait, they’ve adapted ANOTHER Harlen Coben novel? Yep! This one is based on Coben’s 2023 bestseller and stars Aussie Sam Worthington as David Burroughs, a father serving time for the supposed murder of his young son. But when his sister-in-law (Severance’s Britt Lower) shows him a photo that appears to show the youngster, he breaks out of jail to frantically try to find his son. Wildly implausible? Sure. Wildly watchable? It’s shaping up that way . . .

Sugar

Friday, streaming on Apple TV Plus

There are twists, and then there’s the epic blindside that befell viewers of this “neo-noir” detective show last season. If you’re still in the dark, we won’t spoil it for you, but needless to say fans will want to be onboard to see Colin Farrell return as John Sugar, the “detective” (is he, though?) at the centre of the story. This time around he’s looking into a missing person on behalf of an up-and-coming boxer. Maybe. Probably — we’re so confused.

Monty Don’s British Gardens

Friday, 7.30pm, ABC

What makes a truly British garden? And is there such a thing? Monty Don, that most English of gents, is on a quest to find out as he criss-crosses his way around Britain. He’s beginning his adventures in the north-west of Scotland, before heading to the north-east coast of England. It’s the first of five journeys he’ll make on his quest to find out why Britain is a country of gardeners. Inject this loveliness into my veins.