Arts & Culture

Novels set in Essex: titles to add to your lockdown reading list

Winter climes and continuing restrictions have created the perfect conditions for a fiction fest. So, where better to start than the plethora of titles set right here in the county? Here's some of the best to add to basket before hunkering down.
The all-time sexiest period drama heroes

Ladies, loosen that corset lest you faint dead away! Regé-Jean Page has got us hot under the collar.... so here are 12 more historical hotties, and a sneak-peak at what's coming in 2021.
8 things to watch to keep January Blues at bay

Mid-January, you say? T minus two months until spring, but in the meantime, help the long winter nights pass by with Muddy's top TV and film picks for the week.
Incoming: the hottest Essex events lined up for summer

Right now, the idea of gathering at a festival or buzzy cultural event seems like a distant dream, but once restrictions are lifted and sunnier climes return, there’s plenty to look forward to across the county this year.
TV Saviours! What to watch this week

Another seven days to roll around the house, eat crisps, pretend to homeschool and daydream about the return of double-figure temperatures. Here's some fun TV to make it *slightly* more interesting.
Is that who I think it is…?! Our favourite music video cameos

In need of some light-hearted fun? Er, hell yeah! Here, check out Harry Styles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge dancing around in sparkly suits (plus five more brilliant music video cameos).
Hello TV! 11 shows you need to watch this week

It’s a new year but nothing much is new. No matter: we know how this lockdown lark goes. Grab a cuppa, a nice cosy blanket, load up on the carbs and settle in for the night.
The very best of Christmas 2020 TV

Tier 4, Tier schmore. With this much amazing stuff on the tellybox, who needs to go out anyway? Here are 22 brilliant things to watch over the holidays.
Fire up the remote! This week’s best TV and films

Lord, it’s frosty. Even if we could go out, we wouldn’t want to. So grab your hot water bottle, brew a large cup of tea, wrap yourself in that fleecy throw and settle in for the week
The best cookbooks to buy now

Sick of making the same seven dinners, week in, week out? Or just a sucker for tempting pictures of food? If any of the above apply, we’ve got you covered.
12 best podcasts for your winter walks

Lockdown means that January might be the most anti-social on record. Never mind. Make friends with your podcast app instead.
13 new shows and films to watch this week

Baby, it's cold outside! We'll be staying in the warm and snuggling down on the sofa to watch these brand new drops on the small screen
Sofa day! 13 new TV shows and films to watch this week

With a new month comes new TV shows and films to sink your teeth into! From documentaries to festive flicks, here's what Muddy is watching this week.
Cheese-free Xmas films? It can be done (just)

'Tis the season to hit the Baileys and get on a Christmas movie marathon. Here's 17 non-cheesy festive films for your viewing pleasure.
Muddy’s TV guide: 9 new watches this week

Bored? Not any more! Here are our top picks for new TV shows and films hitting the small screen this week. Popcorn at the ready...
What’s on the box? 11 new TV shows and films

Nowhere to go and nothing to see? Au contraire - snuggle down on the sofa and transport yourself with the best new watches of the week.
Where’s the remote? 14 must-watch shows

Already running out of things to do as the darkness draws in? Well, put away the chess board and engage with these 14 new televisual delights instead.
Settle into the sofa: 9 shows to watch

It looks like November is going to be spent on the sofa, so organise a plentiful snack tray, attach your TV remote to a lanyard around your neck and pop one of the these on the box.
Boo! 14 Halloween films for kids

Halloween films that will scare not scar your kids for life, including brand new release The Witches, starring Anne Hathaway – available to stream right now.
Watch these this week! 8 new TV shows and films

From psychological thrillers to cosy wildlife docs, there's something for everyone in this week's Muddy TV guide. Nab the best spot on the sofa and settle in.
25 Halloween films to watch on Fright Night

Halloween parties are off, but don’t let that stop you from embracing fright night with a movie marathon that’ll require popcorn, a stiff drink, and a pillow to hide behind.
Here’s what’s hot on our radar in November

Fear your social life will end in Tiers this month? Worry not: we’ve got the inside line on all the county’s cracking events, artisan tastings and socially-distanced cultural offerings. So mask on, (wo)man up, and let’s get out there, ladies!
Sofa surfer! 7 new TV shows and films

Anyone up for movie night? Here are six new feature-length flicks landing on the box this week, as well as a brand new Netflix mini-series you'll love.
Incoming: this week’s hottest events

Yep, restrictions have rocked the social calendar once again, but that doesn't mean you have to stay in just yet. Here's what's still on near you now
And now, something to cheer us all up…

In need of a little light relief? Lordy, aren't we all? Here are three 'celebrity' Instagram accounts that have been making us laugh this week that we think might tickle your fancy too.
10 new films and TV shows landing this week

Bored? Us too! Drop the box set re-runs and settle down with this week's Muddy-curated guide to the best of the small screen.
Hot and happening: what’s on this week

Is your social diary looking decidedly light right now? Let us help you fix that! From cool exhibitions and talks to indie cinema and theatre offerings, we've got your calendar covered
Into London: the capital reopens

With the tourist count at an all-time low, now is the time to swerve the endless queues and enjoy London's cultural bounty.
Have you heard the hot gossip?

From Jude Law taking up temporary residence on Essex’s own private island (ladies, this is not a drill) to a fancy foodie outpost, here’s all the news you need to know now
9 new TV shows and films for your must-watch list

From spooky movies to live literature fests, there's something for everyone on our weekly curated guide to the best new TV and film. Get ready to fight for the remote...
Here’s what’s happening in October

Hello October, old friend. On the roster this month we have cultural debates, big-screen blockbusters, spook-tacular Halloween hits and a string of uplifting exhibitions. Ready? Let’s go!
20 Muddy-approved attractions in Essex

From the big-beast tourist destinations to our cool insider alternatives, read on for our pick of 20 unmissable days out and stays across the county
What’s on in Essex and beyond this week

Looking to get out and about? We've got your back: here's what's happening in the county right now, plus some cool gigs further afield
Watch this! 10 TV shows and films to make your week

Anyone for a little escapism? Indulge your inner couch potato with 10 brand new releases to watch this week including Honour with the ever-brilliant Keeley Hawes.
What’s in: 7 new TV and film releases to watch this week

Sherlock Holmes spin-offs, live opera and the return of Bake Off - it's all happening this week! Grab a cuppa, unearth the remote and stick one of these on the box.
What’s on in Essex this week: the hot new events

Ready for another buzzy week in our heavenly 'hood? If your iCal’s looking a little light right now, here’s seven days of Muddy-approved fun to get stuck into
Your ultimate autumn culture planner 2020

Culture vultures, grab your diaries. Here's your Muddy-curated cheat sheet to the season's best art, theatre, TV, books and film in the UK.
Boredom begone! Here’s what to watch this week

In need of something new to sink your teeth into? Muddy to the rescue! Here are the latest TV and film releases coming to a screen near you.
What to watch this week: new boredom-busters

What is there to tune into this week, I hear you cry? Everything from nature meditations to reality shows - here's eight of our top picks.
Back-to-school films we give an A+

The best days of your life, they said. Hmmm... perhaps not! Re-live the pain and the glory with Muddy's top 10 school films.
What’s in: new TV and film releases for September

Pinch, punch, etc. Let's kick off the new month (and avoid the rapidly-dropping thermostat) with a slew of new TV shows and films to watch, shall we?
What’s in: TV and film to watch this week

What's new, pussycat? These films and TV shows, of course! Settle in and watch these seven newly-released flicks (plus one that's worth leaving the house for).
What’s in: wet weather watches this week

Rain, rain, don't go away - it means another duvet day! Prep the popcorn, stick on a jumper and check out the new TV shows and films landing this week.
What’s in: what to watch this week

Hiding inside to escape the heat, or need to shelter from the storm? No fear: these new TV and film releases will keep you entertained.
What’s in: what to watch this week

Got a hot date with your sofa? Oooh saucy! Here are this week's best new film and TV releases to spice up your evenings over the next week
What’s in: what to watch this week

Rubbish weather got you down? Settle on the sofa with a cuppa and binge-watch some of these new TV and film releases instead.
What’s in: 10 new things to watch this week

Lazy day in front of the telly? Yes please! Here are the hottest new films and TV shows for you to sink your teeth into. Just add popcorn.
We’re all going on a big-screen holiday

Choose your destination, fasten your seats and get ready for take off. Here's 21 films, set in exotic locations that are almost as good travelling abroad.
Need a new lockdown read?

It's Independent Bookshop Week so support your local purveyor of fine literature by popping in and buying one of these super summer reads. All come recommended by the Muddy crew.
Staying in? The best of what’s on

Virtual beauty masterclasses, hot new Netflix releases, high brow theatre (and low brow Love Island) - it's all going on online this week. Stream if you wanna go faster!
Culture vulture: my June hitlist

Less time propping up bars means more time enjoying the creative arts right?! Here's what I'm loving this month.
The staying in boredom buster

It's a bit nippy for the sunlounger this week so head for the sofa instead - and get stuck into this week's best new at-home culture picks.
18 must-watch documentaries

While we're all about TV escapism right now, the truth can be more entertaining than fiction. Reclaim the remote and pick from our edit of the best Netflix documentaries.
20 rom-com classics blokes will love!

Looking for a date night movie? Suggesting a rom com to a man is like offering garlic bread to a vampire. But we've found 20 will-watch films to cosy up to.
10 of the best gardening books

Fancy getting all green fingered in the garden but don't really know where to start? Here's a helping hand with 10 terrific tomes to add to your reading list.
24 throwback films to watch with your kids

Time to stage an intervention! Sick of hearing your kids' shows on repeat? Free the remote from their clutches and settle in for a fabulously retro family film night.