April has been a bit of a mixed bag. A good run of family viewing (a rare win where no one disappears onto their phone), a few easy watches, and then the odd “why am I still watching this?” moment. Relationships seem to have been the theme this month - from period drama romance to full-blown reality TV chaos… with varying levels of success.
Here’s what I’ve been watching.
As it’s HAYM’s 5th birthday this week, I’ve hidden a little online treat in here for you…
Use code HAYM5 for £5 off when you spend £40+ online
Valid this weekend only (Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd May 2026).
Now… back to the important stuff.
The Other Bennett Sister (Series) BBC iPlayer
I must admit, I’ve never read or watched Pride and Prejudice, so I had no idea who the Bennett sisters were - never mind “the other one” - but I really enjoyed this.
A classic ‘ugly duckling’ storyline wrapped up in a lovely period drama. Easy watching, lots of likeable relationships, and a great showcase of the stunning South Wales scenery.
- Rating: 8/10
- Vibe: gentle + romantic
- Best for: cosy evening watch
MAFS Australia (Series) Channel 4
Another relationship-based show… but very different.
I thought this was meant to be about finding love and navigating married life with a stranger. Instead, it feels more like watching a group of fairly vile women competing to outdo each other in the bullying stakes.
It’s actually quite uncomfortable at times… and yet here I am, fully invested and needing to see it through.
- Rating: 6/10
- Vibe: chaotic + frustrating
- Best for: background drama
- Multitask score: high
The Stolen Girl (Series) STV Player
I started watching this thinking I’d already seen it, as the storyline is almost identical to All Her Fault, which I watched last year.
Same basic message - don’t leave your child with a stranger - which feels fairly obvious, but here we are.
That said, it’s a decent enough watch and keeps you engaged.
- Rating: 7/10
- Vibe: tense + familiar
- Best for: easy thriller watch
Love Story: JFK Jr & Carolyn Bessette (Series) Disney+
Loved this.
It follows the real-life relationship between JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette, starting in the early 90s fashion world with Carolyn working at Calvin Klein - so the outfits and soundtrack are brilliant.
It’s glamorous, gritty and emotional in equal measure. I did make the mistake of Googling something mid-series, which completely ruined the ending (note to self: stop doing that), but still a really compelling watch about life in the media spotlight.
- Rating: 8/10
- Vibe: stylish + emotional
- Best for: sofa viewing
Tell Me Lies (Series) Disney+
I thought April had been fairly tame… and then this came along.
There is genuinely no need for the number of sex scenes - they are relentless. That aside, it’s a dark teen drama with plenty of twists and turns.
I’d watched Season 1 ages ago and was delighted to catch up on Seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back once we got Disney+ again. Also features Tom Ellis, which is always a bonus.
Would strongly recommend not watching if you have a child about to start university. Sleep will be lost.
- Rating: 7/10
- Vibe: dark + addictive
- Best for: late-night watching
Family Viewing (Various)
Our family viewing has been excellent this month. Proper sit-down TV where all four of us are watching together - no phones, no tablets, just actual conversation… who are we?
We had really enjoyed I’m a Celebrity South Africa, but the live final was a bit of a let-down with some fighting and bullying - not the best ending to what had been a genuinely enjoyable series.
We’re currently loving Britain’s Got Talent - especially the magicians - and have started The Neighbourhood, which is a fun new format. But the standout has been Celebrity Sabotage. Proper good, easy family fun.
- Rating: 8/10 (slight deduction for that final!)
- Vibe: mostly feel-good with a chaotic twist
- Best for: everyone
XO, Kitty (Series) Netflix
This has been the mummy/daughter watch this month.
If you watched To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, this is the spin-off following the younger sister at university in South Korea. It’s written by Jenny Han (The Summer I Turned Pretty), so it’s full of will-they-won’t-they teen drama and multiple love interests.
Really enjoyed this one.
We’ve since moved on to Ginny & Georgia… although there’s been a fair bit of fast-forwarding required for 12-year-old suitability.
- Rating: 8/10
- Vibe: teen drama + light-hearted
- Best for: mum & daughter time
Overall April Takeaway
A month of relationships in every possible form - romantic, chaotic, dramatic and everything in between.
The Other Bennett Sister and Love Story brought the romance, Tell Me Lies brought the shock factor, and family TV nights were the unexpected highlight.
Proof that sometimes the best viewing is just everyone sitting down together and actually watching the same thing.
Roll on May.
Next on My List
Always open to recommendations.