As a new year approaches, there's plenty of new television programming to get excited for.
From a one-off reunion special of the Harry Potter cast and a Game of Thrones prequel, to an adaptation of popular video game franchise Halo and the return of Stranger Things and Bridgerton, there will be plenty to keep an eye out for in the coming year.
Here's the best:
'Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts'
Date: January 1
The HBO Max special reunites stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint to mark the 20th anniversary since the release of the first Harry Potter film.
The stars will share their memories from the decades-long franchise, which thrust them into the spotlight as children, making them some of the most recognisable stars in the world.
Other cast members set to appear include Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), director Chris Columbus, as well as more stars from the eight movies.
It'll be available to watch on OSN Streaming on the same day in the UAE.
'Peaky Blinders'
Date: February
Back for its final outing is this period drama set in Birmingham, England, that follows the exploits of the Shelby crime family in the aftermath of the First World War. The sixth season is rumoured to be coming out in February, following production delays owing to Covid-19, with a new trailer set to drop on New Year’s Day.
So far, a teaser was released earlier this month confirming the return of Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy) and another one revealing that Stephen Graham (Line of Duty, Boardwalk Empire) would join the show, hinting that there would be a major clash with the Shelbys.
'Inventing Anna'
Date: February 11
The Netflix drama series is based on the real-life story of Anna Sorokin, a Russian-born German who changed her last name and scammed those around her into believing she was a wealthy socialite in New York before being caught as a con woman. The show is created and produced by Shonda Rhimes and is based on the New York magazine article How Anna Delvey Tricked New York's Party People. Ozark's Julia Garner will star as the title character.
'Killing Eve'
Date: February 27
The British spy thriller show follows intelligence investigator Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) who is trying to capture assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer), and who develop a mutual obsession over the course of the series. Not much is known about the plotline of the fourth season, other than it promises to be a “pitch-black riot”, according to executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle. It’ll have eight episodes and be led by Sex Education’s Laura Neal (each season has a new female writer at its helm).
'Bridgerton', season two
Date: March 25
Shonda Rhimes’s hit Regency drama Bridgerton returns for its second season with a new focus: eldest Bridgerton son Anthony and his mission to find a wife.
Driven by his duty to uphold the family name, his search leads to sisters Kate (Simone Ashley) and Edwina Sharma (Charithra Chandran), who have just arrived from India. Anthony decides to court Edwina, but when Kate discovers that true love isn't high on his priority list, decides to step in to try and stop the union. However, Kate and Anthony’s verbal sparring only brings them closer together, complicating matters on both sides.
'Ms Marvel'
Date: Summer 2022
The Disney+ show will star newcomer Iman Vellani, making her acting debut as Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teenager living in New Jersey. She's a good student, an avid gamer and loves to write fan-fiction. She has a special affinity for superheroes, Captain Marvel in particular. But Khan struggles to fit in at home and at school – that is, until she one day gets superpowers like the heroes she’s always looked up to. The show will have six episodes in its first season.
'Stranger Things'
Date: Summer 2022
The anticipated fourth season of the hit Netflix show returns after more than three years. Taking place in 1986, the show picks up after the events of season three, with Eleven, Will, Jonathan and Joyce having relocated to California from Hawkins, Indiana.
Previous trailers seem to hint that not all is going well for Eleven at her new school, as she writes to Mike that she can't wait to see him over spring break. Meanwhile, other trailers offer potential other storylines, including the creepy Creel House that Steve, Dustin, Caleb and Max are shown exploring. Fans will also learn what has happened to Jim Hopper after a trailer revealed he is still alive.
'The Lord of the Rings'
Date: September 2
The epic drama from JRR Tolkien takes place in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. Amazon Prime will release one episode weekly.
'Conversations with Friends'
Date: TBA
Based on Sally Rooney’s 2017 debut novel, this 12-part series will follow angsty Irish millennials Frances (the narrator), her best friend Bobbi and married couple Melissa and Nick as they navigate their way through the complexity of modern relationships. The show stars Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane, Joe Alwyn and Jemima Kirke.
'Halo'
Date: TBA
The popular video game franchise has been turned into a sci-fi TV adaptation starring Pablo Schreiber as the armoured super-soldier Master Chief, while Jen Taylor will reprise her role from the games as Master Chief’s AI companion, Cortana. The show is set to follow an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant. However, it’s still not clear whether Halo will be adapting the games directly or tell its own story within the world of the franchise.
'House of the Dragon'
Date: TBA
This series is based on George RR Martin’s Fire & Blood, and is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It begins with the story of King Viserys sitting on the Iron Throne and his daughter Rhaenyra next in line. However, this leads to a civil war, called the Dance of Dragons, that soon marks the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, as briefly touched upon in Game of Thrones.
'Obi-Wan Kenobi'
Date: TBA
The plot for the Disney+ limited series has been kept under wraps but what is known is that the show will take place 10 years after Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Ewan McGregor will reprise his role as Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader.
'The Sandman'
Date: TBA
Years in the making, The Sandman is based on a popular comic book series by author Neil Gaiman, who’s also creating the show for Netflix alongside David S Goyer and Allan Heinberg. The premise centres around Dream, a wizard who’s just escaped after decades of imprisonment and sets about restoring his kingdom, The Dreaming.
Gaiman describes his story as a blend of “modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven”.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
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MATCH INFO
Championship play-offs, second legs:
Aston Villa 0
Middlesbrough 0
(Aston Villa advance 1-0 on aggregate)
Fulham 2
Sessegnon (47'), Odoi (66')
Derby County 0
(Fulham advance 2-1 on aggregate)
Final
Saturday, May 26, Wembley. Kick off 8pm (UAE)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
The specs: 2018 Ford F-150
Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km
Last-16
France 4
Griezmann (13' pen), Pavard (57'), Mbappe (64', 68')
Argentina 3
Di Maria (41'), Mercado (48'), Aguero (90 3')
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla - Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Company%C2%A0profile
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Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
The biog
Name: James Mullan
Nationality: Irish
Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)
Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”
Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”
About%20My%20Father
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Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
Fanney Khan
Producer: T-Series, Anil Kapoor Productions, ROMP, Prerna Arora
Director: Atul Manjrekar
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao, Pihu Sand
Rating: 2/5
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
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