If you are looking for something new to watch, listen to or play this week, a handful of fresh releases across film, music and gaming are now available to UK audiences. Leading the pack is the BAFTA-nominated drama Small Things Like These, starring Cillian Murphy, which lands on BBC iPlayer on Friday. The film, adapted from Claire Keegan's acclaimed novel, has already drawn praise for its understated portrayal of a man confronting the Magdalene Laundries scandal in 1980s Ireland. It premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best British Film earlier this year.
On the music front, singer-songwriter RAYE — who swept the 2024 Brit Awards with a record-breaking six wins — has released her debut studio album My 21st Century Blues. The album, which blends pop, R&B and jazz influences, is available on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. RAYE's rise to prominence, after a public dispute with her former record label, has been one of the most talked-about stories in UK music this year. The album's lead single, 'Escapism.', became a viral hit and topped the UK Singles Chart.
For gamers, the narrative-driven indie title Venba launches this week on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC. The game, developed by a small Canadian studio, follows an Indian mother who moves to Canada with her family and uses cooking to preserve her cultural identity. Players prepare traditional South Indian dishes while navigating themes of immigration, family and belonging. The game has been praised for its heartfelt storytelling and authentic representation, and is available digitally via the Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Steam.
This week's releases reflect a broader trend in UK entertainment: audiences increasingly seek out diverse, character-driven stories across formats. The BAFTA and Brit Awards have both recognised works that champion underrepresented voices, and streaming platforms — particularly BBC iPlayer — continue to invest in original British content. Meanwhile, the gaming industry has seen a surge in narrative-driven indie titles, with UK-based developers such as Ustwo Games and No Code winning BAFTA Games Awards in recent years.
For UK viewers, all three titles are accessible without a cinema trip or physical purchase. Small Things Like These streams free with a TV Licence on BBC iPlayer; RAYE's album is on all major music services; and Venba costs around £15 on digital storefronts. As the autumn season begins, these offerings provide a mix of serious drama, musical catharsis and interactive storytelling — something for every taste.