Welcome to The Cut, Claire's monthly picks of TV, music, books and other cultural delights that should be on your radar.
Sit back, enjoy the longer nights and dive into some great books, music and TV from my list.
What to Read
The Wax Child
It's witching season so it seems only fitting to be reading this - plus I feel it is in keeping with my new collection including Difficult Woman jewellery. This is a translation of a Danish book by author Olga Ravn.
Told from the perspective of the wax doll that is made by unmarried noblewoman Christenze. Accused of being a witch and based on a famous Danish witch trial I am complely gripped by this story.
What to Listen To
Sian Eleri's Power Down Sessions
I'm slightly obsessed with Radio 1's Sian Eleri. Her voice is like a smooth, soothing balm and her music taste is impeccable. If you need playlists to chill out to or try to work with some deep focus can I suggest her Power Down Sessions on BBC Sounds or her radio show Radio 1's Chillest Show. Both have brought me some of my absolute favourite tracks at the moment which are below.
Claire's Favourite Tracks
What To Watch
I'm fully in on the return of Slow Horses and can't believe there are only a few episodes left. No spoilers here but please don't kill off my favourites. Speaking of spoilers is this the year I finally get into The Traitors? We are all watching it as a family and I get the appeal of shouting on the sofa together. And my son is loving the later bedtime.
But my big pick for this month is The Party. I was lucky enough to see the first episode at a screening in Cardiff this week and it is a must-watch.
Set against the backdrop of another Tory party leadership implosion this is a tale of political intrigue, the class system and what you might lose by trying to get a leg up, hidden secrets and closeted feelings.
And if that has not convinced you here are some more reasons why....
- It is based on the Elizabeth Day book of the same name, which I read years ago and it was brilliant
- It has a cracking cast including Luke Evans, the wonderful Tom Cullen, Joanna Scanlan who is also doing sterling work on Slow Horses and Amaka Okafor who I loved in Black Rabbit last year.
- It's all made in Wales, with Welsh talent behind the scenes and in front of the camera which I love to see
- Female written by the talented Sarah Solemani and female directed by Viviane Andereggen
- My beautiful, talented friend Laura Cotton was the executive producer working tirelessly to bring this to the screen for the last 5 years and she has done an amazing job. (PS. keep reading to see the Claire Hill jewellery she has been wearing at the screenings and her other shows you should catch)
Steal Laura's style
Watch Laura's other shows
The Gathering
If you want to keep the thrillers going, then head to Channel 4 for this mystery series set in the teen world of competition gymnastics. Great performances from the teen leads, and some pushy mums you would happily avoid
Being Human
Aidan Turner as a fit vampire before he was a fit scyther and a fit Rival. Plus my favourite ghost Annie (Lenora Crichlow) and Russell Tovey as a werewolf all navigating flatmate life, love, loss and the supernatural. Perfect for spooky season on BBC iPlayer.
5 Things I Can't Wait For
1. Wicker
Olivia Colman is a shunned fishwoman who gets a magical wicker husband (Alexander Skarsgård) to love and have sex with? I wood!
But puns aside the trailer for Wicker set the flames alight in the female sections of the internet that I like to linger and I completely get it.
It's out at the end of the month.
2. Oatt
My former studio mate and talented designer and dressmaker Sophie has taken all she has learnt from dressing brides at E&W Courture and is now launching a clothing brand, Oatt.
The first dresses launch on November 1, and they are the perfect dresses to throw on for work, and event or running around for a coffee on the weekend. The quality and fit is insanely good.
3. First Aid Kit
Now I have just changed this up as it was all about manifesting a sold-out ticket to my beloved First Aid Kit in Cardiff, and then three tickets came free.
I'm up in the highest stalls but now I definitely can't wait until January to see them live again. Please create some beautiful merch again, my walls need more First Aid Kit posters. And I'm off to manifest some money now.
4. You Can See Everything
As trailers go, the reveal that Nathan Fielder had been secretly making a documentary with disgraced CEO Elizabeth Holmes, her of the Theranos blood scandal, was pretty epic.
This is a story of toxic start ups, deluded CEOs and the money men who don't look past a shiny deck. I have listened to the podcasts, read the book, watched Amanda Seyfried play her in the series and I find Holmes fascinating.
I am avoiding all spoilers of You Can See Everything so I can witness the chaos of Fielder and Holmes first hand. I'm a little bit scared about it.
5. A Court of Splintered Harmony
It is spooky season and I very much enjoy a romantasy palete cleanser. ACOTAR was my first jaunt in the Sarah J. Maas world and though I much prefer the Throne of Glass series and my witch queen Manon Blackbeak, I expect to whip through this latest installment in hours.
I just need to do a quick reread to remember what happened last.
Pre order: A Court of Splintered Harmony from my lovely neighbours in Castle Arcade - Love Stories Bookshop
Discover this month's best sellers
