Too soon? Streaming columnist NICK OVERALL ponders the wisdom of a new drama on Boris Johnson’s time at Number 10. 

BORIS Johnson will get the TV treatment in a new drama series charting how the bombastic British PM fumbled his way through the covid pandemic.

Rewinding the clock to 2020, “This England” sees Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh step into the shoes of Bojo as he’s first elected to the top job and as that tiresome virus begins to spread across the world.

The five-episode series is being marketed as a “look behind closed doors” that will recount Johnson himself catching the virus, the birth of his son, and the mounting criticism that led to his resignation in July.

The show drops on Binge from September 22, just weeks after the Conservatives announced Liz Truss as his replacement.

He’s the latest in a spate of modern political figures put to screen as a drawcard for viewers. 

Benedict Cumberbatch played one of Johnson’s senior advisers, Dominic Cummings, in the “Brexit” film (on Stan), which hit screens in 2019 and depicted the country’s separation from the EU as a tragicomedy.

Cummings also gets a spot in this new series (played by Simon Paisley Day) as does Johnson’s wife, Carrie (Ophelia Lovibond).

It’s a bold thing indeed to take on the role of one of these contentious “characters” in today’s political climate.

Donald Trump got the treatment in 2020’s drama series “The Comey Rule” (Stan), where Irish star Brendan Gleeson donned the infamous toupée to some eerily accurate effect. 

Too soon? One could argue a few more years need to pass before the entertainment industry has a chance of tackling these still raw political sagas with any level of objectivity.

Still, whether you like Boris or not there’s no denying he’s always been good TV. Branagh’s got shoes to fill.

OVER on Disney Plus this month, the billionaire mouse continues to turn its most iconic animated films into live action remakes.

“The Lion King”, “Dumbo”, “Mulan” and “Aladdin” have all got the shiny modern makeover and this time it’s “Pinocchio”, the classic tale of the wooden puppet and his adventures to become a real boy.

Tom Hanks plays his maker, Geppetto in this latest take on the story which has been in production for more than seven years and sees “Back to the Future” director Robert Zemeckis in charge of the film. 

The original “Pinocchio” is also available on Disney Plus and remains a charming family flick even 82 years after it was first seen around the world.

REMEMBER the guy who got crane kicked by Ralph Macchio at the end of the first “Karate Kid” movie?

Who would have thought 40 years later he’d have his own TV show that’s still popular five seasons deep.

“Cobra Kai”, the spin-off of the beloved “Karate Kid” movies, has just dropped its newest set of episodes on Netflix and, yet again, proven itself a black belt in action television.

It’s the story of what happened to the teenage antagonist of “The Karate Kid”, Johnny Lawrence, 34 years after his defeat at the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament.

All washed up, Lawrence seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai dojo and resparking his rivalry with the now highly successful Daniel LaRusso.

Following an explosive season four finale, this newest entry in the “Miyagi-verse” will see Lawrence face off against the villain of “Karate Kid Part III” Terry Silver, who wants to make his “No Mercy” style of karate the only game in town.

For anyone needing to refresh their memory, there sadly won’t be much luck finding the original films on any of the streaming platforms.

Netflix does have the 2010 remake with Jaden Smith, but let’s just say that’s an iteration of the “Karate Kid” that doesn’t land any punches.