Brexit: The Uncivil War
Amid all the talks of no deal, backstops and Canada-plus, what we all could do with is some escape from Brex … oh. At least this one-off drama on the referendum campaign is marked by its quality, penned by playwright James Graham and starring Rory Kinnear as Remain head Craig Oliver and Benedict Cumberbatch as Vote Leave savant Dominic Cummings.
Monday 7 January, 9pm, Channel 4
Better Things
Pamela Adlon’s sharp sitcom finally reaches the UK. If its Louis CK associations (he was exec-producer prior to the misconduct allegations against him) are unfortunate, they shouldn’t discredit what is a frank and frequently lovely account of single motherhood.
Thursday 10 January, 10pm, BBC Two
Sex Education
As anyone who witnessed her performance as a Bowie-mimicking deity in American Gods will attest, Gillian Anderson has been taking on some pretty intriguing roles recently. This new Netflix comedy-drama looks set to continue that trend with her playing the sex-therapist mum of Asa Butterfield’s repressed but horny teen. Cringe comedy ensues.
From Friday 11 January, Netflix
Podcast from the Past
Anyone who has spent any extended time gazing at Postcard from the Past, Tom Jackson’s sepia-tinged Twitter feed and book, will no doubt enjoy this accompanying pod, where the likes of Radio 3 host Petroc Trelawny and Cunk creators Hazeley and Morris chat amiably about vintage fare.
Cleaning Up
You might expect a series that stars Sheridan Smith as a zero-hours cleaner with a gambling addiction to be quite glum. Yet this ITV drama proves confoundingly caper-like, as single mum Sam stumbles upon insider trading at the Canary Wharf bank where she works and decides she fancies a piece of the action. Channelling her inner Gordon Gekko, she takes her colleague Jess (Jade Anouka) along for a wild ride.
Wednesday 9 January, 9pm, ITV
Catastrophe
Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan’s magnificently maladjusted parents return for a fourth series of the bilious (but secretly rather sweet) sitcom, one that promises more upheaval for the duo as well as a tribute to their late, great cast member Carrie Fisher.
Tuesday 8 January, 10pm, Channel 4
Icons
Here’s an intriguing concept: seven specialists – including Kathleen Turner, Lily Cole and Chris Packham – each nominate three 20th-century icons in their chosen field, who are then voted on by the public. The winner progresses to a live final next week. First up, Trevor McDonald nominates a trio of great leaders.
Tuesday 8 January, 9pm, BBC Two
Friends from College
Yes, the Guardian may have described its first season as “inexplicably, one-dimensionally awful” but there is something undeniably watchable about this snarky comedy-drama, returning for a second season this week. You will detest every single character … while bingeing the entire thing in one sitting.
From Friday 11 January, Netflix
All the President’s Men
Alan Pakula’s heart-racing account of how two Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, traced the Watergate break-in back to President Nixon’s office. William Goldman’s masterly, Oscar-winning screenplay extracts all the suspense of the investigation and its riveting detail, without getting bogged down.
Thursday 10 January, 10.45am, TCM
The Greatest Dancer
If that other dancing show hasn’t quite scratched your itch for primetime jiving, this might do the trick. Rather than just ballroom disciplines it welcomes performers from a variety of dancing styles – jazz, ballet, even a bit of disco – in a contest that promises £50k and a turn on Strictly itself for the winner. Cheryl is among the experts providing pointers.
Saturday 5 January, 8pm, BBC One
