The Disaster Artist
It takes a special kind of genius to make a film boasting the sustained absurdity of The Room. So what was Tommy Wiseau’s deal? It’s unlikely that anyone will ever truly get to the bottom of his enigma, but James Franco gives it a decent go in this entertaining and unexpectedly poignant film telling the story of Hollywood’s greatest disasterpiece.
Out now, Sky Store
Marcella
This essentially ridiculous but still hugely entertaining police drama concludes in suitably hysterical style. As the various strands of the investigation draw together, can Anna Friel’s titular maverick avoid further blackouts and keep it together? Don’t bet on it.
9 April, 9pm, ITV
Lost in Space
An impressive reimagining of the classic US sci-fi drama of the 60s, this new series might restore a little of the lost goodwill surrounding recent Netflix originals. It is relentlessly exciting, offers spectacular effects and boasts that rarest of things: non-annoying child actors.
Available from 13 April, Netflix
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
This latest epic feels like a broadening of the emotional palette of the Star Wars universe. A now-grizzled Luke Skywalker is struggling with the role of mentor and this sense of eras ending adds a certain poignancy to the usual fantasy thrills and spills. As divisive as these films always are, it’s a worthy addition to the ever-expanding franchise.
Available from 9 April, Sky Store
Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness
You might recognise him as the luxuriantly coiffured grooming expert from Netflix’s Queer Eye but Jonathan Van Ness is also a podcaster. Here, he explores topical issues, admitting his ignorance but always endearingly eager to learn and enlist experts to help him out. It could be Joey Essex-meets-Ed Miliband-style cringe but winds up much better than that.
Episodes available now
Urban Myths
A welcome return for this patchy but periodically inspired comedy anthology. In the opening episode, Gemma Arterton plays Marilyn Monroe, making heavy weather of her Some Like It Hot dialogue as James Purefoy’s long-suffering Billy Wilder tears his hair out.
12 April, 9pm, Sky Arts
Plebs
The amiable Roman comedy returns with a sudden death, some truly impressive grief-eating and decent gags about the London property market. Period trappings aside, it’s still essentially The Inbetweeners in togas but fine, funny performances from the likes of Tom Rosenthal and Ryan Sampson make that less of a problem than it might be.
9 April, 10pm, ITV2
A Bigger Splash
Luca Guadagnino’s update of Jacques Deray’s swinging 60s La Piscine has Tilda Swinton’s Bowieish rock star and Matthias Schoenaerts’s film-maker basking in their Sicilian hideaway. Up to this idyllic scene rocks loudmouth former lover Harry (Ralph Fiennes), towing 22-year-old Penelope (Dakota Johnson) to ignite a fiery, funny drama.
12 April, 9pm, Film4
Gotham
After runs on Channel 5 and Netflix, this prequel has found a new home on E4. It struggles to decide whether its tone should be gritty or glossy, but it’s still fun to watch the teenage Bruce Wayne preparing to embark on his lifelong battle with the nascent evil of junior wrong ’un Penguin.
10 April, 9pm, E4
The Voice UK: Live Final
At last. We have finally reached the endgame of ITV’s never-knowingly-understated singing contest; at stake, a deal with Polydor Records and a chance to blub shamelessly on national TV. Expect wild hyperbole as the coaches ramp up the superlatives and Donel, Lucy et al prepare to do battle one last time.
7 April, 8.30pm, ITV
