Surviving R Kelly
Already the subject of much discussion in the US, Lifetime’s legacy-ending account of the abuse allegations against the R&B megastar gets its first airing here. Some might find the delivery a little tabloidy, but it’s hard to argue with the affecting testimony of those involved, notably that of backing singer and witness Jovante Cunningham.
Tuesday 5 February, 10pm, Crime & Investigation
Das Boot
A serialised sequel to one of the great second world war films, this drama follows both a U-boat crew and the resistance forces trying to undermine it. The multilingual cast includes Lizzy Caplan and, best of all, Phantom Thread breakout Vicky Krieps.
Wednesday, 9pm, Sky Atlantic
David Tennant Does a Podcast With …
The great migration of celebs to the world of podcasting continues with this interview effort from the one-time Time Lord. He begins with a chat with Oscar-nominated Olivia Colman, with Whoopi Goldberg, Gordon Brown and current Doctor Jodie Whittaker still to come.
Africa With Ade Adepitan
Former Paralympic athlete Adepitan explores the extremes in the continent’s cultures and climates in this upbeat travelogue. In a pleasing break from the condescending norm of most dispatches to Africa, he argues that the region will play a crucial global role in the century to come, as proved by a trip to Nigeria’s answer to Silicon Valley.
Sunday 3 February, 9pm, BBC Two
Hypothetical
Separated-at-birth standups Josh Widdicombe and James Acaster host an agreeably shambling take on Would I Lie to You?, providing each celebrity guest with a bizarre hypothetical situation that they have to fast-talk themselves out of. A quizshow that relies heavily on Acaster’s nerdy, absurdist style, the first episode demonstrates some potential for mischief even if it is still finding its feet.
Wednesday 6 February, 10pm, Dave
Moon and Me
Andrew Davenport, the doyen of toddler telly behind Teletubbies and In the Night Garden, looks to hypnotise another generation of pre-schoolers with this charming tale of a mischievous moon baby. Expect it to soundtrack teatimes for years to come.
Monday 4 February, 5.45pm, CBeebies
Man Like Mobeen
One of the strongest of the Beeb’s comedy pilots-turned-series returns, with Guz Khan’s titular dealer-cum-legal guardian still trying to stay on the straight and narrow. Terrorism, racial stereotypes and police brutality are all deftly touched upon in a series that always prioritises gags over soapboxing.
From Thursday 7 February, BBC Three
High Flying Bird
While most directors rhapsodise over 70mm, Steven Soderbergh clearly has a thing for iPhone. His second movie in a row filmed on the device is a characteristically zippy affair that follows the travails of André Holland’s struggling basketball agent. Zazie Beetz also stars and Moonlight writer Tarell Alvin McCraney provides the screenplay. Sold!
From Friday 8 February, Netflix
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
The Golden Lion-winning conclusion to Roy Andersson’s “living trilogy” is as weirdly surreal as the title suggests. Two depressed salesmen peddling vampire teeth are our guides through a bizarre series of tableaux illustrating the sheer strangeness and hilarity of human existence. Beguiling and marvellous.
Monday 4 February, 1.10am, Film4
Mayans MC
Remarkably, this Sons of Anarchy spin-off is being talked up as even more violent than its predecessor. Some feat, given that Kurt Sutter’s biker saga featured the character he himself played biting off his own tongue. Let’s hope that it matches SoA’s sense of sweeping drama too, as it turns its attention to the Sons’ sidekick gang, border-smuggler badasses the Mayans.
Saturday 2 February, 10.40pm, BBC Two
