Noughts + Crosses, BBC iPlayer
It took 19 years but Malorie Blackman's Noughts + Crosses novel has finally been adapted for TV - and it appears to have been worth the wait. The six-part drama sees black "Crosses" rule over white "Noughts", and The Observer said the opening episode was "sharply adapted and just subtle enough", with the i Paper praising the programme's "promising start". The series has drawn comparisons to the likes of The Handmaid's Tale, and The Telegraph described some of the plot points as "clever", and summed it up well by adding: "It made us feel a tad uncomfortable - I think that’s the point".
Feel Good, All 4
It seems an apt time for a comedy called Feel Good - we could all do with a boost. And this doesn't disappoint. The Guardian described the rom-com as "an immaculately written and paced piece of work", and said it should "make you feel good". Bingo. Metro also praised the semi-autobiographical comedy - which stars Mae Martin as Mae, and explores her relationship with girlfriend George, who is played by Charlotte Ritchie. They said it is "a show to devour all in one sitting, with absolutely no regrets", and The Tab insisted the series is "the beautiful and truly funny rom-com we all need right now". Enough said.
Belgravia, ITV Hub
Ask anyone to name a Julian Fellowes period drama and nine times out of 10 the answer will be Downton Abbey. So, there were always going to be the inevitable comparisons to Downton in Fellowes' latest period offering. And while there aren't many putting Belgravia in such a high category just yet, there has been some encouraging praise. The Telegraph called the show "fun, frothy and fabulous on the eye", and praised the programme as "a satisfying watch, due to Fellowes' writing", but more importantly pointed out it could be "a show you can slowly fall in love with".
The Times commended one of the show's leading stars, Harriet Walter, insisting "if anyone can breathe life and chutzpah into another Sunday night bonnet boiler it is Walter". The Metro praised the "excellent cast" as a whole, and admitted they will certainly be "coming back for seconds" following an opening episode that was "mostly hors d’oeuvres".
Penance, My5
Julie Graham and Neil Morrissey lead the cast of this three-part Channel 5 drama, in which Julie's character Rosalie embarks on a relationship with a younger man, leading to both The Times and The Guardian to compare the show to BBC series Gold Digger and ITV's Flesh and Blood. The Times described the first of the trio of eps as a "pensive kind of potboiler", and pointed out that after Channel 5 branched out with more dramas in recent times, they have gone "one step farther into BBC/ITV bonkbuster territory". And The Sun claimed the three-parter was a "gripping" watch.
The Trouble with Maggie Cole, ITV Hub
Dawn French leads the cast in this light-hearted new drama, portraying local busybody Maggie Cole. The Independent described the debut episode of this six-part series as an "intriguing" and "irresistible drama", and noted former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh is "especially good" as Maggie's BFF. There was also praise for French, who Event Magazine said makes an "unlikeable character more likeable than she has any right to be". While it wasn't all positive for the drama from the critics, it should be right up there for those looking for some easy-to-watch TV at the moment.
