Your 2021 TV hot list

Good news: our favourite shows are on hold no longer. Here is some of the excellent television coming your way

THE PURSUIT OF LOVE, BBC ONE

Who? Lily James, Andrew Scott, Dominic West, Emily Beecham and Assaad Bouab.

What? A BBC adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s classic romantic-comedy novel, with an A-list cast. Set between the First and Second World Wars, cousins and BFFs Linda (James) and Fanny (Beecham) are on the hunt for husbands. Spoiler alert: they don’t use Tinder.

When? Mid to late 2021.

SEX EDUCATION, SERIES 3, NETFLIX

Who? Gillian Anderson, Asa Butterfield, Ncuti Gatwa and Emma Mackey are back, joined by Jemima Kirke and Jason Isaacs (AKA Lucius Malfoy).

What? The third instalment of the much-loved comedy-drama. There’s a new headmistress (Kirke) in town, joined by Mr Groff’s older brother (Isaacs). Look out for Cal (Dua Saleh), a non-binary student shaking things up at Moordale High.

When? Autumn 2021.

INVENTING ANNA, NETFLIX

Who? Ozark’s Julia Garner stars alongside Laverne Cox and Anna Chlumsky.

What? The long-awaited dramatic adaptation of Anna Sorokin’s story, told through the eyes of a New York Times journalist (Chlumsky). The Russian-born fraudster (Garner) stole the hearts – and money – of NYC’s elite, before being jailed in 2019 for grand larceny and theft of services.

When? Autumn 2021.

THE NORTH WATER, BBC TWO

Who? Colin Farrell, Jack O’Connell and Stephen Graham – a trio of talent.

What? Adapted from Ian McGuire’s novel of the same name, this four-part mini-series follows a group of men on a whaling expedition to the Arctic in the 1850s. When trouble hits their ill-fated journey, a harsh (and very cold) struggle for survival ensues.

When? January 2021.