BOX SETS AND ON DEMAND

Secret State (Acorn TV, from Mon)

Another chance to see the gritty political drama inspired by Chris Mullin’s novel, A Very British Coup. Since Mullin spent 23 years as the MP for Sunderland South, you have to imagine that his depiction of life as a politician is based in fact, although the story itself is, of course, purely fictional. Told across four gripping episodes, it stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom Dawkins, Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister, who is forced to take control of the nation during the run-up to a General Election after the Prime Minister is killed in a plane crash.

Dawkins’ first task is to investigate a devastating industrial accident that killed 19 people on Teeside. During his research he uncovers a conspiracy. Charles Dance, Gina McKee and Rupert Graves co-star.

Best Leftovers Ever! (Netflix, from Wed)

Ideally this series would have started on Boxing Day, a time when traditionally we have plenty of leftovers after misjudging our catering requirements on December 25 for the umpteenth time.

Those who couldn’t face yet another turkey sandwich would probably have appreciated a little prior inspiration. But no matter – better late than never, eh? Each programme follows the progress of two home cooks who pride themselves on their inventiveness as they’re challenged to come up with incredible dishes using only – you guessed it – leftovers. Those who impress the most win a big cash prize – but keeping judges David So and Rosemary Shrager happy won’t be easy. Jackie Tohn presents.

Hornblower (BritBox, from Thu)

Before adaptations of CS Forester’s much-loved books began to appear on the small screen from 1998, few people outside Wales, where he had starred in the soap Pobl y Cwm, had heard of Ioan Gruffud. Its broadcast turned him into a star across the globe. Now there’s a chance to look back at the first series, which comprises two feature-length adventures set during the French Revolutionary war.

The action begins in 1793 as young Horatio Hornblower joins the good ship Justinian, on which he learns harsh lessons about life at sea, before being transferred to the Indefatigable, where he seizes an opportunity to display his potential as a leader of men. Robert Lindsay, Dorian Healy and Robert Bathurst are among the supporting cast.

The Beiderbecke Collection (BritBox, from Thu)

Alan Plater’s comedy drama trilogy is still a delight more than 30 years after it first aired.

All three series – Affair, Tapes and Connection – star James Bolam and Barbara Flynn as Leeds teachers Trevor and Jill, a mismatched couple who unwittingly find themselves caught up in bizarre adventures involving political corruption, nuclear waste dumping and fraud.

From that description, The Beiderbecke Collection may sound a little heavy for the festive season, but Plater’s light touch and talent for dialogue shine through. Bolam and Flynn have never been better either, while the supporting cast – which includes Terence Rigby, Dominic Jephcott, Colin Blakely and James Grout – is just as impressive.

Ioan Gruffudd in Hornblower