SKY/NOW TV, BRITBOX & APPLE TV+NETFLIX & STARZPLAY

DRAMA DAS BOOT Action beneath the waves... and between sheets

The German Second World War drama starring Clemens Schick (right) remains one of the most gripping shows around. In the second eight-part series the Gestapo is on the hunt for the French Resistance in La Rochelle, while boozy German submariners brawl and chase women in the port’s fleshpots. Meanwhile, beneath the Atlantic a U-boat is on a secret mission that, for once, doesn’t involve attempting to destroy Allied convoys. But is its disillusioned commander about to go rogue? Morally complex and as viscerally thrilling as the revered 1981 film that inspired it. Sky/NOW TV, available now

BAFTA: SCREENWRITERS’ LECTURES NEW SERIES How to write the next Downton Abbey

Ever wondered where ideas for top-rated TV series and blockbusting movies come from, and what it takes to transform them from something inside a writer’s head into a fully fledged screenplay? If so, you’re in the right place. Four Weddings And A Funeral’s Richard Curtis, Julian Fellowes, of Downton Abbey fame, and Abi Morgan, creator of The Hour whose credits also include the films Shame and The Iron Lady, can be seen discussing their creative processes in a series of fascinating talks. BritBox, available now

ANY HUMAN HEART A life in three actors

Sam Claflin, Matthew Macfadyen and Jim Broadbent play the same character at different ages in this gripping adaptation of William Boyd’s much-admired novel. The story begins as 80something Logan Mountstuart (Broadbent) looks back on his eventful life while reading through his old diaries. The tale then jumps between various flashbacks as Logan recalls how his time on Earth has intersected with major historic events and figures. The all-star supporting cast includes Tom Hollander and Gillian Anderson as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Tobias Menzies as Ian Fleming. BritBox from Monday

MIRACLE WORKERS NEW SERIES Daniel: a medieval wimp?

The first series was a workplace comedy set in heaven. God (Steve Buscemi) had given up on Earth and had a new project in mind. Low-level angel Craig (Daniel Radcliffe), whose job was to answer prayers, was trying to save the planet. This time around, it’s the same cast but a new story – set in a cod-medieval era – with Radcliffe as Prince Chauncley (left), a sensitive, artistic lad who is a big disappointment to his violent warlord father, and Buscemi as Eddie, the town’s faeces collector.

There’s a Horrible Histories vibe but this is amusing rather than laugh-out-loud funny. Sky/NOW TV, from Monday

LITTLE VOICE NEW SHOW Schmaltzy musical romcom of note

Bess King (Brittany O’Grady, above right with Colton Ryan) is a talented young songwriter who jots down lyrics while doing her job as a New York dog-walker but lacks the confidence to perform her work to an audience. Whether you enjoy this comingof-age story with music will largely depend on your tolerance for a show in which there’s a romantic encounter in the first five minutes, and when the guy asks Bess what one word best sums her up, she spells out ‘Mess’ in Scrabble tiles. We’re not talking kitchen-sink realism here. But stick with it, it’s not all schmaltz and it does get much better. Featuring original music by Sara Bareilles. Apple TV+, available now

DOOM PATROL NEW SERIES Scarred superheroes brought down to size

DC’s movie output has been somewhat hit and miss, but its small-screen outings – such as Harley Quinn and Pennyworth – have been excellent. Doom Patrol, about heroes who gained their powers following tragic events, joined the roster last year and now it’s back for a second series. This time, the group’s members have been miniaturised and must find a way to deal with that, as well as their feelings towards The Chief, a man they thought was on their side. The always watchable Timothy Dalton and Brendan Fraser star, while Abigail Shapiro joins the cast as The Chief’s rather unusual daughter. Starzplay, from Thursday

P-VALLEY NEW SHOW Secrets of a pole-dance club stripped bare

Olivier Award-winning playwright Katori Hall’s latest project is a no-holds-barred look at the larger-than-life characters working at a strip club in the Mississippi Delta. Among them is dancer Mercedes (Brandee Evans), whose incredible feats of athleticism on stage e are mindboggling; her colleagues agues may be less flexible but their backstories involve e PTSD, survival against ainst the odds, and battles es against prejudice, which means there’s ’s plenty of drama. And it all plays out against a backdrop of corporate greed as big companies arrive in the area, ready to suck its resources dry and leave the locals fighting to survive. Starzplay, from Sunday nday

FATHER SOLDIER SON NEW SHOW A moving portrait of military dads

Brian Eisch (above) is a decorated third-generation soldier. When he is injured in combat in Afghanistan, he and his sons, Isaac and Joey, have to deal with the challenging changes in their lives. Filmed over nearly a decade, this documentary exploring the nature of masculinity, service and sacrifice sacrif is directed by two New York Yo Times journalists. Netfli Netflix, from Friday

THE TH HATER N NEW SHOW Cult tale of ambition and desire

Polish Po director Jan Komasa’s Ko movie won the Best International Narrative Feature award at New York’s respected Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. As a result, it was snapped up by the streaming giant’s bosses, who felt it had the power to become a cult hit. Now you can see if they were right. The plot focuses on Tomek (Maciej Musialowski), a disgraced law student who is determined to make something of his life – particularly if it enables him to win over his childhood friend Gabi (Vanessa Alexander, left with Musialowski) and her family. Tomek hopes a job with a PR firm will do the trick, but the amoral activities expected of him in his new role begin to have an unexpected impact on his personality and future. Netflix, available now

13TH Racism in America: the brutal truth

An astonishing one in three African-American men will be jailed during their lifetime. That’s just one of the shocking statistics in

Ava DuVernay’s powerful, Oscarnominated documentary from 2016 exploring the link between systemic racism and incarceration in the US. The video of Eric Garner shouting ‘I can’t breathe’ while being arrested in 2014 is especially harrowing given the last words of George Floyd. As millions have now watched the film to educate themselves about racial inequality, Netflix has also made it available for free via YouTube. Netflix, available now

DOWN TO EARTH WITH ZAC EFRON NEW SHOW Zac’s new eco show

In 2019 he graced our screens as the vile serial killer Ted Bundy. This year, Zac Efron has opted for a somewhat lighter role – that of eco-show presenter. The former High School Musical star is on a trip around the world with wellness expert Darin Olien to learn about sustainable living. They’ll be travelling to Puerto Rico, Iceland, Costa Rica, France, Peru, the UK and Sardinia investigating where we get our food, water and power from – ‘putting new perspectives on some very old problems’, as Efron puts it. And by the looks of the trailer, eating well and having a very nice time along the way. Netflix, available now