We dig out the hidden gems so you don’t have to...

DRAMA

TEHRAN NEW SHOW Taut, tense spy tale from deep within Iran

Penned by Fauda writer Moshe Zonder, this highly anticipated espionage thriller follows Tehran-born Mossad agent Tamar Rabinyan (Niv Sultan, pictured right), who is working deep undercover in the Iranian capital. It soon becomes clear that her dangerous mission, which involves destroying a nuclear reactor, has implications not just for Middle East relations but for the rest of the world. Shaun Toub, who played Iranian CIA asset Majid Javadi in Homeland, also stars. The first three instalments are available this week, with further new episodes released every Friday. Apple TV+, from Friday

THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE Hardy’s dark tale of secrets and regret

Ciarán Hinds produces one of his best performances in this lavish adaptation of the Thomas Hardy classic. While travelling with his family in search of work, farm worker Michael Henchard auctions off his wife Susan (Juliet Aubrey) and baby daughter in a fit of drunken madness. Eighteen years later, a sober Henchard has rebuilt his life and is set to become Mayor of Casterbridge. However, when his wife and daughter (Jodhi May) return, his shameful secret is exposed. Acorn TV, from Monday

BLANDINGS I say! A spiffing Wodehouse classic

A brilliant cast, including ncluding Timothy Spall (right), ght), Jennifer Saunders, s, Tim Vine and Mark rk Williams, bolsters this P. G. Wodehouse use adaptation, which ran for two series from 2013-14. Set in the late 1920s, the absurd comedy follows Lord Emsworth, who resides at Blandings Castle, along with his glowering sister Connie, his simple- eminded son Freddie die and a number of nitwits. Emsworth would rather be left in peace with Beach, his long-suffering butler, and prize pig the Empress, but an array of house guests, love-struck nieces and their boyfriends cause havoc. BritBox, from Thursday

THE AVENGERS Hats off to Steed and the inimitable Diana Rigg

Possibly the most stylish spy series ever, whose most famous alumnus, Diana Rigg as the often leather-clad, karate-chopping Emma Peel (right), died aged 82 last week. BritBox is showing her two series as well as the one featuring Tara King (Linda Thorson), who also partnered the ineffably suave, bowler-hatted John Steed (Patrick Macnee). There are two episodes from the first series with Macnee and Ian Hendry but none with Honor Blackman (as Cathy Gale), who preceded Rigg and also died earlier this year. BritBox, available now

COLD COURAGE NEW SHOW Secret sosociety takes on the elite

If you y thought BritBox was wa all about classic British B telly, think again. a To entice new subscribers, s it’s also backing a few exclusive programmes; the revamped r version of Spitting S Image is among the th highlights to come, but bu before that streams there’s the a chance to see this international inter crime drama starring starrin John Simm, Caroline Goodall and Arsher Ali. It focuses on two Finnish women who, on arrival in London, become embroiled with a secret organisation known as The Studio, which aims to cut down to size anyone they feel is getting too powerful and dangerous. BritBox, available now

BLAKE’S 7 Classic sci-fi from the Daleks’ creator

Terry Nation’s sci-fi drama is still fondly remembered by fans. There is something for everyone across its 52 episodes – action and adventure for younger viewers, and mature themes, humour and sex appeal for the adults. Gareth Thomas stars as political dissident Roj Blake, who commands a small group of rebels against the forces of the totalitarian Terran Federation ruling the Earth and many colonised planets. Paul Darrow co-stars as the cool-as-acucumber Avon, alongside the glamorous Jacqueline Pearce (pictured, below) as Servalan, the series’ exceptional villain. BritBox, available now

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE NEW SHOW It’s the end of the world as we know it

As a child, Kim (Game of Thrones’s Maisie Williams) witnessed her father’s violent death and was then raised in isolation by her survivalist mother (Sian Clifford). Now grown, she is determined to see the ‘real world’ and to avenge Dad. When she becomes convinced the world is ending, she has to speed up her plans. Look out for an Arya Stark gag in episode two of this fast-paced comedy thriller. Sky/NOW, available now

THE DUCHESS NEW SHOW Caustic comedy with Katherine Ryan

Sitcom written by and starring Katherine

Ryan. She’s a single mum who can’t stand the wastrel father of her daughter but wants to get pregnant by him again. It’s er…complicated. How will the decent chap (Steen Raskopoulus, left with Ryan) she is currently in a relationship with feel about this? Katherine doesn’t really care. ‘We might as well enjoy men as temporary figures and focus on what is best for our children,’ she reasons. There are some great one-liners in this, particularly when she spars with the other mums. Available now

THE DEVIL ALL THE TIME NEW SHOW Sinister goings-on in smalltown America

A psychological thriller set during the period between the Second World War and the Vietnam conflict. The action takes place in and around a backwoods Ohio town populated by various sinister characters, including an unholy preacher, a crooked sheriff and a twisted young couple. Only Arvin Russell (British Spider-Man star Tom Holland) has the wherewithal to bring them down. Former Twilight vampire and future Batman Robert Pattinson also stars, along with Jason Clarke, Riley Keough, Bill Skarsgård, Mia Wasikowska and Sebastian Stan. Available now

SING ON! They’ve got to sing it to win it...

While it may not be possible to scream Dancing Queen at the top of our lungs in a karaoke booth just yet, we can croon to our favourite tunes in the living room thanks to the lovable Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Tituss Burgess. He hosts Sing On!, a singing competition in which contestants face off to see who can sing popular hits with the most accuracy. In each themed episode, six contestants belt out the biggest hits from that genre while being judged by a vocal analyser comparing their vocal performance to the original artist’s. The more they sing in tune, the more cash they add to a collective jackpot worth up to $60,000. Prepare to have an at-home sing-a-long and annoy your neighbours in the process. Available now

HOPE FROZEN: A QUEST TO LIVE TWICE Can there really be life after death?

In January 2015, a two-year-old Thai girl nicknamed Einz passed away after battling brain cancer. It was a tragedy for her Buddhist family, but her scientist father came up with the idea of cryogenically freezing his daughter in the hope that, one day, she could be reborn in a new body – her head and brain are now in a tank in Arizona. Cameras follow Einz’s loved ones on an emotional journey that takes an unexpected turn. Both touching and moving, it’s a documentary that will nevertheless provoke an ethical debate. Available now

UTOPIA

NEW SHOW Addictive drama from the Gone Girl author

A group of comic fans (including Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, below) are obsessed with the graphic novel Dystopia, which they believe contains hidden clues predicting a series of epidemics. When the original manuscript of the sequel, Utopia, surfaces for sale at a convention, they’re keen to get hold of it – but they’re not the only ones. Others are prepared to kill to secure it. This eightepisode thriller featuring conspiracy theories and killer viruses could not seem more current but is, in fact, Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn’s take on the 2013 cult British series. From Friday.

FERNANDO

NEW SHOW The return of the Formula 1 racing champ

When double world champion Fernando Alonso walked away from Formula 1 at the conclusion of the 2018 season, it brought an end to four woeful years at McLaren. However, the Spaniard had unfinished business in F1, and ahead of his return to drive for the Alpine team in 2021, this fivepart series documents his past year. We’ll see him race in the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as his first outing at the Dakar Rally in January. Alonso also grants viewers access to his inner circle. From Friday

THE BUREAU

NEW SERIES Captivating French secret agent adventure

A welcome return for the superb French spy series that has become an international hit. ‘French agent allegedly assassinated by

CIA with DGSE consent’ is the headline in a newspaper that is at odds with the official version of the story – that DGSE (France’s MI6) operative Malotru, our hero of the first four seasons, was killed during a fire fight between Ukrainians and proRussian separatists. Have the Russians planted the CIA story? Or is it the Trump administration? Available now on Sundance Now