THE TEN HOTTEST SHOWS TO WATCH RIGHT NOW

THIS WEEK ON NOW TV

1 THE SOPRANOS

Harassed family man and troubled Mob boss Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini, below) is one of the great TV creations. More than 20 years after it launched, this show is as compelling, shocking and funny as when it first aired.

2 THE AFFAIR

Dominic West and Ruth Wilson star in an involving relationship drama in which we often see the same events from the varied perspectives of different characters.

3 SIX FEET UNDER

Long-running, beloved TV sagas often have a problem with the final episode but this show, about the Fisher family who run a funeral home, sets the benchmark for last chapters.

4 THE WIRE

Uses the format of a tough, gritty cop show, set in Baltimore, to examine the wider ills of society and introduces us to some indelible characters on both sides of the law, played by the likes of Idris Elba and Wendell Pierce.

5 DEXTER

Wildly implausible but hugely enjoyable crime drama about the eponymous serial killer (Michael C. Hall), who only kills other serial killers. Oh, and he works for law enforcement as a blood-spatter expert.

6 CHERNOBYL

Performances, cinematography, sound design… everything in this nervejangling, five-episode dramatisation of the horrific nuclear accident at the Ukrainian power plant is perfect.

7 BRITANNIA

Ancient Britain is stuffed to the gills with drug-addled druids, power-crazed Romans and feuding Brits in Jez Butterworth’s bonkers and frequently laugh-out-loud funny drama.

8 SUCCESSION

Very black comedy about the awful, dysfunctional, super-rich Roy family, headed by terrifying media mogul Logan Roy (Brian Cox).

9 30 ROCK

Brilliant long-running satirical sitcom about a TV sketch show, inspired by creator and star Tina Fey’s experiences on Saturday Night Live.

10 EXTRAS

One of the joys of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s hilarious comedy about the life of a ‘background artist’ is the guest stars playing versions of themselves, including Kate Winslet, Sir Ian McKellen and David Bowie.