BRITBOX, ACORN TV, APPLE TV+, SKY
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 Timothy Spall (right), Jennifer Saunders, Tim Vine and Mark Williams, bolsters this P. G. Wodehouse 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 simpleminded son Freddie 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 society takes on the elite
If you thought BritBox was all about classic British telly, think again. To entice new subscribers, it’s also backing a few exclusive programmes; the revamped version of Spitting Image is among the highlights to come, but before that streams there’s a chance to see this international crime drama starring 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