Lowdown on the best in TV drama, comedy and films

Virgin River Netflix, available now

Based on the novels by Robyn Carr (there are 21 in the Virgin River series, so the show could run for some time yet), this drama’s first run went down a treat with viewers looking for something to warm the cockles of their heart when it became available last December.

It stars Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe, a nurse and practitioner who swapped the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles for a new post in a quiet Californian town. The series ended with Mel packing her bags to leave, but as we catch up with her, she’s back in town. Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson and Annette O’toole co-star.

Mank Netflix, from Friday

David Fincher is widely regarded as one of the foremost movie directors of his generation thanks to such hits as Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac and Gone Girl.

But what some fans don’t realise is that film-making is in his blood – his father Jack was a screenwriter. Prior to his death in 2003, he penned a script inspired by the experiences of fellow scribe Herman J Mankiewicz. Gary Oldman plays Mankiewicz as he battles with Orson Welles while trying to complete the screenplay for Citizen Kane. Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tom Burke and Charles Dance co-star.

Stillwater Apple TV+, from Friday

Apple TV+ recently released Doug Unplugs, a charming children’s animated series based on a popular book.

Hot on its heels comes another CGI cartoon with a literary origin, this time Jon J Muth’s Zen Shorts. It focuses on the adventures of siblings Karl, Addy and Michael who have a very special neighbour living next door - Stillwater, a panda who is always available to give them very wise advice, enabling the trio to gain a new perspective on the world around them.