THE HOT LIST
THE BEST OF TV AND STREAMING THIS WEEK
CRIMINAL MINDS LINE OF DUTY BBC One, Saturday,
February 6, 9pm
■ WITH season six of Jed Mercurio’s crime drama heading our way soon, here’s another chance to watch series two of one of the most addictive TV shows of recent times. Keeley Hawes plays DI Lindsay Denton who comes under suspicion when she survives an ambush on a police convoy in which three of her colleagues are killed and a civilian in the witness protection programme is left fighting for his life in hospital. Expect plenty of twists and turns along the way as anti-corruption unit AC-12 investigate what’s behind the ambush. Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure and Martin Compston star.
RETURN OF ROMESH THE RANGANATION BBC 2, Sunday,
February 7, 9pm
■ ROMESH Ranganathan returns with a new series of his topical comedy show where he’s joined by members of the public from all walks of life who share their thoughts on the state of the nation today. Given what we’ve all been through in the last year and with plenty of strong opinions around, they’ll have plenty to talk about. Romesh and his outspoken focus group will be joined by selection of celebrity guests as they try to put the world to rights. And if you want more Romesh, stay tuned for his travel programme The Misadventures Of Romesh Ranganathan straight afterwards where he visits Mongolia and tries out traditional wrestling and shamanic rituals.
DARK DANISH THRILLER DELIVER US Channel 4, Sunday, February 7. 11.05pm and all episodes available on All4 from Friday, February 5
■ WITH the excellent The Investigation drawing to a close on BBC Two on Friday, you don’t have to wait long for your next helping of Scandinavian crime drama. This eight-part Danish psychological thriller centres around a seemingly ordinary small town where five people decide to take things into their own hands when a young man starts terrorising the community. But they find that when you start playing God, you can end up in some very dark places. This gripping drama has already won a clutch of awards and is set to be another resounding ‘Nordic Noir’ hit.
HOWLING SUCCESS WOLFWALKERS Apple TV
■ WITH its cinematic release late last year overshadowed by the pandemic, the latest film from Irish animation house Cartoon Saloon has found a home on AppleTV. An enthralling adventure, Wolfwalkers centres around hunter Bill Goodfellowe (Sean Bean) and his daughter Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) who are part of the British occupying force under the tyrannical Lord Protector (Simon McBurney) in 17th century Ireland. Goodfellowe is tasked with clearing the nearby woods of wolves but the locals believe they are no ordinary canines. Meanwhile, Robyn befriends a feral girl called Mebh (Eve Whittaker) who’s trying to find her missing mother. Beautifully animated in a distinctive hand-drawn style, Wolfwalkers will charm children and adults alike while its underlying point about our attitude to wild places is powerfully made.
DAMNING INDICTMENT NIGHTCRAWLER BBC Two, Friday, February 5, 11.20pm
■ DAN Gilroy’s 2014 film is a damning indictment of certain sections of the media and what they’ll do to get a scoop. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Louis Bloom, an LA con man who blunders onto a crime scene and sees the potential for earning big money by getting footage for breaking news channels. Lacking any moral compass, he goes to any length to be the first on a crime scene so he can get videos to sell to Rene Russo’s TV executive but the line between observer and participant becomes increasingly blurred. A fascinating if unsettling look at the state of the news media.