THE HOT LIST
THE BEST OF TV AND STREAMING THIS WEEK
UNDER COVER THE UNITED STATES VS BILLIE HOLIDAY Sky Cinema
■ ANDRA Day has just won a Golden Globe for her performance in this biopic of Billie Holiday that charts an unlikely (and possibly fictional) romance between the jazz singer and an FBI agent sent to spy on her. Despite a tough upbringing and years of abuse, Holiday is a successful musician but also the target for the authorities because of her outspoken criticism of the racism she encounters. Undercover agent Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes) infiltrates her inner circle to find evidence of her hard drug use but finds himself falling for her.
MORAL QUANDARY YOUR HONOR Sky Atlantic, Tuesdays, 9pm, Now TV and catch-up
■ BRYAN Cranston is back for his first major TV role since Breaking Bad finished eight years ago. He plays Michael Desatio, a New Orleans judge whose son is involved in a hit-and-run accident in which the victim is part of the Baxter family, one of the city’s most influential power brokers whose wealth is built on crime. Desiato tries to cover up his son’s crime but it’s clear from the outset that getting away with it isn’t going to be easy as the Baxter family and other interested parties start closing in. Hunter Doohan, Michael Stuhlbarg and Hope Davis co-star in this gripping 10-part series that asks some serious ethical questions.
MONSTER FUN PACIFIC RIM: THE BLACK Netflix
■ IF massive monsters fighting huge robots are your thing, look no further than this animated offering from Netflix which follows up two live-action films in which Kaiju emerge from the depths of the ocean and start destroying cities. Mankind’s only hope is towering robots called Jaegers which have the firepower to take the mysterious creatures down. In this anime-style series, two siblings pilot a Jaeger to try to find their parents after Kaiju lay waste to much of Australia, coming across new creatures, dodgy characters and potential allies along the way.
RETRO COMEDY MINDHORN BBC Two, Saturday, March 6, 11.30pm
■ SOMEWHAT overlooked on its release back in 2016, this British comedy film makes use of the distinctive talent of Julian Barratt (The Mighty Boosh, Flowers) and is a real gem. Barratt stars as has-been actor Richard Thorncroft who’s called to the Isle Of Man to help police track down a serial killer who seems to be inspired by Thorncroft’s 1980s TV detective Mindhorn who he believes to be a real person. Daft scenarios and surreal humour are in plentiful supply and the impressive supporting cast includes Andrea Riseborough, Russell Tovey, Essie Davis, Simon Farnaby and Steve Coogan.
CHARITY BAKES THE GREAT CELEBRITY BACK OFF FOR STAND UP TO CANCER Channel 4, Tuesday, March 9, 8pm
■ THE charity take on the ever-popular baking show returns with Matt Lucas presenting on his own while Noel Fielding is on paternity leave. Tom Allen turns from presenter to contestant as he pits his creative baking skills against Daisy Ridley of Star Wars, comedian Rob Beckett and singer Alexandra Burke. As ever, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith will be judging the celebrities’ attempts to impress with millionaire’s shortbread, a fruit tart and, of course, a showstopper on the menu.