THE HOT LIST
BEST OF TV AND STREAMING
VICTORIAN MYSTERY
THE ESSEX SERPENT AppleTV+, from Friday, May 13
■ SARAH Perry’s acclaimed, bestselling novel is adapted into a six-part series by director Clio Barnard (Dark River, The Selfish Giant). Set in Victorian England, Claire Danes plays Cora Seaborne, a recently widowed amateur naturalist who finds new purpose in life by investigating tales of a mythical serpent on the loose on the Essex coast. She settles in the village of Aldwinter where she strikes up a friendship with vicar Will Ransome (Tom Hiddleston) as they both try to get to the bottom of the intriguing mystery amid the mud flats and marshes
LEGAL FIGHT THE LINCOLN LAWYER Amazon Prime, from Friday, May 14
■ FOR his latest small-screen outing, David E Kelly (Big Little Lies, LA Law) adapts Michael Connelly’s popular novels about an unconventional lawyer into a 10-part series. Manuel Garcia-Ruflo is slovenly LA attorney Mickey Haller who works out of the back of his car after his marriage ends and his legal partner dies. Despite all that, he lands a huge case when a murder leads him into a sinister underworld of intimidation and violence. Tense, gripping stuff that will keep you guessing.
SING FOR VICTORY
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2022 BBC
One, Saturday, May 14, 8pm
■ GET your drinks, snacks and sense of camp irony at the ready as the annual music extravaganza reaches its climax once again with the final being held in Turin this year. As usual Graham Norton will be hosting proceedings for the BBC with his customary wit and sarcasm as Sam Ryder tries to ensure Britain gets more than ‘nil points’ with his song Space Man. But who would bet against Ukraine bagging a highly symbolic victory this year?
TAKE FOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS BBC
Three, Sunday, May 15, 9pm
■ FOLLOWING the success of Normal People, this latest adaptation of a Sally Rooney novel looks set to be another big hit for the Beeb with Lenny Abrahamson directing the 12-part drama. Set in Dublin, newcomer Alison Oliver stars as Frances, a university student who begins a secret affair with married actor Nick (Joe Alwyn) while Sasha Lane is Frances’s ex-girlfriend and best friend Bobbi and Jemima Kirke plays Nick’s wife Melissa. The series follows the unlikely friendships and connections that emerge between the four of them over time.
TIME AFTER TIME THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE Sky Atlantic/Now TV, Monday, May 16, 9pm
■ AUDREY Niffenegger’s enduringly popular novel has
already been made into a Hollywood film, and now Sherlock’s Steven Moffat has adapted it into a six-part series with David Nutter (Homeland, Game Of Thrones) directing. Rose Leslie plays Clare, the wife of Theo James’ timetravelling Hnery who never knows when she’ll see him again and how the experiences he’s had might change him. Romantic drama with a sci-fi edge and a wistful atmosphere.