FEUD: CAPOTE VS THE SWANS

Disney+

The star power and directorial punch of Feud’s second outing knocks its memorably catty opening season (about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford) out of the water. Writer Truman Capote’s (In Cold Blood) betrayal of the circle of ultra-wealthy New York women (he called them his “swans”) who adopted him and propelled him into the rarefied world of American high society is the subject of this extraordinary anthology series helmed by one of Hollywood’s most sophisticated directors, Gus Van Sant.

Tom Hollander puts in a typical powerhouse performance as Capote, sidestepping previous incarnations by Toby Jones and Philip Seymour Hoffman to build up a richly layered portrait of the writer that balances his effusive charm with the icy knowingness of the shrewd observer and self-destructiveness of a burnt-out talent. Even so, it is the jaw-dropping supporting line-up – Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Demi Moore and Molly Ringwald as the swans (not to mention Treat Williams and Russell Tovey) – and the glorious cinematic opulence of the direction, that really make this sing. Expect a raft of Emmy nominations next year. Gerard O’Donovan criminology professor is keen to get back to work at the university. But it’s not long before the police are knocking on his door again, looking for urgent help with a stalled investigation into a catalogue of mysterious deaths.

MAMMOTH BBC Two, 10pm

Imagine Ashes to Ashes’ DI Gene Hunt brought back to life as a PE teacher. That’s the concept behind this toe-curlingly funny comedy starring Mike Bubbins as a 1970s teacher reanimated 50 years after being buried by an avalanche while on a school ski-trip. All three episodes are box-setted on the BBC iPlayer..

Naomi Watts shines as one of Truman Capote’s circle