THE LAZARUS PROJECT
Sky Max, 9pm
When ordinary Londoner George (Paapa Essiedu) experiences a Groundhog Day, where he relives the same disturbing events from months ago, he thinks, quite reasonably, that he’s having some kind of breakdown. But it turns out that time really has turned back, and that it happens every time humankind is threatened with mass extinction (as it turns out, fairly frequently). Still, it’s only when George is recruited by a super-secret
spy agency trying to save Earth from calamity that he learns he’s one of the chosen few who can detect the time jumps. In a comic-book style transformation, gormless George becomes a crack agent chasing a nuclearbomb-toting terrorist.
Yes, it’s a little ridiculous, but lean into its sky-high concept and Joe Barton’s series is an enjoyable and light mash-up of action and time-loop movies. Essiedu, a fine actor long overdue his
leading TV role, strikes just the right note as George, finding rich humour in a character who must quickly find his cojones when a terrible dilemma presents itself. Caroline Quentin adds gravitas as the intimidating spy agency boss. If that isn’t enough to sell it, episode one features perhaps the most electrifying car chase you’ll see outside of a Bond movie – on its own, that makes it well worth the time investment.