BOX SETS AND ON DEMAND

American Rust (Prime, from Thu)

This crime drama hasn’t had the easiest time of it. The first series, based on a novel by Philipp Meyer, was produced by the US broadcaster Showtime, who decided not make a follow-up after some disappointing reviews. Undaunted by such things, Amazon believed there was still life in the tale of Pennsylvania chief of police Del Harris, so picked it up, dusted it down, and commissioned a second run. Jeff Daniels reprises his role as Harris, and while the story will deal with the fallout of the traumatic events that took place at the end of its predecessor, the main thrust focuses on the jaded cop’s investigation into a series of mail-bomb murders.

Maura Tierney also returns as feisty union leader Grace Poe, with a number of new faces joining the cast.

The Baxters (Prime, from Thu)

Based on a series of novels by Karen Kingsbury, this 10-part drama is the latest project for Northern Irelandborn actress Roma Downey, who sprung to fame as the central character in Touched by an Angel.

Like that show, this is a faith-infused series; it focuses on Elizabeth and John (played by Downey and former Dynasty, Happy Days and Married… with Children star Ted McKinley) and their five adult children. The story follows eldest daughter Kari as she finds comfort within the family after discovering that her professor husband

Tim has been having an affair with one of his students. If the programme goes down well with audiences, there is plenty of scope for further seasons – Kingsbury has written more than 25 books about the clan.

Renegade Nell (Disney+, from Fri)

Following up a major success can be difficult, although Louisa Harland and Sally Wainwright don’t

seem to have much trouble with it. Harland came to fame playing Orla McCool in Derry Girls, while Wainwright thrilled everyone most recently with her scripts for the final series of Happy Valley.

Now they’re teaming up for an eight-part historical adventure written by the latter and starring the former as Nell Jackson, who becomes a female highwayman in 18th-century England after being framed for murder. Nick

Mohammad co-stars as her sidekick, a magical spirit called Billy Blind, while Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester and Craig Parkinson are also among the impressive supporting cast.

A Gentleman in Moscow (Paramount+, from Fri)

In 2016, US novelist Amor Towles published his second book to great acclaim; now it’s been made into a new drama, starring Ewan McGregor and his real-life wife, Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The Trainspotting star plays Count Alexander Rostov, who was supposedly born in Saint Petersburg in 1889.

The story begins during the aftermath of the Bolshevik revolution of 1917, as Rostov returns to his homeland following a stay in Paris.

He doesn’t receive a warm welcome – the aristocrat is immediately arrested and, although he escapes death, he’s put under house arrest at Moscow’s Hotel Metropol. The drama then jumps backwards and forwards, offering glimpses of his past, present and future.

Jeff Daniels, American Rust