There have been some real TV gems hidden in amongst the usual shiny pebbles, sea-smoothed glass and plastic beads of the TV listings over the past few weeks. Here are our picks of those shows that you might have missed first time around.
1. Kabul Kitchen
Based on true story of Marc Victor, a Radio France Internationale journalist, who ran a restaurant in Kabul for French expatriates until 2008, Kabul Kitchen is a hilarious French-language comedy taking a sideways look at life in the Afghan city.
Jacky runs the popular restaurant, Kabul Kitchen, and all appears to be going well… until his daughter arrived to do some humanitarian work.
Several moments from the series are based on real-life experiences, including a moment where a wealthy donor sends 300 sets of skis to Afghanistan as part of the Ski Without Borders charity.
Kabul Kitchen is available on Walter Presents on All4.
2. Marcella
Written by award-winning Swedish writer and creator of The Bridge, Hans Rosenfeldt, Marcella is a crime-noir detective series set in the UK.
When her seven-year maternity leave is interrupted by the departure of her husband, DS Marcella Backland’s world is shaken to the core.
Shortly after, she is visited by a senior murder squad detective seeking information regarding an unsolved murder of 11 years previous.
She re-enters the dark world of the murder squad while trying to save her marriage and uncover the dodgy dealing of her husband’s employers.
Marcella is available on ITV Hub
3. Undercover
A moving and powerful story, Undercover is also a very topical show, which stems from the real-life revelations about British police officers who formed long-term relationships with those whom they are investigating.
Hustle actor Adrian Lester plays former undercover Detective Sergeant Nick Johnson whose wife Maya Cobbina QC (Oscar-nominee and Tony Award winner Sophie Okonedo) does not know about his past.
That past is about to come back to haunt him however as a figure from his police days threatens to reveal his past to his wife.
Undercover is available on BBC iPlayer
4. Chef’s Table
Each episode of this six-part series profiles a different award-winning chef from across the globe.
Beginning with a look into triple Michelin starred chef Massimo Bottura’s kitchen in Modena where he cooked up a series of controversial dishes that locals felt made a mockery of the Italian cuisine.
Later in the series, the show visits kitchens in Argentina, New York, Los Angeles, Australia and Sweden where the chefs combine their culture and their imaginations to create truly jaw-dropping dishes.
Chef’s Table is available on Netflix.
5. Transparent
Soon to return for a third season, Amazon Video’s first award-winning original content is both touching, honest and funny.
Jeffrey Tambor stars as Maura Pfefferman, a retired college professor who finally opens up to her family about her long-hidden identification as a women.
As Maura struggles to begin her new life she finds her journey constantly interrupted by explanations as she has to come out to her family, her friends, and to her community.
Heart-warming and earnest, the show offers a powerful message on the importance of tolerance, understanding and family – all wrapped up in some brilliant jokes.
Make sure you catch up on this programme in time for the new season later this year!
