The English Game

Available from Friday 20th March

Netflix

While we may have seen the Premier League grind to a halt last week, fans can still get their football fix via this Netflix drama about the birth of the modern game.

Created by Julian Fellows (Downton Abbey), The English Game follows two 19th Century football teams on opposing sides of the class divide; the Old Etononians, made up of former public schoolboys, versus Blackburn, consisting of mill workers. 

The series follows a classic underdog story, where the working men of Blackburn brought a skilful passing game to outclass their brutish old-Etonian opponents in the 1883 FA cup final.

Edward Holcroft (Wolf Hall) stars as the pompous captain Arthur Kinnaird, while Kevin Guthrie (The Terror) plays the rival footballing legend Fergus Suter.

 

The Nest

Sunday 22nd March

BBC One, 9pm

Martin Compston (Line of Duty) and Sophie Rundle (Gentleman Jack) lead this five-part emotional thriller from RTS Award-winning writer Nicole Taylor (Three Girls).

Set in Glasgow, Dan (Compston) and Emily (Rundle) are a wealthy couple who seem to have everything they could possibly need, except the one thing they desperately want: a baby.

When a chance encounter brings 18-year-old Kaya into the picture, played by Mirren Mack (Sex Education), who offers to be the couple’s surrogate, it seems as if the trio have been brought together by fate.

However, it soon becomes clear that every member of the trio has different motivations, proving that when it comes to love and money, being able to buy whatever you want comes at a price.

 

This Country

Monday 23rd March

BBC One, 10:45pm

In the last ever episode of This Country, we say a final farewell to Kurtan and Kerry Mucklowe and the beloved Cotswolds villagers at the annual harvest festival.

The event brings the whole village together, but one resident has an unexpected announcement that has emotional consequences for the tight-knit community.

All three series of This Country are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

 

The Trip to Greece

Tuesday 24th March

Sky One, 10pm

In this penultimate episode of the series, Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan are lead to reflect on the realities of middle age when served by a young waitress.

The duo argue over the pros and cons of the government of ancient Sparta, which was denied to anyone under 60, and an impression by Steve causes the pair to bicker over a Demis Roussos song.

This all leads up to the episode’s climax: a swimming race between the pair to put their athleticism to the test.

 

Hitmen

Wednesday 25th March

Sky One, 10pm; 10:30pm

Sky’s brand-new scripted comedy sees Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins star as Jamie and Fran, two hapless best friends who also work together… as contract killers.

While the pair of misfits are sent to take out hits for their mysterious boss Mr K, their kill streak is constantly hampered by bickering, foolish antics and general incompetence.

In the first episode, Fran faces a friendless birthday and is stuck in a van holding a corrupt lawyer hostage. In order to boost numbers, the pair end up inviting their next victim to join in with the birthday celebrations.

While they may no longer comforting stressed bakers, the return of Mel and Sue to our telly screens will undoubtedly provide so much needed laughs in this oddball comedy of errors.​