Derry Girls alumni star in two separate shows this week, with Louisa Harland heading up Renegade Nell and Nicola Coughlan starring in sitcom two-hander Big Mood. Elsewhere, Steve Martin explores his past and present, while a Russian Count is detained in luxury for A Gentleman in Moscow.
Grand Indian Hotel
Monday
Channel 4, 8.00pm
This documentary series takes a look inside four of India’s most luxurious hotels.
Jaipur is home to one of the priciest hotels in the world: a single night in a suite can set you back £11,000. Behind the scenes, staff work tirelessly to keep the immaculate plates spinning. The Maharaja of Jaipur is hosting a dinner at the hotel, and expects nothing less than perfection. Everything should go to plan, as long as the monkeys keep away from the fairy lights.
Big Mood
Thursday
Channel 4, 10.00pm
Lydia West (It’s A Sin) and Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls) star in this sitcom about a turbulent friendship.
As Eddie (West) and Maggie (Coughlan) navigate their thirties, complete with romance and career woes, it seems like things couldn’t be messier. That is, until Maggie’s bipolar disorder returns.
Over six episodes, the two do their best to get out of trouble, and then immediately get back in. Eventually, doubts start to creep in for Eddie about whether her friendship with Maggie is good for either of them.
Renegade Nell
Friday
Disney+
Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) plays Nell Jackson, a woman in the 18th century accused of a murder she did not commit. Forced to go on the run, she quickly makes a name for herself as a highway robber.
By her side is Nick Mohammed (Ted Lasso), playing the spirit Billy Blind. When the two team up, Nell becomes unstoppable. In the heat of battle, she can block bullets with the side of a knife or her bare palms. Bad news for her competition, or anyone else in her way.
STEVE! (martin) a documentary in 2 pieces
Friday
Apple TV+
“It’s difficult to explain exactly what he does: it’s usually something a little bit strange.”
So said legendary talk-show host Johnny Carson of comedian and banjo-player Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building).
Before he was doing detective work with Selena Gomez, Martin was a trailblazer in stand-up. The comic made a name for himself in the 1970s as a master of weird. He would guide audiences outside to finish shows in the street. He performed to dogs on The Tonight Show. This two-part documentary examines the Steve Martin of both past and present.
A Gentleman in Moscow
Friday
Paramount+
Ewan McGregor’s characters have been through the ringer. Obi Wan Kenobi lost his best friend to the dark side. Mark Renton battled heroin addiction. Now, McGregor plays Count Alexander Rostov, who faces an even more daunting challenge. He has to stay in a really nice hotel. Forever.
Revolution has come to early 20th century Russia, making aristocracy a little gauche. Rostov is ousted from his mansion, and detained in new digs. Despite being under surveillance by party apparatchiks, the Count rediscovers his sense of romance and adventure.
