I May Destroy You

ITV confirms slate of dramas featuring James Norton, Sophie Turner and Anna Maxwell Martin

James Norton cradles a child, standing close to the sea

Among them is Playing Nice, starring James Norton (Happy Valley) as a father faced with an impossible choice. After learning two toddlers were switched at birth, their parents must decide whether to keep the children they’ve been raising, or swap to be with their biological sons. Pete (Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) seem to be in agreement with the other couple, Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay). That is, until ulterior motives rise to the surface.

Michaela Coel returns with new BBC and HBO drama First Day on Earth

Written, produced and led by Coel, First Day on Earth will follow Henri (Coel), a British novelist in a severe rut. When she is offered a job on a film in Ghana, West Africa sounds like the perfect escape from her dead-end relationship and lack of writing work. What’s more, her estranged father lives in the country, and she’s hoping that she can reconnect with him and her heritage.

TV dramas score sound and vision with music soundtracks

Saskia Reeves lifts up a chess piece, halfway through a game

Listen with even half an ear and it’s obvious that TV music soundtracks have upped their game in recent times. This year alone, Hans Zimmer’s score for The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Federico Jusid’s work on A Gentle­man in Moscow jostle other worthy contenders to show how music can significantly elevate a series.

From Catastrophe to The Wire: ten of the most memorable TV finales

A finale, then, is a touchy affair, as the emotional stability of a show’s entire fandom rests in the palms of the showrunners’ hands. And if you think I’m exaggerating, just ask a Game of Thrones fan what they thought of The Iron Throne.

That was an extreme case but it did prove the power of a finale to tarnish a show’s legacy (although House of the Dragon is so far doing some good damage limitation). Here, however, we take a look at the ones who secured theirs.

Needless to say, the SPOILERS abound.

RTS London panel asks if there is too much TV

That was the core of an RTS London discussion, “Too much TV!”, which examined how the pandemic is affecting our viewing tastes and why, despite significant progress, platforms need better curation to guide audiences through the labyrinth of peak TV.     

As all the panellists agreed, you can’t have too much great TV. Whether there is enough of it is a moot point.   

And, perhaps, ultimately, the definition of what constitutes outstanding TV is subjective.   

Michaela Coel and Cynthia Erivo to headline BBC virtual Creative Diversity Xperience

The online event will bring together some of the best talent in TV and the creative industries from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

Faron McKenzie, Head of CDX, said: “I’m proud that our team of creators looked like and shared a similar lived experience to our audience.

“It is important for the BBC to champion Diversity and Inclusion and not be afraid to lean into these subject matters.”

Michaela Coel: Personal and provocative

Michaela doesn’t skirt issues – she goes straight at them.” Executive producer Roberto Troni is talking about Michaela Coel’s fearless new drama I May Destroy You, which explores sexual consent in contemporary London.

The 12-part BBC One/HBO series is, to an extent, based on personal experience – like her character, Arabella, Coel was sexually assaulted after her drink was spiked, an experience she revealed two years ago while giving the MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh International TV Festival.