This week on telly, Morgana Robinson leads a brilliant new comedy on Gold, Gary Oldman leads a new drama on Apple TV+, Gordon Ramsay launches his search for a food and drink business to invest in and more!
Here are 5 TV shows you can't miss this week...
1. Newark, Newark
Monday 28th to Wednesday 30th March at 9pm on Gold
Written by Nathan Foad and set in the small working-class market town of Newark in the East Midlands, Gold's brand new laugh out loud comedy Newark, Newark follows chip shop manager and exhausted matriarch, Maxine played by Morgana Robinson, as she tries to ride out her divorce and find someone who actually lights her fire.
However, it's easier said than done with her big-mouthed, soft-bellied, son, Leslie played by impressive newcomer Jai Hollis who dramatically comes out as gay to the surprise of no one and her dullard ex-husband, Terry played by Mathew Horne - in a role like no other he's played before - trying ever more desperately to win her back. Then there's her mother, Pauline played by Beverley Callard, who can’t help meddling with her love life.
As the series begins. it’s Maxine’s 40th birthday but her 16-year-old son Leslie has big plans to hog the spotlight and at a rainy English barbecue party, things go awry when some unwanted guests arrive.
Read my interview with Morgana Robinson here.
1-3/3 Continues nightly. All episodes available at launch
2. Moon Knight
Wednesday 30th March on Disney+
Oscar Isaac stars as Steven Grant in Moon Knight, the latest Marvel TV series, a mild-mannered gift-shop employee who becomes plagued with blackouts and memories of another life.
He discovers he has dissociative identity disorder and shares a body with mercenary Marc Spector. As Steven/Marc’s enemies converge upon them, they must navigate their complex identities while thrust into a deadly mystery among the powerful gods of Egypt.
Also stars Ethan Hawke, May Calamawy, Ann Akinjirin, David Ganly and Lucy Thackery.
1/6 Continues weekly
3. Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars
Thursday 31st March at 9pm on BBC One
If you're already missing your Thursday night fix of The Apprentice, then fear not because Gordon Ramsay is here with a show that sees the Michelin starred chef and CEO of a global business empire, on the hunt for the UK’s most exciting and innovative new food and drink business.
With £150,000 investment of his own money up for grabs, Gordon begins his search for the next generation 'Food Star' and has hand-picked 12 of the UK’s best up-and-coming food and drink entrepreneurs, to compete to earn his investment. But to win Gordon’s support will take more than just a great idea, the contenders will need to prove they possess the raw ingredients required to succeed; determination, dedication, passion and talent.
Gordon will drive the contenders through a series of relentless challenges designed to test their character and showcase their business skills because, according to Gordon, an idea is only as good as the person who’s had it.
In the opening episode, the contenders head to Cornwall where they are literally thrown feet first into the competition before they're set their first challenge. Putting their business skills to the test, Gordon wants them to shine as individuals but work in a team.
They must use the finest local produce by running food shacks on a beach. Can they work together to produce high-quality food whilst coping with hundreds of hungry tourists? They then come face-to-face with Gordon as he grills the contenders on their performance this week. Only the ones who impress will continue on this epic adventure and sadly one will be heading home.
1/8 Continues weekly
4. Hacks
Friday 1st April on Amazon Prime Video
Almost a year on since it aired in the US, we're finally getting the original HBO Max series Hacks in the UK.
The 10-part comedy-drama explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian played by the magnificent Jean Smart and Ava Daniels, an entitled 25-year-old outcast played by Hannah Einbinder.
The head of the casino where Deborah performs wants to pare down her performance dates and Ava, a young comedy writer fired from her job over an insensitive tweet, is unable to find work. The two reluctantly team up to freshen up Deborah's material and learn to respect each other's differences.
1-10/10 All episodes available at launch
5. Slow Horses
Friday 1st April on Apple TV+
Another week, another brand new original drama on Apple TV+ and this time it's Slow Horses, a darkly funny espionage drama which follows a team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending mistakes.
Led by their brilliant but irascible leader, the notorious Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman, they navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
1-2/6 Continues weekly