Howard’s End

E.M. Forster’s novel Howard’s End, about a trio of unconventional, wealthy orphan siblings and their collision with the more traditionalist ways of their sister’s fiancé and his family, receives a four-part miniseries in the first major adaptation of the book since the 1990s. It brings an almost-literal breath of fresh air to slightly dusty source material. Stunning location shoots with natural lighting dominate the screen as much of the story unfolds on blustery coasts and Edwardian streets, in jade-green woodlands and rolling gardens. Adapted by the Oscar-nominated Kenneth Lonergan and cleverly directed by Hettie McDonald, the cast is headed by a lively Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) and a particularly spot-on Matthew Macfadyen (Ripper Street, Pride and Prejudice). Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World) puts in an appearance as his stardom continues to rise.

Skam

This Norwegian web series about ethereally beautiful, minted teenagers apparently took the youth of Europe by storm while the grown-ups weren’t looking. An unusual release format (online clips which culminated in one full episode), word-of-mouth marketing (which is still, you know, marketing) and the aspirational, angsty lifestyles of its characters (fan favourite Noora, played by Josefine Frida Pettersen, is never seen without her signature red lipstick) made teens feel it was their own. Taking the up-close-and-personal style of scripted reality, but mashing it with breakout young actors, each series centres on one character in a group of friends. The show tackles issue-driven storylines, from school pressures to toxic relationships. It proved more diverse than traditional shows aimed at the age bracket, with series three helmed by gay teenager Isak (Tarjei Sandvik Moe) and bipolar boyfriend Even (Henrik Holm), and series four by hijab-wearing Sana (Iman Meskini). It came to what some have seen as a premature end in 2017, but remakes are reportedly in the works in at least six countries. If you’re after teen drama which is marginally more believable than the likes of Pretty Little Liars, catch the original first.

Dear White People

Dear White People was an unexpected hit at Sundance, and the film has since spawned a ten-episode comedy-drama spin-off on Netflix under writer-director Justin Simien. Named for the fictitious and controversial radio show hosted by the film’s main character Sam, each episode centres on a different character among a group of black students at a largely white Ivy League college as they navigate black culture, college pressures and white people. Think Skam meets Empire meets Community, with a more modern exploration of racism than the BBC’s Roots and less disappointment for potential fans than The Get Down (cancelled after one season), as a second series has already been commissioned.

Timeless

This historical sci-fi drama is an ostensibly big-budget series that has essentially gone under the radar. It can be a bit clumsily written at times and they weirdly seem to think that American history is the only history, but if you’ve ever wanted to know what a series about a history professor (Abigail Spencer), an elite twenty-first century soldier (Matt Lanter) and a scientist (Malcolm Barrett) chasing down the theft of a time machine by a mysterious villain would look like, this would fit the bill. Goran Visnjic (ER) stars as the villain in question in a series filled with secret agents and ridiculous plots which fits right in to the pseudo-Marvel style of so much current American television, though it could do with making its own inherent absurdity part of its mojo.

Lovesick

This Channel 4 sitcom received a shot in the arm when it was picked up by Netflix after one series. Based on an initial premise of Dylan (Johnny Flynn) being forced to contact his many exes after being diagnosed with chlamydia, it gives way to a strangely likeable meandering plot, following the ups and downs of life for Dylan and flatmates Luke (Daniel Ings) and Evie (a particularly capable Antonia Thomas). There’s a will-they won’t-they storyline for Dylan and Evie, if they could only get their respective acts together or stop seeing other people. The ever-underrated Joshua McGuire (Siblings, About Time) stars as fleeting friend Angus,  who takes a bigger role from season two.  If you like your comedies to be more messy than mile-a-minute and don’t mind the occasional exchange of thoughtfulness for outright laughter, this could be one for you.