Entertainment

Never has TV been so good. Here's why.

By Charlotte Duck

23 July 2013

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Our guide to what's worth watching on the box

The Americans
The Premise: Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star as two Soviet secret agents posing as an average American couple in 1980s, suburban Washington DC. Like Homeland, The Americans presents heroes as villains and vice-versa, but this show is primarily about relationships and how they come under strain, rather than espionage itself.
Where Are We Up To? The first show is currently being aired on ITV but the good news is you can already download the entire series on iTunes. What are you waiting for?
Who To Watch With: With 80s nostalgia mixed with some thrilling action and sentimental scenes, this show has got something for everyone.
SKY
Girls
The Premise: Four girls struggling with relationships, careers and the odd STD. While SATC was all about the Louboutins, Girls is more about the blisters.
Where Are We Up To? The second series has just been aired on Sky but, if you missed it, it might be worth waiting for the DVD, out on 12 August.
Who To Watch With: Your gal-pals (preferably with a bottle or two close at hand).
Sherlock
The Premise: The classic tales of Sherlock Holmes are given a modern twist and a dose of Benedict Cumberbatch’s acerbic wit (mostly at the expense of Martin Freeman’s Doctor Watson).
Where Are We Up To? The eagerly-anticipated third series is due for a autumn 2013 release so there’s plenty of time for you to get up to speed with the previous six episodes.
Who To Watch With: Anyone with an inquisitive mind, a love of crime thrillers, or a “Cumberbaitch” temperament.
Frank Ockenfels/AMC
Mad Men
The Premise: Have you been under a rock for the last six years? If you haven’t, you should know that Mad Men’s centres around enigmatic advertising executive Don Draper and his co-workers in the swinging 60s.
Where Are We Up To? Lock yourself in one weekend and catch-up on the five series, already out. The sixth is out on DVD in the autumn.
Who To Watch With: The flu bug. This boxset is great sick bed material.

Rex Features
Homeland
The Premise: Damian Lewis stars as a freed al-Qaeda prisoner of war – or is he an al-Qaeda terrorist? – this is the guessing game that CIA agent Claire Danes finds herself playing.
Where Are We Up To? The DVD release of series two is in September 2013.
Who To Watch With: Your boyfriend will love the action scenes (and Claire Danes), while we bet our bottom dollar you’ll be crushing on Damian Lewis after the first episode.
ITV
Downton Abbey
The Premise: Downton Abbey is about as close as you can get to an Edwardian soap opera (and we mean that in the nicest, possible way). Corsets, Maggie Smith, a hot cast and oodles of scandal – what’s not to love?
Where Are We Up To? Series four is set to be aired in September
Who To Watch With: It’s gotta be your mum…
Getty Images
Episodes
The Premise: A husband-wife writing team re-locate to Hollywood when their TV show is bought by an American exec. But then the network starts making changes and suddenly Matt LeBlanc is the star…
Where Are We Up To? A third season has been commissioned and is set to air in 2013 (we can’t wait!).
Who To Watch With: The show has a light Trans-Atlantic comedy that will appeal to just about everyone.
Rex Features
Fresh Meat
The Premise: It’s time to re-live your student days, courtesy of Peep Show creators Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain. Six very different students find themselves living together in a university house. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of sex, drugs and drinking but there’s also a waxwork head of Russell Brand thrown into the mix.
Where Are We Up To? The third series is rumoured to be out in autumn 2013 (way things are going we’ll be watching TV the whole of September)
Who To Watch With: Not your parents (repeat), not your parents.

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Revenge
The Premise: Revenge is based on Alexandre Dumas’ The Count Of Monte Cristo but is about as far as you can get from a stuffy 19th century novel. The story follows Emily Thorne (also known as Amanda Clarke) as she plots revenge on the Grayson family who killed her father; fortunately most of her plotting involves hot guys and glamorous parties in the Hamptons.
Where Are We Up To? The second series is currently on TV so switch on!
Who To Watch With: Anyone still in mourning over Gossip Girl.
BBC
Merlin
The Premise: The legend of the young wizard Merlin and Prince Arthur is given a glossy make-over with CGI dragons, hi-tech sets and even the librarian from Buffy. But the way it concentrates on the relationship between the fledging magician and young prince gives it added pathos.
Where Are We Up To? Dedicated fans were left distraught when the BBC announced the fifth series would be its last.
Who To Watch With: Merlin is billed as a "three generation TV” That’s TV you can watch with your grandparents and children, although they aren’t compulsory.
Rex Features
The Carrie Diaries
The Premise: The prequel to Sex And The City, this show explores Carrie’s junior year at high school. Worth watching, if only for the hilarious 80s fashions worn by AnnaSophia Robb.
Where Are We Up To? Expect the DVD of the first series this summer.
Who To Watch With: Alone or with friends, this is very easy watching.
ITV
Mr Selfridge
The Premise: There’s a whole lot more to the history of Selfridge’s than just shopping, and this Jeremy Piven drama lifts the lid on the iconic store’s gritty and glorious past.
Where Are We Up To? The first series has just been released on DVD
Who To Watch With: Probably not one to watch with him. This is quite a female-friendly zone.

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Parks And Recreation
The Premise: Imagine The Office was set in a parks department of a fictional town in Indiana and you’re getting pretty close to what this show is all about. Amy Poehler plays a mid-level bureaucrat (don’t let that put you off; she’s a perky one), alongside Rashida Jones as her nurse pal.
Where Are We Up To? Series One has just been screened on BBC Four, but America are already way ahead, and watching Season Five.
Who To Watch With: Someone who needs cheering up (and that might include you).
Rex Features
Damages
The Premise: Not since Ally McBeal have lawyers been so sexy. Glenn Close has received numerous gongs for playing the ruthless Patty Hewes, who simultaneously implicates and saves protégée Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) from scandal. The only thing to rival the many twists and surprising flash-backs are the shots of Rose Byrne’s incredible legs in a series of incredible skirts.
Where Are We Up To? Season Five is out on DVD now.
Who To Watch With: NOT your boyfriend, unless you want him to fall head-over-heels for Rose Byrne/Ellen Parsons immediately.
Rex Features
New Girl
The Premise: We’ve all been there – broken up with a boyfriend and had to go and live with randoms. Except the randoms we lived with weren’t as funny/cool/friendly as the guys that Zooey Deschanel finds herself co-habiting with in New Girl (no fair).
Where Are We Up To? We’ve just had the good news that the show’s been renewed for a third series.
Who To Watch With: Your own flatmates – just don’t judge them too much.
Rex Features
Game of Thrones
The Premise: Medieval fantasy might not seem the most obvious genre for a hit TV series but the adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s A Song Of ice And Fire novel has an enormous, not to say dedicated, fanbase. As well as acclaimed actors Sean Bean and Charles Dance, the 257-strong cast includes some surprising appearances from former Hollyoaks stars and The Full Monty’s Mark Addy.
Where Are We Up To? Series Three is out on DVD in the autumn.
Who To Watch With: Someone who won’t get embarrassed by the explicit sex scenes.

Rex Features
Breaking Bad
The Premise: Walter White is not your average drug dealer; for a start he’s a chemistry teacher. But then his motivation for getting involved in the sordid business is because he’s got cancer and wants to provide for his family before he dies. Needless to say, his plan doesn’t go completely smoothly.
Where Are We Up To? Series Five is out on DVD now.
Who To Watch With: A good his-her show so there won't be any fighting over the TV remote.
Veep
The Premise: Veep has all the trademarks of Armando Iannucci’s other political satires, The Loop and The Thick Of It, but this show has more of an American focus, revolving around the office of fictional Vice President Selina Meyer.
Where Are We Up To? The second series has just premiered in the US.
Who To Watch With: Anyone who wants to laugh at politicians (so that’s basically everyone).
Rex Features
Dexter
The Premise: It’s not easy when your day job is a blood splatter pattern analyst but you moonlight as a serial killer. You might think it’s all a bit Jackal and Hyde but Dexter Morgan’s struggle with his “Dark Passenger” makes for compelling viewing.
Where Are We Up To? The eighth series is on air in America now so you’ve got a mammoth 84 episodes to catch up on.
Who To Watch With: People who can stand the sight of blood.
Rex Features
The Killing
The Premise: The coolest thing to come out of Scandinavia since Ikea. The Killing follows the family of a teenage murder victim and a trail of suspects around Copenhagen in the most gripping TV we've seen yet. Aside from the amazing plot twists, this was the show that changed everything for knitwear with Sarah Lund’s trademark jumpers.
Where Are We Up To? The final series (three) is out on DVD.
Who To Watch With: We defy anyone not to enjoy this!

House Of Cards
The Premise: Kevin Spacey is in his element as a Democrat passed over for promotion in this chilling political thriller. He’s not going to get fair, he’s going to get even, and that involves exacting revenge on those who’ve betrayed him.
Where Are We Up To? The first season premiered on Netflix (an industry first) and a second is currently being filmed.
Who To Watch With: Your dad will like this, if only so he can compare it to the original.
FOX/Getty Images
The Mindy Project
The Premise: Hospital humour from Mindy Kaling, who plays an obstetrician/gynaecologist trying to juggle her personal and professional lives, as well those of her quirky colleagues.
Where Are We Up To? The series has just been renewed for a second series
Who To Watch With: Someone who’s had a crappy day at work (it won’t be as bad as Mindy’s).
Rex Features
Modern Family
The Premise: This show centres on three families related through marriage, divorce and children. Start from the beginning or you’ll never keep up with all the characters, their relationships and individual histories.
Where Are We Up To? Season Four is out on DVD this autumn.
Who To Watch With: Parents, step-parents, your own modern family.
Rex Features
Broadwalk Empire
The Premise: When Martin Scorsese is named as executive producer on a TV series, you know it’s going to be good. Steve Buscemi stars as the infamous Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a politician/gangster who’s as corrupt as he is charming, in this Prohibition mob show.
Where Are We Up To? The show has been renewed for a fourth series and is still going strong.
Who To Watch With: Gangster-movie junkies.

Rex Features
Borgen
The Premise: You can thank the people behind The Killing for this Danish political drama. Again the main protagonist is a woman, but this time she’s the first female Prime Minister of Denmark, and has to deal with the factions and underhand dealings that come with being at the head of government.
Where Are We Up To? The second series has just been released on DVD.
Who To Watch With: A gin & tonic. Just to relieve the tension.
ABC/Getty Images
Pretty Little Liars
The Premise: If Gossip Girl had taken a darker turn, it would probably end up as Pretty Little Liars. A high school clique falls apart when their Queen Bee is found dead and a mysterious figure, known as “A” threatens to expose their secrets.
Where Are We Up To? The third series is still showing in America but UK folks can see what all the fuss is about by getting the first series on DVD.
Who To Watch With: School pals.
Channel 4
Utopia
The Premise: You won’t be surprised to hear that Utopia is anything but. A small group of people stumble across a tome rumoured to have predicted the worst disasters of the last 100 years. They must uncover the pages’ hidden meanings to prevent more disasters, while simultaneously avoiding a shadowy organisation known as The Network, who have set out to destroy them. Not much of an ask then.
Where Are We Up To? The first series has just been shown on Channel 4.
Who To Watch With: Conspiracy theorists.