lucymangan

The Gallows Pole review – Shane Meadows’s period drama is an absolute must-see

The director of This is England’s take on a novel about an 18th-century counterfeiting gang is funny, moving, shocking and totally compelling. He has effortlessly reinvented a whole genre

Lucy Mangan

31, May, 2023 @9:05 PM

Gender Wars review – you’d need hundreds more of these shows to truly address the issues around trans rights

This carefully scripted hour-long documentary gives voice to both sides of the transgender debate. But given its divisive and complex topic, the show is a mere introduction

Lucy Mangan

30, May, 2023 @10:05 PM

Succession finale review – a perfect, terrible goodbye

There was more agony by the moment as Jesse Armstrong’s epic ramped up to the most exquisitely humiliating ending imaginable. No one should have to cope with such pain

Lucy Mangan

29, May, 2023 @9:25 AM

60 Days on the Estates review – how to make a great show about social housing? Don’t involve Tory MPs

This look at life on two inner-city estates is a gentle, sincere take that sees survivalist Ed Stafford spend three weeks living there. It’s a far cry from the patronising work of Michael Portillo et al

Lucy Mangan

28, May, 2023 @9:00 PM

Platonic review – Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen might just have made the perfect modern buddy comedy

Brilliant performances, incredible chemistry and nuanced writing pepper this delightful 10-part sitcom about two old college friends reuniting. It’s a lovely watch

Lucy Mangan

24, May, 2023 @5:00 AM

MerPeople review – you will want only good things for these kind, gentle mermaids

This Netflix series profiles the slightly weird and rather wonderful performers behind a growing form of underwater showbiz. It’s a testimony to the endless ingenuity of humanity

Lucy Mangan

23, May, 2023 @1:50 PM

Maryland review – no one is more moving than Suranne Jones

Jones and Eve Best star in this joyful and incredibly affecting drama about two sisters forced to confront their mother’s mysterious death and double life

Lucy Mangan

22, May, 2023 @9:00 PM

Digested week: let them eat air – the withering return of Ann Widdecombe | Lucy Mangan

Plus mansion dreams, maxillofacial muscles, Martha Stewart and the moneyed of Chelsea

Lucy Mangan

19, May, 2023 @10:34 AM

Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight review – the awful truth behind the abuse that shocked a nation

Though we have seen and heard it all before, this two-part documentary gives voice to the Australian presenter’s many victims and asks questions of his enablers

Lucy Mangan

18, May, 2023 @8:00 AM

High Desert review – Patricia Arquette’s comedy is so jampacked it’s exhausting

There are acid trips, flashbacks and a lead character who’s a can-can-dancing PI. Luckily, Arquette’s powerfully charismatic performance keeps the show from going off the rails

Lucy Mangan

17, May, 2023 @5:00 AM

Steeltown Murders review – the hunt for the Saturday Night Strangler could not be more timely TV

This illuminating drama tracks the 30-year failure to find the serial killer of three young women in Wales – and its deep dive into police venality really hits a nerve

Lucy Mangan

15, May, 2023 @9:00 PM

Mulligan review – Tina Fey is a post-apocalypse Liz Lemon!

The team behind 30 Rock offer up a cartoon dystopia about an alien invasion that leaves the idiots ruling the Earth – but where are the gags? Frankly, this just won’t do

Lucy Mangan

12, May, 2023 @8:00 AM