Not quite the start to the New Year that we hoped for, but there has been some rather good TV to keep us all entertained. Check out the below shows we recommend watching this month (that we are lucky enough to have been involved with) from gripping drama series to live sport there’s something for everyone.
Happy viewing! Now… where’s the popcorn?
Timeline TV shows to watch in January:
Drama: The Serpent, Mammoth Screen, BBC One & BBC iPlayer
This new true-crime thriller recounts how French fraudster and murderer Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim) was finally brought to justice. Posing as a gem dealer, Sobhraj and his girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman) travelled across Thailand, Nepal and India in the 1970s, carrying out a spree of crimes on the so-called ‘Hippie Trail’ through Asia.
In this eight-part drama, we see how Sobhraj repeatedly evaded the grasp of authorities, becoming known as The Serpent for slipperiness. Meanwhile, at the Dutch Embassy in Bangkok, junior diplomat Herman Knippenberg (Billy Howle), unwittingly walked into Sobhraj’s intricate web of crime, setting off an extraordinary chain of events that saw the latter become Interpol’s most wanted man. Watch the trailer here. All episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Documentary: Marcus Rashford, Feeding Britain’s Children, BBC iPlayer
An exclusive access-all-areas documentary following Marcus Rashford’s journey in 2020 to raise national awareness of the effects of child food poverty in the UK.
The 23 year-old England and Manchester United striker speaks openly about his personal connection with hunger, his experiences of going without food as a child and the sacrifices his family had to make. We hear from those closest to him, including his mum Mel, his brothers Dwaine and Dane and his close friends. He also meets some of the families directly affected by the issue.
BBC cameras have followed him over recent months to give audiences a closer look into what motivates him, as he worked hard to encourage the government to announce their recent £400m winter grant scheme to support around 1.4 million children in England. This was all on top of his day job as an international footballer.
This is the story of how a young footballer won huge public and governmental support in this pandemic year, to fight a cause so important to him.
Feature Thriller Film: The Passenger, Guildhall Pictures, Apple TV, Amazon, Microsoft Store and Google Play
Charlotte Edmunds has a secret, but perhaps she’s not the only one. Her husband Dan has not been truthful with anyone, least of all himself. And then there’s Dan’s colleague, Samuel. A man full of integrity. Head and shoulders above us all, or so he believes. When circumstance brings these three together, there is no turning back and their secrets are revealed. No one is entirely innocent.
Childrens: The Dumping Ground, CBBC
Growing up in a care home brings all sorts of tough challenges, but the kids at Ashdene Ridge know that if they stick together, they can get through anything life throws at them.
Sport: The NFL Show, Whisper, BBC One
Dan Walker, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell discuss the latest talking points and action from the NFL play-offs and look ahead to the weekend action
Live sport:
Horse Racing: Meydan Racing, Racing TV
Meydan Racecourse offers a full season of horse racing, running from November 5, 2020 to April 8, 2021.
The season includes a calendar of eleven domestic Racing at Meydan meetings. The Racing at Meydan meeting runs concurrently to the international Dubai World Cup Carnival.
Football:
FA Cup, BT Sport. See all the latest fixtures here.
Premier League, Sunset + Vine, BT Sport. See all the latest fixtures here.
National League, BT Sport. See all the latest fixtures here.
Women’s Super League, Whisper, BBC One, BBC Red Button and BT Sport.
