Geek Girl (Netflix)

Gawky and smart, 16 year-old Harriet Manners wants to be a palaeontologist. That’s if she can survive high school, where she is ruthlessly bullied and ridiculed. Possibly on the autism spectrum, Harriet often finds life overwhelming. Her only friends are Toby, the equally geeky boy next door and Nat, her best mate since kindergarten. Supporting Nat on her quest to become a model, Harriet gets scouted and sees a chance to change her life. But is she equipped to navigate the fashion industry? Will her uptight stepmum even let her try? Could a dreamily handsome top teen supermodel really be flirting with her? And could Nat ever forgive Harriet for stealing her dream? Totally predictable and improbable in every possible way, this light-hearted look at difference and acceptance is a colourful bit of fun.

Ted Lasso season 3 (AppleTv+)

Richmond FC has made it into the Premier League and everyone is tipping them to bomb out and be relegated straight back down. A star recruit looks likely to defy the critics, but the sugar hit doesn’t last. Can Ted reinstil the joy and save the season, or is he too distracted by missing his son and resenting his ex-wife’s new relationship? Meanwhile, Rebecca wants a baby; Keely’s love life takes a different turn after Roy dumps her; and Nate struggles to maintain the mongrel at West Ham. Season 1 was sublime, season 2 was patchy and season 3 falls somewhere in between, with a few episodes a bit meh and some causing gales of out-loud laughter. It finishes, as would be expected, on a high, but is nonetheless a satisfying end to a show that, for all its flaws, is just plain nice. Keep your Successions, with not one redeemable nor likeable character, Ted Lasso takes the chocolates every time.

Derry Girls season 2 (Netflix)

They’re back – with six glorious episodes even funnier than those in season one. This season perhaps has fewer sharp edges as Northern Ireland’s Troubles make way for the peace. The soundtrack is killer and must be especially evocative for those who grew up in the 90s. Forget The Hustle, the Bus Stop and the Madison, the wedding episode dance scene to Rock the Boat requires adult diapers to cope with the laughter. Just occasionally a couple of the performances threaten to tip over the edge into hysteria, particularly Nicola Coughlan’s Clare, but Saoirse Monica Jackson’s facial contortions as Erin are toned down a bit and honorary Derry Girl James has more to do. Most are note perfect, especially Siobhan McSweeney as world weary Sister Michael and a very low key Tommy Tiernan as Da Gerry. Hopefully they can all maintain the standard in the third season, which has been announced.

The Good Place (Netflix) season 3

Back on earth for a second chance at their separate lives, at first everything goes well for Eleanor, Chidi, Tahani and Jason. But they all too soon revert to their true characters so Michael and Janet decide to break the rules and interfere. They bring the four together in Australia (because of course where else?), so they can again influence each other for good. Nowhere near as sharp and funny as the first two series, this one is mildly amusing at best and therefore disappointing. With so many Australian actors in Hollywood it’s a pity more of them weren’t employed here, as some of the attempts at the accent are very bad indeed. The quality picks up a bit once the gang returns to the afterworld, with some fun cameos but it’s still a bit meh. The ending goes back to the future, leaving things open for another series, but they probably shouldn’t bother.

The Good Place (Netflix) seasons 1 & 2

Eleanor Shelstropp has died and finds herself in the Good Place, destined to meet her soul mate and enjoy a blissful eternity. But something is not quite right and all is not as it seems. Her ‘ideal’ home is small and not at all to her taste; she has nothing in common with her soul mate Chidi, an ethics professor; and everyone seems to think Eleanor was a saintly environmental campaigner rather than a selfish and ruthless peddler of dodgy medicines. Can she learn from Chidi and earn her place in the afterlife? Or will she be found out and sent to the Bad Place? Clever and funny, the show sneaks in a good amount of ethical dilemmas and moral philosophy lectures, in the most entertaining way possible. Ted Danson is perfectly cast as Michael, the architect of the Good Place, whose motives are increasingly suspect. Kristen Bell sustains a fine balance between annoying and loveable as the ethically challenged Eleanor. Created by Michael Schur, who was also responsible for Parks & Recreation and Brooklyn Nine Nine, the episodes are all around 22 minutes and filled with visual gags, smart cameos and snappy dialogue. Season 2 turns everything on its head, with Eleanor and her friends again battling for a toehold in the Good Place and risking a torturous eternity in the Bad Place. The season final again sets everything up for an interesting season 3.