Bridgerton season 3 (Netflix)

The TV series departs from the order of the books by featuring third son Colin, rather than second son Benedict, in this latest adaptation. This is probably to carry on with the Lady Whistledown saga and make the most of Nicola Coughlan’s turn as Penelope Featherington. While Coughlan is outstanding, the chemistry with Luke Newton isn’t a patch on the leading couples in the first two series for all the extended sex scenes. He is certainly no Rege-Jean Page. Speaking of whom, it’s a pity that he and Phoebe Dynevor couldn’t be persuaded to make even brief cameos. In such a close family as the Bridgertons it’s not credible that the Duke and Duchess would not attend this season’s weddings and not even be mentioned. It was a good idea to add to the romance by including third daughter Francesca’s debut, which doesn’t feature in the books. Her story is told many years later and is about her second marriage, so it will be interesting to see what the Netflix show does with that, especially given the gender flip of her husband's cousin. Showrunner Shonda Rhymes has flagged that the stories of Benedict and Eloise will feature in the next series, which is likely to take a further departure from the source material given that both largely take place outside London andthe fashionable world of the ton. They are two of the more appealing characters of the series, so hopefully can arrest its decline.

The Great (Hulu) Season 1

Catherine the Great ruled Russia for more than 30 years in the late 18th century, bringing the European renaissance to a country stuck in the medieval era. Billed as an occasionally true story, The Great takes some events, characters and the broad brush of history to create a story that reflects the spirit of the remarkable Empress. Naïve and optimistic Catherine, from a minor branch of German royalty, has an overly romantic idea of her marriage to Emperor Peter of Russia. He is a charming, spoiled and brutal tyrant, who can never live up to the legacy of his father - Peter the Great. His debauched and depraved court is tolerated by the church as a means of retaining its power by keeping Russia in the dark ages. The two form a brick wall against Catherine’s modern and progressive ideas of enlightenment and education. She has to find a way to survive and subvert the powers that be, but will the personal price of Greatness be too high? Production design and costumes perfectly complement the story, as history embellished. The magnificent ensemble cast of mostly British actors is led by Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, who are indeed Great. The darkly comic tone is deepened by touches of philosophy and poignancy, providing a very entertaining account of the true cost of power. Here’s hoping for a second season that maintains the Greatness. Huzzah!