From Evolution to The Odyssey: the week in rave reviews

Published 18 July 2026 · india

TV If you only watch one, make it … Evolution BBC iPlayer; available now Summed up in a sentence A docuseries about our evolutionary journey

TV If you only watch one, make it … Evolution BBC iPlayer; available now Summed up in a sentence A docuseries about our evolutionary journey that’s so wondrous and awe-inspiring it makes you feel like a child again. What our reviewer said “Evolution is a coronation. With this new, five-part BBC nature documentary, the presenter Chris Packham is effectively crowned the successor to David Attenborough. And a worthy one, I think most would agree.” Lucy Mangan Read the full review Further reading ‘We didn’t develop heads until we’d evolved an arse. I like that’: Chris Packham’s epic ode to evolution Pick of the rest Ride Or Die Prime Video; available now View image in fullscreen Killer on the loose … Hannah Waddingham in Ride or Die. Photograph: Dušan Martinček/Prime Summed up in a sentence Hannah Waddingham stars in a comedy thriller about a 50-year-old assassin going rogue – and having to confess all to her best mate. What our reviewer said “It’s the perimenopausal comedy thriller caper of your dreams, but one that everyone can enjoy.” Lucy Mangan Read the full review Further reading ‘An overnight success after 25 years? Delicious’: Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham on sexism, stunts and stardom at 51 Ann Droid BBC iPlayer; available now Summed up in a sentence Diane Morgan stars as a robot carer to a reluctant elderly widow in her wonderfully fresh, funny new comedy. What our reviewer said Seeing a robot parse the minutiae of human emotion like this is poignant. Not that things are sad for long. Hannah J Davies Read the full review Further reading ‘Suddenly I was a celebrity. I didn’t want to be!’ Sue Johnston on fame, loneliness and her new robot pal Jesy Nelson: Life Changing Prime Video; available now Summed up in a sentence A documentary about the Little Mix singer, with the cameras catching the worst moment of her life – the diagnosis of her two babies with a life-threatening muscle-wasting condition. What our reviewer said “At times, it feels as if we are intruding on an experience few would choose to have in front of the world.” Frances Ryan Read the full review You may have missed Believe Me ITVX; available now View image in fullscreen ‘Compelling as well as nonexploitative’ … Believe Me, starring Aimée-Ffion Edwards. Photograph: Simon Ridgway/Shutterstock/ITV Summed up in a sentence A sensitive but gripping drama about the survivors of black-cab rapist John Worboys – and their fight for justice. What our reviewer said “A punchy, intelligent script makes it a compelling as well as nonexploitative drama that others would do well to learn from.” Lucy Mangan Read the full review Books If you only read one, make it … The Brexit Effect 2016-2026, edited by Anthony Seldon Reviewed by Fintan O’Toole Summed up in a sentence The great and the good give their verdict on Britain’s break with the EU.