TV Boxsets of the Week: Life on Mars, The Split, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Life on Mars

Available on Netflix, review by Yvette Huddleston

It is (unbelievably) 14 years since Life on Mars first appeared on our TV screens.

An intriguing mix of time-travelling sci-fi, police procedural and period comedy-drama, it tells the story of driven and ambitious Manchester murder detective Sam Tyler (John Simm) who, after being involved in a car accident, apparently wakes up in 1973.

That’s the cue for some fantastic flares, outrageous kipper ties, sideburns and moustaches, not to mention psychedelic shirts, fabulous furniture and an ace soundtrack. Plus an awful lot of orange, brown and paisley. The attention to detail by the design and props team is commendable and for those of us who remember the 70s it’s a nostalgic treat.

The slick script from Ashley Pharoah, Matthew Graham and Tony Jordan skilfully teases out the mystery of why and how Tyler ended up where he is. And there is much fun to be had from the inevitable misunderstandings that occur when dealing with people from a different historical period. “Where’s my PC terminal?” “PC who?”

The Split

Available on BBC iPlayer, review by Yvette Huddleston

This slick and compelling legal drama by Abi Morgan was first broadcast on BBC1 in 2018.

It tells the story of the Dafoe family – formidable mother Ruth (Deborah Findlay) and her daughters, dutiful Hannah (Nicola Walker), rebellious Nina (Annabel Scholey )and bohemian Rose (Fiona Button). Ruth heads up the family law firm which specialises in divorce where Hannah and Nina also work. Rose is a free-spirited childminder who has no interest in the law.

In the first series, Hannah makes waves by leaving to go and work for rival firm Noble & Hale where her former boyfriend Christie (Barry Atsma) is also a partner. They reacquaint themselves and that soon begins to impinge on Hannah’s hitherto very happy and stable marriage to barrister Nathan (Stephen Mangan).

The engaging narrative explores the complex family dynamics and features some equally compelling legal procedural detail around high-profile divorces. It gets a little soapy at times, especially in series two, but it is entertaining viewing.

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Available on Amazon Prime, review by Yvette Huddleston

Deservedly showered with awards, this brilliant series is joyful, uplifting and very funny. So, just the kind of feelgood viewing to take your mind off “all this”.

Set in New York and beginning in the late 1950s, it follows the fortunes of young, upper-middle class, dutiful Jewish housewife and mother Miriam “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) who, after her husband of four years Joel (Michael Zegen) leaves her for his secretary, discovers that she has a talent for stand-up comedy.

Ironically, it was Joel who was pursuing a career in comedy, with Miriam supporting him all the way, despite the fact that he was clearly not very good at it – and when she drunkenly takes an open mic spot at the Gaslight Cafe in Greenwich Village after learning of her husband’s infidelity, she delights the audience with her warmth, wit and candour.

She also attracts the attention of a certain Lenny Bruce (played by Luke Kirby) who frequents the club and sometimes performs there. Dour club manager Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein) is also impressed. She sees that Miriam could go places, gives her a few tips and eventually offers to become her manager.

Brosnahan’s central performance is outstanding, and has duly received critical acclaim, but she gets superb support from the rest of the cast – including Marin Hinkle and Tony Shalhoub as her disapproving parents – and from Borstein in particular whose dry wisecracks provide some of the show’s best moments.

Plus the 1950s and 60s costumes, sets, design and Big Apple locations are eye-catchingly classy. All three, eminently bingeable, series are now available on Amazon Prime.

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