Best to wait till the kids, or gore-averse viewers, are in bed before streaming The Beauty (Disney+, pictured above). This glossy, dark thriller brings flashbacks of The X-Files crossed with The Substance. Based on Jeremy Haun and Jason A Hurley’s comic book series, Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall play FBI agents brought in to investigate an alarming STD, which first makes you stunningly beautiful and youthful, then may or may not cause you to explode. Ashton Kutcher is deliciously cast as the suave psychopath behind the multi trillion-dollar corporation producing the new wonder drug, with Isabella Rossellini underused as his wise, fabulously wardrobed and pro-natural ageing wife. Producer Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story) brings gross-out, zombie horror edge to this scalpel-sharp take on our superficial society, where young women aspire to be models not journalists and big pharma wields dangerous power. It might be sci-fi, but the digs at octogenarian presidents, island-owning villains and spaceship-loving clowns don’t seem that far-fetched in the current climate.

When the whims of sociopathic men strike terror in our hearts, it’s time to retreat: to the safety of the cottage. Rachel Reid’s queer romance books were a cult hit long before the steamy TV adaptation of Heated Rivalry (Sky) stirred up a global obsession. It sees two hot, rival ice hockey players competing publicly, while having a secret affair for eight years. Watching tough-bro norms fade and a tender bond (among other things) grow between closeted protagonists Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov (the Keanu-like Hudson Williams, and Connor Storrie, doing an impressive Russian accent) is utterly gorgeous telly. Its success lies not just in all the fabulous pouting and abs (although they definitely sweeten the deal) but in the fantasy storytelling. There’s no misogyny or homophobic rejection here, just Mills & Boon or shōjo manga-style wish fulfillment. It’s male desire through a female lens, where consent, vulnerability and emotional honesty win the trophy.

Three-part documentary Take That (Netflix) follows the British boyband from being marketed by their manager to perform for schoolkids by day and gay clubs by night, to notching up eight number ones in the 90s, long hiatuses and triumphant comebacks. We watch Gary Barlow slave over the songwriting, council house kids Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald dance their socks off and struggle to find their place in the hierarchy, and that public feud between Barlow and Robbie Williams. It’s hugely enjoyable, especially if you were there the first time around, with archive material from over 35 years, including nostalgic Top Of The Pops footage and glorious latex photoshoots, plus revealing chats with all. Like many Netflix celeb docs, you do wonder, however, if more episodes would lead to a more satisfying unpacking of the many big topics glossed over.

For those left thirsty after the finale of The Night Manager (BBC) aired eight years ago, season two has finally arrived (BBC). After catching his old nemesis Richard Roper (played by Hugh Laurie), spy Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) has been living the quiet life in London, doing a low-octane MI6 job. But when a disciple of Roper’s starts causing trouble, that’s enough to lure Pine back into the danger zone. The new villain is the charismatic Teddy Dos Santos, played beautifully by Diego Calva. The original series was based on John le Carré’s intricate, gripping espionage novel, but following his death in 2020, season 2 is written by Le Carré fanboy David Farr, who grew up watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy on TV with his dad in the 70s. All the late author’s tropes are honoured, so expect plenty of arms smuggling, stiff upper lips, suspect British Government involvement and glamorous locations (lots of Colombian colour this time). Le Carré’s hyper male-centric world gets some choice updates too, including a more sexually fluid Pine.

Sawers also saw… Mermaid Tales: Isle Of Skye on BBC Alba: ‘Quirky Gaelic travel doc’; Steal on Prime Video: ‘Tense fintech drama’; Under Salt Marsh on Sky Atlantic: ‘Offbeat Welsh murder mystery’.

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