From ludicrously fun 80s love affairs to outrageously scandalous drama, this has already been a year of great television. Here are our favourite shows of the year so far.
Departing from the doom and gloom of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the lighter Westeros spin-off 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' was infinitely more enjoyable. Ser Dunk and Egg are a duo worth rooting for as they prepare for the tourney, with Dunk chasing his dream of becoming a knight. The series isn't without gore, but its simpler storytelling and sweet characters made us excited to be back in George RR Martin's world.
Lucy Punch has created one of the best TV antiheroes in years in 'Amanda'. The divorced middle-class mum and influencer cracks us up so much that by the second series we just want her dream of moving into a bigger house to come true. With Philippa Dunne and Joanna Lumley also on board, this is a celebration of some of the best women in comedy.
Patrick Stewart voices a dead pig's head in 'Bait', Riz Ahmed's semi-autobiographical story of an actor striving to become the next James Bond. It plays out as the woozy tale of a borderline breakdown induced by the pressures of fitting into the mainstream while staying true to your community. Surely the most wry, witty look at cultural identity this year.
'The Blitz: A Very British Scandal' spoke to survivors from all corners of the British Isles, offering enlightening and deeply touching testimony. The death of Patsy Moneypenny between filming and broadcast was a poignant reminder that time is running out to preserve these memories.
'Heated Rivalry' is the sexy hockey romance that has taken the world by storm. Based on Rachel Reid's novels, the story of pro hockey players Ilya and Shane who pretend to loathe each other but fall for each other hard is a gorgeous queer love story. It's such a global smash that there are now Heated Rivalry raves.
