The White Queen

Series one, episode two
Think ‘Game of Thrones’ as commissioned by Michael Gove and you’re somewhere near. This is polished Sunday-night BBC entertainment and a history lesson rolled into one.

Tonight, we begin with a coronation. But one look at Warwick, who spends the early stages of the episode wandering around with a face like a smacked arse, is enough to alert anyone to the fact that turbulence is around the corner. Throw in the anguished and bitter Margaret (the excellent Amanda Hale) and the sneaky George and problems begin to mount. Cue endless backstabbing and a certain amount of frontstabbing as the Queen finds the tables turned.

The decision not to show the battles feels like a brave gamble – this is unashamedly about dynastic chicanery and endlessly nursed grievances. Two episodes in, the tactic shows every sign of paying off.