New to SoHo in January

MOTHERLAND (S2, 7.30 Thursdays from January 2)

A collective sigh of relief can be heard across the Motherland as a new school term dawns. It’s also dawned on Julia that she still hasn’t sorted her childcare. Her wonderful husband has decided to step up to the mark and train for Iron Man. The alpha mums are back in the cafe, rolling up their blouse sleeves for this year’s PTA while Kevin looks on from his table next to the toilet. Liz has mastered the art of not giving a f**k, and is going back to bed. Starring Anna Maxwell Martin, Lucy Punch, Paul Ready, Diane Morgan, Tanya Moodie.

THE OUTSIDER (3.00/8.30 Mondays from January 13)

Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel of the same name, The Outsider begins by following a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when an insidious supernatural force edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in. Starring Ben Mendelsohn, Jason Bateman, Cynthia Erivo.

THE NEW POPE (8.30 Thursdays from January 16)

Pius XIII is in a coma. After an unpredictable and mysterious time, the Secretary of State Voiello succeeds in the enterprise of having the charming, sophisticated and moderate English aristocrat Sir John Brannox placed on the papal throne with the name John Paul III. The new pope seems perfect, but he conceals secrets and a certain fragility. Quickly, he begins to realise that it will not be easy to replace the charismatic Pius XIII who, hanging between life and death, has become a Saint with thousands of faithful followers now idolising him. Meanwhile, the Church is under attack from several scandals that risk irreversibly devastating the hierarchies of the Church, and the key principles of Christianity upon which they are based. 

AVENUE 5 (8.00 Thursdays from January 23)

Avenue 5 is a space tourism comedy from Armando Iannucci (the creator of Veep), set 40 years in the future when the solar system is everyone’s oyster. Hugh Laurie stars as the Captain Ryan Clark and with him in charge, nothing can go wrong. Suave, outwardly confident, controlled, and personable, Ryan is the man you want in charge of a crisis. Josh Gad stars as Herman Judd, the billionaire face and name behind Avenue 5, and the whole Judd brand, including hotels, fitness clubs and space tourism. Judd is used to a life of luxury; his fortune was made from holiday resorts and he thinks he’s good at everything else. Terrible at science, he leaves that to the experts he employs to give him the answers he wants.