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Now that Vera is over, this is a worthy replacement. We are sometimes in need of a cracking good story that isn't as predictable as some others and this is it. I really like the premise and am very impressed with Sharon D. Clarke in the title role. Very well done whoever cast her! There is some vulnerability in DCI Ellis, something in her past, of which we are yet to learn and Ms Clarke plays it beautifully. I liked seeing her new 'sidekick' DS Harper, played by Andrew Gower, coming to the realisation that she was better at her job than his old boss, played by Chris Reilly (Nick Duffy in Slow Horses). Hopefully there will be more episodes (fingers crossed) and will keep to the 90 minute length.

I can't sleep on planes. So, on an eleven hour flight to South Africa, I lined up three films to watch while all the others slept (jammy gits!). At first I thought 'huh', what have I just watched here? It didn't make sense to me so maybe I was sleep deprived but I don't think so. It was just different. The chance came for me to watch it again much later and I loved it! It wasn't like anything else I had seen and the story was just so lovely. Paul Giamatti was his usual wonderful self, such a great actor. And, when you get your head around all the others living in the apartment block, it makes for a very entertaining movie. I have watched it several times now so I think it's worth an evening with an open mind.

My 10 stars reflect the wonderful Glenn Close. It's been a long time since I have seen such understated emotion just pouring out of the screen. You have these little moments in films, like Al Pacino's eyes when he's sitting at the table waiting to shoot Sollozzo and McCluskey. Or James Stewart in Martini's Bar anguishing that his only way out is to commit suicide. Close's acting was more subtle than that but no less powerful. A truly acting tour de force! Being English, I have watched and adored Olivia Colman over the years in such tv shows as Green Wing, Rev, 2012., and films like The Iron Lady and Hot Fuzz. Then becoming recognised internationally in Broadchurch, The Night Manager and an acting masterclass in Empire of Light. But, as much as I love her and her role in The Favourite, Glen Close really should have been awarded the Oscar for The Wife.