DRAMA PROFESSOR T DI RAY

ECCENTRIC SLEUTH

The second series about the Cambridge University criminology professor with peculiar ways is currently airing (Fridays, 9pm, ITV), and here’s the first. In a role that fits like a cosy pair of slippers, Ben Miller stars as the socially awkward academic (right) who is irascible, impatient and a lover of order. But Jasper Tempest has a knack for solving crimes, and when not being tormented by his over-bearing mother (the fabulous Frances de la Tour), he’s putting his particular set

of skills to good use.

CORONATION STREET COMPILATIONS COBBLES HIGHLIGHTS

It’s been on our screens for more than 60 years, and this series provides carefully curated roundups of the soap’s many highlights through the decades, from the Mike, Ken and Deirdre love triangle of 1983, through 130 weddings, countless villains, a handful of murders and Sarah

Platt’s teenage pregnancy. There’s also an episode devoted to stars who’ve appeared including Joanna

Lumley and Ian

Mckellen (right).

PACY CRIME SERIES

Remember Parminder Nagra, of Bend It Like Beckham and ER fame? We hadn’t seen much of her on screen until she returned earlier this year in the lead role of this pacy four-part crime drama. She plays Asian detective DI Rachita Ray, who faces prejudice from within the police force and even her own community. There’s a lot to recommend this Birminghamset series, not least its writer, Maya Sondhi, who knows her way around a crime drama having played PC Maneet Bindra in Line Of Duty (the show is produced by Lod’s creator Jed Mercurio). Detective Inspector Ray is clearly an outstanding investigator, but as she starts a new role with the homicide squad, she has still got a lot to prove...