The Coronation; Hard Sun; McMafia

“For once, a royal documentary didn’t cheat its punters by making an ounce of access fill a hogshead of primetime. She was there. She spoke. She let the mask slip by a reasonable degree. And it matters not where you stand on the republican-monarchist spectrum; it was fascinating to watch the public persona be briefly set aside.”
Lucy Mangan, The Guardian

“Without the royal contributions, this competent documentary — with its humdrum reminiscences from elderly choirboys and pompous courtiers — would probably have ended up on BBC4. To have the Queen’s own memories of Coronation Day transformed it, especially as she was far less reverential than the rest.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“The jewels and frocks, plus the sweeping music and unctuous commentary, were manna from heaven for the Buckingham Palace tea towel collectors. But there were enough quirky human touches to satisfy the general viewer. If the royal family is just a very successful long-running soap then the nonagenerian beaming at the memories of her 27-year-old self on a unique day is its star. And this was a standout episode.”
Jeff Robson, The i

“Taken seriously, Hard Sun was ludicrously implausible. Treated as a cartoonish popcorn romp, though, it was exhilarating entertainment.”
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph

“The kindest criticism is that it looks like a YouTube movie by a film studies undergraduate on a multi-million-pound budget.”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“I’m becoming ever more drawn in by the sleek, muted intrigue of it all, as well as by Norton’s 007 audition. There’s clearly a method to his numb exterior — a mask hiding the conflict wrestling away beneath — and a there’s a fascination in watching him underplay every emotion.”
James Jackson, The Times

“It can feel a little po-faced, lacking the wit of a Hugh Laurie or a Tom Hollander, who both brought light and shade to The Night Manager. However, McMafia is inexorably gathering momentum as plot threads are ominously drawn together. As the eight-part story reached its midway point, it was suspenseful, unpredictable and beautifully poised.”
Michael Hogan, The Telegraph

“As well as telling the classic tale of the good man who descends into evil, every episode of this excellent BBC drama is a textbook lesson in globalisation.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express