Premiere announced for ‘Dexter’ Season 7 - Sunday, Feb 24th at 9pm

So many of you will have heard of Dexter which enters its 7th season in February. Its been consistently good over the years and will deliver the goods if you are in need of a new box set. If you can't be bothered to catch up all six seasons then tune in to FX (soon to be renamed FOX) in B+Feb and have a look. It should prove to be interesting as season 6 finished with a game-changing plot twist..

Breaking Bad, Season 5 - Summer 2013

Breaking Bad is currently in a mid-season hiatus and we await the final 8 episodes with baited breath. UK television programmers have done their utmost to crush any meaningful following of this show with late-night slots on their obscure derivative channels BUT word of mouth, numerous awards (7 Emmys..) and discounted box-sets have meant that many on these shores are now hooked by Walter White's antics. Penned by a Vince Gilligan (X-Files), its a darkly comic tale of a sympathetic protagonist who's amoral decisions turn him into an unlikely villain. Seek it out.

The Chicago Code - Sky One, Wednesday, 11pm

If this new police drama series is anything like writer Shawn Ryan's last outing it will soon become a stone cold classic. The Shield was The Wire's more compulsive, angrier younger brother for many a year and one can only hope we'll see more of the tense, plot-driven chaos and genre defying anti-heroes that made it so brilliant. There is enough dull formulaic crime drama out there to put one off the genre altogether (CSI, Bones, Cold Case, Without A Trace, Numb3rs, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law And Order to name a few) BUT this should be something very different. In fact it's so different that Fox has announced plans to axe it after a season despite reviews in the U.S being outstanding.. Tune in while it lasts.

Spartacus, Blood and Sand - Sky One, Monday

After a clumsy start this swords and sandals epic has turned into an absolute gem. The second (prequel) season has just been aired and the first season replays this Monday. Not to be missed. A warning: Probably not one for the girls and the faux-shakespearean dialogue and budget CGI might seem ham-fisted at first (as does all the gore and sex) but stick with it and somehow this bizarre world of extremes becomes believable. The characterisation is irresistible and plot-lines deviously drag you in like the uber-sordid, ultra-violent soap opera that it is. There are villains aplenty and no shortage of heroic gladiators for them to torture with their dastardly schemes. Give it a chance - even if at first you are appalled..

Game Of Thrones - 9pm Monday, Sky Atlantic

This is a cracker if you like your fantasy/medieval drama with a bit of edge. The most obvious thing to say about this big budget venture from HBO is that it looks just stunning - and the writing is up to scratch too. Characters are drawn neatly, with an eye for detail and the plot speeds along nicely from the get-go. There is a lot of blood, sex and intrigue in the opener, and some might find it a little much but you can certainly see why the series sold over 7 million novels.

Modern Family - Sky One, Fri 8.30pm

This sitcom is everything that Simpsons used to be but funnier and naughtier. Now in it's second season it's just got better and better. If you aren't watching it religiously you are missing out.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - Sky Atlantic, Saturday 11.10pm

Season 1 of the genre defining comedy is playing on Sky Atlantic at the moment. No doubt you've heard of it but if Curb has passed you by up to now then this is the time to get involved. It is excruciating at times but always very funny, well observed and executed to perfection.

How To Make It In America - Sky Atlantic, Thurs 10.50pm

This is a pretty cool N.Y- based drama from the producer of Entourage. It's simply made but well written and humorous if not funny. We follow Ben and Cam, two no-nonsense Brooklyn twenty-somethings trying to launch their own denim label. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene; a comedy mobster who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, they try to make it big and also hit some house parties along the way. It's good stuff. 

Sigur Ros: Heima, Sky Arts 1/Sky Anytime

This film is just beautiful. Sigur Ros return home after a huge World Tour and decide to play a series of tiny gigs in the hamlets of their native Iceland. Stunning cinematography and a lovely insight into the band and their people. Catch it while its on Sky Anytime.

The Big C - Channel 4, Tues 11.05pm

Laura Linney and the legendary Oliver Platt star in this schizophrenic comedy which seems to be going places. Linney plays a wife and mother who struggles to tell her family and friends that she has terminal cancer. Not particularly light subject matter but there is plenty of humour and not just gallows stuff - mainly in the quirky supporting roles for now. Linney can be a bit annoying but its early days. I think it's going to be all a bit sad as the inevitable draws near but could be very good television. It is, however, no Breaking Bad.

New 30 Rock - Comedy Central, Thurs 11.30 (rep Sat & Sun)

Multiple award winning comedy from Tina Fey's team returns. Not to be missed.

Psych - Universal Channel, Saturday 3pm

This has been a guilty pleasure for a while. Shawn Spencer is an amateur detective who persuades the local police that he can psychically solve crimes. Dule Hill (West Wing) is excellent as his Watsonian side-kick. At times you feel like you're watching an episode of Scooby Do - twists are normally predictable and cases are ALWAYS solved but it never takes itself seriously enough that this becomes a problem.

Nurse Jackie - BBC 2, Tuesday 12:20am

Hidden away on BBC2 in the early hours, you wouldn't think it had been nominated for 8 Golden Globes but Nurse Jackie is a great dark comedy with Edie Falco (Sopranos) leading the way. Capable of silliness, melodrama and plenty of pathos, 30 mins always seems too little.

You'll be playing catch up but better late than never.

Silk - BBC 9pm Tues AVOID

In my opinion this legal drama is typical of modern BBC productions. It's over-acted, cliche-riden tripe. Not bad Sunday night fodder perhaps but in the era of Sky+ you should have better things to watch. ..

Treme - Sky Atlantic, Tuesday 11pm or Friday 10.15pm

If you've been living under a rock then you might need a reminder to watch Treme, a New Orleans based HBO drama from the creators of The Wire, David Simon and Eric Overmye. It's as good as it should be, which is something. Episode 1 is repeated on Tuesdays (tonight). Record!

Big Love - Sky Atlantic, Friday 9pm

Just started watching this HBO produced drama starring Bill Paxton as an impotent Mormon with three wives too many. The pilot is very promising. The family live in a normal American suburb and thus suffer from the constant threat of being exposed. The not-so-petty jealousies of his wives seem to be brewing nicely and are delicately handled whilst the family's fundamentalist origins, a backwater cult, will inevitably take their toll. Weirdly enough, it's VERY similar to the book below but should be worth a watch. No shortage of drama.

The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff

A quick book recommendation : A young runaway is forced to return to a very sinister polygamous cult to rescue his mother after she is accused of murder. This whodunnit narrative is interwoven with a historical account of the birth of Mormonism and it's subsequent division.

New album from Iron and Wine

Really recommend this new album from Texas based singer-song writer, Iron and Wine. It's called Kiss Each Other Clean and came out in January.

The Walking Dead - FX Wednesday 10pm

Highly acclaimed comic book adaptation is being rebroadcast on Wednesdays. Haven't watched it myself but if its anything on the comic book then it'll be something special.

Gervais vs Piers Morgan

Gervais on Piers Morgan's new prime time show in the U.S. The big man discusses the Golden Globes, comedy and his private life.. a bit. Interesting stuff. You can download the podcast version of the interview from iTunes (free)