NETFLIX, SKY/NOW, BRITBOX, AMAZON & STARZPLAY

Becoming Elizabeth 

The death of her father, Henry VIII, sees the teenage Princess Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) used as a pawn in dangerous political manoeuvrings.

She’s taken into the household of Henry’s widow, Catherine Parr (Jessica Raine), where she is, effectively, sexually groomed by Thomas Seymour (Tom Cullen).

But she’s sharp-witted and shows flashes of steeliness and won’t be anybody’s pawn for long.

The German actress von Rittberg is terrific as the future Elizabeth I and this is a pacy, involving drama, presented as a high-stakes political thriller. StarzPlay, from Sunday

Film collection

Britbox’s latest clutch of films includes two British horror classics – the controversially violent Witchfinder General and The Blood On Satan’s Claw, championed by Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss in recent years.

Also, That’ll Be The Day and sequel Stardust, starring David Essex as a wannabe pop star. Britbox, from Thursday

Jennifer Lopez: Halftime

Beautiful, wealthy and talented at acting, singing and dancing. By rights, we should loathe Jennifer Lopez, yet she remains rather likeable.

This film examines her life and career, focusing in detail on her performance at the 2020 Super Bowl. Netflix, from Tuesday

The Lost Girls

Inspired by J. M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, this chronicles four generations of Darling women after their Neverland adventures

Like her grandmother (Vanessa Redgrave) and mother Jane (Joely Richardson), Wendy must escape Peter’s hold and the promise he wants her to keep. Also on Amazon, Sky, Virgin & BT. Altitude Films, from Friday

Spiderhead

Based on the short story Escape From Spiderhead by George Saunders, and adapted by Deadpool writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, this new sci-fi thriller stars Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller.

The plot focuses on two convicts who take part in experiments involving emotion-altering drugs; their reward is a reduction in their sentences.

When one of them falls in love with a fellow prisoner, he decides to use the tests to save her. Netflix, from Friday

Pleasure

Acclaimed documentary-style drama from debut writer-director Ninja Thyberg.

It charts the quest for fame of Bella, a young Swedish porn star, as she navigates the pitfalls of LA. Sofia Kappel is utterly compelling in a film that doesn’t hold back in its depiction of a cut-throat industry. MUBI, from Friday

God’s Favourite Idiot

Gentle, cat-loving tech worker Clark (Ben Falcone) is in love with his colleague, Amily (Melissa McCarthy). He has also been chosen by God to save the world from the apocalypse.

Clark is reluctant to accept the role but has little choice when Satan and the four horsemen of the apocalypse turn up. This eight-episode comedy is created by Falcone, the real-life husband of McCarthy. Netflix, from Wednesday

We Own This City

In a new Baltimore-set crime drama from David Simon (The Wire), Jon Bernthal’s Sergeant Wayne Jenkins is very much the bad guy – a bent officer on the elite Gun Trace Task Force. Sky/NOW, available now

House Of Gucci

Stylish drama from Ridley Scott about the battle for control of the fashion house. The all-star cast includes Adam Driver and Lady Gaga with Al Pacino. Amazon, from Friday