A bearded Gareth McLean sits before a dark green backgrounded, looking at the camera and smiling gently

Gareth McLean

Gareth McLean has been writing about television for nearly 30 years. As a critic, he's reviewed thousands of programmes. As a feature writer, he's interviewed hundreds of people, from Liza Minnelli to Jimmy Savile. He has also written for TV.

Whitstable Pearl – Frances Barber

Frances Barber talks politics on TV and playing Margaret Thatcher: "I hated her"

Wk 13 Sofa View Kris Marshall

Beyond ParadiseKris Marshall on which iconic TV detectives inspire Beyond Paradise's Humphrey – and Keir Starmer's 'Love Actually moment'

Wk 44 Smart TV Return to Paradise

Beyond Paradise star Kris Marshall reveals which TV detectives helped inspire Humphrey – and that he's only watched Love Actually once

Week 12 The Cage Opener

The CageLiverpool is no Las Vegas in first look at Sheridan's Smith new high-stakes thriller from the creator of The Responder

An elderly woman lies in bed with her eyes closed, wearing a white nightgown and head covering. She rests against pillows beneath a wooden headboard, with a crucifix hanging on the wall above her. A bedside table with a lamp and books sits nearby, and the softly lit room has a quiet, solemn atmosphere.

ExclusiveCall the Midwife's Heidi Thomas on saying goodbye to Sister Monica Joan – and those secret ghost cameos

Week 11 Call the Midwife Laura Main and Helen George.

Call the Midwife'Real life is ugly, and all that is shown on Call the Midwife': Two of the show's original cast members look back on the powerful series

Laura Main as Shelagh Turner and Helen George as Trixie Aylward in Call the Midwife, wearing nurses' uniforms (blue dress, white collar, purple cardigan) and leaning on a balustrade

Call the MidwifeAn emotional goodbye (for now) to Poplar: Call the Midwife creator teases season 16 changes ahead of hiatus

Week 11 Call the Midwife Laura Main and Helen George.

Call the Midwife creator talks series hiatus: "All of a sudden everybody was really sobbing"

Laura Main as Shelagh Turner and Helen George as Trixie Aylward in Call the Midwife, wearing nurses' uniforms (blue dress, white collar, purple cardigan) and leaning on a balustrade

Call the Midwife star reacts to season 15 finale: "We’ve never had to be upset at the end before"

Steven Moffat, wearing a black T-shirt and stood in front of a blue backdrop.

Doctor Who legend Steven Moffat teases new TV show: "It’s the closest thing I’ve done to Press Gang"

Week 9 Opener

The LadyInside the true crime 'toxic fairy tale' of Sarah Ferguson's royal dresser – convicted of murder

Filming of a TV series, with a woman in an extravagant green dress, jacket and hat being filmed by a cameraman in a room with a very large fireplace

The Lady writer explains how new Sarah Ferguson TV drama handles Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Under Salt Marsh’s Rafe Spall talks impact of nepotism on his career: "That’s called an advantage"

Louisa Harland in a coat against a floral background

Transcendental Wild OatsDerry Girls star Louisa Harland discusses playing Louisa May Alcott in a new radio drama

Week 5 Under Salt Marsh

Yellowstone star Kelly Reilly reveals why she was ready for Under Salt Marsh after "violence and revenge" of Beth Dutton

Riot Women cast reveal season 2 is set to take a turn "no one will see coming"

Week 5 Under Salt Marsh

Under Salt MarshFrom Yellowstone to Anglesey – Kelly Reilly's jobs have immersed her in nature, and she loves it

Week 5 Under Salt Marsh

Under Salt MarshAt 78, Jonathan Pryce refuses to retire: 'If you stop, you drop'

Close up of Jonathan Pryce against a pink background looking directly at the camera.

Slow Horses' Jonathan Pryce on returning to his Welsh roots with new drama: "I left it physically, but emotionally, I've never left"

Judy Parfitt in a nuns habit for Call the Midwife

Call the MidwifeAt the end of an era for Call the Midwife, Judy Parfitt admits it's hard to say goodbye

Judy Parfitt as Sister Monica Joan in Call the Midwife, wearing a nun's habit and leaning on a stick, looking concerned.

Call the Midwife legend reveals the show’s upcoming hiatus "shakes" her a bit. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Leo Suter as DI Tommy Lynley and Sofia Barclay as DS Barbara Havers in Lynley

LynleyStars Leo Suter and Sofia Barclay say the class divide has changed — and so has Lynley

Portrait of a bearded Martin Compston with short dark hair wearing a dark coat, gazing thoughtfully to the side against a muted green background with a softly patterned curtain.

Martin Compston: 'As Brits, we need to fight for our NHS and BBC'. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Portrait of a bearded Martin Compston with short dark hair wearing a dark coat, gazing thoughtfully to the side against a muted green background with a softly patterned curtain.

Martin Compston on going "bigger and bolder" in Red Eye season 2 - and Line of Duty season 7. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Jing Lusi stars in Red Eye season 2; this image shows DC Hana Li in an airport, wearing black clothes; the background is blurred in a shallow focus

Red Eye star Jing Lusi reveals the pressures to deliver with season 2 and the importance of being the series lead

Leo Suter as DI Tommy Lynley and Sofia Barclay as DS Barbara Havers in Lynley

Lynley star Leo Suter clarifies how new series is "updated" and "fresh" – and not a remake of classic drama

Week 49 Christmas Preview Red Eye

Red EyeMartin Compston and Jing Lusi talk ratings, representation and filling Richard Armitage's shoes for new series of plane thriller

Two women in period-style clothing – Judy Parfitt as a nun in a navy habit, Helen George in a light blue dress and red cardigan—smile at each other in a snowy landscape beside a pyramid of brightly wrapped Christmas presents.

Call the Midwife'We filmed it in April, so I’ve forgotten the bits I did!' – Judy Parfitt and Helen George on working with your heroes and this year's Christmas special

Legendary photographer Martin Parr looks back on his work and recalls the way we were

Two women in period-style clothing – Judy Parfitt as a nun in a navy habit, Helen George in a light blue dress and red cardigan—smile at each other in a snowy landscape beside a pyramid of brightly wrapped Christmas presents.

Call the Midwife star reveals she wants a damehood as cast tease much-anticipated 2025 Christmas special. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.