We awarded 14 monstas for the best pop, theatre, TV and film of 2018 in December – and here we look at the cream of 2019 so far and what’s to come. The Bridge, Stranger Things, Queers and Killing Eve are previous winners in this category.

• Read on for our best TV shows of 2019 so far and our hopes for the next half year

1. Derry Girls (Channel 4) Cast and creator Q&A

We said: ‘Being a Derry girl is a state of mind and it’s emotional when he’s (the ‘wee English fella’) finally accepted as 1.’

2. Fleabag (BBC1) Reasons why you should watch

We said: ‘Fleabag is at its funniest when our hero is acting as we would expect a man to. Clue: all of the time.’

3. Mum (BBC2)

We say: ‘The beauty of the script is often what is left unsaid by our titular hero as she can only despair at the madness that is going on all around her.’

4. Pose (FX and BBC2)

We say: ‘It’s a little formulaic but when that formula is Glee goes Fame in the trans community with an 80s soundtrack, it’s TV fabulous.’

5. Pure (Channel 4)

We say: ‘Channel 4’s answer to Fleabag is difficult, quirky but also laugh-out-loud funny and worth persisting with.’

On our radar for the next 6 months are Chernobyl (Details), Killing Eve (Q&A), Tales Of The City (Details), Ackley Bridge (Details) and Years and Years (Details).

• Picture via Facebook courtesy Fleabag.
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