New series  ★★★★

Sunday, June 5, 8.30pm, Showcase

Just when you think Australian dramas can't get any better, they do. And while it's not quite as out-there as Cleverman (currently screening on the ABC), this political thriller is both familiar, and something quite out of the box. Based on a mash-up of a couple of novels by political journalists Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann, it successfully transforms Canberra and its inhabitants into a hotbed of murder and intrigue – a place at once completely at odds with the reality of Canberra and yet completely convincing. A secret city indeed. As you'd expect from the two original authors, the nitty-gritty of the political interactions feel absolutely authentic (Jacki Weaver as a Senator and Labor powerbroker is magnificent). And if the rule-breaking journo determined to uncover the truth (energetically played by Anna Torv) is pretty standard stuff, the characters that surround her – friend, foe, and undecided – are both intriguing and surprising. In this first episode screenwriter Matt Cameron (Jack Irish) has done a super job of setting a series of plates spinning. Canberra looks just as stunning as it did in The Code. The cast is a who's who of Australian drama, and, in the expert hands of director Emma Freeman, deliver a yarn that's utterly compelling from the get-go.

ANGRY GIRLS: THE RISE IN FEMALE VIOLENCE

★★★☆

Tuesday, June 7, 8.30pm, SBS2

There's always an element of man-bites-dog to stories of female violence. After a couple of thousand years of considering women the weaker sex, there's something extra shocking when girls whale into other girls – or into blokes. We've all also grown up with the dictum that you never strike a woman. Or, at least, a gentleman never strikes a woman. We're to be shielded and protected. But the reality is that you can't encourage women to aspire to other male domains – prime minister or head of an ASX 500 company, the police force or the armed services – and then become outraged when some choose to follow the chaps into less savoury territory, like knife fights, gun battles, and punch-ups. However, it is certainly worth exploring why young women are turning to violence – and they are, in increasing numbers – and that's the purpose of this well-meaning British documentary. There are three main case studies here, and they do seem to exemplify the three main cohorts of violent women. One has come to accept that a night out will inevitably end in the lockup after she gets a skinful, blacks out, and beats up on someone – including bouncers and police. Another grew up on a housing estate with a manic-depressive mother and a father in jail for rape, and took her anger, frustration and helplessness out on anyone who came within swinging distance. A third – whom we don't get to meet – displayed the kind of controlling behaviour and uncontrolled rage we typically associate with domestic violence, culminating in her repeatedly stabbing her husband. In short, these women's stories could just as easily have been the stories of men of their age. The chief differences are that women tend to be treated more kindly by the justice system, and that there is still sufficient societal judgement that their behaviour is aberrant for them to pull themselves together and try to change. Which is perhaps just as useful an insight into dealing with angry boys as it is angry girls.

GUITAR STAR

★★★

Thursday, June 9, 9.30pm, Arts

If you enjoyed Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year, you'll want to check out this new offering from Sky Arts, which takes material we normally see on big, brassy talent shows and attempts to celebrate the art involved. There are rock guitarists here but this also covers classical, flamenco, acoustic and jazz providing a delicious smorgasbord of musical styles and some truly exceptional talent. No screaming crowds, no flashing lights, no "journeys". Just people playing the guitar – really, really well. 

Cesar Millan in Cesar To the Rescue. Photo: National Geographic Channels / Evelyn Hockstein

CESAR TO THE RESCUE

Series return ★★★

Wednesday, June 8, 7.30pm, NatGeo People

As the disclaimer at the beginning of each episode reminds us: do not try this at home. Cesar Milan's dog-training techniques are actually pretty dodgy. On the other hand, he is unquestionably a genuine dog whisperer – it's not so much what he does as something about the man himself that has canines of all shapes, sizes and temperaments at his command. So seeing crazy hounds discover their better selves is undoubtedly rewarding. This is also a useful reminder that psychotic little fluffy dogs are just as dangerous as their bigger cousins.

AUSTRALIAN STORY

★★★☆

Monday, June 6, 8pm, ABC

You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll learn something. What better – or more appropriate – way to celebrate Australian Story's 20th birthday? In the succinct style that's a hallmark of the series, this anniversary special covers Oz Story's genesis and evolution, a handful of its most memorable moments, and addresses the criticisms directed at it, with commendable intelligence, honesty, and humour – and without excessive self-congratulation. It's a wonderful, often powerful half hour of television in its own right, and a fitting tribute to one of the true gems of Australian TV.

ANDY'S PREHISTORIC ADVENTURES

New series ★★★☆

Monday, June 5, 4pm, CBeebies

There's something really refreshing about live-action shows for kids. Animations are all very well – they can be great – but there's something particularly engaging about watching real people doing stuff and Andy's Prehistoric Adventures offers the best of both worlds, with some cool dino-CGI mixed in as well. It's also educational in an effortless way as Andy moves between London's natural history museum and (thanks to a grandfather clock-time machine) our prehistoric past, scattering fun factoids as he goes. 

Scene from TV show 1864: Denmark's War. Photo: Fotograf Per Arnesen

1864: DENMARK'S WAR

New series ★★★

Tuesday, June 7, 10.35pm, SBS

Most of the cast of Borgen reunite for this curious period piece cataloguing a war that no doubt looms large in the Danish consciousness but is, I'm guessing, unknown outside Scandinavia. The action opens with Danish soldiers returning from a three-year war with Prussia that left the outlying territory of Schleswig in German hands. It's not long before a cohort of rabid patriots are urging the nation back in to the trenches to reclaim it. Covering what was clearly a formative period in Denmark's history through the eyes of two young brothers, this is beautifully made and full of personality but maybe lacking a little relevance for antipodean viewers.

BLINDSPOT

★★★

Wednesday, June 8, 9.30pm, Seven

It sure ain't art but when it's in the zone Blindspot is cracking B-grade adventure, and tonight's instalment is a good 'un. I still haven't quite figured out the predictive nature of Jane's tattoos (or perhaps I missed that episode) but if you can set aside the absurdity of that particular plot device, the week-to-week mayhem is great fun. Tonight we visit the "school shooting" trope with satisfying finesse in a beautifully choreographed chain of set pieces that both advance the narrative and vividly capture the chaos of the event.