It may only just be November, but it’s already the most wonderful time of the year as far as our watchlists go, as the first of several delicious new Christmas films is upon us. This sugary-sweet romcom sees Layla (Christina Milian) race through a very snowy New York City in pursuit of a fairytale romance with the man of her dreams – but she has to get her hands on the hottest ticket in town first. Wednesday 6 November; Netflix 

Eddie Redmayne is making his TV comeback as a sociopathic assassin in this thrilling new espionage thriller. When the eponymous Jackal is hired to take out one of the world’s most powerful men, it’s up to determined MI6 agent Bianca (Lashana Lynch) to hunt him down. Cue the ultimate game of cat-and-mouse… and, yes, we’re rooting for Bianca. Thursday 7 November; Sky Atlantic and NOW

Taskmaster is, let’s face it, pretty perfect as it is – but this fresh new twist on the comedy gameshow promises to deliver wholesome, hilarious perfection on a weekly basis. Overseen by Rose Matafeo and her assistant, Mike Wozniak, get ready to root for the 25 contestants aged between nine and 11 as they tackle the fiendish and bizarre tasks set before them. 8pm, Friday 8 November; Channel 4

“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I absolutely do not think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow airport (sorry Hugh); instead, I stick on one of the Paddington films,” says Kayleigh.

“A wholesome cocktail of love, kindness, inclusivity and marmalade, the Paddington franchise honestly has no business being as good as it is. It’s ostensibly for kids, after all. Its eponymous lead is an accident-prone, very polite and incredibly earnest little CGI bear. It offers up a postcard version of London – all red buses, candy-coloured doors and charming little antique shops – that’s bound to rankle real-world commuters. And yet these films – the first two of which were penned and directed by The Mighty Boosh’s Paul King – are cinematic perfection. They are beautiful to look at, achieving the same dreamlike delirium as any Wes Anderson title. The cast is stuffed to the brim with big names (the latest stars Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas, to name just a few). The stories are unexpectedly exciting and deeply emotional. I honestly sobbed (embarrassingly noisily) at the end of the second film.

“Best of all, the Paddington franchise is the perfect antidote to reality. Of course, some people are worried that Paddington In Peru might lose a little of that previous magic – not least of all because it returns with a new Mrs Brown (goodbye, Sally Hawkins; hello, Emily Mortimer) and a new director (Dougal Wilson of John Lewis Christmas ad fame). Still, though, there’s a lot to love – not least the fact it sees Paddington and the Brown family get out of London for a dazzling adventure through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of the little bear’s homeland. Fingers crossed Aunt Lucy gets a starring role this time…” In UK cinemas, Friday 8 November

“Anna Maxwell Martin is, to my mind, one of the most underrated and brilliant actors of our generation,” says Helen. “Comedy, thrillers, dramas: get you a woman that can do it all. And with the release this week of Until I Kill You, here are my favourite AMM roles…”

Bleak House (2005)
Maxwell Martin takes on Dickens in this BBC adaptation of his novel about the legal system. She won a Bafta for her brilliant portrayal of orphan Esther, a woman without a past who ends up having a mysterious connection to evil Lady Dedlock (Gillian Anderson). Watch on BBC iPlayer

The Bletchley Circle (2012–2014)
What happens after you’ve been part of the group that helped end the second world war through codebreaking? That’s what this drama aims to cover. Maxwell Martin stars as Susan, who’s finding suburban life very dull until a serial killer turns up and she gets together with some former colleagues to solve the crimes. Watch on U

Motherland (2016–2022)
One of the all-time brilliant British comedies boasts Sharon Horgan among the writing credits. This no-holds-barred depiction of parenthood stars Maxwell Martin as Julia as she shambolically navigates other parents at the school gates, kids’ parties and swimming pool changing rooms. Watch on Netflix

Line Of Duty (2021)
DCS Carmichael reporting for duty. Maxwell Martin was excellently hateable as the detective chief superintendent at the head of rival anti-corruption unit AC-3, whose interrogation of fan favourite Supt Ted Hastings was a masterclass in eye-rolling and passive-aggression. Watch on BBC iPlayer

Ludwig (2024)
With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this six-part BBC series is a delight. She stars as Lucy, whose husband, a detective, has gone missing. So she asks his reclusive twin brother, John ’Ludwig’ Taylor, a puzzle-solving genius, to step into his shoes and help track him down. Watch on BBC iPlayer

Until I Kill You (2024)
Based on a real-life story, AMM plays nurse Delia Balmer, who managed to survive a near-fatal attack from her ex, John Sweeney (Shaun Evans). Seven years later, as she’s trying to rebuild her life, she has to face him in court, as he goes on trial for murdering his girlfriend. Watch it at 9pm, 3 November; ITV