Radio Times Top 40 TV Shows of 2016: 10 to 1
The votes have been counted and the results are in: here's our critics' countdown of the year's best telly. And the winner is...
9. National Treasure (C4)
Who would have thought that a series inspired by Operation Yewtree could make for gripping drama? Yet Jack Thorne’s intelligent script, about the arrest of veteran comedian Paul Finchley on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old girl, deftly explored many issues surrounding historical sexual abuse cases. But the series’ real strengths lay its actors. Robbie Coltrane was immense as Finchley, a contrite philanderer fiercely protesting his innocence; Julie Walters grabbed our sympathy as his long-suffering wife, unsure how far she could trust him. Right to the last, we were in doubt as to Finchley’s innocence, until a breath-taking courtroom climax revealed all. David Crawford
