The print media often publish articles lamenting the quality of television programmes on our screens, for the most part this confuses local with international shows, quality with popularity, and where shows are available to watch rather than what’s being produced.

You certainly wouldn’t claim shows The Sopranos, Madmen, The Wire, Homeland and Game of Thrones have diminished the medium over the last decade. Top talent, in front and behind the camera, has for many years been lured to television by the greater time available for storytelling and has helped drive the high level of creativity, excellent writing and slick production values in the medium today...

The print media often publish articles lamenting the quality of television programmes on our screens, for the most part this confuses local with international shows, quality with popularity, and where shows are available to watch rather than what’s being produced.

You certainly wouldn’t claim shows The Sopranos, Madmen, The Wire, Homeland and Game of Thrones have diminished the medium over the last decade. Top talent, in front and behind the camera, has for many years been lured to television by the greater time available for storytelling and has helped drive the high level of creativity, excellent writing and slick production values in the medium today.

At the Festival de Cannes in May director Steven Soderbergh presented his latest film, the Liberace biopic staring Matt Damon and Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra. The film screened ‘in competition’ in Cannes and opened the New Zealand International Film Festival last week - not bad for a film made for television channel HBO after a Hollywood studio deemed the material too risky. At Cannes Soderbergh announced he intends retiring from the film industry, but has declared he’s still interested in working in television.

"There is a lot of great television being made in the States right now and I feel in terms of cultural real estate that TV is really taking control of the conversation that used to be the exclusive domain of movies," Soderbergh told reporters in Cannes.

Soderbergh isn’t the only one talking about the ever-decreasing gap between the world of film and television. Also at the Festival de Cannes, British director Stephen Frears (The Queen) expressed an interest in television. "I don't have the usual snobbish attitude towards television” he reportedly said. “I just go where the good writing is and if it is TV, fine.”

Interestingly, Soderbergh has reportedly teamed up with actor Clive Owen to work on a television drama called The Knick set in New York's Knickerbocker Hospital.

There are plenty of great television shows around, you just need to know where to look for them.

Rialto Channel is a good place to start, This month you’ll see the finale of the stunning Rectify (every Wednesday night at 8.30pm). A cinematically filmed, character driven television series about a man released after almost two decades living in solitude in death row, it stars Aussie actor Aden Young. The series has been both a critical and commercial success for Sundance Channel, who have commissioned a second series. 

Following the conclusion of Rectify, another television series begins on Wednesday evenings; the beautifully shot and creepy French zombie series Rebound. I’ve only watch one episode and I’m gripped. With music from Scottish band Mogwai and hyper realistic visuals, Rebound is incredibly stylish. Described as a mix between Lost and Twin Peaks, it’s set in a small picturesque Alpine village where several years earlier a school bus filled with students went off the road and killed all on board. As the community prepares to erect a memorial strange events begin to happen - the dead return to their homes and lives as if nothing has happened. It’s clear from just one episode that there are many dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of the town, and I can’t wait for them to be revealed. 

British ITV1’s drama Mrs Biggs launches on Monday 12th August. The series tells the true story of Charmian Biggs and her romance with Ronald Biggs, and the impact on their family of Ronald’s involvement in 1963’s Great Train Robbery.
It’s a fascinating story made more interesting by being told from Charmian’s point of view. From the daughter of a strict headmaster to wife of a notorious criminal, we follow Mrs Biggs as she flees Britain for Australia and then Brazil as she attempts to keep her family together. Sheridan Smith, better known for her comedy roles (Gavin & Stacey and The Royle Family), is fabulous as Charmian and her performance was awarded the 2013 Bafta for leading actress.

Also screening throughout August is the 40th series of England’s best-loved music show Later…with Jools Holland (Wednesday’s 7.25pm). On air for over 20 years, anyone with an interest in music knows live music shows don’t get much better than this.

See, no shortage of good television. Enjoy.