Murdaugh: Death in the Family is a parable of privilege perfect for our times

Murdaugh: Death in the Family
Disney+, from Wednesday
A perfectly timed drama about the sense of impunity that comes with being rich, white and American. It’s an adaptation of Mandy Matney’s podcast, which followed the unravelling of a legal dynasty in South Carolina. At its heart is bullying patriarch Alex Murdaugh (Jason Clarke), an attorney whose desire to present himself as a straight shooter barely conceals shady business practices and, eventually, murder. The catalyst is a speedboat accident caused by Alex’s drunkard son Paul – but the story spirals into a gripping parable in which entitlement finally collides with real consequences. As Alex reminds everyone before his fall: “Just because you don’t want to pay a bill, doesn’t mean it isn’t due.” Phil Harrison

The Chair Company
Monday, 9.45pm, Sky Comedy
Tim Robinson uses his hilariously odd brand of comedy to give a voice to anyone who refuses to let go of the real injustices of the world. In this case, it’s an office chair that breaks under newly promoted William Ronald Trosper (Robinson) when he gives a speech to his colleagues. He goes to great lengths to track down the chair company’s customer services and complain – but instead finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy. Hollie Richardson

Witches of Essex
Tuesday, 9pm, Sky History
Rylan returns to his old stomping ground of Chelmsford – which he also calls “witchcraft ground zero” – for this three-part series in which he revisits old local witch trials. First up, he takes us back to the Elizabethan era, when a poor family of three women faced the death penalty. What was going on at the time to make this happen? Prof Alice Roberts helps Rylan investigate. HR

The Iris Affair
Thursday, 9pm, Sky Atlantic
There’s a propulsive shock opening to this cat-and-mouse thriller starring Niamh Algar and Tom Hollander (above). Iris Nixon (Algar) is an elusive puzzle-solving genius who is invited by entrepreneur Cameron Beck (Hollander) to solve her biggest puzzle yet: a mind-blowing piece of technology with terrifying powers. But when Iris finds the device’s activation sequence, she goes on the run with it – and an action-packed chase around Italy ensues. HR

Mr Scorsese
Apple TV+, from Friday
A giant of cinema receives the documentary he deserves in a five-parter that is expansive in intention and has brilliantly intimate insight. Via interviews with the man himself and wonderful archive footage, director Rebecca Miller paints a vivid picture of Martin Scorsese. The sections exploring his early life – a creative but fragile kid, internalising a heady New York cocktail of violence, Catholicism and organised crime – are particularly fascinating. They offer a clue to the roots of a question that Scorsese has approached from a variety of angles throughout his career: “What are we? Are we intrinsically good or evil?” PH

For local listings and availability, visit justwatch.com.