The Ganges with Sue Perkins

Journeying along the Ganges from mangroves and mountain towns to bustling cities, this Indian travel documentary series tells a wealth of stories and illustrates them with some spectacular scenery. Whether its far-reaching heady mountain views, or the interiors of surprisingly ornate homes, The Ganges with Sue Perkins is vivid and varied and does well to pack so much in to three episodes without losing too much depth. The show doesn't shy away from social and environmental issues either. From pollution to sexual violence, the series goes beyond the basic area-guide feel of some similar programs.

Comedian and presenter Perkins is known for her quick-witted humor on panel shows and numerous bun puns on The Great British Baking Show. But here it's moments of genuine connection and emotional vulnerability that make the most impact as she travels through the various Indian communities along the sacred river. In fact, there's a glibness to her Western jokes that feels uncomfortable and disconnected at times, such as when she asks in a shop, "What's your best-selling God?" or sings "three sherpas in a bed." It's when she opens up about grieving for her father, revisits a child living on the streets that she met on a previous trip, or connects with the brave women of the Green Gang in a small village, that she resonates most strongly on-screen, taking viewers on a much more rewarding journey.