You, Me and the Apocalypse

Sharp writing and deft comic turns from actors beloved in Britain and the U.S. (this show is a joint production between the two countries) makes the end of the world look like a lot of fun in this madcap comedy. The setting is a bit cliché, as is the idea of beginning with a group of characters in dire straits and then pulling back to show how they got that way. But the situations, characters, plot twists, and jokes are as fresh as they come, which livens up the proceedings considerably. It turns out that though we've all seen dramas and comedies about the end of humanity, this one's welcome. The setup is intriguing, with difficult-to-encapsulate plot points that revolve around government secrets, computer espionage, religious prophecy, shadowy conspiracies, and a hidden bunker where a tiny group of people might survive to repopulate the earth.

But all that plot would be nothing without engaging characters doing interesting things inside that world, and Apocalypse has many of those: Scodellaro as the patient and earnest Sister Celine and Mullally as a go-for-broke schemer are standouts, but there are plenty of other characters to like here, since the show builds a rich and well-populated universe. A fine comedy, and mild enough for families if kids aren't too small to be scared by the premise.