It has been a decidedly unremarkable winter so far with the Christmas schedule stacked with repeats and very few new films being shown.

If like me you are not a big fan of reality television and prefer original action or drama then ‘Homeland’ could be the one for you.

This new US thriller stars Claire Danes (Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Stardust’) and Damian Lewis (‘Band of Brothers’, ‘Life’) and sees a soldier: Marine Sergeant Nicholas Brody (Lewis) left for dead in Iraq who is rescued after eight years in captivity, and a CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Danes) a driven (and possibly unstable) CIA officer who suspects he might be plotting an attack on America.

The buzz from America is very positive with excellent reviews and high ratings so this one looks worth investing the next few weeks in it.

‘Homeland’ begins its run on Sunday 19 February and can be seen on Channel 4 at 9pm.