Ruth Jones’s Welsh generational saga, Joanna Bagniewska’s real-life fantastic beasts and Simon Morden’s Mars exploration

A four-decade-long tale of female friendship; an investigation into the ‘manosphere’; and children’s fascinating questions about death

Jones’s first novel, about the destructive effects of a love affair, is a far cry from the brilliance of her TV writing

Ruth Jones’s new series offers optimism and the warm blanket of community to soothe life’s mishaps – perfect for watching with mother-in-law, says Sam Wollaston