It seemed like an eternity before there was so much as a perfunctory rummage in the crinolines. Although not a “real” Bridgerton series (inspired by the Julia Quinn novels), it’s the first since last year’s second series of Bridgerton: an underwhelming, froth-free Regency cappuccino that was also weirdly (off-brand) unsexy. Over on Netflix there’s the six-part spin-off/prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Watch out for Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham swishing in as the predatory, cobra-eyed Lady Bellaston.

There’s a Moll Flanders-style earthiness to Tom’s dalliances (“Try to keep it in your britches!”), and the cast (including Shirley Henderson and Pearl Mackie) is strong and game. While ITV’s Tom Jones seems to aim for the spry comic cadence of something like The Great, it doesn’t quite get there. A poacher’s cottage resembles an Airbnb top pick our hero cavorts about like he’s in some Georgian-era One Direction video. If anything, the 18th century looks somewhat oversanitised, as if dipped in Dettol. Going by the two episodes available for preview, for once a period text hasn’t been “darkly reimagined” for the gory modern palate. In the spirit of diverse casting, she is transformed into the Jamaican-born granddaughter of the vulgar Squire Western (Alun Armstrong gurning in full toby jug mode), and also serves as narrator. Tom’s illegitimacy also threatens his chances with heiress Sophia (Sophie Wilde). Lusty, good-hearted Tom’s foes – notably Allworthy’s malignant snooty nephew (James Wilbraham) – delight in reminding him of his “beggarly bastard” status.

American queen book