Outcasts (BBC1)

The first three episodes of BBC's new science-fiction drama have shown real promise, but left me with questions beyond those its makers were intending to pose.

Outcasts charts the progress of the inhabitants of Forthaven, the first pioneer settlement on the planet of Carpathia, following some as yet unnamed catastrophe that has rendered continued life on Earth untenable. These settlers have been chosen for their usefulness to society, which apparently means scientists, law enforcers, and soldiers. Not a banker in sight.

It's a real ensemble piece, there's no obvious main protagonist, and it's hard as yet to place who is the emotional centre of the series. President Richard Tate (Liam Cunningham) is the noble, but imperfect leader; Stella Isen (Hermione Norris) is Tate's head of Protection and Security (PAS), desperate to rebuilt a relationship with her daughter Lily who arrived on the latest transporter; Cass Cromwell (Daniel Mays) and Fleur Morgan (Amy Manson) are PAS officers tasked with upholding the values of the new society, and Jack Holt (Ashley Walters) is the hot-headed leader of the Forthaven's armed force, the Expeditionaries.

DVD & Blu-ray Round Up: Lost - The Complete Sixth Season

When Lost was first imported to our shores by Channel Four back in 2005 it came with a blaze of hype and publicity. Not only was it the most expensive TV production ever (the feature-length series opener alone cost a reported $10m), but it had received rave reviews in the US where the first season had been a huge success.

6 million British viewers tuned in to find out what all the fuss was about on it's debut (which was scheduled next to another now defunct TV phenomenon). The series quickly attracted a dedicated fanbase returning each week to follow the story of the survivors of Oceanic flight 815 on the dark and duplicitous Island.