Last year's TV saw an outpouring of female lead dramas. From The Handmaid's Tale to Doctor Foster, Motherland to Big Little Lies, the fact that women were finally in the spotlight on our small screens became a talking point.

Unfortunately ITV didn't quite hit the mark – their flagship drama of last year Liar, dwelled in the rare and extremely muddy the waters of false rape claims, and was roundly criticised.

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But with a new year comes fresh starts. And ITV is starting 2018 with a comedy about three women coming to terms with the passage of time – despite all the pilates, mindfulness apps and supplements they can get their hands on – written and directed by BAFTA winner Kay Mellor (The Syndicate, In The Club).

Following Linda, Sue and Gail, Girlfriends is about female friendship and the nightmare of growing old. Expect to see each woman's story laid out in toe-curling detail, as the three friends are united by the sudden death of Linda's husband.

Starring Miranda Richardson, Zoe Wanamaker and Phyllis Logan, hopes are high that ITV will get it right this year and give us a comedy that is both touching, honest and rip-roaringly funny.