On Demand
Special Ops: Lioness (Paramount+, from Sun)
If you fancy a star-laden spy thriller series packed with excitement, then you’re in the right place. It’s the brainchild of Yellowstone’s co-creator and writer, Taylor Sheridan, and is inspired by an actual US military programme. Zoe Saldana heads the cast as Joe, who has to fight to maintain the balance between her home life and her role as a CIA operative on the frontline of the war on terror. Her bosses decide to bring in an aggressive Marine named Cruz (Laysa De Oliveira) to work undercover alongside Joe, placing their lives in danger as they attempt to avert the next 9/11-style attack. Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman are among the supporting cast, which also includes Michael Kelly and Dave Annable.
Futurama (Disney+, from Mon)
When it comes to creating animated hits, few people do it better or more successfully than Matt Groening. He’ll perhaps always be best known for The Simpsons, but he also includes this sci-fi smash-hit on his CV. It’s had a somewhat sporadic history; the show’s original run ran from 1999-2003, then returned from 2008-2013 before being axed. Now, after a 10-year hiatus, the series is making a welcome comeback, and like Groening’s previous hit, Netflix’s Disenchantment, it’s been picked up by a streaming giant, this time Disney+. Although little has been said about Fry and co’s adventures, it’s been hinted that they’ll be faced by such topics as vaccines, Amazon’s Alexa, manscaping and cryptocurrency.
The Lady of Silence: The Mataviejitas Murders (Netflix, from Thu)
The latest in a long line of true-crime documentaries from the streaming giant is arguably its most incredible yet – it features one of those stories that proves that sometimes, fact really is stranger than fiction. At its centre is Juana Barraza, a relatively rare example of a female serial killer. Born in Hidalgo, Mexico, she had a torrid, abusive childhood and had a spell as a professional wrestler before turning to murder. Nobody knows the exact number of her victims, but it’s estimated between 42 to 48; all of them were women aged 60 or over, many of whom lived alone. In 2006, Barraza was eventually caught, but as this programme reveals, it was a long and difficult process, with many cases still unresolved.
Good Omens (Prime, from Fri)
Fresh from averting the Apocalypse, angel Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) and demon Crowley (David Tennant) are getting back to easy living amongst mortals in London’s Soho. Until the archangel Gabriel (Jon Hamm) turns up unexpectedly at the door of Aziraphale’s bookshop with no memory of who he is or how he got there, that is. While Crowley is leery as to why the archangel has come to the bookshop, Aziraphale is keen to solve the mystery behind Gabriel’s condition. However, hiding their guest from both Heaven and Hell quickly disrupts their lives in unforeseen ways. To solve this mystery and thwart both sides in the process, the duo will need more than a miracle: they’ll need to once again rely on each other.
How to Become a Cult Leader (Netflix, from Fri)
A current Home and Away storyline involves a cult which seems to have gone largely unnoticed despite being on Summer Bay’s doorstep. It may sound like a highly unlikely thing to have happened, but if this documentary is anything to go by, it might not be that wide of the mark. Narrated by Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage (who is also among the production’s executive producers), it examines the rise and fall of six cult leaders, including the infamous Charles Manson, who was depicted in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and whose ‘Family’ members murdered rising star Sharon Tate and her friends in 1969. On a lighter note there’s also a tongue-in-cheek guide to attracting followers.
Saturday, 22/7/2023
Live Challenge Cup Rugby League (BBC One, 2pm)
Thanks to strong performances from the likes of Lachlan Lam, John Asiata and Josh Charnley, coach Adrian Lam’s Leigh Leopards are riding high in the Super League table and now have a chance of making it to Wembley and winning the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1971. Standing between Leigh and a place in the showpiece final on August 12 are the all-conquering St Helens. It has been a mixed season for Paul Wellens’ men so far, but few would bet against Jack Welsby, Mark Percival and co coming good at the right time again and making it to another final.
Moneyball (ITV1, 8pm)
In 2021, when the first series of this cracking game show aired, there was a whiff of scepticism about whether former footballer-turned-pundit Ian Wright could pull it off as a presenter. More than one million viewers came for the celebrity host but they stayed for the most tense Saturday night game show ever, as the roll of a ball determined whether players won a life-changing amount of money or went home with nothing. Wrighty is back for this second series and contestants are set to participate in pairs – doubling the tension.
Casualty (BBC1, 8.25pm)
This long-running drama has never shied away from the realities of the NHS, but just in case there are some viewers out there tired of hearing about overworked staff, this episode should make them pay attention. Donna fights to get through a run of back-to-back shifts at the ED and several challenging cases. However, disaster ensues when exhaustion takes its toll. Meanwhile, Iain offers to support Faith with her recovery, Sah comes clean to Teddy, and Jan regrets her recent actions when she realises what it’s done to her relationship with Ffion.
Becoming Elizabeth (C4, 9.15pm)
The second part of this gorgeous period drama exploring the early years of England’s most iconic queen opens at Christmas, and Protestant Edward and his Catholic half-sister Mary are at odds following a controversial play mocking the Pope. As the anti-Catholicism sentiment at court grows, Edward pleads with Mary to change her faith. Meanwhile, she is busy warning Elizabeth about Catherine Parr and suggests she come and live with her. At the same time, Mary asks her half-sister to support the Catholic faith but is aghast when she refuses, while Thomas Seymour’s relationship with Elizabeth becomes increasingly intimate. Alicia Von Rittberg and Romola Garai head the cast as Elizabeth and Mary.
The Who at the Electric Proms (BBC2, 10pm)
Say what you like about rock gods from the 1960s and 1970s, they’ve got staying power. This evening of programmes dedicated to the veteran group includes The Who at the Electric Proms, revisiting their 2006 performance at Camden’s Roundhouse, where the set included My Generation, Baba O’Riley and Pinball Wizard, as well as material from the band’s mini-opera Wire and Glass. It’s followed by Quadrophenia, a drama inspired by the Who album of the same name; Phil Daniels, Sting and Leslie Ash star in the story of a teenager in 1960s London who thinks he’s found a place to belong among the Mod subculture. The evening is rounded off with The Who at Glastonbury, where the old dogs showed Worthy Farm they were full of new tricks.
Crime (ITV1, 10pm)
There’s so much to enjoy about this drama, created by Irvine Welsh, not least the Emmy award-winning performance from Dougray Scott as DI Ray Lennox. The gripping storyline and top-drawer support from Joanna Vanderham combine to make it must-see TV. A second run has been made, but we’ll have to wait and see if Welsh’s third series, which he’s already written, makes it to the small screen. In the meantime, Lennox closes in on the area where the killer keeps his van as he continues his investigation. John Simm and Laura Fraser also feature.
Sunday, 23/7/2023
Athletics: Diamond League London (BBC One, 1.15pm)
The best athletes on the planet – including British star Dina Asher-Smith – make their eagerly anticipated return to the London Stadium in the Anniversary Games. Asher-Smith, who won the 200m world title in 2019, is searching for top form ahead of next month’s World Championships in Budapest, and faces formidable opposition in Stratford, with Jamaican Shericka Jackson and the USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson also set to compete. In addition to Asher-Smith, home fans will also be roaring on Olympic and world silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson in the 800m and Eilish McColgan in the 5000m.
Beethoven’s Ninth at the Proms (BBC Four, 8pm)
Beethoven’s mighty ‘Choral’ Symphony, with its famous ‘Ode to Joy’ finale, is performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and new Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth in the first of their two Proms together this season. The symphony’s monumental, revolutionary musical statement – seizing hope and happiness from doubt and struggle – is picked up in Helen Grime’s Proms commission Meditations on Joy, whose three movements are each inspired by a different poem and facet of joy.
World on Fire (BBC1, 9pm)
We had to bide our time for the second series of this good-looking, if not entirely historically accurate, drama but it’s been well worth the wait. After last week’s opener, flitting between Manchester and Egypt, the story continues as Harry struggles to adapt to the reality of desert combat, while Lois still yearns to leave home. Over in Paris, Henriette finds herself in grave danger and a mysterious stranger arrives at Robina’s. The superb cast includes Jonah Hauer-King, Lesley Manville and Julia Brown.
A Spy Among Friends (ITV1, 9pm)
A betrayal among any close-knit group can have devastating effects, even in this digital age: just look at the Wagatha Christie affair. This sombre drama has been elegantly exploring the impact of British spy Kim Philby’s (Guy Pearce) unmasking as a double agent, demonstrating how it affected MI6 officer Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis), as well as the wider intelligence community. We reach the halfway point with this episode, as Philby slowly begins to understand that the KGB can never fully trust him now that he is in Moscow, and as far as they’re concerned, his life as a spy for them is over. Meanwhile, in London, Elliot warns Anthony Blunt that his cover has been blown, and Lily learns more about Angleton.
Our Guy In Colombia (C4, 9pm)
Can Colombia, one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse nations, escape its long history of drugs and violence? Guy Martin aims to find out. He endures the kidnap training given to politicians and tests bullet-proof clothing by being shot at point-blank range with live ammunition. He then heads into the Amazon, landing at an airfield created by Pablo Escobar and meeting thedrugs kingpin’s nephew, before exploring Colombia’s cocaine trade and finding out how easy it is to buy drugs in the city of Medellin.
Queer as Folk US (C4, 11pm)
In 1999, a new drama series about three gay men in Manchester hit the small screen. It ran for two seasons and, at the time, received a mixed response from critics, but has since gone on to be regarded as a classic. There’s no surprise that creator Russell T Davies welcomed the 2000 US reboot of Queer as Folk, dubbing it the “ultimate compliment”. Now it’s back again for another US iteration, this time set in New Orleans. It begins with a double bill and follows a group of friends whose lives are changed by a shooting at a gay nightclub. The gang struggles to regain a sense of normality, with some members deciding to move in together. Perhaps a party can help lift the mood. Devin Way and Jesse James Keitel are among the cast.
Monday, 24/7/2023
The Brokenwood Mysteries (Drama, 8pm)
New Zealand’s answer to Midsomer Murders is back for its ninth season, as gruff detective DSS Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and his cynical second-in-command DC Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) return to solve more cases in the small, peaceful community of Brokenwood. In tonight’s opener, the team is called in when a musical theatre performance reenacting the North Island town’s history goes horrifically awry. The composer has been electrocuted on stage, but was it murder or just an unfortunate accident?
Gregg Wallace: The British Miracle Meat (C4, 8.30pm)
The presenter examines a pioneering and controversial lab-grown ‘miracle meat’ that, its makers claim, is cheaper and tastier than its rivals. Gregg meets everyone involved in production, from the CEO to ordinary workers, and explores its makers’ claims that it could help people save money. He then heads to two-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche in London for a taste test with Michel Roux Jr, while Michelle Ackerley visits Borough Market with a plate of samples to hear what people make of the taste.
Earth (BBC2, 9pm)
We may be facing record high temperatures, but here, Chris Packham looks back to Earth’s distant past when almost the entire planet froze, becoming a snowball in the dark void of space. He reveals how this journey started 800 million years ago with fire, not ice, as the giant supercontinent Rodinia broke up, resulting in huge amounts of carbon dioxide being sucked from the atmosphere and sending global temperatures plummeting. The very first forms of complex species were evolving but, as the planet froze to the equator, their days appeared numbered. Happily, after 50 million years, volcanic eruptions drove a great thaw, and life made a giant leap from the microscopic to the first animals big enough to see and touch.
Long Lost Family (ITV1, 9pm)
Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell host as cameras follow two women’s very different stories. Rachel Burch is searching for her Jamaican-born birth father, as well as any family member whose lived experience has been like her own, while Sue Davis is on the hunt for the half-brother her mother gave up for adoption after his American serviceman father went home and off the radar following the Second World War. Sue reveals her mum asked her not to look for the boy until after her death, and calls on the team for help.
The Unique Boutique (C4, 10pm)
Fashion may be everywhere but it’s certainly not for everyone, as this four-parter reveals. Adaptive designer Victoria, stylist and model Triple Minor, body confidence coach Natalie, and celebrity stylist David hear the physical, psychological and financial challenges people have faced finding clothing from conventional retailers, before creating an especially adapted outfit. First up are prom queen Emma-Jane, who craves a dress that won’t catch on her wheels as she traverses the catwalk, Huw wants a new look to help rekindle his love life and a style that works for him as an ambulatory wheelchair user, and cancer patient Lisa, whose body changes have left her wardrobe unfit for purpose.
We Hunt Together (BBC1, regions vary)
It’s the penultimate episode of this thriller series which has hooked just about the entire nation. Here, Freddy tells Baba her darkest secret and enlists his help one last time. However, as fragments of her past push back to the surface, she begins to lose her grip on the truth. Meanwhile, in London, Jackson and Lola finally appear to have all pieces of the puzzle, but only time will tell if they will be able to save the next victim before they meet a sticky end. Hermione Corfield and Dipo Ola star.
Tuesday, 25/7/2023
Home Sweet Rome (CBBC, 9.15am)
This music-driven comedy drama, based on a concept by the creator of Hannah Montana, Michael Poryes, focuses on 13-year-old Lucy (Kensington Tallman), who moves from America to start a new life in Rome with her archaeologist dad (Darrin Rose) and stepmother, Italian pop star Francesca (Eleonora Facchini). In today’s second episode, Lucy takes Francesca’s advice to forget her problems at school by attending her first big red carpet event. Lucy loves all the fashion and the free shrimp, but she’s surprised when her school troubles follow her to the big event.
Bake Off: The Professionals (C4, 8pm)
Liam Charles and Ellie Taylor oversee the action as six teams fight to produce 36 perfect Prinsesstarta alongside a chocolate amenity. With no recipes to follow, it’s going to take using all their knowledge and experience to pull the first task off. In the second challenge, the hopefuls must transform bread and butter pudding into an incredible fine-dining experience with their showpiece, accompanied by towering and edible sculptures. As always, judging their efforts are Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden.
Live: Lost Dogs with Clare Balding (C5, 8pm)
Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged good and hard as national treasure Clare Balding does her best to rally the support of the Great British public to help reunite some lost dogs with their owners. Meanwhile, Radzi Chinyanganya discovers more about the search and rescue of terrier Millie with a little help from a specialist drone team, vet Mark Abraham covers the facts and myths about microchipping our dogs, and JB Gill heads to Cornwall for a spot of training with some rather clever sniffer dogs.
Your Home Made Perfect (BBC2, 8pm)
Angela Scanlon hosts as architects Damion Burrows and Lynsey Elliott come up with virtual reality solutions for Rickmansworth couple Caitriona and Kevin. They were thrilled to move from a tiny flat to a three-bedroom house in Hertfordshire. However, they quickly discovered there is no comfortable family space downstairs, the kitchen is cramped and their growing twins squabble over which of them has to sleep in the tiny box room every night. As always, only one of Damion or Lynsey’s computer-generated designs will be turned into a reality. When the final reveal takes place, it will be interesting to see whether the property’s problems have been fixed and if so, the tricks the architects used to solve them.
Manhunt: Search For the Cop Killer (C5, 9pm)
Many major events took place in Britain in 1982: our troops landed on the Falkland Islands after the Argentinian invasion, the Pope visited the UK for the first time since 1531 and, for 18 days, Barry Prudom was the country’s most wanted man after he fatally shot two police officers during a terrifying, violent spree. This documentary chronicles the massive manhunt to find Prudom, retracing the events that unfolded and his eventual demise, using unseen archive footage and dramatic reconstruction.
The Sixth Commandment (BBC1, 9pm)
There can be something a bit icky about true crime dramas, but this utterly compelling series, written by Sarah Phelps and made in full cooperation with Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin’s families, is straight out of the top drawer. It concludes here, as Ben Field stands trial for Peter Farquhar’s murder and conspiring to murder Ann Moore-Martin. After a long day in court, tensions rise between Ann-Marie and Simon as the press descend, while Ben remains unflappable in the face of cross-examination. As the curtain goes up on the final day, the hunt is on for the final piece of the puzzle that can prove murder was committed. Eanna Hardwicke, Ben Bailey Smith and Annabel Scholey are among the cast.
Wednesday, 26/7/2023
Dorset: Country and Coast (C5, 8pm)
You’d think, considering the number of programmes Channel 5 broadcasts that are set in Yorkshire, that Alan Titchmarsh would narrate one of those. Maybe he will eventually, but for now, his instantly recognisable tones are adding information and colour to this new series which, as you’ve probably already guessed, takes viewers on a tour of Dorset. It begins by going fossil-hunting at Lyme Regis before we accompany chef and restaurateur Mark Hix on a fishing trip and take a look around Mapperton House’s superb gardens.
The Great British Sewing Bee (BBC1, 9pm)
The only problem with this competition is that it doesn’t last quite long enough – we’d love to see more sewers being put through their paces by judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant before the final comes around. Nevertheless, we’re still looking forward to witnessing which of the remaining contestants will be crowned this year’s winner by host Sara Pascoe. The tasks begin with a Victoriana-style evening dress, followed by an attempt to turn women’s party wear into something Billy Porter might wear on the red carpet. Finally, a Met Gala-style dress features in the made-to-measure.
Dial M for Middlesbrough (BBC2, 9pm)
Following the success of Murder on the Blackpool Express and Death on the Tyne, comedian and writer Jason Cook came up with a third film in the series – and this is the result. Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson reprise their roles as bus driver Terry and tour organiser Gemma, whose latest jaunt ends in disaster when the coach breaks down in a remote area just outside Middlesbrough during a massive thunderstorm. Everyone takes shelter at the rundown Shady Creek Caravan Park – and almost immediately wish they hadn’t. Joanna Page, Sally Lindsay, Jason Donovan and Phil Davis co-star.
999: Critical Condition (Channel 5, 9pm)
Michael is rushed into resus with a significant laceration to his head having plummeted 15 feet onto concrete. Each time that Trauma Team leader, Richard Fawcett attempts to remove the dressing to examine his wound, Michael’s head begins to bleed even more heavily – can they stem the bleed before his condition deteriorates even further? Also tonight, it’s all hands-on-deck as 38-year-old Nathan is admitted after suffering a number of life-threatening fits. Confused and disorientated, he has a significant pain in his head and Trauma Team Leader Hari Mandava, is worried that his patient has suffered a bleed in his brain.
David Bowie: Cracked Actor (BBC4, 10pm)
Earlier this month, fans and surviving members of the Spiders from Mars gathered at the Hammersmith Apollo to watch newly-restored footage of David Bowie’s final performance as his most famous alter ego, Ziggy Stardust. The event took place on the concert’s 50th anniversary, and although a little late to the party, this evening of Bowie-related entertainment ties in with it. The fun begins with David Bowie: Cracked Actor, another chance to see Alan Yentob’s documentary charting the singer-songwriter’s 1974 Diamond Dogs tour. It’s followed by Baal with Bowie, an offbeat take on Bertolt Brecht’s play; an introduction to the production from co-star Zoe Wanamaker precedes it. If you’re in the mood for more, don’t miss David Bowie at the BBC Radio Theatre, which is on Friday’s BBC Four at 10pm.
The Girl from Plainville (C4, 10pm)
In 2014, 18-year-old American Conrad Roy III took his own life. A high school athlete with good grades, he was somewhat troubled, having attempted suicide two years previously following his parents’ divorce. The same year, he met Michelle Carter who, despite the fact they lived only around 35 miles apart, conducted their relationship mostly by text and email. It was these messages that proved crucial later in court when it was revealed that Carter had encouraged him to kill himself before he did so. This eight-part drama follows the events leading up to Roy’s death and Carter’s subsequent conviction for involuntary manslaughter. Elle Fanning and Colton Ryan play the main protagonists; Chloe Sevigny and Cara Buono co-star.
Thursday, 27/7/2023
Today at the Test (BBC Two, 7pm)
Over the past few weeks, cricket fans have been treated to a truly captivating Ashes series, as England and Australia have battled it out in epic Test matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley and Old Trafford. Today, the action moved onto the Kia Oval in London as the final match in the series gets under way. Ben Stokes’ England will be hoping to end the Test cricket summer on a high, but it won’t be easy against Pat Cummins’ Aussies, who have already played here this year in this format, defeating India by 209 runs in June to win the ICC World Test Championship.
Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death (C5, 9pm)
More from the University Hospitals Birmingham as cameras follow life-saving operations, and the stakes could hardly be higher. Maxillofacial surgeon Sat Parmar deals with an incredibly rare and delicate case, as 17-year-old Jessica presents with cancer of the soft palette. Chemo is not usually effective in this region, so surgery is her only option. Despite the fact that the cancer would ultimately kill her, the operation is so complex, that it may well do the same. How does one make such a decision? Meanwhile, 37-year-old Dan faces an agonising wait. He has been diagnosed with a condition which causes his liver and bile ducts to fail, and needs a transplant. A potential donor is found, but everyone needs to act fast.
David Harewood on Blackface (BBC2, 9pm)
The Homeland star’s ancestors were slaves owned by the Harewood family; now, thanks to a conversation with the present Earl of Harewood, his portrait hangs in the family’s ancestral home Harewood House in Leeds. When it comes to issues of race, the actor is not one to shy away from difficult conversations, and often he is apt to ensure a positive outcome stems from these discussions. This new hour-long film charts the history of minstrelsy, from its origins in early 19th-century America, crossing the Atlantic to Britain, through to more regrettably recent examples. Harewood will seek to understand how minstrelsy ingrained harmful stereotypes in culture, why it endured, and what effect it has on him and others.
Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC1, regions vary)
Lesley Manville has portrayed all manner of protagonists in dramas set throughout history – from an 18th-century brothel madam in Harlots to the real-life Princess Margaret in The Crown. However, she might be about to find even more interesting historical characters in her own family tree. On her mother’s side, Lesley uncovers a complex tale involving wartime separation, adultery and the inaccessibility of divorce, while her father’s line leads to a political agitator who was arrested and sent to Australia.
Murder in the Family (ITV1, 9pm)
This week’s edition of the harrowing true-crime documentary series focuses on the case of Kelly Fitzgibbons and her two children, who were shot dead by her husband. The programme draws on intimate family footage and exclusive interviews with people close to the case, as it tries to ascertain why this terrible crime was committed. It’s the final case of this run, and one of the hardest to watch. All three episodes have been very victim-focused, and this one is primarily concerned with the lives that were needlessly and tragically lost.
The Supervet: Noel Fitzpatrick (C4, 9pm)
You can’t get more British than a Bedlington terrier named Muffin. Except perhaps a Bedlington terrier named Muffin who also loves a cup of tea, and just such a brew-guzzling pooch is in Fitzpatrick Referrals this week. Muffin has a broken front leg – her third in just four years. Veterinary surgeon Professor Noel Fitzpatrick diagnoses an innate weakness leading to a limb deformity, but must remove an existing plate from a previous failed repair before inserting two new ones to correct the problem
Friday, 28/7/2023
Susan Calman’s Grand Week by the Sea (Channel 5, 8pm)
On the first trip of a new series, Susan heads to Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, braving the dizzying heights of a Ferris Wheel before rewarding herself with a visit to the arcade. Back on the pier she has a go at making candy floss before meeting up with comedian Nina Wadia, who reminisces about her first trip to Clacton in her teens. Susan and Nina battle it out on the pier’s water dodgems, before Nina takes the ultimate pony hack – on the beach. After Susan checks out a traditional hotel, there’s time to squeeze in a game of beachside lawn bowls.
Bollywood at the Proms (BBC4, 8pm)
The Proms pays tribute to the Nightingale of India and Queen of Melody Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary Bollywood playback singer who died last year, aged 92, and whose voice was the soundtrack for generations of cinema-goers. Lata’s legacy is celebrated by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with superstar singers Palak and Palash Muchhal, who mark the immense career and catalogue of the extraordinary, era-defining artist. The programme includes Lag Ja Gale, Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, and more.
Reframed: Marilyn Monroe (BBC2, 9pm)
She was the ordinary girl who sprang from nowhere to become the most famous woman in the world. Narrated by Jessica Chastain and featuring a star-studded cast of female voices, this fascinating four-part series re-examines actress Marilyn Monroe’s fascinating story to uncover themes of feminism, sexuality and power that continue to drive the cultural conversation today. The first edition follows a young Norma Jeane Mortenson as she shows talent and audacity and dreams of stardom. After her first audition at Fox Studios, the head of casting suggests she change her name, and Marilyn Monroe is born. Meanwhile, peers like Joan Collins and Ellen Burstyn, who competed in the same sexist studio system as Marilyn did in the 1950s, reflect on how women were treated in Hollywood.
Riches (ITV1, 9pm)
Nina follows Stephen’s trail as she searches for the missing money and finds a startling piece of information that he had uncovered before he died. While Maureen gives a chuffed Andre a word of warning at the office, doubts emerge as Alesha and Gus begin to realise the true nature of their roles under the new investors. With demons from her past emerging, Claudia is forced to reconsider the investment deal when Nina presents her with findings from her trip. Then, to everyone’s surprise – particularly Andre – Claudia calls a shareholders’ meeting which changes the imminent future of Flair & Glory.
Yellowstone (C5, 9pm)
Following last week’s explosive opener, the governor’s autopsy report implicates Kayce in Robert’s murder, and John tries to keep the evidence from going public by cremating Lee’s body. He also convinces Federal agents to stay quiet, but the county shares the results with the tribal police. Meanwhile, as Thomas senses an opportunity to remove the Duttons, Kayce discovers dinosaur bones and decides to leave Montana for the Navy. Then, when Monica confronts Kayce about Robert’s murder, they discover a meth lab.
The Power of Parker (BBC1, 9.30pm)
The late 1980s and early 90s were a time of great change, but not everyone was feeling optimistic about the future. Take Martin (Conleth Hill), the lead character in this new six-part comedy set in Manchester in 1990. He’s an ambitious self-made impresario, described as having ‘the ambition of Alan Sugar and the swagger of Kilroy Silk’. However, in reality, the greedy businessman is swimming in debt and his complicated private life is about to catch up with him. Those plotting Martin’s downfall include his wife Diane (Rosie Cavaliero), father-in-law Dougie (George Costigan), mobile hairdresser Kath (Sian Gibson) and Kath’s best friend Gladys (Sheila Reid). Tonight, Kath is planning her anniversary celebrations, while Diane is worried she’s not got enough cheese for the soiree she’s organising.
