Live performances and conversations in breathtaking historical landmarks
TV WEEK (Wednesday 25th to Tuesday 1st)
Ludwig (BBC 1, Wednesday 25th, 9pm)
Puzzle setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor’s life of solitude is upended when his identical twin, Detective Inspector James Taylor, disappears. Drafted in by his sister-in-law, John reluctantly assumes his brother’s identity as a detective in the Cambridge Police Authority in order to find clues to his brother’s whereabouts.
Wynonna Earp: Vengeance (Sky Sci-Fi, Wednesday 25th, 9pm)
The hard-living, demon-slaying, anti-heroine and great-great granddaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp, Wynonna, returns, again, to her hometown of Purgatory to battle her greatest foe yet: a psychotic villainess hellbent on revenge against Wynonna – and everyone she loves.
Brassic (Sky Max, Thursday 26th, 10pm)
After an epic end to the last season, the gang are back with as much wild adventure and hilarity as ever. Reeling from the explosive encounter with Manolito, they set about getting their lives back in order. But what does ‘growing up’ mean to a bunch like this?
Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar (BBC 2, Friday 27th, 9pm)
Actor, feminist, business mogul, activist: Elizabeth Taylor broke the mould and re-wrote the rules of celebrity. Told through unheard tapes and by close family and friends, including Kim Kardashian and Dame Joan Collins, this is her story as never heard before.
Rebus (RTÉ 1, Tuesday 1st, 10.15pm)
In Edinburgh’s murky underbelly, DS Rebus is drawn into a violent criminal conflict that turns personal. A dark, fresh take on author Ian Rankin’s iconic character, as a violent street attack is investigated by Rebus and new detective Siobhan Clarke. However, it’s John’s family that pose unexpected problems, along with an awkward affair.
WATCH OF THE WEEK
The Graham Norton Show (BBC 1, Friday 27th, 10.40pm)
Graham is back with a first-time welcome to Hollywood great Demi Moore; music superstar and actor Lady Gaga; and Oscar-nominated Dubliner Colin Farrell, taking the title role in new series The Penguin. Plus stories from the audience in the Big Red Chair.
BEST FILMS
The Dead Girl (RTÉ 2, Friday 27th, 9.35pm)
In a quintet of stories, the murder of a young runaway connects a group of unrelated women – including lonely Toni Collette, who discovers the body; student Rose Byrne, who believes the victim could be her long-missing sister, and mother Marcia Gay Harden trying to piece together the last days of her daughter’s life.
One Life (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Friday)
Anthony Hopkins stars in the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 predominantly Jewish children from the Nazis. Fifty years later, he remains haunted by the fate of the children he wasn’t able to bring to safety – until a live TV show surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children – now adults.
Swede Caroline (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Saturday)
The competitive giant vegetable growing world is rocked by scandal when Caroline has her prized marrow plants stolen. The hunt for her missing marrows takes her well beyond the allotments, plunging her into a national corruption scandal that goes all the way to the top.
CLASSIC MOVIE
The Quiet American (RTÉ 1, Friday 27th, 11.15pm)
Adapted from the classic novel by Graham Greene comes a murder mystery centred on a love triangle set against the French Indochina War in Vietnam, circa 1952. A veteran English journalist (Michael Caine), a young American (Brendan Fraser) compete for the affection of a beautiful Vietnamese woman in a deadly world of opium, intrigue and betrayal.
KIDS STUFF
My Babysitter’s A Vampire (RTÉ 2, Wednesday 25th, 3.25pm)
When Ethan Morgan’s over-protective parents assigned a babysitter to mind him and his eight-year-old sister, he thought he’d die of embarrassment. That is, until he discovers she’s a vampire.
Anam – Songs for Hearts and Minds (RTÉ 2, Thursday 26th, 11pm)
Live performances and conversations captured in some of Ireland’s most breathtaking historical landmarks. Across four weeks, viewers take a sonic journey, blending inspiring live performances with the beauty of some of Ireland’s most prestigious national monuments and heritage properties.
ON DEMAND
Agatha All Along (Disney+)
A spell-bound Agatha Harkness regains freedom thanks to a teen’s help. Intrigued by his plea, she embarks on the Witches’ Road trials to reclaim her powers and discover the teen’s motivations. Having stolen the show on WandaVision, Katheryn Hahn get a deserved solo series.
La Maison (Apple TV)
When a top designer is eclipsed due to a scandal, an iconic fashion house is thrown into chaos, leaving the family’s legendary couture brand hanging by a thread. Perle Foster and Paloma Castel team up to reinvent LEDU and claim their place in the Ledu clan and the fashion world.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
Inside a mansion in Beverly Hills in August 1989, two brothers killed their parents José and Mary Louise Menéndez. After committing the brutal crime, the brothers called 911 screaming ‘Someone killed my parents!’. The police believed them – after all, why would the two sons of the wealthy parents do such a thing?
Frasier (Paramount+)
Here we go with a second season of ‘tossed salads and scrambled eggs’ as it follows Frasier Crane in the next chapter of his life, returning to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfil. Frasier has re-entered the building – and guest star Carol Burnett is close behind.
SPORTS CENTRE
New Zealand v Australia (Sky Sports, Saturday 28th, 8.05am)
Rugby is back on our screens – and this classic encounter promises to whet the appetite for all oval ball fans. If we think the Ireland v England contents carry weight, it’ s well matched by the do-or-die tradition Down Under. Nobody wants to lose this one.