TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY Blue Planet II, BBC1, 8pm
The third episode looks at corals in the warm, clear shallow seas of the tropics. Although reefs take up only a small percentage of the ocean floor, they are home to a quarter of all known marine species. Among them are the bobbit, a giant carnivorous worm, clownfish and reef sharks. Sadly, despite their resilience, increasing ocean temperatures are putting coral reefs under unprecedented pressure — affecting the entire ecosystem.
Howards End, BBC1, 9pm
Period drama based on EM Forster’s titular novel, first published in 1910, about social conventions and codes of conduct in turn-of-the-century England. Margaret Schlegel (Hayley Atwell) is dispatched to the Wilcox family home to stop her younger sister marrying the youngest son, Paul. However, her intervention is premature as an engagement doesn’t come to pass. In a twist of fate, the Wilcoxes move to London and take a flat around the corner from the Schlegels, leading to a surprising friendship.
Feats of Modest Valour, RTE1, 10.35pm
This short documentary follows three people with Parkinson’s disease, all hoping for a cure. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, which means that it causes problems in the brain and gets progressively worse. Tom, Milena and Brian live an existence governed by a strict regime of medication and the physical realities of living with the condition. Helping them are Dr Eilis Dowd and her team, who are developing a new medical device which could potentially cure the disease.
MONDAY Will a Robot Steal My Job? RTE1, 9.35pm
Some of us may wish a robot could relieve of us of our daily grind, but in this documentary — part of science week — AnneMarie Tomchak explores how robots and artificial intelligence could make mere human beings obsolete, and transform the way we work. The Mashable editor interviews world-renowned experts and innovators in the field and explores advancements in robotics in a variety of sectors, before posing the inevitable question — can robots really be an adequate substitute for a living, breathing human being?
Nowhere Fast, RTE2, 10pm
This new six-part comedy is partwritten by stand-up comedienne Alison Spittle. Angela (Spittle) returns to her quaint home town after she is fired from her city job. She hopes the depressing situation will help get her freefalling life back on track, but she doesn’t count on her friends throwing her curveballs. Can she escape the quicksand of small town Ireland and start to live the life she wants. And in the meantime keep her friends and family happy so she can get lifts?
TUESDAY Living with Lucy, TV3, 10pm
Bubbly presenter Lucy Kennedy spends the week with former Girls Aloud singer and Celebrity Big Brother winner Sarah Harding. The pair chat about the difficulties of conducting a personal life in the limelight, the search for happiness and how to make the perfect frittata.
Saying Goodbye, BBC1, 11.40pm
This sentimental one-off documentary shares the stories of a group of children and young people from across the UK who are dealing with terminal illness or the death of a parent. The film, narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, gives a voice to those living in very difficult situations, and aims to help other youngsters who find themselves in similar, tough situations.
WEDNESDAY Weather Live, RTE1, 7pm
We’re never done talking about it, and what’s going on above our heads looks to be a subject on the tip of people’s tongues for the foreseeable. Here, presenter Kathryn Thomas is joined by guests and meteorologists from Met Eireann to discuss the temperamental Irish climate from a studio hub in the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin. There will also be explosive demonstrations, helping viewers acquire a better understanding of the science behind our weird and wonderful weather.
Line of Duty, RTE2, 9pm
It’s the third season of the searing police drama full of thrilling twists and turns. Anti-corruption unit AC12 is called in to investigate after Sergeant Danny Waldron and his response team shoot dead a hardened criminal. It’s not long before massive cracks begin to appear in Waldron’s story. Martin Compston and Vicky McClure head the ensemble cast.
Peaky Blinders, BBC2, 9pm
The period drama set in a grey and dismal interwar Birmingham returns for a new, six-part run. Cillian Murphy stars as Tommy Shelby, a rogue who has made a lot of enemies. Finding himself estranged from his family, he throws himself into business matters but a threatening letter prompts him to step up and protect his loved ones.
Brendan O’Connor’s Cutting Edge, RTE1, 9.35pm
In the last show of the current hugely-successful run, Brendan O’Connor is joined by guest David Davin-Power to debate the biggest news and entertainment stories and smaller titbits that might have slipped under the radar. Expect lively discussion, and laughter between the panellists.
Scandal, Sky Living, 10pm
It’s the much anticipated premiere of the final season of the drama. Now 100 days into Mellie’s presidency, Olivia is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. She is thrust into the most difficult situation of her life and must make a tough call to avoid an international incident. Plus, new-on-the-job Quinn Perkins struggles with the gaping hole left by Olivia.
THURSDAY Love, Lies & Records, BBC1, 9pm
Six-part drama, starring Ashley Jenson. Registrar Kate does her best to stop her life and career from spiralling out of control when a disgruntled colleague threatens to expose a dark secret from her past. However, she refuses to be blackmailed and decides, perhaps unwisely, to take matters into her own hands.
Exodus: Our Journey Continues, BBC2, 9pm
The final episode of the multiaward winning series follows the fate of young Nazifa and her family as they make a last ditch effort to reach Germany safely. Cameras follow Sadiq, who travelled from Afghanistan to Finland in just 45 days. Viewers also meet Saed and his family, who are Yezidis from Iraq, and one of Daesh’s main targets.
Fiorsceal, TG4, 10.30pm
Documentary delving into environmental, social, political and global issues. This edition looks at the season of tropical cyclones, which last from May to October, and how, passing over Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea and Japan, they leave a terrible trail of death and destruction in their wake. The film also shows how the US Marines set up the first forecasting system in December 1945 after unprepared American aircraft carriers disastrously flew into heavy typhoons.
FRIDAY Unreported World, Channel 4, 7.30pm
Presenter Sophie Morgan is in Australia, where footage has been leaked exposing the diabolical treatment of young prisoners – many of them Aboriginal teenagers – in a juvenile detention centre. Statistics shows that 94% of the incarcerated young people are Aboriginal, despite making up only a quarter of the state’s population. Morgan and director Simon Rawles meet one of the boys at the centre of the scandal, who reveals his harsh treatment behind bars. The team also investigates an issue that makes these young prisoners’ situation even more upsetting, with many young prisoners suffering from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, linked to their mothers’ use of alcohol during their pregnancy.
Reformation: The Story of Martin Luther, RTE2, 9.40pm
First of a two-part drama about how a revolutionary German monk named Martin Luther changed the face of Christendom. Marking the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, this is the story of how one man risked life and limb to take a stand against the Catholic Church’s corruption and hypocrisy during the early 16th century.
SATURDAY Volatile Earth: Killer Hurricanes, Channel 4, 7pm
The series that examines natural events concludes its three-part run tonight, with the team of scientists studying a particular natural disaster. They want to find out more about the tropical cyclone that ripped apart the Caribbean in 1780, killing an estimated 28,000 people. Known as the Great Hurricane, it is the deadliest Atlantic-based event of its kind on record. The experts find out more about its incredible speed and destructive force, and theorise about how likely it is that a storm of that magnitude could happen again.
Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, BBC1, 8.10pm
The comedian returns for a third series of his entertaining extravaganza, as he takes to the stage once again to host his sidesplitting family variety show. He has some top guests to make sure that the new series starts with a flourish, including Strictly Come Dancing contestant and former British Labour MP Ed Balls, who takes part in the Celebrity Send to All segment. There will also be live music from mesmerising songstress Emeli Sandé and stand-up from Joe Lycett, before Michael takes to the stage to leave his audience rolling in the aisles.