TV HIGHLIGHTS
SUNDAY
Survival of the Fittest, 3e, 9pm Laura Whitmore hosts the reality series which sees a group of young singletons living together under the sun as they take part in a battle of the sexes for the chance to win a cash prize. The teams of men versus women face a series of physical and mental challenges to determine who has the upper hand, but when romance is thrown into the mix, will their loyalties remain strong or will they end up in bed with the enemy? McMafia, BBC One, 9pm The eight-part drama series has impressed a number of critics and it reaches its conclusion tonight. As Alex arrives in Moscow, he’s unaware of the problems that Dmitri’s actions have caused. He has only one card left that he can play in an attempt to save himself before facing a final confrontation with Vadim. Striking Out, RTE1, 9.30pm The second series of the legal drama ends tonight, as the inquiry reaches its climax, leaving Tara wondering how they will ever pick up the pieces. Plus, Sam establishes himself as Richard’s right hand man, and Eric is left firmly out of the fold.
MONDAY
How’s Your Driving, RTE1, 8.30pm This new four-part series sees presenter Simon Delaney take a frank and honest look at driving in Ireland, and asks how some of us are so bad at it. In the opening episode, the test drivers are put through their paces while ‘under the influence’, to reveal how alcohol and drugs actually affect our abilities. Will & Grace, RTE2, 9pm It may not feel like it, but 11 years have passed since the eponymous duo left our screens — at the time supposedly for good. But after a 10-minute special urging people to vote in the 2016 US election, there seemed to be an appetite to see where the characters were now, so a ninth series was ordered. Here, both Will and Grace falter when their political beliefs are put to the test, and though Jack and Karen offer to keep the duo’s secret shame hidden from each other, the truth finally comes out. Don’t Tell the Bride, RTE2, 9.30pm For better or for worse, this nuptial disaster show is in its eighth series, and begins with Jennifer and Robbie who met on a night out seven years ago. Now they’re tying the knot and Jennifer has always dreamed of a large, traditional wedding in a church. However, Robbie has plans to surprise her with a Christmas-themed wedding. The only issue is that the date is in August. Filled with Christmas cheer and plenty of tinsel, will his winter wonderland get an icy reception?
TUESDAY
Joe Wicks: The Body Coach, Channel 4, 8pm The health and fitness guru has made a name for himself on social media, helping thousands with their issues. Now he’s bringing his 90-day body confidence revolution to TV, with short, intense work outs and fast, tasty recipes designed to turn people’s lives around with spectacular results. In the first episode, Joe meets four people who need his help, including Natalie, who wants to lose weight before her brother’s wedding, and teacher Asa, whose diet and fondness for gin has caused her weight to balloon. Shetland, BBC1, 9pm The acclaimed police drama returns for a fourth series as DI Jimmy Perez has to reopen a case from 1994. After spending 23 years in jail for the murder of local teen Lizzie Kilmuir, Thomas Malone has his conviction overturned. Though the officer who worked on the case remains convinced that Malone is guilty despite the DNA evidence, Perez listens to the tapes of his interview and is less than convinced about his confession. However, when local journalist Sally McColl is found murdered in a manner which has striking similarities to the Kilmuir case, questions begin to be asked about Malone and Perez must put gossip and prejudice aside to find the truth. In the Dark, RTE1, 11.10pm This four-part drama, from the writer behind Ordinary Lies, stars MyAnna Buring as DI Helen Weeks, who is trying to deal with pregnancy at the same time as being compelled to return to her rural home town where two girls have been abducted. The man arrested for the crime is married to Helen’s childhood best friend, but is he guilty?
WEDNESDAY
Snaithe, TG4, 8.30pm This six-part documentary series takes a look at the story of Irish fashion through the eyes of contemporary designers, experts and fashion historians. Blogger Ciara O’Doherty embarks on a journey to explore the themes of identity, tradition, patronage and perception, as well as looking at how the Irish landscape, culture and textiles have shaped designers working in Ireland and around the world. Heartbreak Hotel, TV3, 9pm This special, presented by Maia Dunphy, looks to help a group of individuals who are struggling to move on from a break-up. It’s never an easy time, but this group are getting some professional help to rebuild their lives, as they head to an exclusive retreat in Ireland and receive expert coaching from Sara Davison, one of the UK’s most prominent break-up and relationship specialists. Tomi Reichental: Condemned to Remember, RTE1, 9.35pm This third documentary in Holocaust survivor Tomi Reichental’s trilogy concludes his quest to bring convicted SS war criminal Hilde Michnia to account for her secrets and lies. Tomi heads to Eastern Europe to confront the ‘crisis of shame’ which prevents an honest reckoning of the scale of local collaboration with the Nazis.
THURSDAY
Animals with Camera, BBC1, 8pm The wildlife documentary comes to an end tonight as Gordon Buchanan and the team deploy specially designed cameras to capture never before seen footage. In the finale, they follow devil rays near the Azores archipelago, brown bears in Turkey, and dogs protecting sheep from wolves in France. Married at First Sight, Channel 4, 9pm Thousands applied for the chance to be on this show, in which participants are wed on their first ever meeting, proving just how eager some people are to have a significant other. They put their trust in the experts to match them with the right person and walk down the aisle to face a complete stranger. This edition features police officer Stephanie and quantity surveyor Benjamin, along with estate agent Carrie and insurance broker Wayne. School Life, RTE1, 10.15pm This observational documentary follows a year in the life of two teachers, John and Amanda Leyden, at Headford, the only primary age boarding school in Ireland. Cameras join them as John shows how rock music is just another subject alongside maths and English, while for Amanda the key to connecting with children is the book. Part two is next Thursday.
FRIDAY
First Dates: Valentine’s Special, Channel 4, 9pm Fred Sirieix and the team open the restaurant for a special occasion, as another group of singles hope to find love on this special day. Dominique is looking for a man as chatty as she is, and who can accept her loud laugh, but will that man be mortgage advisor Buddy? Meanwhile, Issac is getting his life back on track after having been homeless and has been saving ahead of his first date in a restaurant, but will his sweet talk impress feisty Maya? Nigel Slater’s Middle East, BBC2, 9.30pm The food writer ends his journey around the region in Iran, as he visits Tehran where he samples the classic dish dizi, meets fishermen on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and harvests some saffron and pomegranates. The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm Once again there’s a star-studded line up joining the host for a chat tonight, including Margot Robbie and Allison Janney, who have both been nominated for an Oscar for their roles in I, Tonya, as well as Alicia Vikander, who will be talking about her role as Lara Croft in the new Tomb Raider film adaptation.
SATURDAY
David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities, BBC2, 6.45pm It seems to be impossible to keep the naturalist off our screens, as tonight he’s back for the first of a six-part series that examines the most magnificently unusual creatures from around the globe. In this opener he pays close attention to hybrids — animals that, one way or another, have had their qualities combined to create something new. Two animals featured share a common bond, in that they were both created through human interference. The first is a cross between a polar bear and grizzly, known as a pizzly bear. Then we see the new strain of killer bees that exist because of a transfer of African bees to South America. Troy, BBC1, 9.10pm Saturday nights are pefect for high drama, and what better way to unwind than with this brand new swords-and-sandals epic, starring Louis Hunter, David Threlfall and Frances O’Connor. It revolves around the saga of the 10-year siege of the city of Troy, and should keep Game of Thrones fans satisfied, at least for its eight-episode run. The story revolves around young herdsman Paris, whose life changes after an encounter with the gods. But dark clouds are on the horizon when he falls for Helen of Troy...