The best on the box
Week ahead top television picks for the
James Croot’s Berlin Station, 8.30pm, Friday, Soho
Richard Armitage, Richard Jenkins and Rhys Ifans star in this 10-part drama which follows a Ciaagent’s clandestine mission to determine the identity of a whistleblower at the German outpost of the title. ‘‘A tense, terse thriller – good-looking but never fussy, balancing character and plot in satisfying proportions,’’ wrote Los Angeles Times’ Robert Lloyd.
The Salesman, 8.30pm, Monday, Rialto
While this year’s Oscars victory was perhaps slightly overshadowed by the political storm surrounding Iranian writerdirector Asghar Farhadi’s decision not to attempt to travel to the ceremony, there’s no doubting his latest drama’s ability to enthral. A compelling tale of pride, honour and humiliation, Farhadi’s slowburning story builds to an incredibly intense emotional finale. The film-making is firstclass, with the drama perfectly pitched and camerawork and editing combining for some memorable imagery.
Australian Survivor, 7.30pm, Tuesday, TVNZ2
Jonathan Lapaglia is back for another season of this popular Aussie reality series and this time they’re on the rugged tropical island of Samoa. Faced with extreme temperatures and fierce tropical storms, 24 new contestants will be stripped to their core – and only one will emerge triumphant.
The Shining, 8.30pm, Wednesday, Rialto
Based on the book by Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1980 horror focuses on a family who head to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil presence lies in wait. Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall star. ‘‘Meticulously detailed and never less than fascinating, this may be the first movie that ever made its audience jump with a title that simply says Tuesday,’’ wrote The New York Times’ Janet Maslin.
Diana and the Paparazzi, 8.30pm, Wednesday, Prime
On the eve of the 20th anniversary of her death, this new documentary explores the princess’ ’’love-hate’’ relationship with the people who courted and hunted her. Amongst the interviewees is French paparazzo Jean-paul Dousset who breaks his silence about the fateful crash which claimed Princess Diana’s life. Other documentaries scheduled to screen on Sky TV channels this week include Seven Days That Shook the World (Thursday, 7.30pm, Prime) and The Last 100 Days of Diana (Monday, September 4, 7.30pm, Vibe).
Elvis and the Girl From Vienna, 10pm, Thursday, Sky Arts
Trude Forsher was personal secretary to Elvis Presley from the first day he walked on the set of Love Me Tender. She was also a Holocaust survivor who fled Austria at the age of 18. This new documentary gives her account of how Elvis went from being a southern United States singing sensation to a global legend.