Sky Lights
Tuesday, 9.30pm Discovery Idris Elba ( 100 Streets, Star Trek Beyond) has taken on numerous roles, but nothing like this. In the brand new, three-part docu-series, the British actor will undertake the most physically and mentally demanding experience of his career – training to become a professional kickboxer and ultimately compete against a seasoned fighter in a no-holds-barred bout. ‘‘A bit silly, but Elba throws himself into it all with typical elan,’’ wrote The Guardian’s Gwilym Mumford. Thursday, 8.30pm Rialto This 2015 documentary follows the fortunes of five people trying to push the limits of coffee perfection to win America’s National Barista Championship – a competition where even one mistake is far too many. ‘‘Anyone who has ever uttered the word ‘hipster’ as a pejorative is advised to steer far clear, but thanks to director Rock Bajinauth’s playful, non-judgmental approach to these obsessive characters, the whole enterprise comes across as endearingly – and perhaps even admirably – ridiculous, rather than laughably so,’’ wrote Variety magazine’s Andrew Barker. Thursday, 9.30pm SoHo Set in 2010, this third instalment features an all-new ‘‘true crime’’ tale centred on Emmit Stussy and his younger brother Ray, played in tandem by Ewan McGregor. Emmit, the Parking Lot King of Minnesota, sees himself as an American success story, whereas Ray is more of a cautionary tale. Forever living in his more successful brother’s shadow, Ray is a balding and potbellied parole officer with a huge chip on his shoulder about the hand he’s been dealt – and he blames his brother.