1 TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY
Today, BBC2, 6.40pm
IN POST-WAR London, author Juliet Ashton (Lily James) receives a letter from a Guernsey pig farmer (Michiel Huisman), inviting her to a meeting of his literary society. She accepts, travelling to the island to find out more. She is enchanted by the quiet way of life and is fascinated by the locals’ stories about life under Nazi occupation during the war. But when Juliet suggests using their ideas for her new book, she is met with resistance. This pie may prove a little twee, but the strong supporting cast includes Tom Courtenay, Katherine Parkinson and Penelope Wilton.
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THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Tomorrow, BBC1, 3.45pm
IN THIS classic musical, novice nun Maria (Julie Andrews, pictured), is employed as a governess to the seven Von Trapp children. She brings fun and music into their lives and melts the heart of their widowed father (Christopher Plummer). However, happiness is threatened by the looming Second World War.
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THE BABADOOK
Monday, BBC2, 12.45am
UNSETTLING horror. Care home worker Amelia (Essie Davis) is haunted by memories of her late husband. Her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman, pictured with Davis) interrupts Amelia’s sleep with claims of monsters in his room – including one called The Babadook. She ignores his pleas and slowly her mental state unravels.
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WONDER WOMAN
Tuesday ITV, 7.30pm
MUSCULAR introduction to the DC Comics warrior princess. During the First World War, US spy Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crash-lands in the sea close to the island of Themyscira and is rescued by Amazonian princess Diana (Gal Gadot, left). He tells her people about the war, and a horrified Diana heads to the front lines.
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TO CATCH A THIEF
Wednesday, BBC2, 1.05pm
JOHN ROBIE (Cary Grant, left) is a reformed jewel thief who has turned his back on crime. When a series of luxury hotels on the French Riviera are targeted, the finger of suspicion points at John. He hatches a plan to flush out the real culprit, but it backfires in this thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. Grace Kelly also stars.
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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
New Year’s Eve, BBC1, 2.20pm
BOOKWORM Belle (Emma Watson) trades places with her father Maurice (Kevin Kline) as the eternal prisoner of an accursed Beast (Dan Stevens). The gloom of incarceration is lifted by the kindness of enchanted servants, and by her growing bond with her captor in this live-action remake of the Disney animation.
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THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
New Year’s Day, Channel 4, 5.30pm
AFTER losing his job as a bank clerk, PT Barnum (Hugh Jackman, left) creates a circus in New York with playwright Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron) and a rag-tag bunch of entertainers shunned by society. The ultimate singalong movie, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya complete the A-list line-up.
AFTER years of drinking, it seems that Peter’s body cannot take any more abuse. Daniel calls an ambulance after finding him covered in blood in Victoria Gardens, and at the hospital he’s informed he could be suffering from liver failure.
Peter swears Daniel to secrecy – he can’t stand the thought of Ken and Simon seeing him in such a state – but Adam finds out and spills the beans. Ken visits his son and begs him to fight for
his life, but is left devastated when Peter says it’s too late, he’s dying.
Adam has better news from Sarah, who turns up at the flat on New Year’s Eve and suggests they should see in 2021 together. He’s thrilled and says perhaps they could wipe the slate clean and start again.
Gary’s lies may be catching up with him, while Roy agrees to let Shona return to work. Todd’s plan to drive a wedge between Paul and Billy seems to be working, and Ray vows to fight on after his redevelopment scheme fails to win the council’s approval.