FIVE OF THE BEST SHOWS THIS WEEK

1

Inside No. 9 BBC Two, Monday, 9.30pm

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith star in a new season of their outrageously dark comedy dramas. Pantalone has a plan to steal a consignment of diamonds.

But he’s hired a complete bunch of double-crossing clowns to do it. Co-starring Kevin Bishop, Paterson Joseph and Gemma Whelan.

2

Domina,

Sky Atlantic & NOW, Friday, 9pm

This epic eight-part, highly topical drama set in Ancient Rome follows the life and extraordinary rise of Livia (Kasia Smutniak, Perfect Strangers). As the story begins we meet a naïve young girl whose world crumbles in the wake of Julius Caesar’s assassination. Created and written by Simon Burke (Fortitude),

3

Motherland, BBC Two, Monday, 9pm

As a nit pandemic sweeps the school, Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) finds herself accused of triggering a second wave. Ostracised by the other Mums, Julia needs to find a way back into their good books so she throws a nit treatment party that brings everyone’s drama (and headlice) into her home.

4

There’s Something About Movies, Sky One & NOW, Thursday, 9pm

Just when you thought it was safe to head back to the sofa… Alan Carr and the gang are back in the spectacular mad- cap comedy panel show. Alan and the series’ usual suspects - Jennifer Saunders, Michael Sheen and Tom Allen - will be bringing all the best scenes of your favourite films back to life.

5 Great British Railway Journeys, BBC Two, Monday, 6.30pm

Michael Portillo is in Crewe, a town steeped in railway history and immortalised in Victorian music hall, to investigate the making of the iconic cinema classic, The Night Mail during the 1930s. Following his Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael takes the train to Chester to discover the interwar origins of Britain’s most popular zoo.