THIS WEEK’S TOP TV PICKS2020
DRAMA Killing Eve Sunday, BBC1, 9.15pm
If you’re not into the whole catch-up, streaming malarkey, so haven’t yet seen the first episode of the third run on iPlayer, fret not because the whole series is being broadcast on BBC1 too. The second series ended with Villanelle (Jodie Comer, above) shooting Eve, but the former MI6 operative has lived to fight another day, having been rescued by tourists. She’s now trying to keep a low profile by working in a Korean restaurant, but is lured back into Villanelle’s world by Kenny, who is working on unmasking the mysterious group known as The Twelve. The assassin, meanwhile, has a new job, a new boss (played by Harriet Walter) and seems to be thoroughly enjoying herself.
FACTUAL Life And Birth Tuesday, BBC1, 8pm
All the joy – and drama – of childbirth is revealed in a new six-part series, in which camera crews have been given access-allareas to witness the very start of life at maternity units in hospitals across Birmingham (including baby Sebastian, above, with mother Roo). For some of the parents everything will go blissfully by the book, but then there are the babies whose arrival suddenly requires emergency procedures and even life-saving operations. Expect an abundance of cuteness and any number of touching moments, along with an opportunity to admire the brilliance and coolheaded professionalism among all ranks of the NHS staff, who are ready to deal with whatever the situation demands.
PRIMETIME The Great British Sewing Bee Wednesday, BBC1, 9pm
The old sew-and-sews are back: the stylish Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant and Esme Young – Hollywood costume designer and uncanny lookalike of The Incredibles’ Edna – return as judges for a new series of the competition in which a dozen hopefuls vie for victory with their fashion creations. The winner at the end of the ten episodes presented by comedian Joe Lycett (above) will need to have demonstrated supreme technical skills but also show that they have an unerring eye for aesthetic beauty. As Grant warns:
‘It’s like a marathon-length obstacle course – but with zips instead of barbed wire.’ First tasks: to make a wrap skirt and a tea dress.
SCIENCE Hubble: The Wonders Of Space Revealed Friday, BBC2, 9pm
The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the greatest wonders of the modern world, revealing images that take humankind deeper into space and further back into the past than ever before. Now a breathtaking documentary to mark the 30th anniversary of its launch into orbit brings together astounding snapshots of the universe, from the creation of stars to the vast black holes at the heart of galaxies. But this is also the story of the astronauts, who risked their lives on space shuttle flights – first to rescue the telescope and then to repair it (American Mike Massimino on the Atlantis shuttle, above) – in the most daring missions since the Moon landings.
REALITY Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins Monday, Channel 4, 9pm
Let’s be honest: which of us hasn’t at some point wanted to watch a few celebrities suffer? And that’s exactly what you’ll see as the stars find out if they’ve got the right stuff to make it through a specially customised version of the mercilessly gruelling selection course for the SAS. Anthea Turner, Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole (above), the publicity-loving Katie Price and former footballer John Fashanu are among the dubious dozen put through their paces by former special forces soldier Ant Middleton and his team of fellow exmilitary staff in the remote and unforgiving Scottish
Inner Hebrides.