TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
VIGIL Tonight, BBC1, 9pm
We’ve been gripped by this claustrophobic murder mystery, packed with an all-star cast, including Martin Compston, Suranne Jones, Paterson Joseph and Shaun Evans.
In this instalment, DS Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) believes she is now investigating a co-ordinated attack. She pulls the thread and the new lead takes her into the heart of Scottish politics, and to the discovery of an earlier cover-up. DCI Amy Silva (Jones) starts to question who she can trust aboard Vigil, when a message from land makes her realise she’s been deliberately undermined.
SILENT WITNESS Tomorrow, BBC1, 9pm
Just when you thought Silent Witness had been consigned to the great TV in the sky, it rises like a phoenix, ready to grip viewers once again.
There’s been a shake-up at the Lyell Centre following the departures of Thomas Chamberlain (Richard Lintern) and Clarissa Mullery (Liz Carr), so expect a fresh face or two.
We’re also promised five new two-part stories, beginning with Redemption, in which Nikki (Emilia Fox) is confronted by a dangerous criminal from her past. The second episode airs tomorrow.
9/11: LIFE UNDER ATTACK Tuesday, ITV, 9pm
This documentary about the terrorist atrocities in the US in 2001 offers an in-depth look at the terrifying events of that day, in New York as well as at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Previously unseen footage, audio and incredible interviews with survivors are used to piece together what happened, as well as the authorities’ efforts to deal with an unprecedented catastrophe.
ANIMALS WITH CAMERAS Wednesday, BBC2, 8pm
Gordon Buchanan and tech specialist Chris Watts are back to reveal more groundbreaking footage showing the behaviour of our favourite animals. In the first of four new episodes, we head into our oceans. Cape Verde, off the west coast of Africa, has one of the world’s largest populations of nesting loggerhead turtles, and here Gordon meets the scientists working to find out more about this fascinating animal.
Meanwhile, in the Bahamas, the team is out on the water with experts to fit a specially designed camera to a Caribbean reef shark.
THE NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS 2021
Thursday, ITV, 7.30pm
For many of us, TV has played an even bigger role in our lives than usual over the past 18 months.
So, this year’s National Television Awards should feel particularly
special. Ant and Dec are aiming to bag their 20th trophy in a row in the TV Presenter category while there are also new shows in the mix, including lockdown hits Bridgerton, Normal People and It’s a Sin, and new NTA host Joel Dommett’s own The Masked Singer.
A new category, Authored Documentary, includes a nod for one of the past year’s biggest headline-makers, Marcus Rashford.
GRANTCHESTER Friday, ITV, 9pm
As a vicar, Will should be used to performing christenings, but his latest baptism service takes an unexpected turn when a man arrives claiming that he’s the rightful father of the child rather than the proud parents at the font.
As Will and Geordie try to sort out the dispute, they discover the row could be connected to the murder of Joan Beaumont, the head of a local adoption agency.
PAUL O’GRADY’S SATURDAY NIGHT LINE UP Saturday, ITV, 9.35pm show time
This new comedy entertainment show sees celebrities go up against each other to find out what the British public really thinks of them.
Throughout the show the famous faces are asked to line up in order of best to worst or most to least, in response to a variety of questions, scenarios and dilemmas.
Tonight host Paul O’Grady is joined by Jack Dee, Joanna Page, Rob Rinder and Mica Paris.