TV & RADIO
This month’s round-up of TV and radio
All the must-see/hear programmes
In Our Time From 13 September Radio 4
Even as it heads towards its 20th anniversary this October, In Our Time is still far from running out of fascinating topics to cover. In September, Melvyn Bragg and guests return for a new set of discussions on some of history’s most intriguing ideas. New episodes include an exploration of Greek epic The Iliad, the history of automata and the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Christian pastor who took a stand against the Nazis.
Princess Margaret (TBC) September BBC Two
Rebellious, glamorous and often badly behaved, the Queen’s younger sister captivated the British press and public for the second half of the 20th century. More recently, a new wave of interest in the royal rule-breaker has been reignited by the Netflix series The Crown. Keen to strike while the iron is hot, this two-part documentary takes a look at Margaret’s private life. Using archive footage and interviews with those who knew her best, it reveals how Margaret was both cultural icon and trendsetter.
Spanish Flu: In Their Own Words September BBC Two
In 1918 a devastating flu pandemic spread across the globe, infecting up to a third of the world’s population and claiming nearly 100 million lives. One hundred years on from the outbreak of ‘Spanish Flu’, the BBC is showing a series of TV and radio programmes exploring the devastating impact of the disease.
This documentary tells the stories of those who experienced the pandemic first-hand. It combines reconstructions with eye-witness accounts from doctors, scientists, patients and politicians, and asks: what lessons can we learn for future disease outbreaks?
Vanity Fair September ITV
For any Poldark fans missing their weekly fix of lavish period drama, ITV and Amazon’s new adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray’s satirical novel should fit the bill. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, it follows the adventures – and misadventures – of quick-witted heroine Becky Sharp, as she attempts to climb the greasy pole to the very top of Georgian high society.
Aiming to revive the literary classic for a new generation, this seven-part adaptation is made by the team behind Poldark and Victoria. Olivia Cooke takes the lead role, alongside a supporting cast including Suranne Jones, Martin Clunes and Michael Palin (playing author and narrator Thackeray himself ).