‘The Ipcress File’ opens anew in AMC+ espionage drama
Harry Palmer may not be James Bond, but he’s had his own longevity in the spy game ... with a number of common threads.
Novelist Len Deighton’s working-class sleuth has displayed investigative smarts over a six-decade history in literature and film, and the story that introduced him – “The Ipcress File” – gets a fresh workout in a limited series premiering Thursday, May 19, on AMC+. Joe Cole (“Gangs of London,” “Peaky Blinders”) assumes the role Michael Caine famously played in a series of films, as military veteran Palmer is arrested for smuggling in early-1960s Berlin.
His only way out of a long prison term Is to agree to act as an operative for British intelligence, with his first case apparently linking someone he knows to the disappearance of a nuclear scientist. Lucy Boynton (“Bohemian Rhapsody”), Tom Hollander (“The Night Manager”) and David Dencik (“No Time to Die”) also star as the globetrotting tale takes Palmer to Beirut and the Pacific over its six episodes.
The executive producers of “The Ipcress File” include Hilary and Steven Saltzman, a highly notable fact since their father Harry – who, in partnership with Albert R. Broccoli, also made the early James
Bond movies – was the producer of the Harry Palmer screen capers in the 1960s. (The elder Saltzman also enlisted such Bond-series staples as composer John Barry, production designer Ken Adam and editor Peter Hunt for the first version of “The Ipcress File.”)
Though Christopher Plummer and Richard Harris reportedly were among the first choices to play Palmer, Saltzman is said to have started considering Caine after seeing the actor in his first major movie role in 1964’s “Zulu.” Spotting Caine at another table while eating out, Saltzman summoned him over ... and by the time Caine returned to dining partner Terence Stamp, he had the part of Palmer.
For the new “Ipcress File,” star Cole has retained the bespectacled look associated with Caine, who went on to portray Palmer in two other Saltzman-produced theatrical pictures in successive years, “Funeral in Berlin” (1966) and “Billion Dollar Brain” (1967). As it turned out, he wasn’t done with the role after those projects: He would reprise it in two mid-1990s cable movies originally presented on Showtime in the United States, “Bullet to Beijing” and “Midnight in Saint Petersburg” (both teaming him with Jason Connery, son of Sean Connery, who played Bond for Saltzman).
Whether the remake of “The Ipcress
File,” which already has been shown in England, prompts further revisitings of the adventures of Harry Palmer remains to be seen. For now, fans of the 1965 movie are likely to find it interesting to see the new take on a truly classic spy story.
Saturday
Big Food Bucket List
5 p.m. on FOOD; 8 p.m. on FOOD; 5 a.m. on FOOD
Host John Catucci is feeling brunchy in Palm Springs, Calif., where KH VDYRUV D EODFNEHUU\ FXVWDUG VWXIIHG )UHQFK WRDVW WKDW·V ZHOO ZRUWK cheating on your diet for. Later, he heads north to beautiful Québec City to explore the flavors of la belle province with ultra-tender braised bison cheek. Finally, John gets back to nature in Tofino, B.C., and tries the astounding veggie burger that diners call the best in the province in the new episode “Meat Cute.”
The Guild Garage 6 p.m. on DISC
%HWZHHQ WKH VPRNH FRPLQJ IURP /DUU\·V &RUG DQG D ODFN of information on his 1948 Delahaye 135MS Cabriolet, Dave gets an earful from his old friend and business partner in a new episode called “Long Gone Larry.” Meanwhile, the Ferrari 250 California Spyder begins a new chapter.
Sunday
7KH 7LPH 7UDYHOHU·V :LIH 6 p.m. on HBO; 9:35 p.m. on HBO
Emmy-winning writer Steven Moffat (“Sherlock”) adapted Audrey NiffHQHJJHU·V OLWHUDU\ IDQWDV\ IRU WKLV QHZ 79 VHULHV DERXW WKH PDUULDJH RI Clare Abshire (Rose Leslie, “Game of Thrones”) and Henry DeTamble (Theo James), a relationship that is complicated by an unusual nuisance: time travel. Specifically, Henry is afflicted with a rare disorder that causes him involuntarily to jump backwards and forwards in time. Desmin Borges and Natasha Lopez also star in the drama, which will air six episodes in Season 1.
The Rookie
7 p.m. on CTVBC; 10 p.m. on KOMO, ABC
In the season finale “Day in the Hole,” Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) is forced to spend a week in solitary confinement in a quiet border town, in the company of a young local officer who is in need of some training. Elsewhere, Sgt. Bradford and Officer Chen (Eric Winter, MelisVD 2·1HLO GLVFRYHU WKDW ORRNV FDQ EH GHFHLYLQJ DV WKH\ JR XQGHUFRYHU together in a possible drug-trafficking case. Brent Huff, Alan Tudyk, Sara Rue, Dylan Conrique and Pete Davidson guest star. ABC has renewed this series for a fifth season.
The Equalizer
8 p.m. on CHBC, KIRO, CBS, GLBBC
0F&DOO·V 4XHHQ /DWLIDK YRZ WR FDSWXUH 0DVRQ 4XLQQ JXHVW VWDU &KULV 9DQFH ZKRP VKH KROGV DFFRXQWDEOH IRU %LVKRS·V GHDWK WKUHDWHQV WR turn into a full-blown obsession that could cost her everything in the Season 2 finale “Exposed.” Elsewhere, Delilah (Laya DeLeon Hayes) ILQDOO\ PHHWV KHU PRP·V VXSSRUW WHDP ZKHQ VKH QHHGV +DUU\ DQG 0HO·V (Adam Goldberg, Liza Lapira) help to prove a classmate made her best friend a victim of revenge porn. Tory Kittles also stars.
Monday
9-1-1
8 p.m. on CHBC, GLBBC, KCPQ, FOX
A workday gets off to a characteristically weird start for the members of the 118, who race to a cliffside wellness retreat to rescue its resident guru after his disciples turn on him in the Season 5 finale “Starting Over.” Later, they respond to a distress call at an upscale hair salon. On a more personal note, Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) ponders returning to work, while Eddie and May (Ryan Guzman, Corinne Massiah) make plans for their future and the 118 gathers for a surprise wedding.
Movie: Up
8 p.m. on KOMO, ABC
The Disney-Pixar teaming scores yet again with this delightful, sometimes emotional fantasy about a cranky senior citizen (voice of Edward $VQHU ZKR·V SHUIHFW IRU WKH SDUW ZKR GHFLGHV WR IXOILOO D JRDO KH KDG with his late wife. To reach South America, he attaches numerous balloons to his house and heads aloft — with a young scout (voice of -RUGDQ 1DJDL ZKR ZDV RQ WKH WUDYHOHU·V SRUFK DW WKH ZURQJ PRPHQW as an unexpected companion.
9-1-1: Lone Star
9:01 p.m. on CTVBC, KCPQ, FOX
Capt. Strand (Rob Lowe) and his team rally together when one of their own is trapped in the aftermath of a building explosion in the season finale “A Bright and Cloudless Morning.” The incident prompts Owen to reflect on his experience on the day of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, Tommy and Julius (Gina Torres, guest star Nathan Owens) consider their future, and T.K. and Carlos (Ronen Rubinstein, Rafael
Silva) come to an important decision. Jackson Pace also guest stars.
1&,6 +DZDL·L
10 p.m. on CHBC, KIRO, CBS, GLBBC
A familiar face — Capt. Milius (guest star Enver Gjokaj) — returns to the islands for a secret prisoner exchange, and he brings in Jane (Vanessa Lachey) as his personal security escort in the Philippines, where the operation will take place, in “Switchback,” the first of a two-part season finale. Seana Kofoed, Mark Gessner and Jason Downs also guest star; Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Yasmine Al-Bustami and Jason Antoon also star.
Tuesday
Welcome to Plathville
7:06 p.m. on TLC; 11:06 p.m. on TLC
Kim and Barry Plath set out to raise their nine kids on an idyllic and secluded South Georgia farm, free from the corrosive influences of modern pop culture, but what a difference a few years makes. As a new season opens, VLEOLQJV (WKDQ DQG 0RULDK DQG (WKDQ·V ZLIH Olivia, have struck out on their own in Tampa, Fla., while brother Micah is enjoying his freedom across the country in Los Angeles. Back on the Georgia homefront, matriarch Kim is rethinking the conservative lifestyle husband Barry always has demanded.
The Resident
8 p.m. on CTVBC, KCPQ, FOX
While Conrad (Matt Czuchry) looks to the future, he reminisces about a special night that included an important conversation with Nic (guest star Emily VanCamp) in the season finale “Neon Moon.” Meanwhile, Devon (Manish Dayal) is presented with a thrilling out-of-state career opportunity, but Ian (guest star Andrew McCarthy) receives a devastating diagnosis that forces him to rely on the Chastain doctors. Elsewhere, as Kit and Bell (Jane Leeves, Bruce Greenwood) celebrate their engagement, Padma (guest star Aneesha Joshi) receives the news she has been waiting for.
Mr. Mayor
8:30 p.m. on KING, NBC
7KH VWDNHV FRXOGQ·W EH KLJKHU LQ WKH 6HDson 2 finale “The Debate” as Arpi and Neil (Holly Hunter, Ted Danson) square off in the televised mayoral recall debate. Meanwhile, James (guest star Yedoye Travis) reveals some information that could change the course of his relationship with Mikaela (Vella Lovell). Mike Cabellon, Bobby Moynihan and Kyla Kenedy also star.
Lionel Richie: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song 9 p.m. on KCTS
Four-time Grammy Award winner and Oscar-winning singer-songwriter Lionel Richie receives one of the most esteemed accolades in American music during this one-hour all-star music special, which was recorded last month in Washington, D.C. Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men, Luke Bryan, Andra Day and Chris Stapleton are among the artists scheduled to appear; the prize will be presented to Richie by Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden and a congressional delegation.
Wednesday
The Wonder Years
7:30 p.m. on CTVBC; 8:30 p.m. on KOMO, ABC
Summer excitement is in the air as the school year (and the freshman season of this sitcom reboot) draw to a close in the finale “Love, Dean.” Things are kind of tense for Bill and
Lillian (Dulé Hill, Saycon Sengbloh), though, when both of them receive exciting career opSRUWXQLWLHV EXW FDQ·W DJUHH RQ ZKR ZLOO WDNH XS the household slack. Meanwhile, Dean (Elisha Williams) seizes an unlikely opportunity to tell Keisa (Milan Ray) how he really feels about her as the two take shelter from a tornado bearing down on Montgomery.
The Goldbergs 8 p.m. on KOMO, ABC
An excited Adam (Sean Giambrone) arrives at a major rite of passage as graduation day looms, but mom Beverly (Wendi McLendon-Covey) is stricken with empty-nest anxiety in the Season 9 finale “Adam Graduates!” 0HDQZKLOH ZLWK *HRII·V 6DP /HUQHU EOHVVing, Erica (Hayley Orrantia) plucks up the courage to audition for a one-time gig as a back-up singer for Cindy Lauper, opening the door for some exciting new beginnings. This family sitcom will be back for a tenth season.
Beyond the Edge
9 p.m. on CHBC, KIRO, CBS, GLBBC
After an inspiring and challenging season filled with emotion, not to mention physical and psychological duress, only a few celebrities from the original company remain in the running to be named the winner and raise the most money for their charity as this reality competition series airs the two-hour finale of its freshman season. A cast reunion follows. Mauro Ranallo is the host.
The Conners
9 p.m. on CTVBC, KOMO, ABC
The Conner clan gears up for a mega-wedding, as three couples — Jackie and Neville (Laurie Metcalf, Nat Faxon), Darlene and Ben (Sara Gilbert, Jay R. Ferguson), and Harris and Aldo (Emma Kenney, Tony Cavalero) — plan a shared nuptial ceremony in the season finale “A Judge and a Priest Walk Into a Living Room ... . ” It soon becomes apparent, however, that not all the couples are on the same page about their mutual happily-ever-afters. Meanwhile, Dan (John Goodman) and the rest of the family are focused on decking out the house for the big day.
So You Think You Can Dance 9:01 p.m. on KCPQ, FOX
Cat Deeley steps back into her role as host as this Emmy-winning dance competition returns for Season 17 after an extended hiatus. Stephen “tWitch” Boss, a former contestant and occasional judge in past seasons, is part of the new regular judging panel, alongside musical theater star Matthew Morrison (“Glee”) and dancer JoJo Siwa, who recently competed on “Dancing With the Stars.” This new edition once again features dancers between the ages of 18 and 30 who compete each week across a variety of dance styles.
Home Economics
9:31 p.m. on CTVBC, KOMO, ABC
Tom (Topher Grace) does his best to keep kid brother Connor (Jimmy Tatro) grounded after the latter announces he plans to go into outer space in the season finale “Ticket to Space, $1 0LOOLRQ µ 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ LW·V 7RP ZKR IDOOV LQWR a slump himself after getting some bad news. 0HDQZKLOH 7RP·V ZLIH 0DULQD .DUOD 6RX]D gets trapped while trying to convert their attic space into a writing area for her husband. Caitlin McGee and Sasheer Zamata also star. ABC has not announced whether this sitcom will be back next season.
A Million Little Things
10 p.m. on KOMO, ABC, W; 4 a.m. on W
Maggie and Gary (Allison Miller, James Roday Rodriguez) have the strength of their relationship tested yet again in the Season 4 finale “Just in Case.” Meanwhile, Rome (Romany Malco) makes a personal sacrifice to help a student in distress, and Eddie (David Giuntoli) learns a startling secret about Anna (Erin Karpluk). Elsewhere, Theo (Tristan Byon) turns to an improbable source to help his mother through a rough patch. ABC has not announced whether a fifth season will be greenlit.
Thursday
Young Sheldon
7:30 p.m. on CTVBC; 8 p.m. on KIRO, CBS
Cerebral to a fault, Sheldon (Iain Armitage) has a challenging time as his body and hormones really put him through the wringer when puberty starts to kick in, in the Season 5 finale, “A Clogged Pore, a Little Spanish and the Future.” As Mary and George Sr. (Zoe Perry, Lance Barber) both search for new jobs, Georgie and Meemaw (Montana Jordan, Annie Potts) quietly take a business trip across the border. Raegan Revord also stars.
Station 19
8 p.m. on CTVBC, KOMO, ABC
As Andy (Jaina Lee Ortiz) tries to track down a witness to testify at her trial, the crew responds to a serious car wreck in the Season 5 finale “Crawl Out Through the Fallout.” Elsewhere, Maya and Carina (Danielle Savre, Stefania Spampinato) deal with a high-stress situation. ABC has renewed this action drama for a sixth season.
Law & Order 8 p.m. on KING, NBC
The shocking murder of an NYPD detective who was off-duty threatens to tear the city apart in the season finale “Black and Blue.” As Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan) mourns the loss of a close friend, he asks Capt. Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay, guest starring in her “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” role) to help him solve the case. Elsewhere, McCoy and Price (Sam Waterston, Hugh Dancy) clash over the best prosecution strategy to use, drawing sharp condemnation from all sides. Anthony Anderson and Camryn Manheim also star.
United States of Al
8:31 p.m. on CHBC, KIRO, CBS, GLBBC
After he discovers that Freddy (recurring guest star Brian Thomas Smith) proposed to her, Riley (Parker Young) finally comes clean to him about his own relationship with Vanessa (Kelli Goss) in the Season 2 finale “Chaos/Aashob.” Meanwhile, Cindy (guest star Jayma Mays) begins to get extremely possessive of Al (Adhir Kalyan), giving him some strong second thoughts about their future together. Dean Norris and Elizabeth Alderfer also star.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 9 p.m. on KING, NBC
,Q WKH VHDVRQ ILQDOH ´$ )LQDO &DOO DW )RUOLQL·V %DU µ WKH 6SHFLDO Victims Unit detectives provide help and protection for a longtime victim of domestic violence. When the woman winds up at the deIHQGDQW·V WDEOH LQ FRXUW KRZHYHU 5ROOLQV .HOOL *LGGLVK VWXQV &DULVL (Peter Scanavino) with a formidable courtroom opponent. (Spoiler alert: The guest cast includes Raul Esparza reprising his role as former assistant district attorney Rafael Barba). Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T also star.
Friday
Shark Tank
8 p.m. on CTVBC, KOMO, ABC
Actor and investor Kevin Hart brings his unique perspective and desire to inspire hopeful entrepreneurs as he guest stars in toQLJKW·V VHDVRQ ILQDOH $PRQJ WKH JXHVWV PDNLQJ SLWFKHV D )ORULGD HQWUHSUHQHXU WRXWV KLV OLQH RI KHDOWK SURGXFWV XVLQJ QDWXUH·V PRVW powerful superfood. Former college students from Chicago seek investors for an online marketplace designed to help current and former college athletes cash in on their fame, and a professional boxer from Houston demonstrates an all-in-one total body fitness WRRO 7RQLJKW·V 6KDUNV LQFOXGH 0DUN &XEDQ %DUEDUD &RUFRUDQ .HYLQ 2·/HDU\ DQG /RUL *UHLQHU
Charmed 8 p.m. on CW
In the new episode “Hashing It Out,” The Unseen bring an epic battle to the Charmed Ones as Mel, Maggie and Kaela (Melonie Diaz, Sarah Jeffery, Lucy Barrett) are focused on their romantic lives. Meanwhile, Roxie (guest star Shi Ne Nielson) turns to Harry (Rupert Evans) for help, but his mission uncovers something — and someone — totally unexpected. Jordan Donica also stars.