SPECIAL ROYAL OCCASION
ITV focuses on the British monarchy, but there are new intriguing shows on offer, plus there’s the return of Supernatural and The Great British Bake Off
WE’RE halfway through the year, and ITV Choice gives us its annual royal season. Royal Recipes is on Mondays to Fridays at 7.10pm, combining recipes with historical details. Michael Buerk (helped by Michelin-starred Chef Paul Ainsworth and chef Anna Haugh) will recreate some of the dishes served to monarchs from George IV to the present day.
When Phillip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years Of The Duke Of Edinburgh’s Award is a documentary on July 6 at 8pm which sees presenter Phillip Schofield talking to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in the 60th anniversary year of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).
Inside Windsor Castle uncover the scandals, triumphs and betrayals of the Royal family in this four-part series which will air on Fridays from July 7 until July 28 at 8pm.
The Royal Good Guys (July 13 at 8pm) takes a look at the charity work of the four princes Philip, Charles, William and Harry. Through the business of their charities, they are transforming the British Royal Family into a modern global brand. On July 20 at 8pm, Prince Harry in Africa follows Harry on his return to Lesotho, to continue the work of the charity he set up in the country a decade ago.
On a frivolous note, in Kate’s Wardrobe Secrets (July 27, 8pm), Kate’s wardrobe secrets are uncovered, revealing her favourite labels, the styles she chooses to flatter her figure, whether she is going to a sports ground or a film premiere, and her go-to designers.
TOMORROW
Superhuman (M-Net, 5pm): Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar, House, How I Met Your Mother) hosts this jaw-dropping series which tests the abilities of ordinary people to use their extraordinary skills to win a $50 000 grand prize. In each episode, five contestants who have a distinct, nearly super-human ability – like memory, hearing, taste, touch, smell, sight and more – are challenged to push themselves to the limit.
IN THE WEEK
Great News (M-Net 101, Monday at 5.50pm): In the series premiere of this workplace comedy, frustrated news producer Katie (Briga Heelan, Cougar Town) is horrified when her overly involved mother lands an internship on her news show. Emmy-winner and comedy genius Tina Fey is an executive producer. The show has been renewed for a second season.
The Great British Bake Off (BBC Lifestyle, Tuesday at 8pm): This baking series took the UK – and the rest of the world – by storm, with this seventh season being the mostwatched reality show in 2016. It’s the last in its current format, with judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry, and hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins. This season, Ghanaian-born banker Selasi Gbormittah wins over Mel and Sue, and audiences with his cool, calm and charming ways. See how he and the other contestants fare when the competition begins with Cake Week. The Great South African Bake Off returns in October. Mary Berry Everyday (BBC Lifestyle, Tuesday at 9pm): In this season, the queen of the kitchen travels to Scotland to enjoy the best of their everyday dishes with recipes inspired by her Scottish heritage. She discovers wonderful shellfish in Ullapool, shares the joy of venison cooked on a braai with chef Tom Kitchin, and whips up her special whisky cream on the banks of a loch. Mary also reveals her secret tip for a rich bolognaise, tries her hand at bee keeping and milks a goat to make her own cheese.
Falling Water (M-Net 101, Tuesday at 12.15am): The late Emmy-winning producer of Homeland, Henry Bromell (who has numerous excellent credits on his resume including Chicago Hope, Northern Exposure, Homicide: Life on the Street, Brotherhood, Carnivàle) wrote the pilot of this surreal psychological drama with Blake Masters (creator of Brotherhood, developer of NBC’s Law & Order: LA).
In the premiere, three unrelated people slowly realise they share separate parts of a single, common dream. Falling Water has been renewed for a second season.
Beyond (Vuzu AMP, Wednesday at 9pm): Holden Matthews (Burkely Duffield in his first lead role, following small parts in series like Supernatural and The Arrangement (which is on M-Net 101 on Fridays at 9.30pm) wakes up from a 12-year coma and discovers new abilities that propel him into the middle of a dangerous conspiracy. He must figure out how to survive in the world that has changed significantly while he was in his coma and why it happened to him in the first place.
As Holden tries to adjust, a mysterious woman named Willa (Dilan Gwyn) warns him not to trust the people around him. The series has been renewed for a second season.
Supernatural (Vuzu AMP, Thursday at 9pm): In the season 12 premiere, Dean (Jensen Ackles) is overwhelmed as he comes face to face with his mom, Mary Winchester (Samantha Smith). Meanwhile, Sam (Jared Padalecki) is fighting for his life – again – after Toni (Elizabeth Blackmore), from the Woman of Letters, shot him. Trivia: look out for Rick Springfield as Vince Vincente/Lucifer in this season.