BEST OF THE REST
GANGS OF LONDON Sky Atlantic, 9pm
IF you like a dark, gritty, high stakes drama, then this new series is for you. It’s a brooding, atmospheric story of rival gangs in our capital, as we follow their struggle for power.
When one of the most notorious gangsters in the city, Finn Wallace (Colm Meaney) is murdered, nobody knows who is responsible. But his son, Sean (Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole) is determined to make someone pay, whatever the consequences might be.
Unsurprisingly given the subject matter, the show isn’t shy of violence.
The first episode opens with a merciless killing: hanging upside down by his feet from the top of the London skyline, a man screams for his life as he’s doused in petrol.
But he can’t offer any information, so he meets a grisly end, falling to the ground in flames. This beautifully shot, brutal scene sets the tone for an epic nine-part series.
GORDON, GINO AND FRED: AMERICAN ROAD TRIP ITV, 9pm
IT’S the last leg of the lads’ road trip across the States and once again they tread a fine line between fun banter and excruciating embarrassment.
A long drive across Texas means this isn’t a vegan-friendly episode. The three amigos are revelling in barbecued meat in all its forms – beautifully seasoned brisket, juicy steak, tender ribs – marinated and smoked to perfection. It only spurs on the macho rivalry, as Gordon challenges his mates to a lumberjack conquest, before a spot of skinny dipping.
Later, Austin proves completely unprepared for Gino D’Acampo when he skips into a cowboy store, jumps on the counter like a child on E numbers and tries on a rather revealing pair of chaps that make Fred blush.
But it’s hugs all round by the end, as the trio visits a rodeo, grill some more meat for good measure and plan the next adventure.