PICK OF TODAY’S TV

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?, 9PM, BBC1

ANNA MAXWELL MARTIN (pictured), who has two daughters herself, is interested to know how her life has been shaped by the parents who preceded her in her family tree, and how she in turn will influence her daughters’ lives. The Motherland and Line Of Duty star is also lots of fun as she goes in search of her roots. When she meets her mum to discuss her ancestors, she has just one request about her background. ‘Please, say it’s in the Caribbean. Please, please. Or Australia. Or Lanzarote. Please!’ Sadly, her quest takes her to some far less exotic locations in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and uncovers some heart-breaking stories. Anna’s father, Ivan, died when he was only 59, and Anna only 24, leaving unanswered questions about a tragedy in the family. Discovering just what happened is a deeply moving experience for the actress, and makes her look at her grandparents, whom she remembered as being stern and distant, in a new light. And although Anna doesn’t make it Down Under, it seems some of her distant relatives did actually make that arduous journey, before one returned in some disgrace — and that’s when the story takes a dark turn . . .