The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

REBUS WITH A TWIST

TV PREVIEWS

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Rebus – Saturday, BBC1, 9.25pm

It’s not the first time Ian Rankin’s world-weary Edinburgh police detective has appeared in a TV show, but the makers of this new six-part series have taken a different approach to the character. Out go the somewhat haggard faces of Ken Stott and John Hannah to be replaced by the fresherloo­king Richard Rankin – no relation to the author, by the way. He’s playing a younger version of John Rebus, who’s a lowly detective sergeant when we meet him. He’s also about to tackle a case with a personal twist when his brother, a former soldier, gets caught up in a violent struggle, leaving Rebus with a dilemma – does he ensure justice is done or turn a blind eye to protect his sibling?

The Piano – Sunday, C4, 9pm

Host of many television programmes Claudia Winkleman, singer and entertaine­r Mika and worldrenow­ned pianist Lang Lang take their search for the UK’S best amateur pianists to London’s Victoria Station, where they encounter a romantic milkman, a soulful rugby player and an operatic singer whose performanc­e leads Lang Lang to dub him as “the new Bach”. That’s high praise indeed, but will it translate into an invitation to play at the show’s final concert? Cynics may occasional­ly question whether this show is more about the tear-jerking backstorie­s than celebratin­g musical talent, but it remains one of the most uplifting shows on TV.

Blue Lights – Monday, BBC1, 9pm

“Coming back for series two was like coming back to meet old friends, then devising new ways to put your old friends through torture,” says co-creator and writer Declan Lawn about Blue Lights. Watching his and Adam Patterson’s work is a nailbiting, gripping experience, but if that’s how they treat their mates, then thank goodness we’re not one of them. What makes it stand out from many other police dramas is the emotional punch it packs, and there’s more of that in the final episode of the run – yes, it’s come round rather quickly, hasn’t it? Monday nights will seem dull once we find out what happens after Mount Eden descends into chaos, with Grace desperate to save Henry from Lee.

Into The Amazon With Robson Green – Tuesday, C5, 9pm

It’s the largest rainforest on Earth, home to an incredible variety of wildlife, from piranhas to sloths – and now actor and presenter Robson Green is going there, too. He begins this three-part adventure in Alter do Chao, known as the gateway to the rainforest, which has also been dubbed the Amazon’s answer to the Caribbean. However, if you think that sounds like Robson will be having a nice, relaxing time before his journey of discovery begins in earnest, you would be wrong. Instead, he’s a taking a perilous route to the very top of the tree canopy, where he’s rewarded with an incredible view that brings home just how unbelievab­ly vast and important this ecosystem really is.

Race Across The World – Wednesday, BBC1, 9pm

They may be racing each other, but the remaining teams still come together this week to mark Owen’s impending 21st birthday in the traditiona­l Indonesian way, with a splatterin­g of egg and flour. Then it’s time to set off on the next leg, which sees Owen spending his big day in Padang with a local fisherman and his family, who take him and Alfie into the heart of their community. But the pair still feel like celebratin­g when they take a chance on the roads along Sumatra’s southern coast? They may have an impressive lead, but on an island with limited accommodat­ion options and a somewhat ad-hoc transport system, it may be easy to fall behind, especially as there are few English speakers around.

Murder, They Hope – Thursday, BBC2, 9pm

Terry and Gemma arrive at the hotel 48 hours before their wedding looking to relax in the spa – but Gemma’s mum Patricia (Sherrie Hewson) and Monica (Sarah Hadland) have other ideas. The weekend soon takes a turn when they discover a dead wedding guest and, before long, Gemma and Terry face a race against time to solve the murder before their nuptials can take place. Then, in tonight’s second episode, Terry and Gemma’s relationsh­ip looks like it’s on the rocks, and Terry reconnects with his old mate Willy Watkins (Lee Mack), leaving Gemma to investigat­e crimes on her own – until Monica (Sarah Hadland) gets in on the action, that is.

The Young Offenders – Friday, BBC1, 9.30pm

The Cork-based smashhit sitcom, a spin-off from an equally popular 2016 movie, has returned with more laughs to keep fans of the show happy. With best friends Jock (Chris Walley) and Conor (Alex Murphy) separated for the moment – Walley’s busy schedule has meant season four had to be effectivel­y written around him – it has given the craic-filled comedy’s ensemble cast the chance to shine. They include Healy (Dominic Machale) and Mairead (Hilary Rose), who are becoming increasing­ly infuriated with having Conor living in their house. When Healy shares that he’s going on a fishing trip to where he grew up, Mairead insists he takes his troublesom­e stepson along with him.

 ?? ?? CRIME FIGHTER: Richard Rankin stars as a younger John Rebus in a new BBC series about the Edinburgh detective.
CRIME FIGHTER: Richard Rankin stars as a younger John Rebus in a new BBC series about the Edinburgh detective.
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 ?? ?? Clockwise from top, Claudia Winkleman, Lang Lang and Mika continue their search for talented pianists; Terry reconnects with his old mate Willy in BBC2’S Murder, They Hope; and Conor Macsweeney and Sergeant Tony Healy go fishing in BBC1 sitcom The Young Offenders.
Clockwise from top, Claudia Winkleman, Lang Lang and Mika continue their search for talented pianists; Terry reconnects with his old mate Willy in BBC2’S Murder, They Hope; and Conor Macsweeney and Sergeant Tony Healy go fishing in BBC1 sitcom The Young Offenders.
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