PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY

Superman & Lois (BBC1, 5.15pm)

Some die-hard comic-book action fans had worried that this latest ‘Arrowverse’ series might be too domestic and soapy to be of much value, but in fact it has created tension, excitement and intrigue aplenty – often in surprising ways. Now, with only a few instalments left of this first series (a second is already airing in the US), the world’s most popular superhero pays a visit to Morgan Edge, but is at odds with Lois about what to do with Project 7734. Lois meanwhile works on a story with Chrissy.

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (STV, 7pm)

There’s a very distinctive voice in the Star Guest Announcer booth tonight – actor Richard E Grant is taking on the duties. If that wasn’t impressive enough, crooner Michael Buble is back for a Big Band End of the Show Show. Plus, Jordan North is out and about to deliver a Gift on a Shift and Stephen Mulhern pops by for Ant vs Dec. However, as their drag extravaganza a couple of weeks ago proved, no matter how many familiar faces they may enlist to help them, the real stars of the show are always Ant and Dec themselves.

Queens of Mystery (C5, 9.15pm)

If you’re a fan of so-called ‘cosy crime’, then this series could be right up your tastefully blood-spattered street – in fact, some fans may have already been converted, as it was previously available to view on streaming service Acorn TV. Now, it’s coming to Channel 5 starring Olivia Vinall as Det Sgt Matilda ‘Mattie’ Stone, who receives a promotion – and finds herself assigned to Wildemarsh, the picturesque village where she grew up. Her boss warns her that she will be expected to solve her cases by the book, and that doesn’t mean involving her three aunts, the crime writers Beth (Sarah Woodward), Cat (Julie Graham) and Jane (Siobhan Redmond). However, when her latest investigation involves the world of publishing, she may not have a choice.

Killing Eve (BBC1, 9.15pm)

The drama may have its own BBC3 sister show, Obsessed with Killing Eve, but some former fans had felt their own devotion to the darkly funny drama was waning after the end of the third series. However, the opening episode of season four seemed designed to draw them back in. If you are hooked again, this episode sees Eve continue her revenge mission against The Twelve by tracking down Helene, who could prove useful. Meanwhile, Villanelle’s own quest for change isn’t going to plan, and Carolyn looks for allies outside MI6.

The Heart Guy (Drama, 10.35pm)

Series five of the Australian medical drama kicks off with a double bill, with hedonistic

heart surgeon Hugh planning to leave Whyhope for good – however even the best laid plans are no match for the muses of this series’ writers, and the fish-out-of-water medic must rethink things when the hospital is forced to shut. Meryl is under investigation for corruption, and looks to Hayley for help in hiding the evidence. But then things start to get interesting for Hugh when an old flame makes a reappearance...

SUNDAY

One and Six Zeros (C4, 6pm)

Pointless now isn’t the only quiz show where the contestants will be hoping to get zero. In this new series, comedian Dara O Briain welcomes a team of three players who are just seven questions away from winning £1,000,000. Each correct answers locks in a digit, but a wrong one will wipe an allimportant zero from their prize fund. The first team to take on the challenge are Stella, Steve and Laura from Durham, but how much are they willing to risk if they are unsure of the answer? They can always swap a question, but that will also decrease the prize fund.

Steps of Freedom: The Story of Irish Dance (BBC4, 8pm)

Think Irish dance and most people – those outside of Ireland, at least – will think of

Riverdance. A shame, as the form is infinitely more varied and rich in culture than Michael Flatley and co’s narrow interpretation of it. However Riverdance undoubtedly boosted its popularity and visibility overseas immeasurably. This one-off documentary from director Ruan Magan (The Irish Revolution) examines Irish dancing’s roots as a simple folk dance and its growth over centuries into a global phenomenon.

The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan (BBC2, 9pm)

Now that travel is possible again, the comedian is back for a new series, ready to visit destinations that were rarely top of many

Many people believe they’re related to someone famous but this new game show gives four lucky folk a chance to find out if it’s true. Each week, a celebrity will hold a dinner party for a quartet of guests, who must determine over three fact-finding games whether one, two or all of them are related to their host. Craig Revel Horwood gets the show on the road in this opener, revealing family stories and connections with all of his guests. But which of them will win a share of £1,000 and a celebrity relative?

The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver (C4, 8pm)

Just when you thought the hoops thrown up by this competition couldn’t get any higher or tighter, along comes the final and blows us all away. The remaining cooks must present their book concept and variety of recipes to the elite of the book-buying world. As well as designing the potential front cover, they must cook six very different dishes to demonstrate the range and ambition of the over 80 recipes that will feature within its pages. Only one of the cooks can win a publishing deal and start a new chapter.

Holding (STV, 9pm)

Graham Norton may be best known as the cheeky host of his eponymous BBC talk show, but he’s also a writer and his debut novel provides the foundation for this fourpart drama. Directed by Kathy Burke (she of Gimme Gimme Gimme fame) it features a Who’s Who of Irish talent, including Conleth Hill – best known as Varys from Game of Thrones – Oscar-winner Brenda Fricker and Derry Girls’ Siobhan McSweeney. The plot follows hapless Garda PJ Collins (played by Hill), whose world is turned upside down when the body of long-lost local legend Tommy Burke is discovered. As he does his best to investigate the case, he is forced to engage with the residents of his sleepy village that he’s worked very hard to avoid.

The Drop (BBC3, 9pm)

The latest reality competition format to see creative people competing for a lucrative contract is set in the world of street fashion, with R&B superstar Miguel leading the search for a new stylish designer. As head judge, Miguel is joined by streetwear legends Blondey and Marc Jacques Burton, and this week by guest judge JME, who together must cast their eyes over nine creatives’ work – with one of them, naturally, being eliminated each week after the public “drop”, or launch, of their displays.

TUESDAY

What If Putin Goes Nuclear? (C4, 8pm)

Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine shocked the world, but when President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear strategic forces on high alert, Cold War nightmares about nuclear annihilation, long since faded into the background, were suddenly once again at the front of everyone’s minds. Here, veteran journalist Jon Snow attempts to unpick why Putin is threatening nuclear escalation, what it could possibly mean for the conflict in Ukraine, and the implications for us here in the UK, as well as the rest of the world.

Rowing Home with Jordan North (BBC3, 8.30pm)

Radio 1 DJ Jordan North has never rowed a boat before - a fact which in itself is fairly unremarkable, but is relevant here because he is raising funds for Comic Relief by navigating from London to his home town of Burnley in a one-man boat, along 100 miles of canals. It’s quite the commute – it will take five days for Jordan to see the challenge through, so sadly is not a practical way of reducing his carbon footprint. He’ll also have the British weather to contend with. Just as well it’s for a good cause.

The Killing of PC Harper: A Widow’s Fight for Justice (STV, 9pm)

Sir Trevor McDonald talks to Lissie Harper, widow of PC Andrew Harper who, in a case that shocked the nation, was dragged to his death by three teenagers who were driving a stolen car in 2019. In this powerful programme, Lissie talks about her life with Andrew, who was killed just four weeks after their wedding. Sir Trevor also takes viewers through the events, from the first 999 call to the hunt for Andrew’s killers and their eventual conviction for manslaughter, while Lissie reveals how her grief evolved to drive her current campaign for the introduction of ‘Harper’s Law’. The legacy in her husband’s name proposes a life sentence for anyone guilty of killing an emergency worker while committing a crime.

This Is Going to Hurt (BBC1, 9pm)

It’s fair to say this sharply written series has prompted a lot of internet chatter, but it remains great telly nonetheless. In this penultimate edition, Adam tries to fill his coffers with a lucrative night shift at a private hospital. However, all that glitters clearly ain’t gold, and when a rich patient runs into problems, he faces a critical emergency without the tools to deal with it. Meanwhile, Shruti rolls up her sleeves for a night with the NHS – and it could be the making of her. Ben Whishaw and Ambika Mod star.