What not to miss in the week ahead
DRAMA
Malory Towers
Set in post-war Britain on the sundrenched cliffs of the Cornish coast, this dramatisation of Enid Blyton’s much-loved Malory Towers novels is a 13-part wallow in a nostalgic world of midnight feasts, lacrosse, pranks, a mystery ghost and lasting friendships. The drama follows the adventures of Darrell Rivers as she leaves home for the first time to attend an all-girls’ boarding school.
In the first episode, Darrell settles in at Malory Towers and meets her new chums, desperate to keep her past at her old school – St Hilda’s – a secret. The whole series, starring Ella Bright as Darrell, is available on iplayer. Monday, CBBC, 5:30pm
COMEDY
Alma’s Not Normal
Time was the BBC would just commission a sitcom, but now it tends to commission a series of pilots and go from there. Hence, a single episode only of Sophie Willan’s semiautobiographical Alma’s Not Normal which follows Boltonian wild-child Alma Nuthall (Willan) and her family of eccentric, unruly women.
After a recent break-up, Alma tries to get her life back on track. But with no job, no qualifications and a rebellious streak a mile wide, it’s not going to be easy. Meanwhile her mum, played by Siobhan Finneran, who is battling a heroin addiction, has been sectioned for arson, and her vampish Grandma Joan (Lorraine Ashbourne) wants nothing to do with it.
Tuesday, BBC2, 10pm
DOCUMENTARY The Countess And The Russian Billionaire
Step into a world of luxury and paranoia with Sergei Pugachev, a Russian oligarch, and his British partner Countess Alexandra Tolstoy, mother to their three children.
Filmed between the UK, France and Russia, the documentary sets out to tell the story of their Russian romance, unimaginable wealth and privileged lifestyle. Sergei, once known as Putin’s banker, amassed a $15 billion fortune, owning one of Russia’s largest private banks, shipyards, a coal mine and designer brands until his fall from favour with the president.
But now his empire is at risk from the Russian government and with threats made to his life, Sergei flees to his chateau in France while Alexandra is left behind with the children in London as events quickly overtake their world of power, money and love.
Wednesday, BBC2, 9pm
ENTERTAINMENT Socially Distant With Susan Calman
BBC Scotland are quick off the mark with this six-part topical show hosted by Susan Calman, which aims to cheer up the nation as it wrestles with the coronavirus outbreak. In line with the new social distancing rules, she has decided to make a television show remotely from the bottom of her garden.
As well as her personal take on this new way of life, Susan will introduce self-filmed contributions from the finest comedians, actors and musicians from across Scotland who now find themselves stuck at home. Thursday, BBC Scotland, 8:30pm
TRAVEL AND FOOD James Martin’s Islands To Highlands
James Martin sets off on his foodie travels, each day accompanied by a top chef. In the first episode of the daytime series, he is in the Scilly Isles, accompanied by Michelinstarred Galton Blackiston, where they don diving suits to swim with seals and hire an unusual mode of transport to take them around the islands. ■
Monday to Friday, STV, 2pm