TV PICKS OF THE WEEK
CALL THE MIDWIFE Tonight, BBC1, 8pm
The current run of the period drama comes to an end tonight, but the good news is the BBC has promised to deliver another three series, ensuring Call the Midwife will be on our screens until at least 2026.
In the meantime though, the staff at Nonnatus House are more excited about Trixie’s wedding, as Sister Veronica puts herself in charge of organising the gifts, while the bride’s brother Geoffrey plans the hen party. However, a catalogue of disasters, both mini and major, threaten the big day. Elsewhere, Dr Turner, Shelagh and Timothy are the first on the scene of a fatal car crash.
BRONSON: FIT TO BE FREE? Tomorrow, Channel 4, 9pm
He was born Michael Gordon Peterson and currently calls himself Charles Arthur Salvador, but is by far best known as Charles Bronson, Britain’s most notorious prisoner.
Now 70, he’s spent most of his adult life behind bars. Having been convicted of a range of crimes, he’s serving a life sentence, while his life story was even depicted in the 2008 film Bronson, starring Tom Hardy.
Bronson’s due to meet the parole board next week and this documentary examines the case for his release.
GREAT BRITISH MENU Tuesday, BBC2, 8pm
It’s the turn of chefs from Scotland to impress Tom Aikens, the Michelinstarred veteran who previously appeared on Iron Chef UK.
They are challenged to take inspiration from animation and illustration linked to the country, with vegan starters based on the Beano, Dennis the Menace, Bananaman and Aesop fable The Mouse and the Lion.
Then, one of the fish courses is influenced by a forest scene from Pixar’s animated adventure Brave.
THE BILLIONAIRES WHO MADE OUR WORLD: MARK ZUCKERBERG Wednesday, Channel 4, 10pm
If you’ve ever seen the film The Social Network, then you’ll know that for as long as Facebook has existed, Mark Zuckerberg has been attracting controversy. In recent years, he’s had to defend Facebook from claims that it has profited off misinformation and influenced elections around the world.
With the help of friends and insiders, this documentary tries to find out if Zuckerberg is a misunderstood geek or a ruthless operator.
INTO THE GRAND CANYON WITH NICK KNOWLES Thursday, Channel 5, 9pm
The DIY SOS host is exploring one of the USA’s most iconic sites, the Grand
Canyon – and he’s throwing himself into his adventure by ziplining over part of it.
Nick emerges unscathed, but he discovers that, for some, visiting the canyon can be hazardous.
On average, there are 12 fatalities a year. Nick discovers how the Search and Rescue teams get to emergency cases in such a difficult and harsh environment.
BEYOND PARADISE Friday, BBC1, 8pm
It became clear in last week’s opener that Humphrey and Martha’s new life in Devon is far from straightforward. The couple throw themselves into their work to take their minds off recent events.
For Humphrey, this means investigating the disappearance of an entire family from their house, while Martha nervously prepares for the opening of her new cafe.
She is dealt a blow when the bank call to refuse her loan, but help comes from local vineyard owner – and Martha’s ex-fiancé – Archie Hughes (Jamie Bamber).
UNIVERSE Saturday, BBC2, 7.40pm
Professor Brian Cox has some mind-blowing facts and figures about Earth’s home galaxy, the Milky Way. Using data from The European Space Agency’s Gaia Space Telescope, which has produced the most accurate map of the galaxy and measured the movement of the stars within it, he traces the Milky Way’s dramatic history... and its cataclysmic future.