“Growing Up in a Village
Scheduled for Sunday, on RTÉ1 at 6.30pm
What’s the solution for urban parents when their teenagers start going astray? The answer is simple: channel them towards the countryside, sheltered from negative influences and within the embrace of a close-knit rural community that can guide and help them regain their direction. In this second series, we introduce eight city-bred teens who must give up their internet connectivity, TikTok, PlayStations, and late-night party lifestyle in exchange for a more tranquil, country life set in a minuscule village. They must rise at dawn, sleep early, and partake in chores, local events, and community-driven entertainment. Will they crumble under this pastoral routine or will they adapt?
Reviving Grand Homes
Broadcasting on Sunday, RTÉ1, at 9.30pm
Hugh Wallace hosts a fresh series that follows homeowners on their journey to rejuvenate their dilapidated houses into grand family habitats. These ventures are not for the weak-willed and entail projects like converting a former cowshed into a plush abode, or morphing an unused school into a stylish residence. Not only are they reviving derelict properties, but also contributing to conserving Ireland’s architectural heritage and addressing the housing shortage. The first project features Mary-Claire and Sully, the proprietors of The Parson’s House in Co Cork. The question remains, will they require a miracle to restore this Georgian cut-stone edifice?
Ukraine: Adversary in the Forest
Scheduled for Monday, on BBC2 at 9pm
The Ukraine conflict continues unabated after more than two years, but what’s the reality for the Ukrainian soldiers holding the frontline against a formidable and technologically superior invasion force. This potent documentary transports us directly to the frontlines via video captured by the soldiers themselves as they valiantly attempt to protect their eastern border from relentless Russian aggression. We delve into a select unit of warriors tasked with defending a crucial railway line to prevent Russia from launching an offensive on Kharkiv.
The Disappearing Triangle
Scheduled for Monday, on Virgin Media 1 at 9pm”
The mysterious vanishings of numerous young females throughout the 1990s sparked speculations about the presence of a serial killer in Leinster, an area renowned as the ‘Vanishing Triangle.’ This suspenseful crime drama series draws inspiration from these unexplained disappearances, featuring India Mullen as the pursued journalist Lisa Wallace. Wallace collaborates with Garda Det David Burke, played by Allen Leech, in a quest to uncover the reasons behind the abrupt disappearance of women across the nation. Lisa’s personal life is tangled in the mystery, as her mother was mysteriously murdered two decades prior. The question arises – could Lisa’s writings about her mother’s tragic death have reactivated the killer’s operations?
The list of 30 authentic Irish icons shared by Patrick Freyne includes Michael D Higgins’s dogs, the captivating blue eyes of Cillian Murphy, and Enya’s enchanting voice. Freyne also provides a somewhat humorous take on the challenges of being Irish, citing influences like Murder, She Wrote and Batman.
‘The End of the World with Beanz,’ airing Tuesday on RTÉ1 at 7pm, takes a unique approach to the looming climate doomsday. Instead of succumbing to fear and resorting to burning fossil fuels at home, Martin ‘Beanz’ Warde boldly explores worldwide reactions to the impending apocalypse. Why not embrace the possibility of chaos with a touch of light-hearted fun? This week, Beanz is accompanied by comedian Neil Delamere on an adventure in the wilderness of Ohio, where they learn survival skills for a post-apocalyptic world.
Tuesday night also sees UTV airing ‘Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story’ at 9pm.
Earlier this year, in January, Derek Draper, the husband of TV presenter Kate Garraway, passed away at the age of 56. His death followed an extensive struggle with health complications and a disability resulting from Covid-19. This documentary recounts the final year of Draper’s life and provides a glimpse into the hurdles that Garraway and her family had to overcome while caring for him at home. The film continues the narrative presented in the award-winning documentaries Finding Derek and Caring for Derek. It also underscores the familial bonds that sustained them throughout Draper’s protracted illness. Garraway expressed her delight that the film serves as a tribute to Derek, his indomitable spirit and to all those battling to make every second count in life, irrespective of the adversities they face.
Rising Tides: Ireland’s Future in a Warm World
This series investigates the potential impact of global warming on Ireland and whether it’s feasible to curb its harmful ramifications. The presenter, Philip Boucher-Hayes embarks on a journey to remote areas where the adverse effects of climate change are already convincingly observed. He seeks fruitful models and practices in these territories that could be implemented back home as protection against impending catastrophes. His journey’s first destination is Greenland, where the ice is liquefying at an alarming rate. The objective is to determine how this could directly influence Irish coastlines and weather conditions. Subsequently, a trip to Malawi in Africa intends to study how the native populace adjusts to drastic temperature upsurges.
The Secret Army
Journalist Darragh MacIntyre revisits a ground-breaking documentary filmed in 1972 when violence in Northern Ireland soared to unprecedented heights. A U.S. television crew had obtained exclusive permission to access the Provisional IRA for filming this documentary. However, it inexplicably disappeared soon after its production. More than five decades since, MacIntyre endeavours to uncover what led to the film’s conception and its unanticipated disappearance. He unearths the original reels in New York, gets hold of a U.S. production unit member who was present during the filming and manages to locate some ex-IRA individuals who featured in the documentary.
The Twelve
The new series airs on UTV at 9pm this Thursday.
An intriguing court drama produced in Australia takes centre stage, not focusing on the defendant but on the jury’s perspective. Twelve ordinary Australians of varied origins are assembled for a distressing case, a woman accused of killing her niece. As the plot thickens, the audience is granted a glimpse into the lives of these jury members, who carry an array of personal problems and familial complications that may interfere with their judgement. The case details are far from uncomplicated, adding further strain on the jury. The question remains – can they withstand the high-stakes trial’s challenges and arrive at a fair verdict?
Premiering on Thursday at 10 PM on Channel 4 is a new, humour-tinged series titled ‘Big Mood’. ‘Derry Girls’ and ‘Bridgerton’ actress, Nicola Coughlan, co-stars with Lydia West in this series, which tackles the issues faced by two best friends managing their relationships, careers, and bipolar disorder. Maggie (played by Coughlan) and Eddie (played by West) have been inseparable friends since their youth, navigating the highs and lows of adulthood. However, as they near their 30s, Maggie’s bipolar disorder intensifies, leading Eddie to reconsider his decision to move on to new friendships.
UTV presents ‘The Life and Death of Lily Savage’ on Friday at 9 PM. This documentary revisits the life of beloved comedian and TV personality Paul O’Grady who passed away last year. Twenty years prior, O’Grady had made the bold move of retiring his celebrated drag-queen persona, Lily Savage. Chronicling Lily Savage’s journey from underground gay cabarets in the 70s and 80s to fame in mainstream TV during the 90s and early 2000s, the documentary shows O’Grady’s fight for LGBTQ+ rights amidst losing friends to Aids. The program is enriched by interviews with O’Grady’s close circle, shedding light on why he chose to retire Lily’s vibrant wigs and sequins.
Starting Friday on Disney+, catch ‘Renegade Nell’.
Louisa Harland, known for her role in Derry Girls, slips into an 18th-century rebel outfit for her role in a brand new fantasy action series envisioned by Sally Wainwright. Harland portrays Nell Jackson, a sharp and savvy woman who is falsely accused of murder, prompting her to take flight accompanied by her two little sisters, Roxy and George. She transforms into England’s most infamous female bandit. Nick Mohammed brings life to a mystical spirit named Billy Blind who discloses Jackson’s real fate, whereas Adrian Lester takes on the role of the manipulative Earl of Poynton. Joely Richardson assumes the character of Lady Eularia Moggerhanger, a powerful woman controlling a newspaper empire.