“Mammals
Sunday, on the first channel of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC1), at 7 in the evening,
The legendary David Attenborough unites with BBC’s Natural History Unit yet again for a brand-new, visual feast of a series. The series pays tribute to the wonderful and intriguing beings with whom we have the good fortune to share our earth. It takes us across the globe offering close encounters with a dazzling array of warm-blooded lifeforms, stretching from the tenacious star-nosed mole to the formidable huntress, the tigress. The opening episode of this mesmerising six-part epic series spotlights the nocturnal animals, diving into the dark to explore their existence and examine how their amplified senses contribute to their survival.
This Town
Sunday, BBC1, at 9 in the evening,
Author of Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, transports the drama to Birmingham, but set in the volatile early 1980s, against a backdrop of protests, attacks from the Irish Republican Army and the ascent of the ska and two-tone music scene. This fresh six-part series weaves the tale of a motley group of disheartened youngsters who find a revived spirit on their journey to form a ska band and aim to achieve global recognition – or at least a slot on ‘Top of the Pops’. Levi Brown portrays Dante, an ambitious city poet, who realises his words take on life when synchronised to a skankin’ rhythm. Ben Rose portrays Bardon Quinn, a band member, conflicted between taking up music professionally and joining his father’s illicit business: the IRA. Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey fame features in the series, complemented by a soundtrack incorporating original songs written by Kae Tempest and producer Dan Carey, alongside several ska hits from that time period.
MasterChef
Monday, BBC1, at 6:30 in the evening,
The 20th series of the novice culinary competition opens its kitchen doors. For the upcoming 24 episodes, 58 prospective chefs will compete to prepare extraordinary meals that will delight the judges, John Torode and Gregg Wallace. The first stage of eliminations begins with six eager contestants looking to secure an esteemed MasterChef apron and a spot in the quarter-finals. But there’s a surprise challenge from Torode and Wallace. In ‘Basic to Brilliant’, participants have to morph a standard ingredient into a divine culinary creation.
Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain
Monday, BBC1, 8 o’clock in the evening,”
The concluding chapter of the Spanish travelogue featuring Strictly dancers, Anton du Beke and Giovanni Pernice, takes us to the northern Basque region. Here, Anton has a touching reunion with his wife Hannah, their children, and his mother Conchita. But before this, the duo savour local gastronomical delights in the food haven San Sebastián, indulging in pintxos and Basque cheecekake. Their journey ends in Bilbao amidst the grand celebration of the Semana Grande festival.
Meanwhile, Home of the Year continues its quest on Tuesday on RTÉ1 at 8.30pm, introducing three houses as potential contenders for the title. This week’s selection includes a quaint 300-year-old cottage in Co Wicklow, revitalised and brought to life with vibrant colours by owners Elaine Mackenzie-Smith and Kevin Couglan; a 1920s Dublin terrace house renovated by Eugene McCarthy; and an original self-build in Co Louth, with an audacious, eclectic design attributed to owners Olivia and Peter Phillips.
Tuesday’s programming on RTÉ1 at 7pm features the exploration of global sustainability with comedian and writer Martin Beanz Warde in The End of the World with Beanz. Joined by Roz Purcell, the pair visit the isolated Scottish isle of Gometra where they encounter a family living contentedly off-grid. Additionally, Beanz connects with environmentally conscious funeral directors in Navan and learns bicycle repair skills in Galway.
On Wednesday at 9.35pm, Rising Tides: Ireland’s Future in a Warmer World questions the country’s future in an ever-warming climate.
Rising temperatures and soaring sea levels are only part of the harsh realities we face with global warming. How can we cope? Philip Boucher-Hayes sets out on a journey across our stricken Earth to explore our potential for adaptation to this new climate-ridden world, confronting the perils from intense wildfires, dwindling coastlines, to the eternal thawing of ice. Along his path, Boucher-Hayes meets individuals from all corners of the globe who are generating creative tactics to counteract the disastrous impacts of climate change. However, he comprehends that we are incapable of restraining this escalating menace with symbolic efforts alone, much like the legendary King Canute.
Vanderpump Rules
Airing Wednesday on Virgin Media 2 at 10.15 p.m.
Those engrossed with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in the past would undoubtedly recognise the vibrant Lisa Vanderpump. It is no shock that after the show concluded, she did not just elegantly depart. She emerged as a prominent figure in the realm of “reality” television. In her current show, she is set to inaugurate her brand-new, luxurious restaurant and bar in Hollywood, and with her family, she is determined to astound with this latest endeavour, aiming to make it the centre of all chatter.
Other Voices Grand Finale
Screening on Thursday on RTÉ2 at 11.10 p.m.
The latest installment of Other Voices promises a sensational ending at St. James’s Church in Dingle. Renowned performers including Aoife Ní Bhriain, Catrin Finch, Villagers and Qbanaa are set to take the stage, while in the Imro Other Room, a spectacular performance by Kae Tempest will wrap things up. Audience members can anticipate a splendid fusion of music and lyrics.
The TV show Tracks and Trails, which airs on Fridays at 7.30pm on RTÉ1, is ready to embark into its 11th season. It’s previous ten series have traversed extensive parts of Ireland’s scenic beauty. The upcoming series will venture across six more counties; Monaghan, Offaly, Tyrone, Kerry, Kilkenny and Tipperary. The first episode features crime journalist and podcast host, Nicola Tallant, attempting a challenging hike through the Boolas Loop in the Comeragh Mountains of County Waterford. The 10km circuit takes explorers along a harsh rocky path scattered with secluded mountain lakes known as boolas, preceding a cliff walk in Dunmore East filled with stories of past pirates and smuggling events.
Friday’s instalment of Avoidance on BBC1 at 9.30pm reintroduces us to the multitude-phobic Romesh Ranganathan. However, his character Jonathan has undergone a transformation in the new series, now taking on the persona of Mamil, accompanied by an abundant supply of Lycra. While Jonathan fantasises about rekindling his relationship with his former partner, Claire (played by Jessica Knappett), and becoming a more present father to his son, Spencer (portrayed by Kieran Logendra), his plans are constantly interrupted. Claire’s new crush, “hot furniture guy” Brett (Matthew Lewis), and Megan (Aisling Bea) who recently won a date with Jonathan at a school fundraiser, consistently hinder his dreams.