The Summer is approaching and along with it are some great new programmes to keep an eye out for. Here are Inside Media Track‘s top TV picks for this week:
Sunday 2nd
© BBC
Case Histories concludes its second series this Sunday evening on BBC One at 8:30pm. Appropriately titled Jackson and The Women, this final episode will show Jackson Brodie in a very rare light – as happy! Before you all fall off your chairs in shock you can thank his new girlfriend Charlotte, played by Dawn Steele (who reminded me how much I miss Monarch of the Glen!), for this rare occurrence.
But of course things don’t stay simple for long. Not only does Jackson have to contend with his ex-girlfriend Julia, but scorned DS Louise Monroe (Amanda Abbington) is never far out of the picture. Of course there is also a new case for our favourite Private Detective (well one of our favourites – can’t forget Sherlock!) to solve when he is approached by a teenage boy who wants to find out who murdered his mother. The enjoyable series is sure to conclude with an explosive episode.
Monday 3rd
© BBC
Lock your doors and keep the lights on! Yes, The Fall continues this Monday evening and believe it or not, we are now onto the penultimate episode – how can this be!? Well, at least there will be a second series and this exciting knowledge only heightens the anticipation for these last two episodes. Will Spector (Dornan) really be caught? We’re close to finding out. The chase is on and while serial killer Spector stalks another victim and faces questions about his actions from his boss, DS Stella Gibson (Anderson) is coolly and quickly trying to get closer to the killer, even though the pressure is mounting fast. However, there is a potential new lead for the Detectives which they find after revisiting the Sarah Kay crime scene. The Fall continues on BBC Two at 9:00pm.
Tuesday 4th
©David Bloomer at Left Bank Pictures
It’s the return of Mad Dogs! Max Beesley, Philip Glenister, John Simm and Marc Warren are back as the group of friends who unintentionally get involved in all sorts of shenanigans on their ‘holiday’ (and I use that word very loosely!) This four-part third series picks up where the second one ended and we see that the law has finally caught up with the boys. Stuck in an extremely dodgy and decrepit prison, Quinn, Baxter, Woody and Rick are subject to extreme interrogation and a run-in with fellow feisty prisoner, Mercedes (played by Jaime Winstone). Will this series live up to the last two? I hope so, especially since a fourth and final season have already been commissioned. 9:00pm on Sky1, see you there!
If you’re not a fan of Mad Dogs then it’s worth mentioning that a new series The Call Centre will also be starting this Tuesday evening. This fly-on-the-wall documentary will chart the goings-on at the third largest Call Centre in Swansea and will follow CEO Nev Wilshire and his staff as they go about their days. Always wanted to know the ins and outs of a Call Centre? Then BBC Three at 9:00pm is the place to be.
Wednesday 5th
© ITV
A new comedy series is starting this Wednesday on ITV – hey, the more the merrier! Love and Marriage is a 6-part series that explores the love in the chaotic Paradise family. Featuring an impressive cast including Gavin & Stacey stars Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman this first episode focusses on the Pauline Paradise’s (Steadman) retirement as a lollipop lady and her decision to end her marriage with her husband Ken (Duncan Preston), who to her doesn’t really seem to care about much. This huge decision has many consequences for the Paradise family, some extremely funny. Tune into ITV at 9:00pm to get some well-deserved midweek laughs.
Thursday 6th
© BBC
If you didn’t catch the first episode of Up The Women last Thursday on BBC Four then now is your chance to catch up on BBC iPlayer before the second one airs at 8:30pm this evening. Jessica Hynes‘ brilliant and very funny sitcom may be a little out of the spotlight over on BBC Four but that’s not to say it doesn’t deserve all the attention it gets, and the fact that a second series has been given the go-ahead is definitely a good reason to jump on the bandwagon. Now that the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle is now the Banbury Intricate Craft Circle Politely Requests Women’s Suffrage (bit of a mouthful) the ladies decide to get their campaign moving by picketing the post office, and they also soon realise that there are other suffragettes present in the sleepy town of Banbury. Concerned about their actions, PC John Thackeray decides to interview the ladies in turn to shed some light on their intentions, and cue a lot of laughs!
Friday 7th
© Channel 4
Channel 4’s Comedy Gala will be shown this Friday evening on (yes you guessed it) Channel 4 at 9:00pm. Prepare to be entertained with great comedy stand-up and written sketches from the London O2 arena in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. With famous faces such as Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Miranda Hart, and Alan Carr involved along with many others, including a performance from Diversity, it’s set to be a great night for comedy and charity.
Saturday 8th
© FX
The brilliant spy thriller series The Americans will continue on ITV at 10:15pm. The complex and staged marriage of the two KGB spies will become more genuine as the series progresses but will also constantly be tested by their surroundings and missions. In this second episode British prime minister Margaret Thatcher is due to meet with Weinberger in three days and so the Jennings are recruited to infiltrate this meeting. In order to get information Philip (Matthew Rhys) seduces his mark, Annalise (Gillian Alexy) and is able to convince her to take photos of the U.S. Secretary of Defence Casper Weinberger’s office. Naturally problems occur and Philip and Elizabeth Jenning must use all their knowledge and cunning to complete the mission.
And so there you have Inside Media Track‘s top TV picks of the week!
