Innholdsfortegnelse for 30-Aug-25 i TV Times

I FOUGHT THE LAW NEW SUNDAY & MONDAY, 9PM, ITV1 DRAMA (BOX SET, ITVX) Last year’s BAFTA-winning, fact-based TV series Mr Bates Vs the Post Office memorably dramatised one man’s indefatigable fight for justice. Now, another long-running, real-life legal battle is being brought to the small screen in the ITV1 drama I Fought the Law, starring Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming, a Middlesbrough mother of three who campaigned tirelessly for her daughter’s killer to be put behind bars. After Ann’s 22-year-old daughter Julie Hogg went missing in 1989, shocking failures in the police investigation were followed by the heartbreaking discovery that she had been murdered. When the prime suspect was acquitted and the 800-year-old ‘double jeopardy’ law prevented a retrial, despite him later confessing, Ann embarked on a 15-year quest to…

THE GUEST NEW MONDAY, 9PM, BBC1 DRAMA (BOX SET, BBC iPLAYER) A chance encounter between two women from very different worlds leads to an intoxicating friendship that has deadly consequences in BBC1’s new four-part psychological thriller The Guest. Keeping Faith’s Eve Myles stars as wealthy businesswoman Fran, who steps in when strappedfor-cash Ria (Black Doves actor Gabrielle Creevy) is accused of shoplifting and offers her a job cleaning her luxurious home. Encouraged by her new employer to take control of her life, Ria flourishes and an intense friendship is soon forged between the two women. But when Fran’s advice leads to a shocking event, the pair become dangerously entwined.. Here, Eve, 47, and Gabrielle, 29, tell us why they believe the twists and turns in the Walesset thriller will keep viewers…

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF NEW TUE, 8PM, C4 COOKERY After years of sampling all manner of biscuits, bread, cakes and confections in C4’s The Great British Bake Off, judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith can still be astounded by the exceptional standard of the bakes. In the new run, it was the Swiss rolls in the first Signature that bowled the pair over. ‘They were incredible! I looked at Prue and went, “Oh dear, we have a problem. This is going to be difficult to judge,”’ chuckles Paul, as TV Times joins him and Prue at a north London studio to chat about the return of the much-loved baking contest. ‘This was the hardest year to decide who’s going to leave. The quality was excellent.’ ‘Yes, every year…

CATHY AND JEAN Jean, now 85, gave birth to a daughter, Maria, in 1956 at a Mother and Baby Home in Surrey and the baby was given up to a Catholic adoption society. Eager to learn what happened to her child, Jean is overwhelmed to be reunited with Maria, now called Cathy. ‘I’ve always felt inferior,’ explains Jean. ‘When she was 18, I wrote to the society to ask if they had news of her. They wrote back and said, “No,” but I thought maybe we’ll be united in heaven one day.’ SIAN, MARGARET, JULIE AND VIV Viv and Julie are keen to find older sister Helen, who was born to their mum Margaret, now 89, in the 1950s in a home in Hampshire. Experts trace Helen, now named Sian,…

Dame Maureen Lipman, AKA Coronation Street’s Evelyn Plummer, has filmed a guest role for the new run of Father Brown, BBC1’s popular daytime show about a crime-busting clergyman, played by Mark Williams (pictured with Maureen). The drama has just wrapped shooting on its 13th series and will be back on screens early next year. And Maureen isn’t the only soap face who’ll be making an appearance. Debra Stephenson, who played Weatherfield’s Frankie Baldwin, also has a guest turn, as do ex-EastEnders stars Phil Daniels and Davood Ghadami, who portrayed Kevin Wicks and Kush Kazemi. WHATTOWATCH.COM/CORONATION-STREET…

Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar-Unwin, has spoken of her joy at being part of the line-up for the 23rd series of BBC1’s Strictly. ‘This is gonna be the ride of my lifetime,’ Balvinder, 46, gushed on social media. ‘I hope you can join us in September for all the sparkle and magic. I can’t wait to dance!’ Perhaps Bal can pick up some tips from EastEnders castmates Bobby Brazier, Molly Rainford and Kellie Bright (Freddie Slater, Anna Knight and Linda Carter), who were runners-up in 2023, 2022 and 2015 respectively. WHATTOWATCH.COM/EASTENDERS…

Romance with Dylan aside, 2025 is shaping up to be a shocker for poor April, who, in the wake of her spell on the streets and her traumatic miscarriage, is now set to find herself trapped in the murky world of drug dealing, thanks to villainous villager Ray Walters. Ray, as we know, has ingratiated himself with Dylan, making out that he cares about the vulnerable teen and paying him to do drug drops. When he wants the lad to do a drop that he claims is particularly risky, April steps up and volunteers to take on the task so her boyfriend doesn’t have to, believing she has more chance of flying under the police’s radar. But when she arrives at the location – a remote car park – she’s…

HOME AND AWAY Jo’s wounded when, as she and Lacey row about their late mum Krista’s eternity ring, her sister once again blames her for Krista’s death. Found by Tane, she reveals how she was in the driver’s seat during a car accident that killed Krista, although she can’t remember what happened. The girls agree to give the ring to dad David. But Lacey, accepting some money from the sale of the family home, tells Theo she’s hiring a private investigator to get to the truth of that day. Plus, Sonny bonds with Irene, and has Cohen’s long-lost father been found? NEIGHBOURS Aaron is off to Adelaide for a fresh start with boyfriend Rhett. As the residents come together for a farewell party, Toadie makes a brief return, bringing daughter…

ONE BITE ONLY I dipped in and out of Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters on ITV1, and from what I saw, it was quite repetitive, with Call the Midwife star Helen George seeming to be the main focus of each challenge, as it dwelt so much on her fears. I hope they leave it at one series! Julie MacLennan, Inverness SHOCKING SCENES ITV1’s Emmerdale is my favourite soap and I have watched it from day one, but for the first time ever [on Tuesday 12 August], I had to switch it off. The episode saw Vinny Dingle being subjected to a violent homophobic attack. It was an important issue to raise, but I don’t think the actual violence should have been shown, especially at a time when young people would have…

1 THE SUNSHINE MURDERS 5 DRAMA Greece is the word! Peter Andre plays pathologist George Constantinou, who, alongside Detective Helen Moustakas (Dora Chrysikou) and her sister Shirley Rangi (Emily Corcoran), solves murder mysteries in Athens. See page 13 2 I FOUGHT THE LAW ITV1 DRAMA Starring in real-life stories is Sheridan Smith’s forte. Here, she plays Ann Ming, who took on the legal system in order to get justice for her murdered daughter. See page 8 3 THE PAPER SKY MAX & SKY SHOWCASE COMEDY A local newspaper in Toledo, Ohio – the Truth Teller – is the setting for this spin-off from the US version of The Office. Domhnall Gleeson stars as the new editor-in-chief and Oscar Nuñez reprises his role from the original show. See page97 4 THE…

Previously a writer on TV series including Ripper Street and Law & Order: UK, Jamie Crichton, who has scripted I Fought the Law, made a big decision about how he would tell Ann Ming’s story from the outset. ‘From day one, I was obsessed with the fact that we weren’t going to name the killer [who is played by Jack James Ryan], not even in the credits,’ says Jamie, who was lead writer and executive producer on Series 4 of All Creatures Great and Small. ‘Often crime drama sensationalises murder and makes it all about the killer. But so many of the victims of these murders are names that the public just don’t know, and that’s not how it should be. Julie Hogg and Ann Ming are the names we…

THE SUNSHINE MURDERS NEW TUE, 2.20PM, 5 DRAMA It’s a whole new world for singer and reality star Peter Andre this week as he makes his TV-drama acting debut in 5’s The Sunshine Murders. Peter plays pathologist George Constantinou in the five-part mystery series, created by Emily Corcoran, who stars as Shirley Rangi, a New Zealand farmer who travels to Athens looking for her biological father. Instead, she finds her half-sister, Detective Helen Moustakas (Dora Chrysikou), and soon discovers a talent for solving crimes in the process! TV Times caught up with Peter, 52, to find out more… How did the role come about? Originally, my audition was for one episode, using my own accent. But then I thought, ‘It’s set in Athens – surely I should put on a Greek…

THE INHERITANCE NEW SUN & MON, 9PM, & TUE, 9.30PM, C4 REALITY The mood is sombre as TV Times arrives at The Ned, a plush hotel and members’ club in London, because we’ve been invited to celebrate the life of The Deceased. Except no one’s actually died. The deceased in question is the glamorous benefactor at the centre of C4’s new reality competition series The Inheritance – and she’s portrayed by actor and model Elizabeth Hurley, who’s very much alive and well. Made by the team behind The Traitors, The Inheritance sees 13 strangers summoned to a stately home in Dorset, where they’ll compete for a share of the fortune left in The Deceased’s will – and she’s designed a devilishly difficult game to ensure that only the most cunning…

HIGHEST 2 LOWEST FROM FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER, APPLE TV+ THRILLER What would you do if a kidnapper demanded you pay a ransom for another person’s child that would ruin you financially? This is the striking moral dilemma at the heart of Highest 2 Lowest, the fifth film collaboration between two-time Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington (Glory, Training Day) and Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman). Denzel stars as New York music mogul David King, who is on the verge of risking his entire fortune to save his iconic yet failing label, Stackin’ Hits Records, when he receives a chilling call telling him his teenage son, Trey (Aubrey Joseph), has been kidnapped. Initially, David and his wife, Pam (Ilfenesh Hadera) are prepared to get the money together for the $17.5 million ransom,…

George Shuttleworth isn’t Jenny’s usual type, but when he fixed her leaky pipe at The Kabin recently and emerged in a sodden shirt, she reckoned he was a dead ringer for Colin Firth as Mr Darcy in [1995 BBC drama] Pride and Prejudice – we’d beg to differ. This week, she continues to lust after the single undertaker, but he’s oblivious as he cosies up to her nemesis, Christina. Glenda lets slip to her brother that Jen fancies him, but George only has eyes for Christina and later takes her out for a drink after the funeral of her former partner in crime, Dom. He admits that he likes her, and Christina says she feels the same… but as her card is declined at the bar, is she on a…

Happiness in Walford is usually followed by a great big dollop of misery, and so it is this week as Patrick ties the knot with Yolande. As the loved-up couple celebrate with their nearest and dearest, across the Square a gunshot rings out and a resident’s life is left hanging in the balance. That Patrick says ‘I do’ is quite the miracle, as he’s previously insisted on postponing the nuptials. The pensioner is still coming to terms with his recent attack, and isn’t up for the fuss and revelry a wedding brings. But Yolande is inspired by young Denzel’s optimism and decides that, come hell or high water, she’s going to become Patrick’s wife. And she has two eager helpers in Kim and Denise, who do everything they can to…

HOLLYOAKS Frankie’s tasked with looking after half-sister Morgan, and invites Jacob to join her. Taking advantage of an (almost) empty house, the teenagers decide to sleep together for the first time, and Jacob heads out to buy protection. Realising he has left his wallet behind, Frankie arranges to meet her boyfriend halfway, to hand it over… but when she returns, she sees the front door has been broken into and, to her horror, Morgan has disappeared. Understandably, Nancy and Darren are panic-stricken. As the police investigate, Darren accuses Jacob of being involved in the abduction, which he thinks has been orchestrated by sex trafficker Clare. And as his loved ones light candles and pray for Morgan’s safe return, the desperate dad corners Clare in a storage container and demands answers…

As Aaron sees John in a new light, across the village it seems the paramedic may come under suspicion from Tracy, too. As she chats with Liam about the depression she’s suffered from since Nate’s murder, the GP remarks how it seems odd that his late patient Owen – who supposedly confessed to Nate’s murder – was able to overpower Nate; a strapping chap with muscles in his earlobes. Tracy’s cogs turn further when she has a heart-to-heart with Charity about Mack going AWOL – it all sounds spookily similar to Nate’s disappearance. Will she turn detective and get to the truth?…

Playing Cupid: Davina STRANDED ON HONEYMOON ISLAND NEW WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY, 9PM (NI, THU, BBC2), BBC1 REALITY The idea of being marooned on a faraway island, away from family, friends and home comforts, would strike fear in most of us, but what about being stuck there with a partner you’ve only just met? That’s the premise of BBC1’s new dating reality series Stranded on Honeymoon Island and, despite what many of us might think, its host Davina McCall believes a secluded paradise is the perfect environment for a blossoming romance. ‘Being stranded somewhere is like the greatest test of any relationship ever,’ says the popular presenter as she sits down for an exclusive chat with TV Times at the show’s launch in London. ‘This is a social experiment that follows people meeting…

MITCHELL AND WEBB ARE NOT HELPING NEW FRI, 10PM, C4 COMEDY (BOX SET, CHANNEL 4 STREAMING) David Mitchell and Robert Webb make their hotly anticipated return to sketch comedy this week with their brand-new C4 series Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping. Fifteen years after their BAFTA-winning BBC2 comedy That Mitchell and Webb Look ended, the Peep Show actors will once again be offering their characteristically wry look at modern life in the six-part series. Joining them will be an ensemble of comic talent including Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe. Here, David, 51, and Robert, 52, reveal why they felt it was the right time to revive the format… How did the new series come about? ROBERT We always said that if anyone wanted to do it again, we’d be up for…

The ghost of Becky Swain has long lingered over Carla and Lisa’s relationship, but are we about to discover that Lisa’s ‘dead’ wife isn’t dead after all? Things look proper fishy this week, and we wouldn’t be surprised if, rather than languishing in a grave, Becks has been putting her trotters up in the Chariot Square Hotel the entire time. As far as cop Lisa is concerned, her beloved spouse – who was also on the force – was killed in the line of duty. She suspects Weatherfield baddies Matty and Logan were involved, although neither got charged. What she does know, for sure, is that Becky was being investigated at the time for corruption. Wanting answers for her struggling partner, Carla recently visited Logan in prison. He demanded £10K…

She’s back! After her week holed up in Stacey’s rented flat back in June (which we’re still wondering how skint Stace managed to afford), Zoe Slater finally arrives in Walford, and the scene is set for a fraught reunion with estranged muvva Kat. Young Tommy discovered last week that Alfie had been in contact with Zoe when he happened on mum Kat’s stolen mobile phone and heard the drunken voicemail his stepdad had left while searching for Zoe in Barcelona. With Tommy now missing, Kat and Alfie are frantic – the pair have no idea that the teenager is on a mission to track down his AWOL half-sister. Eventually, the lad sends Kat a message, telling her he’s back in the Square. She dashes out to look for him and…

Joe Absolom has sung the praises of his co-stars, insisting that they’re the friendliest group of actors in soapland. ‘Everyone’s very nice,’ the 46-year-old tells us. ‘When I did EastEnders, I remember meeting all the other casts from the soaps and Emmerdale’s cast were always, by far, the nicest bunch of people. And I remember everyone in EastEnders saying Emmerdale were the nicest bunch, and that was 25 years ago. ‘Now I’m here and I’ve met them, I believe that’s true. There must be something in the water!’ WHATTOWATCH.COM/EMMERDALE…

THIS WEEK’S PICKS NEW (More of) Ian Hislop’s Oldest Jokes Monday, BBC Radio 4, 1.45pm Series two of the Have I Got News for You captain’s search of the earliest examples of British comedy begins with some wisecracks about lawyers – he uncovers a satirical poem by William Langland which dates from 1370. NEW Do Gooders Wednesday, BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm Series two of the comedy following the fundraising blunders of a fictional charity. Manager Clive (played by the show’s writer Garrett Millerick) proposes a boxing match between Achi and Lauren’s new boyfriend. With Fay Ripley (above) and Ania Magliano. THIS WEEK ON… THE ARCHERS Lynda declares war on Lawrence and vows to make him pay for his recent attitude towards Zainab and Chelsea. However, Lawrence soon stumbles upon some…

WIN £100 CROSSWORD YOU CAN WIN £100! SOLVE THE CLUES AND REARRANGE THE LETTERS IN THE YELLOW SQUARES TO SPELL OUT THE NAME OF A LATE AMERICAN ACTOR (3,6) ACROSS 7 Audience’s support for Sarah Jessica Parker’s Sex and the City character (6) 8 Unruly guild captivates wife initially in hit David Mitchell comedy drama (6) 9 & 18 Across Groom doesn’t nag Hilda’s husband in ITV’s Coronation Street (4,5) 10 Weekly WWE programme on Netflix is undercooked (3) 11 Asha’s brother in Corrie has article on aid distribution (4) 12 See 1 Down 14 Like that lady Ms Keddie (5) 16 See 1 Down 18 See 9 Across 22 Lie low, we hear, with Stitch’s human companion (4) 24 Propel boat after carnival in Prime Video fantasy series with…