Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Jan-26 i TV Times

We have three Saturday-night superheroes on our cover this week – Dynamite, Legend and Sabre – as Gladiators returns (Sat, 5.45pm, BBC1). It’s a cracking family show, presented by Bradley and Barney Walsh. Turn to p6 as we chat to Emily Steel – AKA Dynamite – as the Glads get ready to rumble! We’re still enjoying January’s new shows to help us while away the cold winter evenings. Don’t miss Series 2 of After the Flood (Sun & Mon, 9pm, ITV1) with Sophie Rundle, as the police deal with a spate of wildfires. Jill Halfpenny joins the cast. Plus, Michael McIntyre is back with his Big Show (Sat, 6.45pm, BBC1). One of BBC1’s big hitters, this promises to be fun. NATURE Winterwatch NEW TUE-FRI BBC2 This year’s Winterwatch comes from…

MICHAEL McINTYRE’S BIG SHOW NEW SATURDAY, 6.45PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT Michael McIntyre promises more magical moments and playful pranks than ever in the ninth outing of his hit BBC1 entertainment extravaganza Big Show. ‘Each year, the series gets bigger and better,’ smiles the irrepressible comedian, ‘and our surprises become more elaborate and ambitious.’ Filmed again at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, the new six-part run will see the return of popular caper Midnight Gameshow and heart-warming segment Unexpected Star of the Show, plus, following a successful debut last year, memory test Remember Me?, which challenges celebrities to identify someone from their past. Here, Michael, who turns 50 next month, tells us more… Congratulations on Series 9! What should we look out for? There are so many hilarious moments and, as…

CALL THE MIDWIFE SUNDAY, 8PM, BBC1 DRAMA Since bursting on to our screens during the first episode of Call the Midwife in 2012 amid a whirlwind of chic clothes and lovely lipsticks, nurse Trixie Aylward née Franklin has blossomed from a fun-loving fashionista into one of the most dedicated members of the Nonnatus House team. Now, as the 15th series of the hit BBC1 drama continues its eight-episode run set against the backdrop of 1971, the fanfavourite character (played by Helen George) demonstrates her trademark compassion and forward-thinking when she tries to help an anxious mum-to-be, Estelle Glennon, by suggesting a pioneering epidural during childbirth. Meanwhile, Trixie’s determination to support her colleagues is also evident, as she steps up her bid to protect Nonnatus from changes that are coming when…

STEAL NEW FROM WED 21 JANUARY, PRIME VIDEO THRILLER An ordinary day at the office takes a dramatic turn for two best friends when they become caught up in a violent heist in Prime Video’s new contemporary thriller Steal. Penned by crime novelist Sotiris Nikias, the six-parter centres around Zara Dunne (played by Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner) and Luke Selborn (See actor Archie Madekwe), who manage pension funds for public-sector workers at financial-services firm Lochmill Capital. One morning, a gang of armed robbers burst into their London workplace and force the pair to carry out their demands, resulting in the theft of billions of pounds. But as troubled DCI Rhys Covaci (The Rig’s Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) begins to investigate, is the crime far more complicated than it first appears?…

SANDOKAN: THE PIRATE PRINCE NEW FROM MON 19 JANUARY, NETFLIX DRAMA A dangerous love triangle collides with bitter battles and long-buried truths as Netflix sets sail to 19th-century Borneo for swashbuckling adventure Sandokan: The Pirate Prince. Based on Italian writer Emilio Salgari’s popular Sandokan novels and a reimagining of the 1976 Italian TV series, the eightepisode epic follows the exploits of the titular mutineer (played by Turkish actor Can Yaman) as he leads his crew in fighting for freedom in a world dominated by British colonial power. However, his mission takes an unexpected turn when he falls for spirited British consul’s daughter Lady Marianna Guillonk (Man Vs Baby’s Alanah Bloor) – especially as ruthless pirate-hunter Lord James Brooke (Gossip Girl’s Ed Westwick) is also set on winning her heart. The…

Emmerdale wouldn’t be Emmerdale without a whodunnit every year. Eight months after we were left wondering who’d pushed Joe Tate from a Home Farm window, there’s another mystery – who snuffed out the reprehensible Ray Walters? In a special week of episodes, the soap turns back the clock and sheds more light on the actions of several key residents in the hours leading up to Ray’s death. All had reason to detest him, but did their hatred drive any to do the unthinkable? Or are they red herrings? Let’s not forget that in a past whodunnit centring on who killed Lydia Dingle’s rapist Craig Reed, the culprit turned out to be Kim Tate’s horse. Ray was murdered shortly after he had committed the same crime – he fatally stabbed evil…

HOLLYOAKS Discovering Lucas wants a fresh start in London, Rex persuades the lad to stick around and make amends with Ste, and he sets up a bed for him in the garage. Before long, unhinged Lucas has sneaked into the hospital to see ex-boyfriend Dillon, but when worried Rex arrives, he twigs that it’s actually Ste who’s in danger. Ste has already been poisoned by his son, who’s furious about his and Dillon’s affair… What’s Lucas planning now? Also this week, John Paul calls the police on Ant, Sienna’s wary of Tinhead, and Gemma and Vicky refuse to give up on Donny. HOME AND AWAY As singer Eddie leaves a meeting with Remy and Sonny, he’s spotted by David and has a warm reunion with the cop. It soon transpires…

1 STEAL PRIME VIDEO THRILLER There is more to a major heist than meets the eye in this London-set six-part story starring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Sophie Turner and Archie Madekwe. See page 20 2 FATHER BROWN BBC1 DRAMA Grab your buckets and spades! Saintly sleuth Father Brown (Mark Williams) and co head to the seaside after Inspector Sullivan (Tom Chambers) gets an invitation from his aunt Pat (Dame Maureen Lipman) – but she is soon in the frame for murder! See page 96 3 MICHAEL McINTYRE’S BIG SHOW BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT The effervescent comedian bursts back on to our screens with a ninth outing of his Saturdaynight smash hit, in which mayhem and mischief will again reign supreme! See page 8 4 THE TRAITORS BBC1 REALITY After weeks of shocks, surprises and…

AFTER THE FLOOD NEW SUNDAY & MONDAY, 9PM, ITV1 DRAMA (BOX SET, ITVX) Sophie Rundle is delighted that viewers relished the debut outing of her ITV1 mystery thriller After the Flood when it hit our screens two years ago. ‘The reception was amazing,’ recalls the actor, 37, as she joins TV Times for an exclusive chat ahead of reprising her role as copper Jo Marshall this week in a much-anticipated second run. ‘People kept telling me how much they loved it and how they had binge-watched the whole series, which is really nice – especially when you’re sort of front and centre of it!’ Set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Waterside, the first six-parter centred around the murder of an unidentified man whose body was found inside a lift…

GEORGIE & MANDY’S FIRST MARRIAGE NEW SUNDAY, 8PM & 8.30PM, TLC COMEDY Starring Jim Parsons as brilliant but socially awkward theoretical physicist Sheldon Cooper, American comedy The Big Bang Theory was a huge hit, running for 12 series between 2007 and 2019. Its success led to seven-season prequel Young Sheldon (2017-2024), which centred on a younger version of the character – played by Iain Armitage – as he grew up in East Texas in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now, serving as a direct sequel to that coming-of-age story, latest spin-off Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage arrives this week on TLC, which has been newly relaunched as a free-to-air channel. Montana Jordan and Emily Osment reprise their respective roles as Sheldon’s older brother George ‘Georgie’ Cooper Jr and his…

THIS WEEK’S PICKS NEW Emma Willis Saturday, BBC Radio 2, 1.00pm Emma steps into Zoe Ball’s old shoes as the brand new host of this lunchtime slot, either side of Romesh Ranganathan and Rylan. Expect a show that’s jam-packed with chats with special guests, all accompanied by a soundtrack of pop music both old and new. NEW Drama: Wolf Valley Friday, BBC Radio 4, 2.15pm The start of a five-part Nordic noir thriller by Charlotte Melén. Criminal investigator Lena Ekström must return to her former home town to search for an environmental activist who has gone missing after last been seen camping on the land of a local land owner… THIS WEEK ON… THE ARCHERS There’s tension among the Ambridge locals as the goings-on of New Year’s Eve result in…

CROSSWORD YOU CAN WIN £100! SOLVE THE CLUES AND REARRANGE THE LETTERS IN THE YELLOW SQUARES TO SPELL OUT THE NAME OF AN AMERICAN ACTOR (3,6) WIN £100 ACROSS 1 Remind somehow of series that starred George Cole (6) 5 Dwelling on the name of Kim Tate’s farm in Emmerdale (4) 8 & 9 Across Doctor Who star to placate pride movement (5,7) 9 See 8 Across  10 Atmosphere that follows TV presenter Donna (3) 11 Disc I find containing Star Trek genre (3-2)  12 Original Saturday Night Live star George keeps company with English leader (3) 13 No guy put out by Pop Idol winner Will (5) 15 Lucky lieutenant entertains singer Ms Minogue (5)  17 See 19 Down  18 Game I made up to follow spitting satire (5) 21…

GLADIATORS NEW SATURDAY, 5.45PM, BBC1 ENTERTAINMENT She may be the youngest elite athlete in the Gladiators squad, but underestimate Dynamite at your peril. Often described as ‘small but mighty’, the 22-year-old powerhouse – also known as Emily Steel – is thrilled to be making an explosive return to our screens this week in a third run of BBC1’s rebooted version of ITV’s popular endurance competition, and she is raring to obliterate her opponents! ‘The Gladiators have stepped up their game – I’m so excited,’ smiles the record-breaking British weightlifter, as she joins TV Times for an exclusive chat. ‘We’ve got two years of the show in the bag and have nailed down the games. We know what we’re good at and use it to our advantage. This series is going…

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS NEW MONDAY, 9PM, SKY ATLANTIC FANTASY DRAMA An endearing story of bravery, honour and unlikely friendship awaits as we return to the sprawling fictional continent of Westeros for an epic new Game of Thrones spin-off adventure. Set around a century before the events of the hit fantasy saga, and 100 years after the start of first prequel series House of the Dragon, Sky Atlantic’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is inspired by US author George RR Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The six-parter centres around orphan Dunk (Bad Sisters’ Peter Claffey), who becomes Ser Duncan the Tall following the death of his mentor, travelling knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Liar actor Danny Webb). On the way to his first jousting contest,…

PINE MARTENS ‘Pine martens are a protected species and there has been a huge recovery of their population,’ says Toby. ‘It’s been about seven years since we did an in-depth census here to check their numbers, but each pine marten has a uniquely patterned chest, which is a handy way to identify individuals. They are omnivores, and are incredibly fast and agile when they need to be. They can spiral up and down trees as fast as a red squirrel, which they sometimes prey on, but only ones that are weak or infirm because pine martens are actually quite lazy and prefer more convenient food. They will gorge primarily on berries, seeds and beetles. If they are by the shoreline, they might have a crack at wood pigeons or waterfowl.’…

The Platt household has never been a haven of peace and tranquillity, and the arrival of Shona’s sister Jodie has definitely cranked things up on the drama front. Not content with tearing into her sibling this week for ‘abandoning’ her, Jodie also spreads cruel lies about Shona, who has enough on her plate given daughter Harper’s premature birth. Utterly exhausted, Shona stays at home while David goes to the hospital to check on their little girl. Taking advantage of his absence, Jodie confronts Shona about fleeing their family home and leaving her with their good-for-nothing parents. ‘Shona escaped her family life after she had her son Clayton at 13,’ explains Julia Goulding, who plays her. ‘Jodie was around six years old at the time. ‘They were really tight and Shona…

The Gulati family are together once more, which is nothing short of a miracle given Nugget’s recent brush with death. But for Ravi – who accidentally attacked his son while under the influence of drugs that Nicola spiked his drink with – having the lad home ramps up his sense of guilt and self-loathing. Ravi’s feeling deeply uncomfortable with having Nugget under the same roof, but Priya is adamant that nothing can be gained from having father and son living apart. A fuss is made as Nugget returns to their trendy new flat, but the teen soon picks up on Ravi’s odd mood. ‘Ravi is noticeably distant,’ reveals our Walford mole, ‘and the atmosphere gets more awkward when oblivious Nugget asks why he never visited him in hospital. He can’t…