British Telly

Ten thousand years before Timothée Chalamet arrived, the action of Dune: Prophecy centres on a religious order. Plus: Panorama probes technology to stem climate breakdown

9pm, Sky Atlantic
Emily Watson stars in this big-budget prequel to the blockbuster films, which is set more than 10,000 years before Timothée Chalamet arrives on the scene. She plays Valya Harkonnen, the mother superior of an order on Wallach IX, who vows to protect the Sisterhood (which will become the Bene Gesserit, the superhuman, all-female “mental and physical school”) alongside her sibling, Tula (Olivia Williams). Thirty years later, a royal wedding, which is part of their plan, comes under threat. Hollie Richardson

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Tales of the Unexpected (1979–1988) started off with a foundation of Roald Dahl-based stories, but over time, this classic television anthology sought out other inspirations. One such source was Elizabeth Taylor, an esteemed English author whose short piece of fiction, “The Flypaper,” was adapted in 1980.

Fans of the show will often cite this episode as one of the best, not to mention the scariest. In the troubling episode, a schoolgirl is hounded by a stranger, only to then realize her peril is greater than first imagined. Now, Tales of the Unexpected did not always live up to its title; some stories were more foreseeable than others. “The Flypaper,” however, caught everyone off guard, including the young and unfortunate protagonist who, despite her efforts, could not escape harm.

An admiring Dahl wished he had written Taylor’s short story himself. And during the adaptation’s introduction, the host went on to tell viewers to watch carefully, for the episode does not give anything away until the very end. That preface, while enticing, is not quite true when comparing the two versions of “The Flypaper”; Taylor kept a tighter lip, whereas the teleplay, written by Unexpected regular Robin Chapman, was more forthcoming. The conclusion is identical in both forms, but the dramatization gives the audience a substantial preview of what awaits poor Sylvia (Lorna Yabsley).

This documentary captures the devastation caused on Boxing Day 2004. Plus: Mark Rylance continues to astound in Wolf Hall. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Channel 4

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Robbie Williams, Duncan James and Brian McFadden are just some of the popstars who tell all in this fun documentary. Plus: Lesley Manville’s murder mystery series is back. Here’s what to watch this evening

BBC Two, 9.15pm

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Investigating the war on drugs being waged at sea. Plus: Vernon Kay and co are doing it for the kids. Here’s what to watch this evening

7.30pm, Channel 4

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Is the end nigh for the Lewis family in Everyone Else Burns? Plus: the Taskmaster champion is crowned. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, Channel 4

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Is Russia really using sea creatures for surveillance? Plus: it’s been 10 years since award-winning series Our War. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC Two

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Storyville profiles Gena Marvin, who is challenging anti-gay and pro-war sentiment. Plus: Bake Off goes 1970s. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, BBC Four

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Sky Studios has boarded the TV adaptation of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London and is developing it with Tom Winchester’s drama indie Pure Fiction. With Sky Studios attached, the series will bow on Sky in the UK. Deadline understands there is U.S. buyer interest although no confirmed deal yet.

Pure Fiction and Sky Studios are working up the series, which is an adaptation of the first book in Ben Aaronovitch’s urban fantasy series. Slow Horses prodco See Saw is an investor in Pure Fiction, which Winchester, who was formerly President of Heyday Television, set up in 2022. See Saw is also a production partner on the Rivers of London series.

Rivers of London is known as Midnight Riot in the U.S. and follows a young officer in London’s Met Police, Peter Grant. After working on a murder case with a witness who happens to be a ghost, he is signed up to a unit on the force dedicated to magic and the supernatural. Subsequent cases take in gods and goddesses, magic and many forms of supernatural activity.

Aaronovitch, who was a writer on Doctor Who, is an Executive Producer through his own Unnecessary Logo banner. His books, novellas and graphic novels have sold more that 8M worldwide.

Several writers and playwrights were assembled for the U.S.-style writers room including John Jackson, whose credits include The Gentleman, as the lead writer. Tobi King Bakare, whose on-screen credits include I May Destroy You, also took part, as did Kara Smith (Lockwood & Co), Joshua St Johnson (Grantchester), Tolula Dada (Gangs of London), and Robin French (Sanditon).

The Penguin ends on a particularly grisly note. Plus: how did immigration take over UK politics? Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Sky Atlantic

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/19771403

The original Taskmaster is already a miracle of construction, its success balanced on a razor’s edge. It relies on the perfect, unforced chemistry between its hosts (Greg Davies and Alex Horne – the latter also the show’s creator), an array of tasks that allow for blinding success, abject failure, deep misinterpretation and moments of genius as participants compete for prizes they have themselves brought in (the low stakes are a vital part of its workings), and the procuring of five celebrities – usually comedians – per series who can take it seriously enough to be funny but lightly enough not to bog the whole absurd confection down.

In this they have succeeded magnificently for 18 series (and seven specials). Messing with perfection is rarely to be welcomed, and especially not when it involves the introduction of children. And so it is with astonishment as great as my joy and relief to report that the spinoff Junior Taskmaster, in which the competitors are all aged between about nine and 12 (please don’t make me use the word “tweenagers”) is a triumph.

Comedian and actor Rose Matafeo takes the Davies role as main presenter with writer, comedian and former doctor Mike Wozniak as her sidekick, and their chemistry matches the original pair’s. She brings ebullience and warmth, he brings a deadpan approach and the air of bafflement that an Edwardian father might carry at a child’s birthday party. They both bring support to the children without coddling, an unerring ability to judge just how much ribbing the youngsters can take, and when to let them manage the banter among themselves. It’s like a non-fiction version of Outnumbered.

Mark Rylance returns in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light. Plus: an essential documentary about what happened after the 7/7 bombings. Here’s what to watch this evening

Sunday, 9pm, BBC One

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The comedian overshares his mother’s wildest anecdotes. Plus: the return of indie legends Pixies. Here’s what to watch this evening

10pm, Sky Arts

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Rose Matafeo and Mike Wozniak put a bunch of canny kids to the test. Plus, Greg Davies cleans up for the last time. Here’s what to watch this evening

8pm, Channel 4The remarkable rise of Taskmaster over the past decade proves that sometimes we just need daft, pointless telly. It’s a genius move, then, to add kids into the mix. Rose Matafeo is in charge of events and, with the help of her assistant, Mike Wozniak, sets challenges for a cohort of very spirited youngsters. It would be a mistake to underestimate these smart cookies – but that doesn’t mean they don’t also provide some hilariously stupid moments, just like the adults. Good fun for fans of any age. Hollie Richardson

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Lashana Lynch also stars in Sky Atlantic’s adaptation of The Day of the Jackal. Plus: the final episode of David Olusoga’s fascinating history series. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, Sky Atlantic

Eddie Redmayne (above) is a master of disguise and an exceptional assassin in this adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s thriller novel. He plays the titular lone wolf Jackal, who, after a high-profile hit, meets his match in Lashana Lynch’s tenacious British intelligence officer, Bianca. A tense cat-and-mouse chase across Europe ensues, with the hunter quickly becoming the hunted. There are five episodes of this glossy, big-budget production to get stuck into this week. Hollie Richardson

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cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/19603586

Neil Berriman, originally from Petersfield, Hampshire is at the centre of a brand-new BBC documentary, as he works to uncover the mystery behind his real family.

The Brit thought nothing of the news that he was being adopted when he was aged 10, despite his adopted mother giving him a brown envelope that contained 'the answers to some questions'.

Shortly after she passed away due to cancer, when he was 40, Berriman opened it up and discovered a document about his adoption and a newspaper article from 1994, revealing that his mother was Sandra Rivett, who died at the hands of Lord Lucan on 7 November 1974.

After finding out this news in 2007, Berriman had become distraught and broke down as he had found out that his real mother had been brutally murdered.

He then became obsessed with tracking Lord Lucan down.

...

An inquest in June 1975 determined that Lord Lucan murdered Sandra, but he has never been found and therefore had never been brought to justice.

However, in an upcoming documentary set to air on BBC Two on Wednesday (6 October), Berriman is convinced that he has found Lucan, who would be 90 years old today, despite being declared dead 25 years after the crime, in 1999.

...

In the documentary series simply titled Lucan, the Brit states: "I believe that man in Australia is Lord Lucan and he murdered my mother."

The three-part series sees Berriman tracking down a pensioner that he thinks is the man responsible for his mother's death, who currently lives under a different name in a Brisbane suburb.

"Even now, at nearly 90 years old he’s an arrogant, powerful, horrible old man who’s ripped off people over Australia, upset a lot of people, and he’s full of lies and deceit," Berriman claimed.

...

Berriman even came face-to-face with the man that he believes is Lord Lucan, who is called Chris by his carer though, he is known by a Buddhist name.

Australian police believe it is not him, he claims it is not him, though another buddhist the pair met claimed than an aristocratic Englishman told him he murdered two women named Sandra and Veronica, the latter being the name of Lucan's wife.

See also:

• The History Podcast, The Lucan Obsession - BBC Radio 4

The son of Sandra Rivett believes he has found her murderer. Plus: the new series of cosy crime drama Shetland. Here’s what to watch this evening

9pm, BBC TwoWhen he was 11, Neil Berriman discovered his birth mother was Sandra Rivett – the nanny murdered in Lord Lucan’s home in 1974. Lucan vanished that night and was legally declared dead in 1999. But Berriman, now a builder, believes he has found him – and this riveting three-part documentary follows his journey as he attempts to solve the mystery. Hollie Richardson

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It’s Harris versus Trump in the battle for America. Plus: a deep dive into the possible identity of bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto. Here’s what to watch this evening

• How the US elections will unfold overnight for British viewers: hour by hour
• US election day 2024 – live updates

10pm, Sky News

Deep breaths: it’s time for the result of a US presidential election that, despite one candidate being criminally convicted, has been too close to call throughout Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s campaigning. As the results come in overnight, The News Agents podcast’s Lewis Goodall will join the Sky News team to help make sense of it. BBC News will also provide live coverage with Clive Myrie in Washington. Hollie Richardson

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It’s Harris versus Trump in the battle for America. Plus: a deep dive into the possible identity of bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto. Here’s what to watch this evening

• How the US elections will unfold overnight for British viewers: hour by hour
• US election day 2024 – live updates

10pm, Sky News

Deep breaths: it’s time for the result of a US presidential election that, despite one candidate being criminally convicted, has been too close to call throughout Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s campaigning. As the results come in overnight, The News Agents podcast’s Lewis Goodall will join the Sky News team to help make sense of it. BBC News will also provide live coverage with Clive Myrie in Washington. Hollie Richardson

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John Lloyd hosted it, which he didn’t enjoy, with journalists Simon Hoggart and Jaci Stephen, myself and Ian. The idea was that Ian would know all the news questions and I could provide the comedy. Ian would be the intelligent one and I would be the funny one. It wasn’t the most promising start, but the BBC had already committed to a series. Producer Harry Thompson and comedian Angus Deayton wrote the scripts. Harry had a keen sense of humour. He’d say: “Here’s a joke for you. Angus doesn’t think it’s funny.” When it got a laugh, Angus would have this quizzical look on his face.

I wore a T-shirt because everybody wore suits and ties. I thought we looked like a parole board, and it needed an element of anarchy. I also wanted some rudeness. The news agenda always changes. In our history, the only stories that wouldn’t go away were Brexit, Covid and Trump. There are five people, three of whom weren’t there last week. No one is irreplaceable in show business. But we’ll keep going until the sun explodes and consumes the Earth, which will be the top story the following week.

After Sgt Martyn Blake was acquitted of murder, Panorama examines the many questions left unanswered. Plus: a blockbuster retelling of the gunpowder plot. Here’s what to watch this evening

8pm, BBC OneWhen the Metropolitan police officer Sgt Martyn Blake fatally shot Chris Kaba in 2022, it led to public outcry and a murder investigation. Earlier this month, Blake was acquitted, but it has created much essential discussion and left many questions. In this Panorama investigation, the reporter Greg McKenzie speaks to Kaba’s parents and Met insiders to hear their reaction to the verdict and learn what is next for the Kaba family and the Met. Hollie Richardson

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We all agree, obviously, that assassins are cool, and TV and film sequences where someone plans a high-stakes, impossible-angled shot (then actually pulls it off!) are really cool, too. The problem with assassin stories is, necessarily, they kind of have to be about the downfall of the assassin. They are plunged into a mess, or a disaster, or a pulse point of family is pressed upon, and they have to think on their feet for as long as we can hold our breath until, ultimately, they are caught. And as soon as that starts happening, they are immediately less cool. Watching a guy make a shot from a mile away is amazing; watching him run into an obvious trap because they used a voice recording of his wife is lame. Many assassin stories speed through the good bit (cool kills!) to race to the more boring and rubbish bit (badly written scenes where a small child says: “Daddy, are you going away?”).

Thankfully, The Day of the Jackal has avoided all that, and it is amazing for it. I, like you, wondered whether Eddie Redmayne – an astonishing actor who nevertheless feels as if he still wears a prefect badge – had it in him to play a calculated, controlled, elegant weapon of astounding horror, but he really, really does. His Jackal is chameleonic and ice-cold, a different man from scene to scene, never really knowing who he is and how he ended up here but seeing that he is doing a thousand calculations at once while he’s doing it. Redmayne doesn’t actually have much dialogue, and he doesn’t move his face much either, but somehow he conveys all this by stalking around the screen in a turtleneck: it’s as if he’s secretly uncovered a new way of acting.

A cat-and-mouse chase wouldn’t work, though, if the cat weren’t as compelling as the mouse, and Lashana Lynch’s Bianca is a wonderful foil. A slightly annoying co-worker at MI6, a stretched-too-thin mum at home, a double agent when the need arises, she’s grabbed on to a few grainy CCTV screenshots of Eddie Redmayne running away from Germany with both hands and all her teeth. The pair haven’t even met in the episodes I’ve seen – I’m sure their “Heat diner scene” is in the post, and I personally can’t wait – but they somehow manage to play off each other anyway. Hey: wouldn’t it be ace to wake up and make a TV show that good?

She plays a nurse who was tied to a bed for four days in this compelling true-crime drama. Plus, David Attenborough is back! Here’s what to watch this evening

Sunday, 9pm, ITV1

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If you didn't watch it just now, do.

If you're outside the UK, either use a VPN or wait a few days, I'm sure it'll get uploaded to dailymotion or even youtube.

Or at least give this a read:

https://metro.co.uk/2024/11/02/king-williams-estates-raking-millions-public-services-21916391/

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/nov/02/king-and-prince-william-estates-millions-charities-public-services-nhs-leasing-land

Alison Hammond, Carol Vorderman and Iain Stirling are the Ranganathans’ firstcelebrity contestants. Plus: Apples Never Fall reaches its thrilling finale. Here’s what to watch this evening

9.10pm, ITV1

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