This week’s TV round-up sees the exciting new period drama, Poldark, arrive on our screens, based on the novels by Winston Graham. The BBC drama stars Being Human‘s Aidan Turner and airs on Sunday. Elsewhere on the round-up, popular series such as The Following and Masterchef return, as well as Free Speech returning for the first of four debates, each debate asking questions to the leader of one of the four main political parties. This week, Ed Miliband faces the audience. Read all details below.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: From 30 Rock executive producers Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, comes this hilarious comedy series starring Ellie Kemper (The Office, Bridesmaids) as a woman who is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over as a nanny for a socialite in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers and a couple of past-due library books, she takes on a world she didn’t think even existed anymore. Watch it today on Netflix.
The Following: The return of the thriller about an FBI agent’s attempts to deal with a serial killer and his murderous cult. With Joe Carroll (James Purefoy, A Knight’s Tale) on death row and all signs of his following seemingly erased, Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon, Footloose) has moved on from the dark events of his past, but his newfound happiness is shattered when a series of brutally staged crime scenes threatens to open old wounds among Hardy and his team. Tune in this Saturday on Sky Atlantic at 9pm.
Poldark: Period drama based on the novels by Winston Graham, originally adapted into a successful 1970s TV series. In late 18th-century Cornwall, Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner, Being Human and The Hobbit) joins the army to avoid charges of smuggling, leaving behind his loved one Elizabeth – and when he returns three years later, having fought in the American War of Independence, he finds his father dead, his estate in ruins and his sweetheart engaged to another man. In need of help, he takes on a new kitchen maid after rescuing her from a beating – bringing him into conflict with hostile locals. Catch it this Sunday on BBC One at 9pm.
Bluestone 42: The team finds itself trapped in hostile territory after an IED explosion hits their mastiff and the members face the dilemma of whether to wait it out or risk an ambush to get back to safety. Elsewhere, Bird has to step up to lead the unit, while trying to deal with her unresolved feelings for Nick. Tune in this Monday on BBC Three at 10pm.
MasterChef: John Torode and Gregg Wallace return to put more keen cooks to the test. The first five hopefuls begin by serving up their calling card, a dish that showcases their talent – and this year, it carries a prize as the judges’ two favourites will sail through to the third round. Then it’s the new challenge, the reinvention test, in which they create a new plate of food based on their main ingredient from the first round, before one goes home and the rest cook dinner for a trio of former MasterChef champions. Watch this Tuesday on BBC One at 9pm.
Nurse: Comedy following community psychiatric nurse Liz (Esther Coles) on her rounds as she visits her patients in their homes. In the first episode, she calls on Lorrie and her nosey neighbour Maurice, overweight Graham and his mother, elderly playboy Herbert, and agoraphobic Billy and his ex-con friend. Comedy adapted by David Cummings and Paul Whitehouse from their Radio 4 series of the same name and starring Whitehouse in multiple roles, with Simon Day and Rosie Cavaliero. Tune in at 10pm on Tuesday, BBC Two.
Free Speech: I’m Ed Miliband, Ask Me Anything: Rick Edwards presents the first of four debates as leading representatives from each of the main political parties answer questions on what their party stands for. The first edition sees Labour leader Ed Miliband face a live audience of over 100 voters aged between 16-34 for a series of tough and uncensored questions. Be sure to catch it this Thursday on BBC Three at 8pm.
Troy: The magician returns to the streets of London to amaze unsuspecting members of the public. This week, he shocks two men in Hackney with an illusion performed in the palm of his hand, surprises students using his telepathic powers and their smartphones, and baffles mechanics who are working on his beloved car. He also treats visitors at the Natural History Museum to a day they will never forget, and embarks on a ghost tour where he pulls out all the stops for one of his spookiest tricks yet. Tune in on E4 this Thursday at 11:05pm.
