This week's best telly includes a superb documentary from Jimmy Akingbola about growing up in care, a moving DNA Journey with Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb, the final episode of The Walk-In starring Stephen Graham plus the return of Top Gear and the launch of new BBC One drama SAS Rogue Heroes
Here are 5 TV shows you can't miss this week...
1. Top Gear
Sunday 30th October at 8pm on BBC One
As Top Gear returns for its 33rd series, Freddie Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness head to Thailand on a road trip in old pick-ups, discovering the amazing nation that loves these trucks more than anywhere else in the world.
Back in Britain, Chris tests out the astonishing Rimac Nevera, an electric two-seater that might just be the fastest car on the planet
Elsewhere in this series, there’s a supercar showdown in the Alps, featuring the all-new Ferrari 296 GTB, the all-new Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, and the astonishing, multi-million-pound four-wheeled work of art that is the Pagani Huayra BC.
And at the opposite end of the market, the boys head to Paris, to test the very latest in affordable electric microcars, whilst closer to home they’ve had a thorough and thoroughly outrageous look at the best way to get into the delivery driver game on a budget.
Elsewhere, the show is shining a spotlight on budding young racers that don’t have the means to compete in the high-stakes world of motorsport, putting together a team of talented young drivers and mechanics for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
1/5 Continues weekly
2. SAS Rogue Heroes
Sunday 30th October at 9pm on BBC One
From the creator of Peaky Blinders, Stephen Knight, comes new BBC One drama SAS Rogue Heroes, which is a dramatised account of how the SAS was formed under extraordinary circumstances in the darkest days of World War Two, based on the best-selling book of the same name by Ben Macintyre.
Set in Cairo, in 1941, Connor Swindells plays David Stirling, an eccentric young officer, hospitalised after a training exercise went wrong. Bored and convinced that traditional commando units don’t work, he creates a radical plan that flies in the face of all accepted rules of modern warfare. Fighting for permission to recruit the toughest, boldest and brightest soldiers for a small undercover unit that will create mayhem behind enemy lines.
More rebels than soldiers, Stirling’s team are every bit as complicated, flawed and reckless as they are astonishingly brave and heroic.
SAS Rogue Heroes also stars Jack O'Connell, Alfie Allen, Sofia Boutella and Dominic West.
1/6 Continues weekly. All episodes available at launch
3. The Walk-In
Monday 31st October at 9pm on ITV
If you haven't been watching ITV's latest drama The Walk-In, by Jeff Pope, then you really should. It stars Stephen Graham in the leading role, of reformed Neo-Nazi Matthew Collins, who now works as a bona fide journalist for the anti-racist organisation, Hope not Hate.
The Walk-In is an explosive state-of-the-world drama that explores some of the most critical and relevant issues of modern times including racism, freedom of speech and terrorism.
In the final episode of the series, ‘Walk-In’ Robbie Mullen, played brilliantly by Andrew Ellis, must face his former friends from National Action in court. The right-wing terrorists are accused of plotting to murder an MP but the case will stand or fall on Mullen’s attempt to paint himself as a reformed character.
5/5 All episodes available now on demand
4. Jimmy Akingbola Handle With Care
Tuesday 1st November at 9pm on ITV
In this deeply personal film, acclaimed actor and presenter Jimmy Akingbola tells his own story of growing up in care and in doing so, reveals the truth of growing up in the care system in England.
The number of children in care has risen by 28% in the past decade to almost half a million. Of the children in Britain awaiting adoption, over 40% are black yet black foster families are rare in comparison, resulting in white parents raising children from other ethnicities and cultures.
Speaking to his own foster family and biological siblings about their feelings, Jimmy also meets with fellow actor Lennie James and retired Olympic athlete Kriss Akabusi, who both share their own personal stories of foster and adopted care and children’s homes, good and bad.
While exploring themes of identity, abandonment, the importance of role models and cultural connection, this thoughtful, engaging and emotional film, directed by Andy Mundy-Castle, considers whether a loving family, no matter their ethnicity, is always more important than racial or cultural differences.
1/1
5. DNA Journey
Friday 4th November at 9pm on ITV
For the final episode of ITV's DNA Journey, Gavin and Stacey favourites, actors Larry Lamb and Alison Steadman, embark on a road trip to find out their family history using a mix of DNA and genealogy, meeting living family members they never knew existed, along the way.
Promising to be one of the most emotional DNA Journeys yet, Alison comes to learn, through production and subsequent filming that her father George Percy was adopted. Something that neither she nor the family had any idea about. Propelled to know as much as she can and supported by her great friend, Larry they go on a journey that takes them to the Isle of Man, as Alison gets to know the story behind the Granny she never knew.
For Larry, a series of delightful coincidences occur. There’s the entertaining bombshell that he’s related to one of the world’s first famous movie stars, a Canadian actress called Florence Lawrence. A pure coincidence, but Canada is the place where Larry started his acting career.
He also finds out where his Jewish roots come from, all the way from Lithuania which just happens to be where his best mate hails from. Larry is blown away by the strange and wonderful connections.
4/4
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