This week’s best telly includes some excellent new drama including Mother's Day and Wanderlust plus another episode of Bodyguard. Here are 7 shows you can’t miss this week...
1. Mother's Day
Monday 3rd September at 9pm on BBC Two
Mother's Day, a harrowing new 90-minute single drama on BBC Two, tells the story of the 1993 IRA Warrington bombings from the perspective of two women who were very much at the forefront of the aftermath, Wendy Parry and Susan McHugh.
Following the 1993 Warrington bomb attack which left two boys dead, a grieving family and a Dublin housewife form an unlikely alliance to bring about peace and heal communities on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Susan McHugh, played by Vicky McClure, an unassuming and usually shy Dublin housewife, is deeply affected by news of the tragedy. Spurred into action by the events in Warrington and the hope that she can make a difference, she urges people across Ireland to demonstrate that the killings on all sides must stop.
As the grieving parents, Wendy and Colin Parry, played by Anna Maxwell Martin and Daniel Mays, search desperately for answers to their son Tim’s senseless killing, they form an alliance with Sue, her husband Arthur, played by David Wilmot, and their Peace ‘93 movement, travelling to Dublin in a bid to bring about peace and ensure Tim’s enduring legacy is one of hope and tolerance.
1/1
2. Wanderlust
Tuesday 4th September at 9pm on BBC One
BBC One's latest drama Wanderlust is unlike any drama I've ever seen on the channel and looks at how we build and maintain happy relationships and asks if lifelong monogamy is possible - or even desirable.
Starring Toni Collette as Joy Richards and Steven Mackintosh as Alan Richards,Wanderlust is a searingly insightful and funny exploration of the relationships of a multi-generational family. After years of marriage, we meet Joy and Alan at a time when they find themselves in a sexual rut.
Therapist Joy is trying to find a way to keep her spark with her husband, following a cycling accident which has put their sex life on hold. Suddenly Joy and Alan find themselves drawn to new people, and both are tempted to make the ultimate indiscretion.
With their marriage in crisis Joy comes up with an audacious, unorthodox, but potentially brilliant proposal that will have huge ramifications for the future...
1/6
3. Coronation Street's DNA Secrets
Wednesday 5th September at 9pm on ITV
In this one off, 90-minute special, Coronation Street’s DNA Secrets reveals the secrets lying deep in the DNA of Britain’s best-loved street. Uncovering the ancestral stories of Weatherfield’s finest and revealing incredible connections they had absolutely no inkling about… until now.
From a single, tiny sample of saliva it’s now possible to find connections with people and places that span centuries and continents - revealing unexpected stories and family connections with people on the other side of the planet or in your own street. The cast of Coronation Street old and new are opening their doors to let us find out more about who they really are.
Presenter Nicky Campbell, with the help of an on-screen genetic expert, meets the Coronation Street cast on the famous cobbles to explain the science behind the results. In the Rovers, Roy’s Rolls and Nick’s Bistro, the assembled cast will be presented with their DNA results and discover they have DNA from corners of the world as far flung as Northern Russia, Azerbaijan and Melanesia.
Those taking part include Sally Ann Matthews, Kym Marsh, William Roache, Simon Gregson, Cherylee Houston, Nicola Thorp, Katie McGlynn, Connie Hyde, Melanie Hill, Peter Gunn, Tristan Gemmill, Liam Bairstow, Daniel Brocklebank, Faye Brooks, Shelley King and Paddy Wallace.
1/1
4. Taskmaster
Wednesday 5th September at 9pm on Dave
Taskmaster returns this week for its seventh series and whilst it seems as though it's never off our screens, that's no bad thing because it's one of the most consistently funny shows on television.
Under the watchful eye of the Taskmaster Greg Davies and and his assistant Alex Horne this series are James Acaster, Jessica Knappett, Kerry Godliman, Phil Wang and Rhod Gilbert.
In the opening episode, Velcro is key, tape is vital and bean juice is crucial!
1/10
5. Press
Thursday 6th September at 9pm on BBC One
The latest in a string of new dramas on the BBC, Press, written by Mike Bartlett follows the determined and passionate characters behind the daily news at two fictional, competing newspapers.
Charlotte Riley plays the Deputy News Editor of fictional broadsheet The Herald and Ben Chaplin plays the Editor of fictional tabloid newspaper The Post. Whilst Priyanga Burford plays The Herald’s Editor.
Set in the fast-paced and challenging environment of the British newspaper industry, the series sees Charlotte Riley play the Deputy News Editor of fictional broadsheet The Herald, Ben Chaplin play the Editor of fictional tabloid newspaper The Post and Priyanga Burford play The Herald’s Editor.
The series follows their lives as they attempt to balance work and play, ambition and integrity, amid the never-ending pressure of the 24-hour global news cycle and an industry in turmoil.
The series also stars Paapa Essiedu, Shane Zaza, Ellie Kendrick, Al Weaver, Brendan Cowell and David Suchet who plays the Chairman & CEO of Worldwide News, owner of The Post.
1/6
6. Strictly Come Dancing: The Launch Show
Saturday 8th September at 7:35pm on BBC One
It's the show we wait all year for and this week Strictly Come Dancing 2018 finally gets underway... sort of. The live shows are a couple of weeks away but this launch show will see the celebrities discover which professional dancer they will be paired with.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are rolling out the red carpet to welcome the star-studded celebrity class of 2018 as they begin their Strictly adventure. And Shirley Ballas returns as Head Judge joining Dame Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel.
Making their grand entrance into the famous Strictly ballroom will be Lee Ryan, Faye Tozer and Ashley Roberts, presenters Vick Hope, Kate Silverton and Susannah Constantine, documentary-makers Stacey Dooley and Katie Piper, actors Charles Venn and Danny John Jules, comedian Seann Walsh, television doctor Dr Ranj, paratriathlete Lauren Steadman, cricketer Graeme Swann and YouTube vlogger Joe Sugg.
Once the pairings have been announced the celebrities and professionals will take to the dance floor for the very first time for a spectacular group performance.
The show opens with a spectacular red carpet event as the Strictly family dance to a medley of Nile Rodgers’ greatest hits performed by Chic and the man himself. Later in the show Craig David and Stefflon Don will join Nile and Chic to perform their new single.
7. Bodyguard
Sunday 9th September at 9pm on BBC One
As Bodyguard continues the home secretary's principal protection officer David Budd struggles to come to terms with the fallout from the devastating events of the last 24 hours.
The police retake control of the investigation into the attacks from the suddenly weakened security service, and David is questioned by counterterrorism detectives DCI Deepak Sharma and DS Louise Rayburn.
Pushed to breaking point, David is helped back on his feet by his estranged wife, Vicky, and is determined to play an active role in the investigation, starting with those closest to Julia in government. At first Rayburn wants to keep David out of the enquiry, until he delivers a breakthrough.
4/6