TV WEEK - Wednesday 5th to Tuesday 11th
By John Daly
If you watch one thing this week...
Then You Run (Sky Max, Friday 7th, 9pm)
A close-knit group of rebellious London teenagers head off on a madcap getaway in Rotterdam – only to find themselves on the run across Europe with three kilos of heroin and a host of deadly criminals snapping at their heels – led by a notorious gangster who will stop at nothing to track down his missing drugs.
TOP SPECIALS
The Overlap on Tour – Manchester (Sky Max, Wednesday 5th, 9pm)
It seems fitting that the tour should end in the city which defined much of their professional football lives. Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher take their acclaimed arena tour home as their trip comes to an end.
Florence Nightingale: Nursing Pioneer (BBC 4, Wednesday 5th, 8pm)
An extraordinary woman who revolutionised modern nursing and whose legacy continues to benefit millions. Dedicating her life to helping those in need, she was a trailblazer up to her death in 1910, aged 90, who started by leading a group of nurses to care for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War.
Getting Filthy Rich (ITVX, from Thursday 6th)
Olivia Attwood returns with her award-winning series, immersing herself even deeper into the sex industry; exploring the new ways people sell their sexuality in 2023. From up-loading explicit content online, to offering niche services in person, Olivia will find out if this adult industry really is an easy way to make a fast fortune.
PTSD and Me (RTÉ 1, Monday 10th, 10.25pm)
BBC correspondent Fergal Keane has covered conflict for more than 30 years, from Kigali to Baghdad, and is known for his humanity and empathy. But off-screen, Fergal was suffering from an acute form of post-traumatic stress disorder, and in 2020 went public with his diagnosis of PTSD. In this personal film, he investigates the latest scientific thinking behind its treatment.
BEST FILMS
Thelma and Louise (BBC 1, Wednesday 5th, 10.40pm)
Meek housewife Thelma joins her waitress friend Louise on a road trip that becomes a flight from the law when one of them shoots a violent rapist. Escaping to Mexico, they stay one step ahead of the police as their adventure gets more dramatic. Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and Brad Pitt in his first role. Wonderful.
True Grit (Film4, Thursday 6th, 3.25pm)
A legendary John Wayne Western where he plays Marshall ‘Rooster’ Cogburn, hired by a 14-year-old girl to track down the killers of her father. Singer Glen Campbell plays a Texas Ranger.
Black Adam (Sky Cinema, from Friday)
Dwayne Johnson stars in the title role in an adventure set 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods and freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his justice on the modern world.
CLASSIC MOVIE
Captain Phillips (RTÉ 1, Friday 7th, 9.35pm)
In April 2009, Somali pirates captured a US cargo ship, taking everyone hostage. Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), treads a thin line between keeping his crew alive and trying to thwart the pirates and their demands for a million dollars from the ship’s owners.
KIDS STUFF
Born In The Rockies (RTÉ 2, Wednesday 5th, 8pm)
Journey deep into the wild heart of the Rocky Mountains and experience this rugged land through the eyes of its iconic wildlife. Follow the drama as newborns make their way in one of the world’s most challenging and spectacular habitats.
A-ha: Radio 2 In Concert (BBC 4, Friday 7th, 9pm)
In 2010, the multi-platinum selling Norwegian trio retired, but now they are back with their 10th studio album, Cast in Steel. The BBC Radio Theatre opens its doors to the legendary Nordic band, who play hits old and new for an In Concert show presented by Jo Whiley.
ON DEMAND
Titans (Netflix)
Gritty franchise following the younger heroes from the DC Universe, led by Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, who have to extinguish a conspiracy that could bring Hell to Earth. The teen superhero team is bolstered by Starfire and Beast Boy as they make a unified stand against evil.
The Artifice Girl (Amazon Prime)
A team of special agents discovers a revolutionary new computer program designed to bait and trap online predators. But soon after teaming up with the troubled developer of that program, they discover that the AI is rapidly advancing beyond its original purpose.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime)
Author Tom Clancy introduced the character of Jack Ryan in a series of books, prior to making a successful transition to our streaming world. The former US Marine/ CIA operative is played by John Kaminski – the man usually tasked with saving the world from deadly terrorist attacks. This is supposedly the last series.
The Out-Laws (Netflix)
Adam Devine plays a straight-laced bank manager about to marry the love of his life. However, when his bank is held up by the legendary Ghost Bandits gang during the wedding week celebrations, he believes his future in-laws – Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin – are actually the infamous Out-Laws.
SPORTS CENTRE
Wimbledon (BBC 1 and 2, All week, all day)
Live coverage as Wimbledon, one of the highlights of the global sporting calendar, gets under way. The world’s greatest players will be taking to the pristine lawns of the All England Club, with defending champion Novak Djokovic opening the action on the famous Centre Court.
International Soccer Friendly (RTÉ 2, Thursday 6th, 7.30pm)
Peter Collins presents live coverage of the Republic of Ireland v France from Tallaght Stadium – the last friendly match before the World Cup, and a major occasion to witness what Ireland can do. Commentary from George Hamilton and Stephanie Roche, and Tony O’Donoghue will be reporting.
The Saturday and Sunday Game (RTÉ 2, Saturday 8th + Sunday 9th, 3.15pm)
It’s the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals – and the four teams left standing represent the finest exponents of the world’s fastest and most exciting sport. Can Limerick do it again, or will their early wobbles come back to haunt them?