What to watch (October 28 – 3 November, 2023)

Survivor

by tv-choice |
Updated on

Saturday

Survivor

BBC1, 8.25pm

Survivor

You might have memories of the lacklustre 2001 ITV series. Maybe you have an awareness of the US run? Or perhaps you’ve cottoned onto the Aussie version on Prime Video. But finally, the original reality show (created before Big Brother) gets a UK run-out worthy of its greatness. Joel Dommett hosts as 18 castaways do battle for a £100K prize. Adrenalised, addictive, nefarious TV. Think, The Traitors with a gym membership.

Sunday

Time

BBC1, 9pm

Time

The second series of the hard-hitting Jimmy McGovern drama moves the action from a men’s to a women’s prison.

But if you’re expecting Within These Walls or Bad Girls, think again. Kelsey (Bella Ramsey), Abi (Tamara Lawrance) and Orla (Jodie Whittaker) arrive at HMP Carlingford at the same time, entering an unfamiliar world that promises violence and tension. Siobhan Finneran reprises her role as prison chaplain.

Monday

Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck For SU2C

Channel 4, 9pm

Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck

A decade ago Rhod Gilbert was asked to be a patron ambassador for Cardiff’s Velindre Cancer Hospital. Since then he’s raised almost £2million for patient care. But in a horrible twist of fate, a lump appeared on his neck last year while he was in Cuba on a charity trek raising more cash, and he later discovered he had stage four head and neck cancer. Here, he shares his treatment in the very hospital he’s supported for years.

Tuesday

Banged Up

Channel 4, 9.15pm

Banged Up

If this eye-opening recreation of life inside a British jail doesn’t put you off ever straying from the straight and narrow, then we don’t know what will. Eight well-known faces, including actor Sid Owen, politicians Neil Parish and Johnny Mercer MP and comedian Tom Rosenthal, spend eight days locked up in decommissioned HMP Shrewsbury with real ex-cons, including murderers and violent criminals.

Wednesday

Shetland

BBC1, 9pm

Shetland

So, farewell then DI Perez – Douglas Henshall is off to pastures new. But here’s Ashley Jensen (Extras, Ugly Betty, Agatha Raisin) as DI Ruth Calder, who escaped her native Shetland years before, and joined the Met Police. This week, Calder makes a reluctant return to the islands on the trail of a young girl who’s gone into hiding after witnessing a gangland murder – with a dangerous duo on a mission to silence her.

Thursday

Mary Makes It Easy

BBC2, 7.30pm

Mary Makes It Easy

Hurrah for Mary Berry! In this delightful new series – and when is Mary ever anything but delightful? – she’s helping out celebrity chums – Mel Giedroyc, Jordan North, Anton du Beke, Lorraine Kelly, AJ Odudu and Michael Ball – who all struggle in the kitchen. This week there’s camping fun with Mel, who’s been pals with Mary for over 20 years, and the pair share anecdotes over creamy mushroom soup and veggie ragu.

Friday

Stand Up To Cancer: The Takeover

Channel 4, from 7pm

Stand Up To Cancer: The Takeover

Statistics show that one in two of us will get cancer so tonight’s charity drive – coming live from the awe-inspiring Francis Crick Institute in London – is for a cause that will touch us all. And there are all sorts of stars – including host Adam Hills – ready to tell cancer it will never have the last laugh, while a royal makes their own tribute – but will they feature in the Gogglebox special? That line-up is under close wraps…

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