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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Graeme Virtue, Ben Arnold, Hannah Verdier, Ali Catterall, Jack Seale and Ellen E Jones,

Friday’s best TV: Requiem; Nigel Slater’s Middle East

Matilda (Lydia Wilson) and Hal (Joel Fry) in Requiem.
Matilda (Lydia Wilson) and Hal (Joel Fry) in Requiem. Photograph: BBC/New Pictures/Simon Ridgway

Requiem
9pm, BBC One

This twisty six-part chiller centres on a young cellist (Ripper Street’s Lydia Wilson with a striking platinum do) preparing to abandon a lonely life of swiping right by relocating from London to New York. But when a family tragedy torpedoes her plans, Matilda and her faithful accompanist Hal (Joel Fry) find themselves in a small Welsh community, stirring up unwelcome memories of a cold case from two decades ago. Bleak vistas, a mildewed mansion and a deliberately brittle soundtrack create a convincing sense of unease. Graeme Virtue

Nigel Slater’s Middle East
9pm, BBC Two

Nigel Slater embarks on a pilgrimage to the Middle East, stopping first in Lebanon, as Ramadan draws to a close. There is an absurd abundance of food and generosity, from simple late-night breakfasts in Beirut to glorious home cooking in the Beqaa valley. You can almost smell the rose water and pistachios. Ben Arnold

Celebrity Big Brother: Live Final
9pm, Channel 5

Expert CBB host Emma Willis teases the final tears and tantrums out of the nearly-famous housemates before the winner is announced after 10.30pm. The so-called Year of the Woman theme has given way to the usual screeching and toilet-based kisses with Ginuwine, but that’s showbusiness. Hannah Verdier

Hits, Hype & Hustle
9pm, BBC Four

As evinced by the success of Here and Now tours, nostalgia gigs can generate loadsamoney. In this final part, PR guru Alan Edwards looks at reunions, while it’s revealed that the Pistols’ 1996 comeback was considerably smoothed by having two tour buses: one for Johnny; the other for everyone else. Ali Catterall

Rebecka Martinsson: Arctic Murders
9pm, More4

The workaday Swedish crimer – its conventional storytelling not quite hidden by a layer of snow and a maverick title character – concludes the tale of a mining-company employee who was tortured and killed. Rebecka is on enforced leave but, dammit, she’s obsessed. Jack Seale

The Graham Norton Show
10.35pm, BBC One

Black Eyed Pea Will.i.am swaps the spinning chairs of The Voice UK for the king of chat’s cramped red sofa. He’s joined by stage and screen veteran Imelda Staunton, talking about her sprightly new romcom Finding Your Feet, and singer-songwriter George Ezra. Ellen E Jones

Film choice

Kelly Reilly and Brendan Gleeson in Calvary.
Kelly Reilly and Brendan Gleeson in Calvary. Photograph: Allstar/Momentum pictures

Calvary

11.05pm, BBC Two

Brendan Gleeson is Father James Lavelle, a decent Sligo priest and recovering alcoholic with a troubled daughter (Kelly Reilly). In the confession box an anonymous parishioner talks of childhood abuse, and tells Fr James he will be the random victim of his revenge. A dark, fierce examination of life and faith.

Live sport

Cycling: Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2pm, Eurosport 2. The third stage of the race.

Anglo-Welsh Cup Rugby: Northampton Saints v Harlequins 7.15pm, BT Sport 1. From Franklin’s Gardens.

Super League Rugby: St Helens v Castleford Tigers 7.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event. More from the first round.

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