Peaky Blinders
As we rejoin Cillian Murphy’s Brum hoodlum Tommy Shelby, he’s gone legit and even has the letters OBE after his name. Which sounds like an unpromising basis for a new series until a letter reveals a threat to his family which forces him to rebuild bridges with the people he betrayed. Just when he thought he was out …
15 November, 9pm, BBC Two
Scandal
A seventh and final season for the US political drama. While it may suffer in comparison with the current absurdity of the real thing, expect Scandal to go out with a bang as Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope has to make the toughest of calls.
15 November, 10pm, Sky Living
The Boy With the Topknot
A witty and gripping tale of racial, religious and personal identity in this adaptation of Sathnam Sanghera’s memoir. Sacha Dhawan stars as a successful young man who has his assumptions questioned on a rare visit to his traditionalist Sikh parents.
13 November, 9pm, BBC Two
The Deuce
In trademark David Simon style, The Deuce has made viewers work. But momentum has grown as investment in character development has paid dividends. Tonight, as the series concludes, Eileen (Maggie Gyllenhaal) gets a glimpse of the future of porn.
14 November, 10pm, Sky Atlantic
The Punisher
More violent thrills from Netflix’s ever-expanding Marvel universe. Jon Bernthal’s brooding Frank Castle turns full-time vigilante.
Available from 17 November, Netflix
Howards End
The BBC is always reluctant to let too much time pass without the presence of a period drama in its Sunday night schedules. And this adaptation of EM Forster’s exploration of class relations in Edwardian England looks like a perfect, pre-Christmas fit. Hayley Atwell stars as liberal intellectual Margaret; Matthew Macfadyen is the more earthbound Henry.
12 November, 9pm, BBC One
Gone to Pot: American Road Trip
Who can honestly say that they’ve never dreamed of seeing Christopher Biggins, Linda Robson, Bobby George, Pam St Clement and John Fashanu smoking weed on primetime TV? Bizarrely, that moment has arrived as the five hit the States to skin up (although Fash eschews the spliffs) and explore issues around legalisation.
13 November, 9pm, ITV
American Horror Story: Cult
It was admirably prescient of creator Ryan Murphy to base this latest run of anthology horror around rightwing secret societies and the realities of a Trump presidency. The series concludes this week, just as that real-life horrorshow looks set to intensify.
17 November, 10pm, Fox
Children in Need
Annual bonanza of admirably charitable but slightly overwhelming song, dance, quip and spoof. Expect presenting turns from the likes of Mel Giedroyc, Rochelle and Marvin Humes and Graham Norton. There’s also be singing EastEnders, Countryfile hoofers, Christmas TV special previews and a tribute to the late, lamented Terry Wogan. Dig deep.
17 November, 7.30pm, BBC One
Lifers Behind Bars
What’s it like to be a long-term prisoner? This fascinating two-part documentary gains access to HMP Shotts in Scotland to hear lifers share their stories.
15 November, 9pm, Channel 4
