Sorry for Your Loss
You read that right: Facebook enters peak-era TV with this Elizabeth Olsen-starring sadcom about a woman coming bruisingly to terms with her husband’s death. As that blurb suggests, heavy stuff, but it’s tightly scripted with strong turns from Olsen and The Last Jedi’s Kelly Marie Tran as her sister. Plus, in keeping with this week’s Guide, all of it is free!
Available now, Facebook Watch
The Cry
Following Bodyguard in BBC One’s Sunday evening drama slot is a tall order for any show. That dubious honour has fallen to this new drama starring Jenna Coleman as a new mother whose trip to Australia culminates in a devastating tragedy. Trauma and revelation ensue.
Sunday 30 September, 9pm, BBC One
The Apprentice
Some of Alan Sugar’s early Apprentices must be approaching retirement age by now. But never fear, it seems there’s always a fresh batch of business bots willing to subject themselves to the corrosive scorn of Lord Alan and pals for the chance to win a working lifetime of it.
Wednesday 3 October, 9pm, BBC One
Dancing Queen
Given how many charismatic queens appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race each season, its odd that so few have been given their own series. Correcting that is this reality show centred on a dance studio for teen girls run by Justin Johnson, AKA season five queen Alyssa Edwards. Expect battles with pushy mums and inspirational moments for Johnson’s tyros.
Friday 5 October, Netflix
Have I Got News for You
Series 56 of the news satire and even if the show can feel a little phoned-in these days, it still has its bracing moments in the context of the BBC’s rather supine reaction to the current political chaos. With the country six months away from momentous change and the government still fumbling around in the dark, Messrs Hislop and Merton will have no shortage of things to lampoon.
Friday 5 October, 9pm, BBC One
The Big Audition
Dog models, shopping channel presenters and Henry VIII impersonators are among the unusual roles up for grabs in this cheerful primetime series, which follows hopefuls as they negotiate the ruff world of line readings and “don’t call us we’ll call you”s.
Friday 5 October, 9pm, ITV
My Favourite Sketch
A clip show concept – comics select beloved sketches – so obvious it’s remarkable no one’s done it before, this Sally Phillips-hosted series is worth catching due to both the stars involved (Bob Mortimer, Sue Perkins, Johnny Vegas) and the fact that each episode ends with all assembled restaging a classic sketch. First up, Paul Whitehouse.
Friday 5 October, 10pm, Gold
The Truth: The Off Season
Continuing a strong 12 months for scripted podcasts (see also Joan and Jericha; Sandra) is this four-parter from storytelling pod The Truth. The subject matter is strikingly of the moment, as a radio host faces accusations of sexual harassment. Veep star Peter Grosz and Stephen Colbert writer Erica Hernandez provide the voice work.
Podcast
The Duellists
Ridley Scott’s 1977 debut feature, adapted from a Joseph Conrad story, has Keith Carradine and a demonic Harvey Keitel as Hussars who, during pauses in the Napoleonic wars, take to carving each other up in a series of duels of honour. It’s a glinting tale of obsession and macabre moral codes, strong on flashing blades.
Tuesday 2 October, 6am, 2.25am, Sky Cinema Greats
The Man in the High Castle
The third season of this counter-factual drama comes at a symbolically potent time for the US. As real-life America prepares to challenge its own proto-authoritarian nightmare in the midterms, there is a ray of light in this fictionally fascist US, too. What will the film reels discovered at the end of season two mean for the resistance?
Available from Friday 5 October, Amazon Prime
