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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Ali Catterall, Hannah J Davies, Mark Gibbings-Jones, Paul Howlett, John Robinson, Jack Seale, David Stubbs, Graeme Virtue,

Thursday’s best TV: Top of the Lake; Princess Diana’s ‘Wicked’ Stepmother

Elisabeth Moss Top Of The Lake: China Girl
Elisabeth Moss Top Of The Lake: China Girl Photograph: See-Saw Films (TOTL2) Holdings Pty Ltd

Top of the Lake: China Girl

9pm, BBC2

If you wish, you can do this series the Netflix way: the whole thing is up on iPlayer as a sop to modern consuming habits. But if bingeing gives you indigestion and you prefer weekly servings … Robin is thrilled to be in touch with her birth daughter but less thrilled by Mary’s sleazy boyfriend Alexander, who’s looking increasingly like the villain of the piece. Meanwhile, the private life of gauche Miranda (Gwendoline Christie) gives cause for concern. David Stubbs

10 Puppies and Us

8pm, BBC2

Warm and fuzzy in both subject matter and the feelings it generates in the audience, this ongoing doggy doc tracks cute pooches as they integrate with new owners. Newlyweds Leigh and Bella dote on their pug Butch Cassidy but fear his sleep issues might require professional help. Meanwhile, psychic Delia, who plumped for a leonberger over a great dane, apparently failed to foresee how rapidly her beloved pup would grow. Neil Morrissey narrates. Graeme Virtue

James Martin’s French Adventure

8.30pm, ITV

The former Saturday Kitchen chef’s enjoyable, Keith Floyd-inspired culinary journey around l’Hexagone continues in enviably mouthwatering style. This week he’s in Jura, eastern France, learning about apples and pears and preparing them to perfectly accompany roast duck. Plus, there’s a trip to the cheese caves at Fort des Rousses, a former military base where creamy, nutty comte is now produced. Hannah J Davies

A Premier League of Their Own

9pm, Sky1

James Corden hosts a one-off edition of the quiz which launched a comedy quartet with Andrew Flintoff, Jamie Redknapp and Jack Whitehall. They all resume as regulars – Flintoff in particular has used this show to turn his japester reputation into a solid TV career – in celebration of the forthcoming football season. Guests are 5 Live host Kelly Cates, feline striking great Thierry Henry and king of Saturday goal updates, Jeff Stelling. Jack Seale

Inside London Fire Brigade

9pm, ITV

There were but a handful of women working for the London Fire Brigade during the 1980s; now there are over 300. Tonight’s final episode sees Brixton’s Josie using a thermal camera to locate flames in a smoke-clogged flat, while working mum Tami is called to an incident on Westminster Bridge. Elsewhere, crew manager Aldo retires after 26 years, while his rookie protege Joe faces his first potentially deadly challenge. Ali Catterall

Inside Heston’s World
Bacon-and-egg ice-cream being prepared for Inside Heston’s World. Photograph: UKTV

Inside Heston’s World

9pm, Good Food

It can’t be easy being a foodie fond of Heston Blumenthal’s unique brand of cuisine. Not only must you possess an ever-present appetite for delights like crayfish cream or snail porridge, but there’s now the added obstacle of The Fat Duck moving 10,000 miles to Melbourne for six months. This new series follows the Michelin star-studded chef as he takes his entire team to Oz in a bid to reinvigorate his establishment. Mark Gibbings-Jones

Princess Diana’s ‘Wicked’ Stepmother

9pm, Channel 4

A gossipy film telling the story of Raine Spencer, who died last year. Daughter of Barbara Cartland, Raine was – as pal Julian Fellowes points out here – very much her own romantic creation. A social climber and campaigner, hers was a divisive personality. Oddly, the woman who isolated Diana from her father and put a gift shop in her family home became the person in whom, post-divorce, the princess most confided. John Robinson

Film choice

Wilde (Brian Gilbert, 1997) 10pm, BBC4

An absorbing, Julian Mitchell-scripted account of Oscar Wilde’s relationship with Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas (Jude Law) and his subsequent imprisonment. Stephen Fry, in the title role, physically resembles Wilde and portrays the generous warmth behind the acute wit with touching pathos; much is made of his love for his wife, Constance (Jennifer Ehle) and their sons. Tom Wilkinson plays the stern face of the establishment, the Marquess of Queensberry. Paul Howlett

Live sport

Kia Super League Cricket: Southern Vipers v Western Storm 2pm, Sky Sports Cricket. A women’s T20 game with Hampshire v Glamorgan in the men’s tournament to follow.

Cycling: BinckBank Tour 2pm, Eurosport 1. Coverage of stage four of the Belgian road race.

Athletics: World Championships 2017 6pm, BBC2. More from the London Stadium including the women’s 5,000m heats.

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