TV guide: 12 of the best new shows to watch this week

Big Brother: The Launch

Sunday, Virgin Media One, 9pm

Big Brother's AJ Odudu and Will Best. Photograph: Ricky Darko/ITV

You may not have noticed, but Big Brother has been off the screens for the past five years, having been dropped by Channel 5 due to waning interest in the annual antics of the randomly chosen housemates. Now, for some reason, Virgin Media/ITV thinks there’s going to be renewed enthusiasm for BB, so they’ve brought together a whole new batch of housemates and given the Big Brother house a bit of a refurb, plus a new innovation: a live studio audience to watch them flirt, preen and – presumably – get off with each other in the hot tub. It’ll be like the noughties all over again.

[ Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+: 10 of the best new shows to watch in October ]

[ The Money List review: Quizmaster Baz Ashmawy is in his element as people compete for thousands of euro ]

House of Kardashian

Sunday, Sky Showcase, 9pm

You know the feeling: you’ve binged out on the latest season of The Kardashians, and you think to yourself: I’d really like to devote even more of my life to watch this fascinating family as they go about their blingtastic business. Well, here’s a new documentary series exploring the billion-dollar dynasty behind the reality TV series. What makes this series any different? We’ll hear from a minority who – gasp – think the Kardies are just a talentless, vacuous brood of botoxed bimbos. Cancel the heretics!

The Reckoning

Monday, BBC One, 9pm

It’s hard to even glimpse images or footage of Jimmy Savile without feeling revulsion, so it’s safe to say that this BBC drama series about the serial abuser will be difficult to watch. The series details the horrific crimes committed by the broadcaster over a lifetime, and shows how he was able to hide in plain sight and prey on vulnerable young people with impunity. Who will risk taking on this potentially career-killing role? Steve Coogan is up for the challenge, and he believes we shouldn’t turn our eyes away – because that’s exactly how Savile got away with it.

Secrets from the Sidelines

Monday, RTÉ One, 9.35pm

There are any number of fly-on-the-wall documentaries, but here’s a bee-on-the-sidelines view of Ireland’s amateur sports, from the perspective of the dedicated coaches and devoted parents who nurture young people’s passion for sports, whether it’s Gaelic games, soccer, boxing or basketball. Often the real drama is happening on the sidelines, especially when emotions start running high, and this three-part documentary series gets the lowdown straight from those closest to action, with contributions from former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr among others.

Tuesday, RTÉ One, 10.15pm

Siobhán Cullen as Elvira in Obituary. Photograph: RTÉ

Never mind the ridiculous premise – rookie journalist bumps off townspeople so she can get paid to write their obituaries – but just enjoy the macabre humour of this dark comedy series starring Siobhán Cullen as murderous media worker Elvira. Last time I looked, no one was getting rich from writing obituaries, so we suspect Elvira might actually be enjoying a bit of hacking on the side. As the body count rises and the newspaper’s obituary pages are filling up fast, Elvira faces a problem: a teenager who spotted her doing the first murder. Meanwhile, Maria’s husband offers Emerson a lot out money if he can catch her killer.

Don’t Look Down for Su2C

Tuesday, Channel 4, 9.30pm

Would you face your worst fears if it meant raising precious funds for fighting cancer? In this special edition of Don’t Look Down, a bunch of celebrities will take on some scary challenges – and deal with a whole new level of guilt if they get cold feet. Among the daredevil stars taking part are soap star Beverly Callard, former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, French football star David Ginola and turbocharged adventurer Charley Boorman. They’ll be guided/goaded by presenter and team leader Paddy McGuinness.

Sun, Sea and Scalpels

Wednesday, RTÉ One, 9.35pm

The Irish love jetting off to Europe’s resorts for some fun in the sun, but in recent times they’ve added another activity to their itinerary: a visit to the cosmetic surgery clinic for a cheap boob job or tummy tuck. In this two-part documentary series, journalist Amy Molloy investigates the booming trend for combining a sun holiday with a body-altering medical procedure. She meets Jen and Michelle, who are on their way to Lithuania for a ‘mummy makeover’, and examines the downsides of medical tourism, where Irish health services are having to pick up the pieces when these surgeries go wrong.

Breaking Through with Zeze Mills

Wednesday, UTV, 10.45pm

Throughout October, the TV networks will be marking Black History Month with some special programmes, including this programme celebrating the role of black actors on British television, and exploring their personal experiences of trying to break through in a competitive industry. Presenter Zeze Mills meets some well-known faces in some of our favourite TV shows, including Adjoa Adno, who plays Lady Danbury in Bridgerton, Ruby Barker, who plays Lady Marina in the popular period drama, and Channique Sterling Brown, who plays Dee Dee in Coronation Street.

Interview with the Vampire

Thursday, BBC Two, 9pm

Sam Reid stars as the vampire Lestat, with Jacob Anderson as his protege Louis de Pointe du Lac in this reimagining of the classic Anne Rice novels. The action begins in the present day as journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) sits down to interview Louis about how he met his bloodsucking mentor: “So, Mr du Lac, how long have you been dead?” The story jumps back to 1910 as a young Louis (still alive) is groomed by Lestat and is tempted by the freedom offered by the life vampiric, but when Lestat takes on child vampire Claudia (Bailey Bass), the stakes suddenly get higher.

Viva Mary

Thursday, RTÉ One, 10.15pm

Forget Peig: this programme showcases 90-year-old Mary, who grew up poor in Connemara, but had such a grá for life that she could never be downtrodden. In the postwar years, Mary found her calling teaching disabled kids in the UK, and spent much of her retirement years sailing solo around the Mediterranean. This documentary paints a portrait of a life well lived, and showcases Mary’s many roles as an artist, an expert sailor, an accomplished musician, a scintillating storyteller and a doting grandmother. And not a sack of spuds in sight.

Uncanny

Friday, BBC Two, 9pm

Danny Robins presents the hit BBC podcast about all things paranormal, and now it’s coming to TV, so you can see as well as hear things going bump in the night. The new TV adaptation will follow a similar format as the podcast: people telling their true-life tales of supernatural encounters and ghostly goings-on. You’ll start off not believing a word, but by the end of each episode you will be scared out of your wits and counting down the nights until the next story.

Barbara Knox at 90

Friday, UTV, 9pm

She’s one of the most well-known and beloved faces on telly, having played the role of Rita in Coronation Street for more than 50 years. Now, as she approaches her 90th birthday, ITV has gathered cast and crew members from the soap together to celebrate this milestone in the life of the veteran actor. Knox first appeared on Corrie in 1964 as Rita, the exotic dancer who became landlady of the Kabin, went through three TV husbands, and clocked up more marriage proposals than any other character on the soap.