Channel 5's period drama The Hardacres returns for a second season, continuing the story of a working-class family navigating class dynamics in Yorkshire. The series, often compared to Downton Abbey, remains generic but likable. As season two begins, the Hardacres worry about affording their country estate as a recession impacts their business. Next door, old-money neighbors face their own struggles as Emma receives a visit from her formidable mother, Lady Imelda (Michele Dotrice), who may have opinions about the new upstart family.
Morecambe and Wise 1968: The Lost Tape
BBC Four airs a recently discovered episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show from September 1968, on what would have been Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday. This episode, from the duo's debut BBC season, predates writer Eddie Braben's involvement, offering a glimpse of their pre-superstardom magic.
Taskmaster
Channel 4's comedy series continues with established cast dynamics. Armando Iannucci plays the grumpy elder statesman, getting into a coconut-related mess. Joel Dommett gets glued up, and Amy Gledhill shows creativity with spoons.
From
Sky One's horror series returns for season four, set in a purgatorial US town with dense mythology. Harold Perrineau anchors the show as lawman Boyd, but even he loses nerve as a terrifying resurrection unfolds.
Prisoner
Sky Atlantic's thriller continues as Nina tracks Amber and Tibor via their curry delivery service. Tebbit investigates Pegasus's gun plot, Declan closes a big deal, and Amber withholds Tibor's meds for information on her family's location.
The Miniature Wife
In this dark satirical comedy on Sky Atlantic, Les finds himself in a dollhouse with an anniversary surprise from Lindy. But a tiny discovery leads him to retaliate with honey, breadcrumbs, and a pet bird, while Lulu seeks revenge on her mother.
Film Choice: Track 29
Film4 airs Nicolas Roeg's 1988 psychosexual drama Track 29, written by Dennis Potter. The film follows Martin (Gary Oldman), a mysterious young man who claims to be the son of bored doctor's wife Linda (Theresa Russell), taken from her after a teenage pregnancy. His volatile behavior brings out her suppressed guilt, but his reality is questionable.
