TV Picks: 10th-17th February

TV Picks: 10th-17th February

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Monday, 10th February 2020
The Split (Credit: BBC)

This week’s TV picks includes a new true crime series, a look into the future with Kevin McCloud and the return of The Split.

Making a Monster

Monday: Crime+Investigation, 9.00pm

Making a Monster (Credit: Crime + Investigation)
Making a Monster (Credit: Crime + Investigation)

World leaders in forensic psychology share their first-hand experience and insight in this journey into the mind of evil, from cradle to grave.

It argues that serial killers are made, not born, and each of the eight episodes trace the making of one.

The first sees the notorious Rose West under the magnifying glass, the driving force behind her and her husband Fred’s crimes, which include the 10 murders of which she was convicted in 1995. Criminal psychologist Paul Britton recounts his role in the investigation.

Read the report and watch the full video from last week’s RTS screening and Q&A of Making a Monster with key experts from the series here.

 

The End

Monday: Sky Atlantic, 10.00pm

(Credit: Sky)
(Credit: Sky)

Dame Harriet Walter returns to our screens in new family drama The End.

Walter plays drunken, foul mouthed Edie Henley, who constantly clashes with her daughter Kate in a rage against her exile to a retirement home and a life of regrets.

Kate, herself a palliative care nurse, is steadfast in her opposition to euthanasia, which means the dignified death Edie is striving for is both denied by law and her own daughter. Meanwhile Kate also has her children to care for, including a daughter inconveniently wise beyond her years.

The first look trailer promises a heartfelt drama with a healthy dose of tar-black comedy.

 

The Split

Tuesday: BBC One, 9.00pm

(Credit: BBC)
(Credit: BBC)

Work and family continue to collide in the second series of Abi Morgan’s acclaimed legal drama, The Split.

The first series saw solicitor Hannah Stern (Nicola Walker) and fellow high-end divorce lawyers negotiating complex divorce cases and family conflicts.

The second rejoins the Defoe family as they scatter father Oscar’s (Anthony Head) ashes on Hampstead Heath. Hannah and Nathan’s marriage appears to be back on track (Stephen Mangan), although her secret relationship with Christie (Barry Atsma) continues to threaten its derailing.

Hannah meets new Noble Hale Defoe client, TV presenter Fi Hansen (Donna Air), who is insistent on her love for her husband despite wanting a thorough check of their pre-nup, while the firm itself undergoes reform.

The whole series will be made available for a binge following the premiere on iPlayer.

 

Kevin McCloud’s Rough Guide to the Future

Wednesday: Channel 4, 9.00pm

(Credit: Channel 4)
(Credit: Channel 4)

Kevin McCloud attempts to convince three cynics - Jon Richardson, Alice Levine and Phil Wang - that technology will save us all.

In this first episode, Jon explores recent advances in US food production, while on the other end of the world (and digestive system), Phil discovers a stomach-churning solution to waste in China.

Meanwhile, Alice makes a new friend in Japan, humanoid robot Erica.

 

Shame in the Game

Wednesday: BBC Three/BBC iPlayer, available from 6.00am

(Credit: BBC)
(Credit: BBC)

In recent months, multiple high-profile incidents of racism in top flight football has brought the issue to the fore. But the problem pervades the game at every level.

In this new documentary, personal testimony and undercover footage reveal its increasing prevalence in the sport, and the devastating impact it has on its victims.

The Premier League’s Andre Gray is among those who speak out, and question the league’s commitment to tackling the issue.

 

Narcos: Mexico series two

Thursday: Netflix

The “party's over” in this series of Narcos: Mexico.

The Narcos spin-off began by charting the rise of the Guadalajara drug cartel in 1980s Mexico. But the show’s narrator, finally revealed to be DEA agent Walt Breslin (Scoot McNairy) the series one finale, warned: “It’s where the first shot was fired, the one that started the drug war. And after that, none of it would be the same.”

Following the horrific death of agent Kiki Camarena at the hands of Felix Gallardo (Diego Luna) and the cartel, Breslin will be serving stone cold justice as head of Operation Layenda.

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This week’s TV picks includes a new true crime series, a look into the future with Kevin McCloud and the return of The Split.