TV Picks of the week: 7 - 13 January

TV Picks of the week: 7 - 13 January

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Monday, 7th January 2019
Sir Trevor McDonald (Credit: BBC/72 Films/Anthony Dalton)
Sir Trevor McDonald (Credit: BBC/72 Films/Anthony Dalton)

Benedict Cumberbatch stars in a new Brexit drama, while Sir Trevor McDonald looks for the 20th century's most influential icon, in this week's TV picks.

Brexit: The Uncivil War

Monday: Channel 4, 9.00pm

Created by James Graham (A Brilliant Young Mind), Brexit: The Uncivil War explores the inside story behind one of the most divisive campaigns in British politics, Vote Leave.

Set during the pinnacle of the EU referendum in 2016, the chaotic drama follows Dominic Cummings (Benedict Cumberbatch), the less-known mastermind behind the Leave campaign.

Although initially reluctant to join the cause, Cummings became the leading strategist of the Vote Leave movement against Craig Oliver (Rory Kinnear), the overseer of the Remain campaign.

The feature-length drama will highlight the controversies behind the referendum and the questionable use of data-driven strategies to attract voters.

Read our interview with the drama's writer in this month's Television magazine

 

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Tuesday: BBC Two, 9.00pm


Sir Trevor McDonald (Credit: BBC/72 Films/Anthony Dalton)

New documentary series looking to name the most influential icon of the 20th Century.

With the vote in the hands of the viewers, broadcaster Sir Trevor McDonald is the first to pitch the crowning of four distinct leaders who each oversaw significant victories.

McDonald’s candidates include former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and former US President Franklin D Roosevelt, who were both pivotal leaders in the victory of the Allies in the Second World War.

The line-up also includes Britain’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and revolutionary political leader Nelson Mandela.

Out of these historical titans, who will the public vote into the final?

 

Cleaning Up

Wednesday: ITV1, 9.00pm

One of our show's to look out for in 2019, Sheridan Smith (Care) stars as Sam, a newly single mother who’s been deserted by her husband and faces a growing gambling addiction.

Down on her luck Sam takes on a number of cleaning jobs to support her family, but to no avail.

Sam begins to play online roulette on her phone to try and get rich quick, which only fuels her addiction.

Sam’s fortunes quickly change during one shift at a major trading firm as she overhears a member of staff is insider trading, but is this a gamble Sam can make?

 

A League of Their Own: European Road Trip

Thursday: Sky One, 9.00pm


Freddie Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen (Credit: Sky)

Sporting stars Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp hit the road again, journeying across Europe to face a number of gruelling challenges set by host James Corden.

The first episode sees the team captains partner up with cricketer Kevin Pietersen and comedian Alan Carr for a hectic sailing race across the English Channel.

 

The Victorian House of Arts and Crafts

Friday: BBC Two, 9.00pm


Keith Brymer Jones, Anita Rani, Patch Rogers (Credit: BBC/Lion TV/Ollie Upton)

RTS award-winner Anita Rani presents a new arts and crafts series focusing on the restoration of a late-1800s Victorian commune.

Joining Rani is arts and crafts dealer Patch Rogers and renowned designer and potter Keith Brymer Jones.

Set in the Welsh hills, six crafters are set the challenge of bringing life back to a Victorian parlour by creating William Morris-inspired wallpaper, a CR Ashbee bowl and a Sussex chair.

Limited to using techniques and tools of the Victorian era, how will the crafters fair in their first challenge?

 

Michael McIntyre's Big Show

Saturday: BBC One, 7.10pm


Michael McIntyre (Credit: Hungry McBear/Gary Moyes/Matt Burlem/BBC)

For the final show in this series, Michael McIntyre returns to London’s Theatre Royal to host a lively evening jam-packed with laughs and special guests, with stand-up from Kerry Godliman and music from Snow Patrol.

Joining McIntyre for a surprise visit is presenter Anthea Turner and The Greatest Dancer’s Oti Mabuse.

Alan Carr will also be the latest participant in Send to All, with McIntyre sending an obscure message to all of Carr’s contacts from his phone.

 

DHL: Delivering the World to You

Sunday: Channel 5, 7.00pm


DHL helicopter flying over the Statue of Liberty (Credit: Channel 5)

Narrated by Lewis MacLeod, this new documentary takes a look at one of the world’s leading delivering companies, DHL.

With over 500,000 members of staff employed by the company the series will follow the antics and challenges faced by the company’s staff and learn about the many businesses that depend on DHL’s services in an age of online delivery.

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Benedict Cumberbatch stars in a new Brexit drama, while Sir Trevor McDonald looks for the 20th century's most influential icon, in this week's TV picks.