Food: The Big Family Cooking Showdown

Tuesday

BBC Two, 8pm

Zoe Ball and The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain host the brand new cooking competition that visits families around the country in search of the best family recipes. 

Sixteen families will compete in a series of challenges where they transform their favourite everyday meals into extraordinary dishes. 

The teams will be judged by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli and cookery teacher Rosemary Shrager in a bid to be crowned the nation's best family cooks.

In the first episode, the Marks family from London serve up their Scandinavian-inspired meatball recipe and go head-to-head with the Charles family from Yorkshire, who try and impress with their Italian dish inspired by their exotic travels. 

Comedy: I'm Dying Up Here

Wednesday

Sky Atlantic, 10.10pm

Jim Carrey takes his turn as executive producer for this throwback comedy about a group of stand-ups from the 1970s comedy circuit.

The comedy-drama follows the fictitious up-and-coming comedians as they struggle to make it big at LA's infamous Goldie's comedy club, doing almost anything to win an audience over...or get just one laugh.

However, their toughest job is to impress one woman who could propel the comedians to stardom or destroy them: the comedy club owner, Goldie. 

Documentary: The Brighton Police

Thursday

ITV, 9pm

The Brighton Police, narrated by Philip Glenister, follows police officers dealing with robbery, drug deals and sexual assault in the seaside city of Brighton. 

The first episode sees Detective Sergeant Julie Greenwood tracking down the criminals behind an armed robbery at a betting shop, who she believes will strike again if not found.

Elsewhere, after a six month undercover operation, officers close in on a drug gang who are believed to be distributing class A drugs around the city, which leads to raids and a pursuit through the city centre. 

 

Entertainment: 8 Out of Ten Cats Does Countdown

Friday

Channel 4, 9pm

Countdown's Rachel Riley and Susie Dent are back with host Jimmy Carr and the 8 Out of 10 Cats gang for a new series of the combined panel show.

Jon Richardson is joined by comedian and actress Cariad Lloyd to compete against guest team captain Alan Carr and comedian Kevin Bridges in a humourous take on the word and mathematical quiz show. Meanwhile Elis James and John Robins take a seat in Dictionary Corner.

Factual: From Russia to Iran: Crossing Wild Frontiers

Sunday

Channel 4, 8pm

Explorer Levison Wood travels 2600 miles across the border between Europe and Asia from Russia to Iran on his latest adventure. 

Wood's expedition starts in Southern Russia, where he takes on a treacherous journey across the Caucasus Mountains towards Azerbaijan, passing through canyons and volcanic deserts, along the ancient routes of the Silk Road, and ending his epic journey on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Iran. 

The first episode sees the former army officer take in spectacular views as he crosses into Chechnya, and passes through the dangerous territory of Dagestan where terrorists hide out in the mountains. 

Drama: The State

Sunday

Channel 4, 9pm

Peter Kosminsky's new drama follows four British men and women who make the drastic decision to leave the UK for Syria to join ISIS.

The four includes Ziyad (Ryan McKen) who has been persuaded by his best friend Jalal (Sam Otto) to join his brother in Syria; junior doctor Shakira (Ony Uhiara) who travels out with her nine-year-old son Isaac who hopes to provide medical aid to ISIS recruits; and teenager Ushna (Shavani Seth), who decides to join the terrorist group after she becomes radicalised online.

The drama is based on extensive factual research about the harsh realities for people who leave their lives behind to join the terrorist group.

Peter Kosminsky will be talking to the RTS about his new drama series later this month. Click here to book or find out more.