Things are heating up in 17th century Japan with Shōgun, 18th century England with a new Dick Turpin adventure and the Nigeria of the future in Iwájú.
Royal Mail: Where’s My Post? – Panorama
Monday
BBC One, 8.00pm
After Mr Bates vs the Post Office exposed a wider audience to the widespread mistreatment of sub-postmasters, the BBC current affairs programme investigates another postal body.
In November 2023, Ofcom hit the Royal Mail with a £5.6 million fine for missing its delivery targets. The institution can trace its roots back to the 16th century: if it is to survive today, some of its top brass believes Royal Mail needs to change. Panorama speaks to whistleblowers and senior managers to find out what exactly is going wrong.
The British Airways Killer
Monday
ITV1, 9.00pm
In 2010, pilot Robert Brown killed his wife, Joanna Simpson, leaving behind two young children. Brown is currently serving a 26-year prison sentence, following a conviction for manslaughter on diminished responsibility. At the time of her death, Simpson and Brown were a week away from finalising their divorce.
This new documentary draws from police interview tapes and interviews with Simpson’s friends and family. The programme looks at the investigation undertaken by the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, and the impact the crime had on the people in Simpson’s life.
Shōgun
Tuesday
Disney+
It’s the dawn of the 17th century in Japan, and civil war is brewing. When a ship gets marooned, sailor and adventurer John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis) may be the answer to Lord Yoshii Toranaga’s (Hiroyuki Sanada) prayers.
Toranaga’s enemies on the Council of Regents are circling; to survive, he’ll need all the help he can get from the secrets Blackthorne has to offer. Both will have to rely on Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a translator shrouded in a few mysteries of her own.
Iwájú
Wednesday
Disney+
Nigeria gets a high-tech makeover in this animated sci-fi adventure. Tola (voiced by Simisola Gbadamosi) is a young girl who comes from wealth. With her friend, tech wizz Kole, they explore Lagos in all its splendour, and danger. Along the way, they get more than they bargained for, and find out about the nature of privilege, class and the status quo.
The show is made in collaboration with Kugali Media, a British comics, augmented reality and animation studio devoted to telling African stories.
The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin
Friday
Apple TV+
Noel Fielding (The Mighty Boosh) stars as the greatest highwayman in history, except this time, he’s not so great. In this new take on the robber, his name doesn’t inspire fear so much as eyerolls. Dick is determined to do things differently: he prefers his robberies bloodless, and carries around a clipboard to take note of customer satisfaction.
Regardless of his desire to go touchy-feely, Turpin soon finds himself making enemies. The likes of Tamsin Greig (Black Books) and Greg Davies (Taskmaster) are decidedly unimpressed.
