An Australian courtroom drama, the retro-futuristic Hello Tomorrow! and Leila Farzad’s first starring role make up this week’s TV picks.
Better
Monday
BBC One, 9.00pm
Leila Farzad (I Hate Suzie) promises an “utterly compelling” script in her first starring role. She plays DI Lou Slack, a crooked copper who has forged a top policing career by making dodgy dealings with the boss of Leeds’ criminal underworld. Now she is trying to clean up, turning her back on the drug lord who made her.
The big theme here is morality as the main character grapples with abandoning this special bond after a life-changing incident. Produced by the award-winning studio SISTER (Chernobyl, This is Going to Hurt), the five-part thriller looks to be a gripping watch.
The Piano
Wednesday
Channel 4, 9.00pm
Ever feel like you’re being watched? This unusual reality show combines aspects of The X Factor and Big Brother to celebrate Britain’s sparkling amateur pianists. The Piano, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, sees contestants playing on public pianos in London St. Pancras, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow train stations, sharing their stories and melodies with viewers.
The twist? They will be secretly watched and judged by two celebrated musical performers: Lang Lang (an acclaimed classical pianist) and pop star Mika. The five-part series will visit each train station to find four virtuoso players who will wow audiences in the big finale at the Royal Festival Hall.
The Billionaires Who Made Our World
Wednesday
Channel 4, 10.00pm
No need to get up, or even change the channel! Next up comes The Billionaires Who Made Our World, the documentary series examining the tech billionaires of Silicon Valley.
After profiling Elon Musk last year, this episode studies Bill Gates, who became the youngest billionaire ever in 1987, aged just 31. The show explores not only the creation of Gates’ wealth via revolutionising technology, but also his charity empire, controversial business practices, and criticisms the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has endured since its formation in 2000.
The Twelve
Thursday
ITVX, Thursday
The Twelve delves into the depths of gripping courtroom drama. The show stories 12 Australians selected for jury duty in the grisly murder of a 14-year-old girl. The suspect? The girl’s aunt.
The show glides through the lens of each jury member, who all bring their own complex histories to the jury room. Examining humanity and the legal system itself, the show, which originally aired on Australian network Foxtel, promises to be ‘can’t-look-away’ captivating.
Hello Tomorrow!
Friday
Apple TV+, Friday
Retro and futurism collide in this new Apple TV+ drama-comedy starring and executive produced by award-winning Billy Crudup (The Morning Show).
The series plunges viewers into a 60s Americana of the future, following Jack (Crudup) and his band of lunar salesman selling timeshares on the moon. Jack is a talented and passionate salesman but finds himself undone by his relentless and ruthless ambition. Also starring Hank Azaria, Matthew Maher and Jacki Weaver, this show looks to continue the streaming service’s good run of form.