Westworld

Monday: Sky Atlantic, 9pm

 

For the uninitiated, Westworld revolves around a luxurious theme park for the super-rich filled with eerily humanlike robots. In this dome you can enact your wildest fantasies of living in the Wild West, but all is not quite as it seems. Picking up from the dramatic events of last series, the now sentient Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) and Maeve (Thandie Newton) wreak havoc on the formerly computer-controlled human pleasure-dome of Westworld. This series sees the fictional world expanded to include new and visually stunning landscapes like Shogun world, populated by Samurais. There’s also likely to be a blood bath for the remaining humans; as well as steadfast Bernard (Jeffrey Wright) coming to terms with his real identity and, of course, the return of the terrifying Man in Black (Ed Harris).

 

The Split

Tuesday: BBC1, 9pm

Critically acclaimed screenwriter Abi Morgan (The Hour, Suffragette) serves up a delicious slice of London divorce lawyer drama. With a stellar British cast, including Nicola Walker (Spooks, Collateral) as Hannah Sterne, a talented divorce lawyer married to fellow lawyer, Nathan (Steven Mangan; Episodes, Green Wing). Hannah and her two sisters work under their mother, portrayed by Deborah Findley, as divorce lawyers. Tensions run high in this opening episode when their absentee father (Anthony Head) reappears after 30 years and Hannah must deal with a less than scrupulous millionaire (Stephen Tompkinson) divorcing his long-suffering wife (Meera Syal). A veritable who’s who of British talent.

 

First Dates

Wednesday: Channel 4, 10pm

This week, Fred and the gang host 52-year-old Sharran, the only female sumo-wrestler, who also holds the Guinness World Record for being the heaviest sportswoman, with 41-year-old train manager David. There’s also inspirational 74-year-old Connie, a natural born adventurer, matched with Grey who may not be quite so much of a thrill seeker…

 

The Stuarts: a Bloody Reign

Thursday: Yesterday, 8pm

Bestselling historian Professor Kate Williams, who recently cameoed in Cunk of Britain, takes us on a journey through the twists and turns of one of Britain’s most tragic royal dynasties. The power of the story and Williams’ unique brand of narration combine to make engrossing viewing.

 

Rugby Union: Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons

Friday: BT Sport 1, 7pm (kick-off 7.45pm)

Both teams are play-off hopefuls but Leicester will be hoping that winger Jonny May will set the pace of this high-octane game.

 

The Keith and Paddy Picture Show

Saturday: ITV, 6.30pm

Every week Paddy McGuiness and Keith Lemon recreate an iconic movie in 30 minutes. This week it’s the turn of Pretty Woman with Lemon donning the now iconic blue and white dress, complete with silver hoop near the bellybutton. Expect hilarity and enough hammy acting to make Babe the pig say “enough!”