Genderquake

Monday: Channel 4, 9pm

This new series sees eleven strangers, each with different sexualities and gender identities, live together for a week in a bid to discover what divides them but more importantly, what unites them. Tensions run high in this initial episode and secrets are revealed on a night out. The second part is on Tuesday night.

 

One Strange Rock

Tuesday: National Geographic, 8pm

Will Smith (yes, the Fresh Prince himself) narrates this wonderfully shot exploration of the elements that have helped to shape the Earth. From the tiniest microbes to the plethora of plants, animals and even us, the series explores what makes our planet unique. This week focuses on volcanic activity in Bolivia and the magical world of island-creating parrot fish in the Maldives.

 

Taskmaster

Wednesday: Dave, 9pm

Now in its sixth series, it’s still as entertaining as ever to watch comedian Greg Davis put other well-known faces through the mill for increasingly ridiculous tasks to win equally bizarre prizes brought by the contestants themselves. Highlights this week include a prize of “something hairy but not alive” which comedian Tim Vine interprets as a lock of Elvis’s hair and Russell Howard forcing Alex Horne to recite quotes from the Buddha. Pretty out there, but very funny to watch.

 

Baby Ballroom

Thursday: 5Star, 9pm

Fake-tan, sequins and smiles, this is the world of competitive dance. Following young children and teenagers, this series looks behind the curtain at a pastime that has taken the UK by storm since Strictly appeared on our screens. With parents spending hundreds of pounds each week on lessons and costumes, and hyper-critical teachers looking for perfection, it makes a fascinating watch.

 

The Bridge

Friday: BBC 2, 9pm

Returning for its fourth and final season with a brutal opening scene in which a woman is buried up to her neck and stoned to death, The Bridge keeps to its enigmatic and bleak best.

With fan favourite Saga Noren (Sofia Helin) in prison, accused of murdering her mother, her partner Henrik (Thure Lindhardt) has to investigate with a colleague (Borgen and The Killing’s Mikael Birkkjaer). After a wait of more than two years, most fans will relish in the payoff that this season teases.

 

Eurovision Song Contest 2018

Saturday: BBC1, 8pm

Graham Norton returns to host the grand final of the most anticipated singing contest of the year, broadcasting live from the Altice Arena in Lisbon. Following the dramatic events of last year, with the end of Portugal’s 53-year wait for a victory, this year is going to be the usually high levels of camp and excitement. Singer-songwriter SuRie will be flying the flag for the UK with her entry Storm, with the country hoping to gain its first win since 1997.

 

 

Patrick Melrose

Sunday: Sky One, 9pm

Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) stars in a five-part drama based on the acclaimed novels by Edward St Aubyn and adapted for television by David Nicholls (One Day). We are introduced to troubled hedonist Patrick in New York in 1982, as he finds out that his despicable father has passed away and battles with his lifelong addictions.