Bob Ross: The Happy Painter

BBC Four

Tuesday 21^st July, 8pm

Painter and TV presenter Bob Ross is known for his famous step by step painting guides, which allowed viewers to create intricate landscape paintings quickly. 

The documentary explores how Bob Ross went from a career in the military to becoming a pop culture icon and inspired many to pick up a paintbrush and start creating.

Accounts from family and close friends, archive footage and childhood photos give an insight into the public and private life of Ross.

Interviews discuss Ross’ gentle nature and calming demeanour, along with little known facts such as Ross’ hair was naturally straight, despite his signature curls.  

Dear NHS Superstars

BBC One

Thursday 23^rd July 9pm

The NHS has provided millions with free healthcare for over 70 years and has touched the lives of people from all walks of life.

To celebrate the amazing work of NHS workers, the documentary tells the personal stories of some of Britain’s celebrities and their experiences with the NHS and what the NHS means to them.

Writer, comedian and former doctor Adam Kay, author of This Is Going to Hurt, presents the documentary, as people speak candidly about the NHS staff who have helped them, from doctors to midwives, to nurses to porters.

Celebrities such as Lenny Henry, Jo Brand, Phil Wang, Katie Piper, Adrian Lester and Victoria Derbyshire express their appreciation and admiration for the NHS.

Madeleine McCann: The Hunt for the Prime Suspect

ITV

Thursday 23^rd July, 9pm

The mystery about what happened to Madeleine McCann has remained unanswered for over a decade, since the three-year-old disappeared while on holiday with her parents 13 years ago.

While on holiday, McCann was left with her twin siblings in the family apartment room, while her parents had dinner close by. Later that night, when her parents went to check on the children, they discovered McCann was missing.

What ensued was one of the most highly reported missing person cases in recent years and saw the Portuguese police and Scotland Yard open up inquiries into McCann’s disappearance.

German prosecutors have now put forward Christian B as the prime suspect in the case, a convicted sex offender who was living near the holiday apartments when McCann disappeared.

Julie Etchingham presents the documentary asking why it took so long for Christian B to be linked to the crime.  

A Suitable Boy

BBC One

Sunday 26^th July, 9pm

Based on the novel of the same name by Vikram Seth, one of the longest books in English, the drama is the BBC’s first historical drama with an all Indian cast.  

Set in 1950s India, the six-part adaptation follows four families attempting to navigate a newly independent India on the precipice of its first election and dealing with political conflicts and religious tensions.

Lata (Tanya Maniktala) is a university student ready to claim her independence and make her own way in the world, but her mother is determined to find her a suitable boy to marry.

At the same time, the rebellious Maan (Ishaan Khatter) is at odds with his politician father and becomes enthralled with a beautiful but older courtesan Saaeda Bai (Tabu).  

Good Girls

Netflix

Sunday 26^th July

Beth (Christina Hendricks), Ruby (Retta) and Annie (Mae Whitman) are back in the third series of Good Girls. 

The Netflix series sees the trio of suburban housewives turned criminals delve deeper into the world of racketeering and as they try to kickstart a new illegal venture.

Ready to expand their criminal enterprise, the girls turn to money printing, but Beth’s cheating husband Dean (Matthew Lillard) and FBI agent Turner (James Lesure) are on their case and won’t make it easy for them to get away with their new venture.

Ghosts from the past also hinder the women as they try to move forward, yet graphic designer Lucy (Charlyne Yi) may be their ticket to success.