BBC iPlayer

Cillian Murphy to narrate new documentary series on esports scene for BBC Three

Narrated by Cillian Murphy (Peaky Blinders), the series follows the multimillion pound esports organisation EXCEL ESPORTS and its League of Legends team as they compete in The League of Legends European Championships in Berlin.

The team finished in tenth place in 2019, but given the new blood, huge financial backing and world class coaches, they are looking to make their mark on the global LoL scene.

New Michael Palin Christmas special heads to BBC Two

Last month’s Travels Of A Lifetime saw Sir Michael tell the personal side of his travel stories and discuss the making of his most iconic shows, including Around The World In 80 Days and Pole To Pole.

In this new special, Palin will revisit his journey of discovery in the Himalayas.

In Himalaya, Michael tested himself against the mountains that have long represented one of the ultimate challenges of exploration, passing through India, Pakistan, the Tibetan Plateau and Bhutan.

Lance Armstrong documentary heads to BBC iPlayer

Directed by Marina Zenovich, the documentary retraces the remarkable rise and rapid fall of Armstrong, from the cycling hall of fame to the hall of infamy.

In candid interviews, Armstrong, his family, friends and former teammates recount his battle with cancer, his extraordinarily successful comeback to the sport, his multiple Tour de France victories, and the doping scandal that stripped him of them all.

The film also examines the wider problem of performance enhancing drugs in the sport.

BBC Three acquires new comedy Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens

Awkwafina (Credit: BBC)

Created and executive produced by actor, writer and rapper Awkwafina, the ten-part series is based on her real life and sees Awkwafina play Nora Linn, a young woman trying to navigate adult life while living in the outer borough of Queens.

As she tries to deal with the ups and downs of forging her own path and moving towards financial independence, she has the support of her family in her cousin Edmund (Bowen Yang), dad Wally (BD Wong) and Grandma (Lori Tann Chinn).

BBC One releases Small Axe trailer marking 50 years since Mangrove Protest

Letitia Wright in Mangrove (credit: BBC)

From the Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), Mangrove follows the events which led to the arrest of nine innocent Black women and men for protesting against police brutality in Notting Hill in 1970, and the highly publicised trial which followed.

The group, who later became known as the Mangrove 9, were arrested and charged with incitement to riot: Frank Crichlow, Darcus Howe, Altheia Jones-leCointe, Barbara Beese, Rupert Boyce, Rhodan Gordon, Anthony Innis, Rothewell Kentish and Godfrey Millet.

Classic sketch comedy The Real McCoy arrives on BBC iPlayer

Originally broadcast between 1991 and 1996, the sketch show was one of the first to feature a primarily Black and Asian cast, exploring matters of relevance to their communities.

Shane Allen, controller of comedy commissioning at the BBC, added: “This seminal sketch show broke down barriers and gave diverse comedy a crucial mainstream platform in the early 90s.

“It laid the foundations for inclusiveness and representation that we’re continuing to build on today.”

BBC One confirms autumn premiere for Little Mix: The Search

Little Mix released a first-look teaser to accompany the announcement via their social media platforms.

The series will see the British girl group, consisting of Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, forming and mentoring new bands.

The contestants will live together and be granted access to the Little Mix team to develop their talent, with voice coaches, writers and producers.

BBC Three to air Reggie Yates drama Make Me Famous

Credit: BBC

The consequences of being pushed into the spotlight so suddenly is the main focus of the drama and tells the story of Billy (Tom Brittney), a young man who gets a shot at fame when he impresses the producers of a fictional reality show.

Billy is excited for his life to change, but a year after the show has aired he is struggling to balance his newfound fame, social media pressures and tabloid kiss and tells.

With his other co-stars enjoying thriving careers, Billy has to deal with strangers making assumptions about him and deeply buried insecurities coming to the surface.