BBC One

New Tom Hardy drama Taboo for BBC One

The eight-part series, set in 1814, follows James Delaney (Hardy) as he returns home to London from Africa to inherit his father’s shipping empire. However, the darker motives for his return begin to unravel as old and new enemies emerge, family secrets are discovered and a quest for vengeance is revealed.

The drama series will take the slot of Saturday night post-watershed, an unconventional spot for a drama series on the channel as it has traditionally been pre-watershed family friendly series such as Doctor Who or Merlin in early evening slots.

Sally Wainwright tackles the Brontë sisters for BBC One

To Walk Invisible takes a closer look at the extraordinary lives of the Brontë sisters, who overcame many obstacles, to rise from obscurity to producing some of the greatest novels in the English language.

Speaking at a recent RTS event, Sally Wainwright explained her interest in the characters. She told audiences how when she wrote the script, she wanted the characters to reflect real life. She complained that past retellings of the story have seen actors with sparkling teeth and RP accents, describing it as “offensive.”

Outnumbered returns for Christmas special

Outnumbered BBC 1 Xmas

It's been three years since Outnumbered was on our screens, but this Christmas brings us a 40-minute special of the BBC One comedy.

It's Boxing Day and the Brockman family have to carry out a special mission for Grandad. They encounter many problems along the way and if the adults can't sort things out the children will have to. Starring Claire Skinner and Hugh Dennis this is sure to be a Christmas favourite. Hugh Dennis has said: "I can't wait to re-join our TV nucleus, and what better place to experience the full joy of family life than stuck in the family car."

The BBC needs to broaden its range, says Sir David Attenborough

(Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)

It’s a rare that two thoroughgoing BBC men are seen smiling, let alone laughing, inside the precincts of the House of Commons. When senior BBC people visit Parliament, they are invariably greeted by sceptical MPs, keen to give them a rough time. 

The atmosphere could not have been more different when, last month, the RTS invited Andrew Marr and Sir David Attenborough to hold a conversation at the Commons.  

Event report: Countryfile: anatomy of a hit

“The journalism within Countryfile is the heartbeat of the programme,” said executive editor Bill Lyons, who was talking to a full house at the Everyman Cinema for an RTS Bristol Centre event celebrating the long-running BBC One magazine programme.

Over the years, Countryfile has investigated the countryside protest marches, foot and mouth disease, and rural domestic violence. “We don’t shy away from the grittiness of the countryside,” said Joanna Brame, who produces the series for BBC Bristol.

This weeks’ top TV: 22 – 28 August

One of Us will explore morality, human nature, and family secrets (Credit: BBC)

Monday

Sarah Beeny’s Four Rooms

More 4, 9pm


Sarah Beeny (Credit: Channel 4)

RTS award-winning Four Rooms is back with a new host, Sarah Beeny. A cross between Antiques Roadshow and Dragons' Den, the programme sees members of the public try and sell their prized items to stone-faced dealers for a good price.