Loads of new and returning shows, ranging from Channel 4's superb sci-fi drama Humans to Nathan Carter's Sunday night slot on RTÉ One, the return of Grey's Anatomy to new US dramas Designated Survivor and Conviction. Your host: John Byrne.
Dates covered: Saturday October 29-Friday November 04
Pick of the week
Humans, Sunday, Channel 4
The second season of this superb and unsettling drama - set in a parallel present where the latest must-have gadget for a busy family is a Synth, a life-like humanoid - picks up several months after the events of the first run.
Niska (Emily Berrington) is living as a fugitive in Berlin, while in the UK, Leo (Colin Morgan), Max (Ivanno Jeremiah) and Mia (Gemma Chan) are laying low in a coastal hideout, where Leo and Max come to the aid of Hester (Sonya Cassidy), a very special Synth.
The Hawkins' (Katherine Parkinson and Tom Goodman-Hill) are struggling to put past events behind them as they settle into a new home, and things are complicated further when a visitor arrives unannounced on their doorstep. In San Francisco, Athena Morrow (Carrie-Anne Moss), a scientist researching AI is recruited by charismatic Milo Khoury (Marshall Allman), the force behind tech company Qualia, for a top-secret project.
If you missed the first season of Humans, you can catch every episode on All 4. And you really should. This show is brilliant.
Here are ten TV shows to look out for this week:
Sunday
The Nathan Carter Show, RTÉ One
Singing Scouser Nathan Carter stars in a brand new Sunday night entertainment series, with special guests, fantastic music and plenty of fun.
Recorded in the Knocknarea Arena, Sligo in front of live - and lively - audiences, Nathan Carter is at his very best. Across four hour-long episodes, he sings a selection of his biggest hits, brings his unique twist to some well-known classics, and performs duets with some of his musical heroes, including Finbar Furey, Mark Feehilly, Sharon Shannon, and Phil Coulter.
His fans know that Nathan loves to talk, so there’s plenty of chat during the series as he and his guests share stories, talk about their shared love of music, and enjoy plenty of laughs.
In the first show, Nathan and Finbar Furey perform a unique rendition of When You Were Sweet Sixteen. Nathan also duets with Westlife’s Mark Feehily, while other guests include Aoife Scott from the Black family and Cliona Hagan.
Monday
Fleadhed - Mo Bhig Fat Dirty Féile, RTÉ One
As the curtain comes down on the festival season, here's a look back at the evolution of the Irish music festival and how it reflects Irish society.
Among the contributors, broadcaster and member of Something Happens Tom Dunne recalls playing at Carnsore with his band The End and while it was a protest it was "really about the social attraction and the music side of it".
Chuck Berry caused ructions which ran from 1977 to 1982 in Sligo. Philip King, of Scullion and Other Voices fame, recalls rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry turning up in a limo at The Boys of Ballisodare Festival , and tells of how "the window went down three or four inches, the cash went in, the window went up . . . Chuck got out!"
Lisdoonvarna, Féile, Oxegen and Electric Picnic all get the once-over, while there's a behind-the-scenes piece on the B.A.R.E in the Woods Festival in Portarlington, Co Laois. For example, there's the look of disbelief on the faces of hip hop legends The Sugarhill Gang as they realise their VIP green room is the drawing room of what could be "the big house" in Glenroe.
TG4XX Beo, TG4
Oíche Shamhna looks set to deliver a spectacular celebration with the live broadcast of TG4's 20th birthday party.
By all accounts this will be a 360-degree visual feast celebrating Ireland's rich culture, language, music and dance. So, not a pumpkin in sight then.
Enda: Last Man Standing, RTÉ One
Pat Leahy presents this major new two-part documentary series which goes behind the headlines to examine the enigma that is Enda Kenny.
As he reaches the twilight of his long political career, this series goes behind the headlines to examine the enigma that is Enda Kenny, charting the remarkable rise and fall, and rise again, of Fine Gael’s first leader to win successive terms as Taoiseach.
Tuesday
Asking for It: Reality Bites, RTÉ2
This one-hour documentary sees Irish writer Louise O’Neill forensically exploring the issue of consent and the rise in sexual assault in today's Ireland.
At a time of increased global debate on the issue following high profile cases such as that of the Stanford rape case, Louise investigates where Ireland stands on this highly emotive topic as she explores our entrenched attitudes sexual violence and related issues such as casual sex and slut shaming.
Wednesday
Conviction, Sky Living
British actress and all-round super-heroine Hayley Atwell (Marvel’s Agent Carter) stars in a compelling and fast-paced legal thriller that proves that, when it comes to justice, nothing is ever black and white.
Hayes Morrison (Atwell) is a brilliant lawyer and formerly a first daughter of the United States. However, she’s also struggling to find her place in the world and battling her own demons, something her opponent New York District Attorney Conner Wallace (Eddie Cahill, CSI:NY) is eager to exploit.
When he blackmails Hayes with jail time for drug possession, her one way out is to join the
Conviction Integrity Unit, investigating cases where there is a credible chance the conviction was wrongful. Cornered, Hayes accepts the offer.
Grey's Anatomy, Sky Living
One of the world’s longest-running and most-loved medical shows is back on the box for its 13th season.
Returning to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, the relationship between Meredith and Alex is truly being tested, as a recent attack leaves the finger of suspicion resting on Alex. With her emotions severely conflicted, is there any hope for happiness at the world’s most drama-filled hospital?
Thursday
Hector Central, TG4
This new eight-part series sees Hector Ó hEochagáin travel to Central America, where he will be tackling the Pan American Highway, the world's longest 'motorable' road.
The bould Hector starts each programme in one country and ends in another, making his way from Panama to Belize.
Bublé at the BBC, BBC One
Michael Bublé talks exclusively to Claudia Winkleman in this world exclusive 60-minute entertainment spectacular.
The Canadian crooner performs his much-loved classic hits as well as songs from his brand new album Nobody But Me. He is accompanied by his band as well as a 30-plus piece orchestra.
Filmed in front of a live studio audience at MediaCityUK in Salford, the multi-platinum record selling, Grammy Award-winning Canadian artist chats to Claudia about fatherhood and how it has changed his priorities in life; the risk of producing his latest album himself, starting out in the business, his family and wife and much, much more. Plus there are a few surprises for unsuspecting fans along the way.
Friday
The Blacklist, Sky Living
Season four of the bonkers US drama kicks off as the man in the hat, Raymond ‘Red’ Reddington (James Spader), returns and fans finally get the truth about the identity of Elizabeth's father. Prepare to forget everything you think you know about Liz, as Red gets set to uncover her twisted past.
On Demand
Designated Survivor, Netflix, from Thursday
Kiefer Sutherland stars as President Tom Kirkman, the former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the designated survivor, who is sworn in as President of the United States following an unprecedented attack.
On the night of the State of the Union address, an explosion claims the lives of the President and all members of the Cabinet except for US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Tom Kirkman, who has been named the designated survivor. Kirkman is immediately sworn in as President unaware that the attack is just the beginning of what is to come.
