Loads of new and returning shows on offer this week as the New Year schedules take shape. New shows to look out for include medical drama Code Black and sitcom Crashing.
John Byrne’s TV choices for the week ahead (Dates covered: Saturday Jan 9-Friday Jan 15)
Pick of the week
Code Black, Tuesday, RTÉ2
Inspired by the award-winning documentary by Ryan McGarry, this is a pacey and punchy prime time medical drama that takes place in the busiest ER in the US, where the staggering influx of patients can outweigh the limited resources available to the extraordinary doctors and nurses whose job is to treat them all - creating a condition known as Code Black.
At the heart of the ER’s controlled chaos is Residency Director Dr Leanne Rorish (Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden), renowned for successfully performing high-risk procedures in Center Stage, the trauma area reserved for the most critical cases.
In the pilot episode, Dr Rorish puts her four new first year residents to work immediately on their first day at Angels Memorial Hospital.
Star of the week
Viola Davis
How to Get Away with Murder, Thursday, RTÉ2
One of the greatest actors of her generation, Viola Davis only gained international renown for her Oscar-winning performance in 2011's The Help. Previously, she had many TV and film roles, but was widely regarded as one the US theatre's great performers, winning two Tony awards.
How to Get Away with Murder is her first lead role on the small screen, and she's been outstanding as legal expert and murder magnet Annalise Keating. As a result, in 2015 she became the first African American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The role also earned her an SAG Award.
Season two of this effortlessly confusing drama sees Annalise and her students trying to move on with their lives after the traumatic events of season one, but the students are still reeling over Rebecca's disappearance.
Starting this week
The Knick, Thursday, Sky Atlantic
Thackery (Clive Owen) is taking time away from the Knick to beat his drug addiction, but the clinic’s methods have arguably left him further away from recovery than ever. In his absence, Edwards (André Holland) is acting chief and has plans to hold on to the position permanently, despite the fact that a punishing string of punch-ups has started to take its toll.
The Voice UK, Saturday, BBC One
Superstar coaches will.i.am and Ricky Wilson return to welcome legendary pop icon Boy George and multi-platinum selling singer Paloma Faith to the spinning chair panel. The contest kicks off with the blind auditions, where the coaches begin the process of building their 12-strong teams.
The Meaning of Life with Gay Byrne, Sunday, RTÉ One
Gay Byrne returns to talk to major public figures from all walks of life about the things they believe and the things they have done, that give their lives meaning. First up, American comedienne Ruby Wax.
Blue Bloods, Wednesday, RTÉ2
Tom Selleck and co are back for more self-righteous policing by the Reagan clan. Frank goes on high alert when a threat to New York City may be imminent following a terrorist attack in the Middle East.
Shetland, Friday, BBC One
Acclaimed murder-mystery series Shetland returns for a new thrilling six-part tale. When a young man disappears on a ferry crossing and a small boy ends up in intensive care, DI Jimmy Perez (Douglas Henshall) and his team become convinced the two events are connected.
Stargazing Live, Tuesday-Thursday, BBC Two
Brian Cox and Dara O Briain return for another celebration of space and astronomy. This run will include them talking to British Astronaut Tim Peake, as he orbits 250 miles above the earth.
Music Moguls, Friday, BBC Four
This new three-part series explores the untold history of the pop and rock worlds, told by the Producers, Managers and PR giants. Episode one meets the managers behind some of the most important moments in pop history.
How to Lose Weight Well, Monday, Channel 4
Dr Xand van Tulleken and Hala El-Shafie are on hand as six dieters attempt the most hyped and written about diets on the market today.
Ending this Week
Suits, Tuesday, RTÉ2
Sean Cahill comes to Harvey asking for one more chance to take a shot at Charles Forstman, and Donna is left with a tough decision after Louis' secretary Norma dies.
My Mediterranean with Adrian Chiles, Sunday, BBC Two
Episode two begins in Rome, where Chiles is in St Peter's Square listening to the Pope’s Sunday address. Then he meets up with his favourite parish priest and the pair tour Rome on a moped. Also, he shares a Friday night dinner with a Jewish family.
Also finishing this week: Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough, Wednesday, BBC One; Celebrity Mastermind, Saturday, BBC One
Drama of the week
Occupied, Wednesday, Sky Arts
More Scan dram. A ten-part political drama from best-selling author Jo Nesbø follows the story of a Russian invasion of Norway. They want to seize Norway's oil resources after the Scandinavian nation suspends oil and gas production in the North Sea due to environmental concerns.
Comedy of the week
Crashing, Monday, Channel 4
Can Channel 4 follow on from Catastrophe and deliver another hit comedy? This new six-parter focuses on the lives and loves of six twenty-somethings living together as property guardians in a massive disused hospital.
In among the asbestos and abandoned X-ray machines live sexually explosive estate agent Sam, frustrated French artist Melody, shy and excitable Fred, and happily engaged couple Anthony and Kate. It's practically peaceful. That is, until the spontaneous arrival of Anthony's oldest and least responsible friend, Lulu.
Documentary of the week
Sugar Crash, Monday, RTÉ One
In this one-off documentary Dr Eva Orsmond investigates Ireland’s consumption of sugar and explores the latest research on serious health problems and their link to excessive sugar use. Dr. Eva finds out how we can cut back on our excessive use of sugar as she charts the progress of a Kilkenny family who are stunned to find out how much sugar is lurking in their ‘normal’ diet.
On Demand
Fringe, Netflix
One of the best sci-fi shows of the last decade, Fringe started out as a quirky X-Files pastiche, but once it found its own feet it developed a unique mythology that made the show essential viewing.
The cast includes Joshua Jackson and Anna Torv, but the standout was John Noble as Dr Walter Bishop, a former government researcher who was seen as a mad scientist and institutionalized after a lab accident.
Film of the Week
The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Friday, Sky Movies Comedy
Steve Carell is great in this 2005 comedy that's written, produced and directed by Judd Apatow, about a middle-aged man trying to pop his cherry. And despite the premise, it never goes for cheap laughs and is quite charming. Anyone expecting a grey-haired Porky's will be disappointed.
John Byrne
