The three-parter 1916, narrated by Liam Neeson, continues tonight (episode two) - essential viewing. Champions League (7.30pm RTÉ 2) brings us Roma and Real Madrid from Stadio Olimpico, Rome plus highlights of Gent V Wolfsburg, Paris Saint Germain v Chelsea and Benfica v Zenit. The absorbing drama series, One Child, continues.
1916, 9.35pm, RTÉ One
Narrated by Liam Neeson, the second programme in this three-part series airs tonight. 1916 places the Irish Rising in its European and global contexts as anti-colonialism found its voice in the wake of the First World War. It explores the crucial role of the United States and of Irish America in both the lead up to and the aftermath of the events. “1916 is a significant documentary series, " says Neeson. "As an Irishman, it is, of course, part of my history. The series puts the Easter Rising in a broader, more international context than has ever been done, and shows how it inspired similar movements around the world. What attracted me most was that the series also focuses on the personal stories of those involved. These stories are very human and powerful.” The series is intended to broaden public understanding of the historical interconnections between Britain, Ireland and the United States, connections that continued to have significance up to and including the recent Irish peace process. See also 1916 Seachtar Dearmadta, TG 4, 7.30pm, an hour-long look at the story of Padraic and Willie Pearse, the brothers who were key players at the GPO during the Rising.
Champions League: Roma v Real Madrid, 7.30pm, RTÉ2
Darragh Maloney is joined by Richie Sadlier and guests for live coverage of the Round of 16 first leg tie between Roma and Real Madrid from Stadio Olimpico, Rome plus highlights of Gent V Wolfsburg, Paris Saint Germain v Chelsea and Benfica v Zenit. Commentary from Rome comes from George Hamilton and Jim Beglin. Kick-off 7.45pm.
Paris Saint Germain's Uruguyan forward Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea at Parc des Princes last night, February 16
One Child, 9.00pm, BBC Two
Adopted as a baby from China, Mei (Katie Leung) has had a contented upbringing with adoptive parents in the UK, and has grown up knowing little about her beginnings. One day Mei gets a message from a journalist in China, who tells her that her birth mother wants to meet her. She is desperate for Mei's help. Her son, Ajun, the brother Mei has never met or even knew existed, is on death row for a crime he didn't commit. Telling her adoptive parents only that her birth mother wants to meet her, Mei is relieved when they agree she should go and must take this journey alone. When Mei arrives in China, Qianyi takes her to meet her mother, Liu Ying, but her mother can't look her in the eye because she's too ashamed of giving Mei up as a result of the one child policy. Absorbing drama series.
Katie Leung plays Mei who encounters problems of identity when her natural mother makes contact with her through a journalist
