What's on? TV picks for the weekend

If you're going no further than the sofa - and even if you are - here are some tips on what's worth watching on the box between Friday and Sunday. . .

Pick of the weekend

The Little Drummer Girl, 9.00pm Sunday, BBC One

Sunday nights on BBC One have been pretty special these last couple of months as the Jenna Coleman-starring The Cry followed on from ratings' smash Bodyguard. Now this, an adaptation of John le Carré's only novel with a female protagonist.

In Germany, 1979, a bomb goes off in the diplomatic quarter of Bonn, senior Israeli intelligence agent Martin Kurtz (Michael Shannon) flies in to investigate.

A series of similarly deadly attacks targeting prominent Jewish figures across Europe have been carried out in recent weeks, and Kurtz now believes there is a Palestinian revolutionary at the heart of this pattern. Kurtz sets in motion a brilliant and elaborate plan to catch the kingpin, Khalil (Charif Ghattas).

Meanwhile in London, a passionate young actress, Charlie (Florence Pugh), is treading the boards of pub theatres and struggling to land a breakthrough part.

But a working holiday soon becomes a journey of discovery when she encounters a mysterious stranger on a Greek beach.

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New or Returning Shows

Ireland's Fittest family, 6.30pm Sunday, RTÉ One

New presenter Kathryn Thomas joins coaches Anna Geary, Davy Fitzgerald, Donncha O’Callaghan and Derval O’Rourke as the show becomes more ambitious this year.

The series is set to be even more challenging as the world renowned ATS Team, who have designed stunt experiences for television shows such as The Amazing Race, American Ninja Warrior and The Biggest Loser, have designed daring new challenges for Ireland’s fittest families.

In this opener, 20 families begin with an epic 2km race with all family members tied together as they navigate the course on Dollymount Strand in Dublin. The first four across the finish line go straight to coaches selection.

The 2000s, Friday, Sky Arts & NOW TV

The financial crisis of 2008 is just one of many landmark moments touched upon in this engrossing, nostalgic series that looks back at the entire decade of the 2000s, from the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina to more upbeat affairs, such as the momentous presidential inauguration of Barack Obama and incredible TV programmes such as The Sopranos, The Office and Breaking Bad.

Produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Mark Herzog, this series leads us on an eye-opening journey through the decade that, for better or worse, gave us Facebook, the iPhone and Twitter.

Doing Money, 9.30pm Sunday, RTÉ One

Here's a shocking true story about slavery in modern Britain. This fact-based one-off drama follows the heart-breaking and compelling story of Ana, a young woman snatched in broad daylight from a London street, trafficked to Ireland and used as a sex slave in a series of 'pop up’ brothels.

David Bowie at Glastonbury 2000, 10.55pm Friday, BBC Four

Back in 2000, the Beeb showed highlights of David Bowie's historic turn at Glastonbury – widely regarded as the best performance in the festival's history.

Here there's an hour of the Thin White Duke skipping through a hugely impressive back catalogue, making this TV's musical event of the weekend and by some stretch.

The Mash Report, 10.00pm Friday, BBC Two

Back for a second season, and once more with robust reporting and up-to-the-minute analysis, Nish Kumar and a team of (hopefully) hilarious correspondents keep you up to date with everything that has happened - or not happened - this week.

Stand Up to Cancer, 7.00pm Friday, Channel 4

Adam Hills, Alan Carr and Maya Jama host a star-studded night of fundraising for vital UK cancer research.

Celebrity Gogglebox returns, Michael Bublé and James Corden star in Carpool Karaoke for SU2C, and there are sketches, appearances and performances from a host of names including John Legend, Liam Gallagher, Louis Tomlinson, Little Mix. And that's just the 'L' people.

Ending this weekend

Black Hollywood, 9.00pm Saturday, BBC Two

In the final episode, contributors including John Boyega, Nathalie Emmanuel, Destiny Ekaragha, David Harewood and David Oyelowo talk about the opportunities opening up for black artists in Hollywood.

This new wave of British talent is not only producing stars, they are at the forefront of this Tinseltown revolution.

The series ends with a reflection on Moonlight’s historic win at the Oscars, and whether this marks a genuine turning point for black talent in Hollywood.

New to Download

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, from Friday, Netflix

Whether or not you grew up with Sabrina the Teenage Witch could determine your attitude to this, a TV adaptation of the Archie comic book that takes a darker look at the Sabrina Spellman story.

Magic and mischief collide as half-human, half-witch Sabrina navigates between two worlds: mortal teen life and her family's legacy, the Church of Night.

Don't Miss

Strictly Come Dancing - Halloween Special, 6.50pm Saturday, BBC One

It’s the spookiest event in the Strictly calendar as Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman host this year’s Halloween Special.

If the celebrities thought the dancefloor was scary before, they’re in for an even bigger fright tonight in what promises to be a spine-tingling show.

The remaining 11 couples get into the Halloween spirit and take to the dancefloor in a bid to impress judges Shirley Ballas, Dame Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.

Weekend movies

Sky Cinema Spooky

From 26-31 October Sky Cinema Hits becomes Sky Cinema Spooky, where there’ll be thrills and chills for kids of all ages.

The creepy fun includes The Addams Family and Addams Family Values, the original two Ghostbusters, and Pixar’s outstanding Oscar-winner Coco.

Also look out for the Oscar-nominated Coraline, Sky Cinema’s very own Monster Family and, in Beetlejuice and Corpse Bride, an absolute belter of a Tim Burton double bill.

Fifty Shades Freed, from Friday, Sky Cinema

Strap in for the final chapter of the steamy S&M trilogy, as Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson return as kinky billionaire business mogul Christian Grey and paramour Anastasia - Ana for short.

They’re now married and living enviable lives of seemingly endless luxury, honeymooning on the Côte d’Azur and gallivanting around in supercars and private jets.

But of course this decadent, drama-free existence can’t last forever, and before long Ana’s deeply unstable ex-boss Jack (Eric Johnson) arrives on the scene and makes it his mission to turn newlywed bliss into living nightmare.

Box Set Binge

Atlanta seasons 1 & 2, Sky Box Sets

Here's a cracking and pretty unique dramedy from Donald Glover, who you may recall from cult classic comedy Community.

Created by and starring Glover, who also serves as a writer and director, Atlanta focuses on two cousins navigating the Atlanta rap scene in an effort to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

Some of the best episodes are standalone ones, such as the delightfully bonkers Teddy Perkins in season two, when Lakeith Stanfield' Darius answers a message board ad for a piano and ends up at a mansion owned by a pale, idiosyncratic man with a mask-like face.

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