Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse delves into the life of the Facebook founder, Grantchester returns with more 1950s' murder, and there’s a right mixed bag on First Dates Ireland . . .
Pick of the Day
Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse,9.00pm, Sky Documentaries
This should be an interesting watch.
It’s a feature documentary that promises to piece together the events of Mark Zuckerberg's life and his creation of Facebook and Meta, to reveal one of the most powerful figures of the 21st century.
Told through key players and rarely seen archive, the aim is to unpick the enigmatic man behind it all, telling the inside story of the remarkable events that have defined his life and career - and the world with it.
For many, Zuckerberg’s creation is a vision of heaven where everyone can connect and come together. For others it has unleashed some of the darkest forces in the history of humanity. As Zuckerberg fights for the future of his empire, now is the perfect opportunity to tell one of the great stories of our time.
New or Returning Shows
Grantchester, 9.00pm, UTV/ITV1
Return of the detective drama set in the 1950s, starring Robson Green.
The season 8 opener gets down to business with the body of a 19-year-old biker found in a field the day after a charity motorbike race organised by Will.
Ron Weller, a mechanic who trains young bikers, his son Jimmy, and many others mourn the loss of a fellow rider.
But as Geordie and Will begin to investigate, they realise that beneath the happy surface there are tensions and rivalries.
After the Flood, 9.00pm, Virgin Media One
This cop drama began last night on ITV, so here’s a chance for those without access to UTV or ITV1 to catch up.
Sophie Rundle stars as PC Jo Marshall, who finds a man dead in a lift in an underground car park after a flood, police assume he became trapped in the rising water.
She has her doubts about that likely scenario and becomes obsessed with finding out the truth and the investigation begins to impact her life.
New to Stream
Boy Swallows Universe, Netflix
This Australian drama is a coming-of-age story set in 1980s’ Brisbane that blends the magic and innocence of youth with the brutal reality of the adult world.
It involves a lost father, a mute brother, a recovering addict mother, a heroin dealer for a stepfather, and a notorious criminal for a babysitter.
Eli Bell is just trying to follow his heart and understand what it means to become a good man, but fate keeps throwing obstacles in his way.
Adapted from Trent Dalton’s iconic Australian novel, it explores the crossroads where a boy becomes a man, good toys with evil, and the everyday meets the extraordinary.
Detective Forst, Netflix
I thought the name was a typo at first (it looks like 'Frost’), but this is a Polish crime drama television series based on the Forst books by Remigiusz Mróz.
Although he’s yet to get any of his books translated into English, in his native land his work is favourably compared to Stephen King and he's also a prolific writer.
Anyway - on with the show.
After a series of murders strike the Tatra Mountains, Detective Wiktor Forst steps in to solve the case with the help of journalist Olga Szrebska.
If you're averse to subtitles, this is dubbed.
Don’t Miss
First Dates Ireland, 9.35pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
There’s a right mixed bag of couples taking to the restaurant hoping love is on the menu.
Yoga instructor and donkey sanctuary worker Sinead (60) from Limerick comes to find ‘the One’ but will retired garda Michael (63) from Wexford find her arresting?
Genderqueer, non-binary, bisexual and polyamorous civil servant Bel (30) from Wicklow meets pansexual Dublin hairdresser and self-described ‘adult Emo’, Sam (28) hoping they can hit it off.
Looking for someone with a ‘bit of chat’, Megan (30) from Kildare meets bold boy and one-liner aficionado Alan (30) from Mayo who sums up his dating strategy as ‘a shy baby doesn’t get no sweets’.
Let’s hope this meet-up doesn’t result in a double negative!
Finally, on leave from her job in equine reproduction Nahia (21) from Swords assesses the dating potential of impressively ripped gentle giant Chaggie (24) from Blanchardstown.
The Traitors, 9.00pm, BBC One
Claudia Winkleman (below) hosts as the players reel from the revelations at the round table. In the dead of the night the dastardly traitors plot their next nefarious move.
As a new day beckons, £10,000 is at stake as the players face one of their toughest missions yet, leaving them fired up for the next round table.
A brutal banishment leaves one player in tears, and as the castle reels from the events of the evening, the Traitors must decide which faithful to set their sights on next.
Secret Life of the Safari Park, 8.00pm, Channel 4
Amur - or Siberian - tigers are an endangered subspecies, with only around 500 of these amazing creatures left in the wild.
Knowsley's two Amur tigers, Miron and Sinda, need to mate, so the keepers try encourage them, mindful that previous attempted matings between the two have not gone well.
Meanwhile, in a fight for supremacy in the Knowsley wolf pack, young Maya is losing. But the park keepers have a plan to offer help.
Then there’s the 200-strong baboon troop who fight a lot and illness is a weakness.
Twiggy needs antibiotics, so it is important the other baboons cannot view the administering of medicine as they might attack.
Truelove, 9.00pm, Channel 4
The mercy killing drama, starring Lindsay Duncan and Clarke Peters (below), Sue Johnston, Phil Davis and Peter Egan, continues.
Tonight’s episode sees Phil and Ken rekindle their romance and, spurred on by Phil, Ken reconnects with his family.
Elsewhere, curious police officer Ayesha is starting to suspect that her mentor might have something to do with the recent deaths.
The Eyes of Orson Welles, 11.40pm, BBC Four
This is superbly quirky. If you’re a fan of Orson Welles (below) you’ll love it. If you’re checking him out, this will be a fascinating introduction.
Mark Cousins’ documentary presents a portrait of the acclaimed director, with access to an archive of his artwork and writing, providing an insight into incomplete projects and personal inspirations.
The film is divided into four sections, exploring Welles' political beliefs, his romantic life, his fascination with power and corruption, and his sense of humour.
Deffo one for recording and viewing at leisure.
