Celtic Cosmos meets Irish involvement in space exploration, Brianna: A Mother's Story looks at the shocking murder of a trans teen, Nicole Kidman stars in thriller Holland, and Noir fans will lap up a Philip Marlowe night on the Beeb . . .
Pick of the Day
Celtic Cosmos, 8.30pm, Virgin Media One
Streaming on Virgin Media Player
Virgin Media News reporter Paul Quinn travels to the European Space Agency (ESA) headquarters to meet the Irish scientists and technicians who are shaping the future of space exploration.
Among them is Ireland's first astronaut candidate Norah Patten, a testament to the nation's growing influence in the field.
From ongoing missions aboard the International Space Station to the ambitious goal of returning to the moon, Quinn highlights the vital contributions of Irish people and companies in the rapidly evolving space sector.
The documentary showcases their role in pushing the boundaries of science and technology, emphasising the innovation and dedication that drive ESA's groundbreaking work.
New or Returning Shows
Brianna: A Mother’s Story, 9.00pm, UTV
The dreadful murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey (below) in a Warrington park caused widespread shock across Britain and beyond.
Brianna was callously killed by two 15-year-olds, one of whom she thought was a friend, in a violent trans-hate crime.
In this documentary, her mother Esther talks about her daughter, and how the tragedy has driven her fight for change.
The film details the 28-hour search that led to the arrest of Brianna’s teen killers - Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe.
Friends and family also talk about Brianna's trans journey, the struggles she faced, and the love she brought to those around her.
Kill List: Hunted by Putin’s Spies, 10.00pm, Channel 4
This two-parter offers the inside story of one of the targets of the Bulgarian spy ring that was recently convicted in London, and the network of journalists and Russian dissidents pursued by Kremlin assassins.
The film focuses on journalist Christo Grozev (above), famed for exposing Putin's murder machinery, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian activist twice poisoned by Putin and placed on trial in his home nation for treason
In episode two at 11.05pm, Grozev discovers he is under threat, and he had to identify who was behind the plot to assassinate him.
Activist Vladimir Kara-Murza had to trial for treason in Russia, and the film has unique access to his wife Evgenia as she joins forces with Grozev and international governments in a secret bid to get him freed.
Douglas Adams: The Man Who Imagined Our Future, 8.00pm, Sky Arts
Streaming on NOW
Author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, polymath Douglas Adams (below) was a pioneer of science fiction, comedy, technology, and environmental activism.
Campaigning for endangered species and the coming storm of climate change he was years ahead of his time.
His philosophy and the ideas he had were meaningful, and visionary, and this documentary enters the mind and universe of Douglas Adams, and the world he imagined.
Featuring interviews with family and friends including Stephen Fry, Griff Rhys Jones, Mary Allen, Jon Canter and John Lloyd.
New to Stream
Holland, Prime Video
In this apparently unpredictable thriller, Nicole Kidman is the meticulous Nancy Vandergroot, a teacher and homemaker.
The cast also includes Gael García Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen.
All is good in Nancy's picture-perfect life with her community pillar husband and son in tulip-filled Holland, Michigan - until it tumbles into a twisted tale.
Nancy and her friendly colleague become suspicious of a secret, only to discover nothing in their lives is what it seems.
From Rock Star to Killer, Netflix
Summer 2003: France witnesses the live arrest of Bertrand Cantat, the charismatic icon of French rock and frontman of the Noir Désir band.
His detention follows a violent argument he had with his partner, the actress Marie Trintignant, leaving her balanced between life and death.
The case quickly divides French opinion: some see it as a tragic accident, while others condemn the unforgivable brutality of the blows.
Since then, the case has continued to resurface, with the mysterious suicide of Kristina Rady, Bertrand Cantat’s wife, and new revelations about the singer’s conduct.
Survival of the Thickest, Netflix
Season 2 of the sitcom that isn’t about being stupid.
Survival of the Thickest centres on Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau).
Black, plus-size and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist.
She’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss.
The scripted comedy is based on Buteau’s acclaimed book of essays
Don’t Miss
Stacey Dooley: Growing Up Gypsy, 9.00pm, BBC Three
I’m beginning to wonder if Stacey Dooley ever goes home. She’s just always on the telly.
Invited into the traditionally private Gypsy community, Stacey discovers the complex balancing act young women face growing up in one of Britain's most maligned ethnic minorities.
In Bedfordshire she meets 23-year-old Chantelle, who prides herself in keeping with the 'old' Gypsy values her grandmother taught her and shares them on social media, where she has nearly 400,000 TikTok followers.
In Lincolnshire, the reporter meets 18-year-old Serena, who is planning her wedding to her fiancé Marco. He is also from a Gypsy and Traveller community and Serena wouldn't have it any other way.
First Dates Ireland, 9.35pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
This week Mateo and the gang (below) welcome Pat from Wicklow, who is aiming to enjoy his first blind date, which sees him paired with yoga teacher Catherine from Dublin.
Also on the menu tonight, would-be stand-up Joe from Newbridge meets aspiring singer-songwriter Clarice from Longford - both of whom turn out to be nervous daters.
Dublin Trekker Lee meets Eurovision fan and hopeless romantic Petteri from Finland, who has already chosen his best man and his wedding venue.
Will these two live long and prosper together?
Farewell My Lovely, 8.00pm, BBC Four
This Film Noir classic from 1944 (called Murder, My Sweet in the USA) opens an evening of Raymond Chandler-related programming, focusing on his key creation, private eye Philip Marlowe.
Widely regarded as the purest of book adaptations from Chandler’s hard-boiled back catalogue, it stars a superb Dick Powell as legendary LA gumshoe Marlowe.
Here, Marlowe is recruited to locate the missing girlfriend of an ex-convict but finds himself drawn into a complex web of lies, involving murder, drugs and blackmail.
Followed at 9.30pm by The Simple Art of Philip Marlowe, where Nigel Williams investigates the truth behind Raymond Chandler's celebrated private eye.
He traces Marlowe's origins from Chandler's dreams at Dulwich College, through Dashiel Hammett's Sam Spade stories and beyond, to discover he was as much knight in shining armour as hard-boiled detective.
Then at 10.30pm there’s another Film Noir classic, The Big Sleep, starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (above), John Ridgely and Dorothy Malone.
This time, Marlowe is hired to track down the blackmailers hounding a socialite who is now reaping the consequences of her own sexual indiscretions.
But his inquiries start to unravel in a complicated intrigue involving jealousy, murder and extortion.
