What to watch on TV this week: 19 – 28 November

Ready for another jam-packed week of telly treats? Returning favourites include Alan Carr’s Changing Ends and Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey’s Daddy Issues, while Narges Rashidi and Joseph Fiennes star in drama Prisoner 951 based on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s extraordinary true story.

With all this plus our usual sport and movie picks of the week, there’s something for all tastes across the service. And don’t forget, with Virgin TV Go, you can take your TV with you on the move.

There’s so much good stuff on this week that we’ve compiled a list of the best TV shows to watch. Bookmark this page to keep up to date with the latest changes.

Pick of the day: Thoughts & Prayers
9pm, Sky Documentaries HD (CH 188)

Barely a month goes by without a new report of a school shooting in the US, each just as horrifying as the last. And yet the authorities seem unable or unwilling to do anything to prevent such incidents, offering platitudes in place of action. This eye-opening documentary looks at how children are taught to deal with shootings from a shockingly early age, examining the multi-billion-dollar active-shooter preparedness industry and tracing the effects of its training rituals on both students and teachers.

What else to watch:

• Sara Cox: Every Step Of The Way For Children In Need – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Shetland – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• A League Of Their Own – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) + Sky Max HD (CH 111)

• BBC New Comedy Awards 2025: The Final – 10.40pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Pick of the day: Art Detectives
8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

If you like your detective dramas to be a little more on the aesthetic side than the classic police procedural, U&Drama’s Art Detectives should be on your TV radar. It focuses on art-loving DI Mick Palmer (Stephen Moyer, The Forsytes) and his partner DC Shazia Malik (Nina Singh, Virdee) as they investigate cases in the high-end world of art and antiquities. In this episode, the detective duo are tasked with solving the death of a famed critic and connoisseur who was seemingly murdered in plain sight during a wine-tasting event. Intriguing… 

What else to watch:

• Celebrity Race Across The World – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Cancer Detectives: Finding The Cures – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Play For Today: Big Winners – 9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Allegiance – 9pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

Pick of the day: Daddy Issues
9.35pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

David Morrissey (The Woman In Cabin 10) and Aimee Lou Wood (Film Club) are back with their adorably messy father-daughter dynamic in acclaimed comedy drama Daddy Issues. As the second series begins, Gemma (Wood) is coming to terms with parenthood while Malcolm (Morrissey) is just thrilled to be a grandad. However, a surprise visitor forces Malcolm to confront his past and Gemma to face her future, while they navigate tricky living arrangements, dating disasters and everything in between.

What else to watch:

• Return To Paradise – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Christmas Cruising With Susan Calaman – 8pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Gogglebox – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) + Sky Max HD (CH 111)

Pick of the day: The Serpent Queen
10.05pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

If you can’t wait to return to the gilded world of Bridgerton in the new year, then we have another show that should scratch that stylish period drama itch. It’s the story of 16th-century French queen Catherine de’ Medici (Samantha Morton, Harlots), an orphaned teenager whose life changes forever when she marries into the Valois court and becomes one of the most powerful rulers in history. If you need any further convincing, The Serpent Queen has a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

What else to watch:

• Alan Carr’s Picture Slam – 5.50pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Strictly Come Dancing – 6.35pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Secrets Of The Royals: Births, Marriages And Deaths – 8.05pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Wild Cherry – 9.05pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9.05pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: The Great Escapers
7pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Fancy escaping these cold, dark evenings? Then join a roster of famous faces as they jet off on a star-studded, sun-soaked adventure. Across three episodes, group trips make it out of the chat, as celeb team-mates compete to give their colleagues the most unforgettable experience on their holiday. It all begins with former I’m A Celebrity campmates Oti Mabuse, Dean McCullough and Barry McGuigan, with teams from The Chase, Loose Women and Coronation Street later in the series.

What else to watch:

• Chris McCausland: Seeing Into The Future – 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Prisoner 951 – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Summerwater – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Changing Ends – 10.05pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: Prisoner 951
9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

On 3 April 2016, Iranian-British dual citizen Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was imprisoned by the Iranian state and became a pawn in a decades-old political dispute between two countries. Thousands of miles away in London, her husband Richard Ratcliffe campaigned tirelessly for her release in what became a six-year ordeal. Now, using first-hand accounts from the couple as well as extensive research, this four-part drama chronicles what happened on both the world stage and behind closed doors. Narges Rashidi (Gangs Of London) and Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) star.

What else to watch:

• Civilisations: Rise And Fall – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Summerwater – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Watson – 9pm, Sky Witness HD (CH 110)

• Changing Ends – 10.20pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: Changing Ends
10.05pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Can’t get enough of Alan Carr after his legendary stint in The Celebrity Traitors castle? Us neither. Luckily for us, the ultimate Traitor is back on our screens, swapping the sweeping Highlands for the streets of Northampton in the return of his childhood comedy caper. In Changing Ends’ third series, Carr (Oliver Savell) is navigating all-new adolescent minefields that include sleepovers, swimming lessons and a new crush. Consider us seated.

What else to watch:

• Cooper & Fry – 8pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Summerwater – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Never Mind The Buzzcocks – 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

• Original Gangsters With Sean Bean – 9pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)

Pick of the day: Abandoned Engineering
8pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

In this fascinating docuseries, architects and experts explore abandoned structures from all around the world. And the new series might just prove to be the most exciting yet, as the team have their work cut out for them in the form of a horse racing track that was infiltrated by a notorious organised crime gang in the US, a top-secret military base in Japan used for wartime missions, and an underground Nazi facility designed to lay waste to the population of London that’s now hidden below field in northern France.

What else to watch:

• Shetland – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Poison Water – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 103)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• A League Of Their Own – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) + Sky Max HD (CH 111)

• A Killer Makes A Call – 10pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

Pick of the day: The Man In The Mask: An Orkney Murder
9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

True crime fans won’t want to miss this shocking three-part documentary that investigates the murder of waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood, who was shot dead by a masked gunman in a busy restaurant in Kirkwall, Orkney in 1994. Journalist Hazel Martin examines the case with new evidence, and delves into the pasts of the victim and the then-teenage killer Michael Ross who was finally convicted of the murder in 2008.

What else to watch:

• The Martin Lewis Money Show: Budget Special – 7.30pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Celebrity Race Across The World – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Allegiance – 9pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

• Changing Ends – 10.35pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: The Dog House At Christmas
8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Cancel all your Friday night plans because Christmas has come early for the residents of Woodgreen Pets Charity. The festive special follows the dedicated team as they pull out all the stops to help find these good boys and girls their fur-ever home just in time for the holidays. Follow along as both newbies and seasoned owners come to the centre to meet the likes of Luna the labradoodle, Chico the American bulldog and Jenny the terrier, who could all melt even the frostiest of hearts. Tissues mandatory.

What else to watch:

• I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Gogglebox – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Safe Home – 9pm, More4 HD (CH 147)

• Daddy Issues – 9.35pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Changing Ends – 10.05pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Cricket: Australia v England – 1st Men’s Ashes Test
Friday 21 to Tuesday 25 November, from 1.30am, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

The first Test of this Australian Ashes series is not at the Gabba in Brisbane, where it’s been since 1986 – which was the last time England won there. The venue change might be a relief to the England team… if, that is, it wasn’t at the WACA in Perth instead, where they haven’t won since 1978. Or, just maybe, they won’t be thinking about matches from almost 50 years ago and will be focused on this series.

For this first Test, Australia will be missing two key pace bowlers, Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Simmons, while several batters are in dubious form. But there’s no doubt they’re packed with experience, from stand-in skipper Steve Smith to wily spinner Nathan Lyon, and the passionate crowds will give them a lift too.

But England have every right to be confident. With batters of genuine world class in Joe Root and Harry Brook, a varied pace attack including the dangerous Mark Wood and Jofra Archer, and Ben Stokes’s inspirational leadership, they’ve got the talent to bring the Ashes home. It all starts in the early hours of 21 November, so adjust your daytime schedule accordingly and get ready for six weeks of absolute top-quality cricket.

What else to watch:

Looking for more sport this week? We can help with that.

• All the best live sport you can watch on TV this week

• Got a Sky Sports subscription? Check out our monthly guide

• If you’ve got TNT Sports, your monthly guide is here

Wicked
Available in Sky Cinema on demand now. Cert PG

With Wicked: For Good coming to cinemas this week, it’s time to rejoicify and take a trip to the Emerald City. Young witches Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo, Harriet) and Glinda (pop superstar Ariana Grande) meet at university in the Land of Oz and become fast friends as they work to discover their true power. Until, that is, an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard (Jeff Goldblum, KAOS) sends their lives in very different directions. Erivo and Grande have incredible chemistry in the lead roles of this gorgeous musical, and you’d need a heart of stone not to be moved by the soaring “Defying Gravity”.

What else to watch:

Looking for more movies this week? We can help with that.

• Our monthly Sky Cinema guide featuring the best movies this month

• Looking for something on Netflix? Try our monthly guide to new releases

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