What to watch on TV this week: Wednesday 22 to Friday 31 July

There's plenty to look forward to on TV this week, whether you're in the mood for gripping drama, fascinating documentaries or a good laugh. Highlights include the return of the cyber thriller The Undeclared War, the brand-new Sky Original Gomorrah: The Origins, the gripping documentary The Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke and post-apocalyptic drama Station Eleven.

Elsewhere, there's plenty to enjoy from the U channels too, with Beyond Paradise, The Chelsea Detective, Sister Boniface Mysteries and 1066: A Year to Conquer England all making our watchlist.

We've also picked out the biggest sporting events and top films showing over the next 10 days, so whatever you're into, there's something worth adding to your watchlist.

Don’t forget, with Virgin TV Go, you can take your TV with you wherever you go. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for the latest updates. Happy watching!

Pick of the day: The Undeclared War
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Simon Pegg and Hannah Khalique-Brown return for a second series of the cyber thriller set inside GCHQ. Picking up after the devastating events of series one, the team believes the immediate threat has passed, only to uncover evidence that an even more dangerous enemy is operating in the shadows. With suspicions growing that there's a mole inside GCHQ, the race is on to prevent another catastrophic cyber attack.

Blending espionage, political intrigue and cutting-edge cyber warfare, this smart, tense thriller feels more relevant than ever and makes for an absorbing midweek watch.

What else to watch

• The Brontës by Anita Rani: Sisters of Disruption - 8pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

• Sister Boniface Mysteries - 8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Murder 24/7 - 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Bill Bailey's Master Crafters: The Next Generation - 9pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

Pick of the day: Murder Case: The Digital Detectives
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Modern criminal investigations increasingly rely on digital evidence, from mobile phones and CCTV to online activity and forensic technology. This compelling documentary follows the specialists who help piece together complex cases, revealing how tiny digital clues can make all the difference in the search for justice.

What else to watch

• George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations - 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Five Star Weekend - 9.45pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• Have I Got a Bit More News for You - 10pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

• The Showjumper Murder - 10pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Pick of the day: Ludwig
9.30pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

One of the year's standout comedy-dramas continues as David Mitchell stars as the brilliantly unconventional puzzle setter drawn ever deeper into a world of murder investigations. Blending clever mysteries with sharp humour and an engaging central performance, it's an easy recommendation for anyone who enjoys an inventive crime drama with plenty of heart.

What else to watch

• Father Brown - 9pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Station Eleven - 9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

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

• New Tricks - 10pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Pick of the day: The Staircase
9.15pm, ITV1 HD/STV HD (CH 103)

The Staircase is inspired by the extraordinary real-life case of novelist Michael Peterson, whose wife Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their North Carolina home in 2001. As Peterson insists her death was a tragic accident, prosecutors build a murder case that becomes one of America's most closely watched trials. Starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette, the acclaimed drama doesn't simply ask whether Peterson is guilty or innocent. Instead, it explores how competing versions of the same events are shaped by investigators, lawyers, documentary filmmakers and the media, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions.

 What else to watch

• Sussex: Jewel of the South Coast - 8pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• The Brokenwood Mysteries - 7pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough - 7pm, Sky Mix HD (CH 156)

• Supercruising: Life at Sea - 8pm, E4 HD (CH 106)

Pick of the day: Beyond Paradise
9pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

Beyond Paradise follows former Death in Paradise detective DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) as he swaps the Caribbean for the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbott, where he and fiancée Martha (Sally Bretton) are building a new life together. Alongside DS Esther Williams, PC Kelby Hartford and office manager Margo Martins, Humphrey tackles a fresh mystery each week, often solving seemingly impossible crimes with his trademark offbeat approach.

What else to watch

• Countryfile - 7pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy - 6pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

• Inside the Operating Theatre - 8pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

• Sister Boniface Mysteries - 8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Pick of the day: Dover 24/7: Britain's Busiest Port
8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

The cameras return to the Port of Dover, revealing the huge operation required to keep one of the UK's busiest transport hubs running around the clock. From freight lorries and holiday traffic to border security and emergency incidents, every day brings fresh challenges for the teams responsible for keeping people and goods moving.

With exclusive behind-the-scenes access and plenty of real-life drama, the series shines a light on the people working under constant pressure at the gateway between Britain and continental Europe. It's a fascinating look at a part of the country's infrastructure most of us rarely get to see.

What else to watch

• The Great British Sewing Bee - 8pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

• House of the Dragon - 9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• Have I Got a Bit More News for You - 9pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

• New Tricks - 10pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

Pick of the day: Gomorrah: The Origins
9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

One of the week's biggest premieres revisits the acclaimed world of Gomorrah with a brand-new prequel series. Set in Naples during the late 1970s, it follows a young Pietro Savastano as he begins his rise through the criminal underworld, years before becoming the feared boss viewers met in the original drama. Directed by Marco D'Amore, this stylish Sky Original promises the same gritty storytelling, moral complexity and cinematic ambition that made Gomorrah one of Europe's finest crime dramas.

What else to watch

• Hotel Chocolat Unwrapped - 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Top Gear - 8pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

• Murder 24/7 - 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Inside the Ambulance - 9pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

Pick of the day: Alec Guinness: A Class Act
8pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

One of Britain's greatest actors is celebrated in this affectionate documentary looking back at an extraordinary career across stage and screen. From the classic Ealing comedies to his Oscar-winning performance in The Bridge on the River Kwai and later international success, Alec Guinness left an extraordinary mark on cinema.

Drawing on archive material and reflections on his remarkable body of work, this promises to be an enjoyable tribute to one of British acting's true greats.

What else to watch

• The Chelsea Detective - 9pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

• Simon Reeve's South America - 9pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

• Signora Volpe - 9pm, U&W HD (CH 125)

• The Rookie - 9pm, Sky Mix HD (CH 156)

Pick of the day: Renovation Rescue
8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

If you've ever wondered what happens when an ambitious home makeover starts to spiral out of control, this practical property series has the answers. Experts step in to help homeowners rescue renovation projects that have gone off the rails, offering clever design ideas and realistic solutions to get builds back on track.

Packed with inspiring transformations and plenty of useful advice, it's an easy, entertaining watch for anyone dreaming of their own home improvements.

What else to watch

• Top Gear - 8pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

• True Detective: Night Country - Part 1 - 7.55pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• The Five Star Weekend - 9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• Have I Got a Bit More News for You - 10pm, U&Dave HD (CH 127)

Pick of the day: Station Eleven
9pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

Adapted from Emily St. John Mandel's bestselling novel, Station Eleven follows a group of interconnected survivors before, during and years after a devastating flu pandemic wipes out most of the world's population. At the heart of the story is the Travelling Symphony, a troupe of actors and musicians who bring Shakespeare and music to isolated communities, proving that art and human connection remain vital even in the darkest times.

Led by standout performances from Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel and Matilda Lawler, this beautifully crafted drama is both emotionally powerful and surprisingly hopeful, offering a unique take on life after catastrophe that's unlike almost anything else on television.

• Surgery Secrets of the Super Rich - 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Ludwig - 9.30pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

• True Detective: Night Country - Part 3 - 7.55pm, Sky Atlantic HD (CH 111)

• BBC Comedy Short Films: Quiet Life - 7.05pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107)

Formula 1: Hungarian Grand Prix
Sunday 26 July, 12.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event HD (CH 501)

Formula 1 heads to the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix, one of the most technically demanding races on the calendar. The tight, twisty circuit rewards precision and consistency, with overtaking notoriously difficult, making qualifying pace, race strategy and pit stops more important than ever.

As the championship battle intensifies before the summer break, every point could prove crucial. Expect wheel-to-wheel action, tactical battles and plenty of drama as the drivers fight for victory in Budapest.

More live sport

• The Hundred Live - Wednesday 22 July, 2.45pm, Sky Sports Cricket HD (CH 505)

• Live Test Cricket - Saturday 25 July, 6pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

• Live UFC - Saturday 25 July, 3pm, TNT Sports 3 HD (CH 523)

• Live Test Cricket - Tuesday 28 July, 2.30pm, TNT Sports 1 HD (CH 521)

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

The Green Mile
Saturday 25 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

Tom Hanks stars in Frank Darabont's acclaimed adaptation of Stephen King's bestselling novel, playing a prison officer whose life is changed by an extraordinary inmate on Death Row. Michael Clarke Duncan delivers a remarkable Oscar-nominated performance as John Coffey, a gentle giant with a mysterious gift that challenges everything the guards believe about justice and redemption.

Blending powerful drama with touches of the supernatural, The Green Mile remains one of the most moving films of the past 25 years. With unforgettable performances and an emotional story that lingers long after the credits roll, it's a perfect weekend watch.

More movies to watch

• Jules - Thursday 23 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning - Friday 24 July, 8pm, Sky Cinema Action HD (CH 407)

• Nobody - Sunday 26 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• No Hard Feelings - Monday 27 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• The Florida Project - Wednesday 29 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428)

• Beast - Thursday 30 July, 9pm, Film4 HD (CH 428) 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

Explore our amazing TV deals and never miss a moment of entertainment.