What to watch on TV this week: 16 – 25 July

Ready for another jam-packed week of telly treats? Don’t miss returning BBC comedy favourites Mandy and Here We Go, while exciting new instalments include acclaimed war drama The Narrow Road To The Deep North and Jimmy McGovern’s powerful new drama Unforgivable.

With all this plus our usual sport and movie picks of the week, there’s something for all tastes across the service. If you’re looking for when to watch Wimbledon or UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, you’ll find that here. And don’t forget, with Virgin TV Go, you can take your telly on the move with you.

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: Mix Tape
9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Sheffield, 1989. Teenagers Daniel and Alison are teenagers who fall deeply in love, bonded by their passion for music, but adult life puts them on opposite sides of the world. That connection keeps calling to them, though, until a chance encounter brings them together after 20 years. Will they rediscover the love they thought was lost? It’s giving One Day meets High Fidelity, and has a suitably excellent soundtrack with the Cure, Arctic Monkeys, New Order and more. All four episodes are in Apps > BBC iPlayer.

What else to watch:

• Bookish – 8pm + 9.10pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

• The Couple Next Door – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

• Death Coast – 9pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)

• Death Of A Showjumper – 9pm, Sky Documentaries HD (CH 188)

Pick of the day: Our Lives: Dolphin Town
7pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

While celebrities might be gallivanting across the world to raise awareness about oceanic wildlife, the return of Our Lives brings attention to some unexpected underwater residents much closer to home. In this episode, we visit the beautiful Welsh harbour town of Cei Newydd (New Quay) which is also home to the largest semi-resident population of bottlenose dolphins in Europe. Aw! Tune in to discover how these creatures unite the community and inspire local pride every year. Watch more episodes in Apps > BBC iPlayer now.

What else to watch:  

• Supercruising: Life At Sea – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Great Fire Of London With Rob Rinder & Ruth Goodman – 9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

• The Walking Dead: Dead City – 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

• Such Brave Girls – 10pm + 10.30pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107/113)

Pick of the day: Our Yorkshire Shop: A Victorian Restoration
8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

For the last four weeks, we’ve watched a team of restoration experts who descended upon the quaint town of Masham in the Yorkshire Dales to help transform a derelict grocer's shop into an elegant café and bakery for locals and tourists alike. In the final episode, the race is on to apply the finishing touches until a leaky roof threatens to derail the shop’s big grand opening. Can the team help save the community’s hard work? Get ready for a heartwarming watch.

What else to watch:

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

• And Just Like That… – 9pm, Sky Comedy HD (CH 112)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

• Thomas Jefferson – 9pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)

• First Dates – 10pm, Channel 4 HD 9CH 104)

Pick of the day: Neil and Martin’s Bon Voyage
8.15pm, U&GOLD HD (CH 124)

If you missed your chance to watch this charming adventure featuring former Men Behaving Badly co-stars Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes earlier this year, then you’re in luck! Here’s another chance to enjoy the road trip of a lifetime as the duo celebrate 40 years of friendship in style, travelling across the South of France while sampling the region’s local wine and exploring its natural beauty. Can we come?!

What else to watch:

• The Hit List – 5.45pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Lip-reading The Royals: The Secret Conversations – 7pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Charles Vs Andrew: Can The Rift Ever Heal? – 8.30pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Love Island: Unseen Bits – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

• Suspicion – 10.40pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: The Narrow Road To The Deep North
9.15pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Jacob Elordi (Saltburn, Euphoria) leads this stunning war drama that holds a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating. An adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s bestselling novel, it tells the story of Dorrigo Evans (a shared role between Elordi and, later, Belfast’s Ciarán Hinds) across three timelines: his life before the Second World War, his time as a Far East prisoner of war working on the infamous Burma “Death Railway” and, decades later, as an author. It’s compelling and moving viewing – there won’t be a dry eye in your living room.

What else to watch:

• Karen Pirie – 8pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Jimmy Doherty’s Big Bear Rescue – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

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

• S.W.A.T. – 9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Pick of the day: Mandy
10pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Diane Morgan (alter ego of clueless factual presenter Philomena Cunk) steps into the shoes of the hapless Mandy Carter for another laugh-out-loud chapter of ridiculous adventures. In the fourth series, Mandy is once again forced to hunt for the “perfect job” while navigating mysterious night-time visitors, glamorous strangers and enough “misfortune, death, danger and destruction” to last a lifetime. We can’t wait!

What else to watch:

• Michael Mosley: Secrets Of The Superages – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Human – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• SHARK! Celebrity Infested Waters – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• The Couple Next Door – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Pick of the day: Dear Ms. – A Revolution In Print
9pm, Sky Documentaries HD (CH 188)

The 1970s marked a decade of enormous political and societal change around the world. In the United States, at the forefront of this revolution was Ms. magazine, a feminist publication founded by activist Gloria Steinem. Now, more than 50 years later, three award-winning filmmakers meet with its founders and star contributors to unravel the untold story of this trailblazing magazine.

What else to watch:

• Coastal Adventures With Helen, Jules & JB – 8pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Classic Car Kings – 8pm, U&Yesterday HD (CH 129)

• Mix Tape – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• The Couple Next Door – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Pick of the day: The Couple Next Door
9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

When The Couple Next Door first hit screens in 2023, it quickly became one of the year’s most talked-about shows and is Channel 4’s most streamed series to date. Now, as the gripping second series draws to a close, events on the cul-de-sac have taken a dramatic turn as Charlotte and Jacob’s marriage starts to implode, Mia finds herself in danger, and Gemma and Leo desperately try to discover who’s behind the mysterious hospital deaths before it’s too late.

What else to watch:

• Can’t Sell, Must Sell – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Bookish – 8pm + 9.15pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

• Mix Tape – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

• Death Coast – 9pm, Sky HISTORY HD (CH 131)

Pick of the day: Unforgivable
9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Jimmy McGovern, one of the UK’s most revered screenwriters (Cracker, The Lakes, Accused, Time and many more), is behind this powerful and challenging drama that explores the long-standing and shocking impact that abuse has on families. Unforgivable follows the Mitchells, who are navigating the devastating aftermath of an act of sexual abuse committed by a member of the family. To make matters worse, the perpetrator is about to re-enter their world after finishing a two-year prison sentence. David Threlfall, Anna Friel, Bobby Schofield and Anna Maxwell-Martin form a powerful ensemble cast.

What else to watch:

• Tom Kerridge Cooks Spain – 8.30pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• One Day In Southport – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Blitz With Rob Rinder & Ruth Goodman – 9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

• Mr Bigstuff – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) + Sky Max HD (CH 111)

Pick of the day: Here We Go
9pm + 9.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

The Jessops are back and bigger than ever in the long-awaited return of this BAFTA-winning comedy. The third series begins with Rachel and Paul’s wedding anniversary, and while they’re being lavished with gifts from barbecues to an escape room experience, a local crimewave strikes the neighbourhood. Chaos ensues, obv. Jim Howick, Katherine Parkinson and Alison Steadman all reprise their roles while guest stars include Tom Gaskin (My Lady Jane), Jane Horrocks (Absolutely Fabulous), Robert Glenister (Sherwood) and comedian Jamali Maddix.

What else to watch:

• Under The Bridge – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Secret Life Of Trees – 9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• And Just Like That… – 9pm, Sky Comedy HD (CH 112)

• Love Island – 9pm, ITV2 HD (CH 115)

Rugby Union: Australia v Lions – 1st Test Match
Saturday 19 July, 10am, Sky Sports Action/HD (CH 517/507)

The Lions tour began with some thumping victories over Australian club sides, but coach Andy Farrell wasn’t satisfied, insisting that his team needed to keep things tighter from the start of matches. The call-up of Farrell’s son Owen to replace injury victim Elliot Daly was seen as an attempt to provide a more competitive edge. If the players reach the levels that the coach is demanding, we could be about to witness an epic series akin to the last Australian tour in 2013, which went to a deciding Test match that the Lions won 41-16 – a record score for the team.

The Lions have played eight and won eight Tests in Brisbane, and Farrell will be eager to retain that record during this tour. This Australia side is not stacked with big guns, but with the likes of Joseph-Aksuso Suaalii, Taniela Tupou and Will Skelton, it’s a reminder that the Wallabies do still possess firepower that can cause their opponents issues.

In the lead-up to this match, the Aussie press have been goading this group of Lions and saying they lack a killer instinct. They’ll be keen to throw down a marker in this first Test to show just how ruthless they can be.

Gosford Park

Saturday 19 July, 10.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

If you’ve been enjoying the return of Julian Fellowes’ delightful period drama The Gilded Age, don’t miss your chance to watch his Oscar-winning masterpiece. It’s the 1930s, and a group of wealthy partygoers are attending a weekend shooting party at a lavish English country estate. But the good times are short-lived when the host is found dead in mysterious circumstances, and everyone from the most well-to-do guests to the loyal downstairs staff is suspected of the crime. Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Derek Jacobi, Kristin Scott Thomas, Helen Mirren, Kelly Macdonald and more big-name stars form an ensemble cast in this timeless film that received 61 award nominations upon its release.

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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