What to watch on TV this week: 14 – 23 May

Ready for another jam-packed week of telly treats? Amanda Seyfried will have you on the edge of your seat in Long Bright River, Alison Hammond is getting up close and personal with celebs in Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend and Big Zuu and AJ Tracey are indulging in the finer foods in life in Big Zuu & AJ Tracey's Rich Flavours. Plus, Graham Norton is on hand for hosting duties at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, while the RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens its doors for another year and The Horne Section TV Show also returns. Happy viewing!

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 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: The Game
9pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

Jason Watkins (Coma) stars as a retired detective who’s haunted by the one case he didn’t solve in this gripping cat-and-mouse thriller. When Huw Miller (Watkins) suspects that his new neighbour Patrick Harbottle (Robson Green, Grantchester) is the elusive Ripton Stalker that he never caught, he does everything in his power to bring him to justice. As another body is found in the penultimate episode, it looks like time could be running out for Miller. Concludes tomorrow.

What else to watch:

• Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star – 8pm, BBC Three HD (CH 107/113)

• Race Across The World – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Genius Game – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• I, Jack Wright – 9pm, U&Alibi HD (CH 114)

• Garbo: Where Did You Go? – 9pm, Sky Arts HD (CH 123)

Pick of the day: Signora Volpe
9pm, U&Drama HD (CH 166)

You’d like to think that life in the picturesque village of Panicale in Italy would be peaceful. However, that’s never been the case for former spy and British expat Sylvia Fox (Emilia Fox), who’s found herself helping to solve local crimes – much to the frustration of police chief Riva (Giovanni Cirfiera). As the second season draws to a close, Riva and Sylvia’s family find themselves in a critical race against time as they desperately search for a missing Sylvia.

What else to watch:

• Eurovision Song Content Semi-Final 2025 – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Marie Antoinette – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Genius Game – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

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

• Poker Face – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) + Sky Max HD (CH 111)

Pick of the day: Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend
8.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Who wouldn’t want to spend the weekend with the brilliantly funny Alison Hammond? In her new series, the beloved TV presenter is travelling across the country to stay with starry hosts including Luke Evans, Jimmy Carr, Sir Lenny Henry, Mel B and Tony Bellew, to have a nosy around their homes while chinwagging with the famous faces about their careers, childhoods and everything in between. First up, she visits pop sensation Perrie Edwards.

What else to watch:

• Millionaire Hoarders – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Hidden Treasures Of The National Trust – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Martin Clunes’ Islands Of The Atlantic – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

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

• Open House: The Great Sex Experiment – 10pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

Pick of the day: Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final 2025
8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Graham Norton is heading to your screens live from Basel, Switzerland, for this year’s Eurovision extravaganza and you’ve been cordially invited to join the fun. Whether you’re keeping score from your sofa or dancing the night away, don’t miss a jam-packed evening of spellbinding acts including UK entry Remember Monday as they strut their stuff for their shot at the Eurovision crown.

What else to watch:

• Doctor Who – 7.10pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• William & Katherine: Putting Family First – 7.30pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

• Titanic: Our Secret Histories – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• The Handmaid’s Tale – 9pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Fake – 10.30pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: Long Bright River
10pm + 11pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 105)

In this drama inspired by Liz Moore’s New York Times bestselling novel, Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried steals the show as a police officer investigating a series of murders in a seedy neighbourhood. What she doesn’t realise is just how closely the case is linked to her own chequered family history. Nicholas Pinnock (The Book Of Clarence) and Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel) co-star.

What else to watch:

• Countdown To RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – 6pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• The Bombing Of Pan Am 103 – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Scandinavia With Simon Reeve – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Code Of Silence – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

• Later… With Jools Holland – 10pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

Pick of the day: RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
2pm + 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

While the sunshine might be inspiring us to head into the garden this week, thousands of green-thumbed gardeners will be going for gold at the world’s most famous flower show. Join Nicki Chapman and Angellica Bell live from the show’s opening day, as horticulture experts share their top tips including how to welcome more birds into a small garden and what plants will make any space feel bigger. We’ll be taking notes… 

What else to watch:

• Meal Deals: Behind The Bargain – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Inside Our Dyslexic Minds – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Code Of Silence – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

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

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

Pick of the day: Big Zuu & AJ Tracey's Rich Flavours
9pm, Sky Max HD (CH 111)

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for cousins Big Zuu and AJ Tracey. The BAFTA-winning TV chef and the platinum-selling musician share a passion for all things tasty and in their new series, they’re jetting off on a foodie-fuelled adventure across South Korea, New York and Scotland to indulge in some of the most expensive dishes on the planet. Yum!

What else to watch:

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – 2pm + 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Faking It – 8pm, 5 HD (CH 105)

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

• Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive And Kids – 9pm, More4 HD (CH 147)

• Change Your Mind, Change Your Life With Matt And Emma Willis – 10.40pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Pick of the day: The Chelsea Detective
8pm, U&Drama HD (CH 116)

DI Max Arnold (Adrian Scarborough, Gavin & Stacey) and DS Layla Walsh (Vanessa Emme, Dublin Murders) are back on duty and they’re taking on three of their biggest cases yet. When a body is discovered at an allotment, Arnold and Walsh are determined to find the killer before they strike again. However, when an unlikely clue leads them to the home of the US Ambassador, what follows is a thrilling whodunnit as our duo pull out every trick in the book against the might of the US Embassy.

What else to watch:

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – 2pm + 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• The Repair Shop On The Road – 8pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Race Across The World – 9pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Backlash: The Murder Of Floyd George – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Genius Game – 9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Pick of the day: The Horne Section TV Show
10pm + 10.30pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

If you can’t get enough of Little Alex Horne during your Taskmaster fix then we have some good news for you. The comedian is making a triumphant return with his loyal band for another hilarious round of The Horne Section TV Show. In the second series, Horne is struggling with the highs and lows of his newfound fame and he’s become more determined than ever to prove that he’s a credible musician. We can’t wait!

What else to watch:

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – 2pm + 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Marie Antoinette – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

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

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

• Poker Face – 9pm, Sky Showcase HD (CH 109) + Sky Max HD (CH 111)

Pick of the day: Joanna Lumley’s Danube
9pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103)

Another day, another breathtaking travel documentary from national treasure Joanna Lumley. This time the actor is sailing her way down the Danube River, which begins in the mountains of Germany’s Black Forest and travels through 10 countries in Central Europe before reaching the Black Sea. Expect beer-brewing nuns, Hungarian cowboys (csikós) and Lumley looking as fabulous as ever in this adventure of a lifetime. 

What else to watch:

• RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – 2pm + 8pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

• Millionaire Hoarders – 8pm, Channel 4 HD (CH 104)

• Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend – 8.30pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

• Hidden Treasures Of The National Trust – 9pm, BBC Two HD (CH 102)

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

Football – Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Saturday 17 May, 3pm, ITV1 HD (CH 103) + 3.25pm, BBC One HD (CH 101)

Crystal Palace will go into this Saturday’s FA Cup final knowing there could hardly be a better time to face Manchester City. The dethroned champions may have recovered from their bizarre midseason slump but they’re still not at their best, as last week’s draw against relegated Southampton showed. On their day, Palace can beat anyone, and they have genuine match-winners in striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, rampaging wing-back Daniel Muñoz and playmaker Eberechi Eze, perhaps the most naturally talented player in the Premier League and a scorer of spectacular goals.

But still, it’s City. They’re packed with quality from front (Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush) to back (Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias), and surely the departing Kevin de Bruyne will be desperate to claim one last trophy. Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag – remember him? – out-thought Pep Guardiola in the 2024 final to score a memorable victory over City at Wembley, and Palace boss Oliver Glasner should study that game closely. Because if he doesn’t get his tactics right, it could be a long afternoon for Palace.

The south Londoners are looking to claim their first ever FA Cup – which would also mean a debut in UEFA competition (unless you count a short-lived Intertoto foray in the 1990s). So many storylines, so many possibilities… It’s set to be a fascinating final. And don’t miss the women’s FA Cup final the next day at 12.50pm on BBC One HD (CH 101).

Bookworm

Available from Saturday 17 May in Sky Cinema on demand. Cert 12

When 11-year-old Mildred’s mother falls into a coma, her life is turned upside down with the arrival of her estranged father, magician Strawn Wise (Elijiah Wood, The Lord Of The Rings movies). To help them bond, Strawn takes Mildred on an arduous camping trip, involving a quest to find the legendary Canterbury panther for a large cash reward. Instead, they end up finding a lot more than they bargained for.

What else to watch:

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

• Looking for something to watch on Sky Cinema? Our monthly round-up has the best on the service this month

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

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