The Healy-Raes: Blood, Sweat and Tears
TV WEEK (Wednesday 19th to Tuesday 25th)
TOP SPECIALS
Rome: A History of the Eternal City (BBC 4, Wednesday 8.15pm)
Author and historian Simon Sebag Montefiore presents a three-part series uncovering the central role played by religion in creating and maintaining the power of the city of Rome. Casting aside its pagan gods, a radical new religion took hold when Emperor Constantine promoted Christianity as the religion of Empire.
Professor T (ITV, Wednesday, 9pm)
Professor Jasper Tempest, a genius Cambridge University criminologist with OCD, unwittingly becomes an advisor to the police when he is caught up in a mysterious crime at the university. After Season 3’s shocking finale, the Professor hides in his lectures, avoiding the police at all costs – until a therapist helps him face up to his police work tackling complex and dangerous cases.
Outback Murder Highway: The Sensible Creek Killings (CH4, Wednesday, 10pm)
Australia’s desolate Flinders Highway stretches more than 800km across the Queensland outback, and its remoteness, backpacker and hitch-hiker traffic and proximity to back roads make it dangerous territory. Since 1970, 11 people have been reported missing or murdered, and many of those cases remain unsolved.
The Hairdresser Mysteries (BBC 1, Friday, 2pm)
It’s well known that hairdressers get the best gossip, but what happens when they learn secrets about murder? Starring Sally Phillips, this perfect ‘cosy crime’ follows a hairdresser turned detective in a 1970s village who begins to uncover mysteries in her small community. It might not be up to the Inspector Morse standard, but looks an autumn winner for the afternoon TV watchers.
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (ITV, Friday 10pm)
The true story American college student Amanda Knox, who goes to Italy for a study abroad programme, but is wrongfully imprisoned for murder. Following her relentless fight and eventual success in a bid for freedom, it examines why she was judged so harshly by the authorities and the public. The series stars Grace Van Patten in the title role.
WATCH OF THE WEEK
The Healy-Raes: Blood, Sweat and Tears (RTÉ 1, Wednesday 19th, 9.35pm)
Following the Healy-Rae dynasty’s 50-year political dominance in Kerry, the film explores their political manoeuvres, family succession, their army of supporters, and unique solutions to local issues. Filmmaker Jerry Kennelly had unprecedented access to the Healy-Rae brothers, Michael and Danny, seen in their natural habitat of farming and business ventures – in addition to the lesser-known Healy-Rae who will be jockeying for position in the future. The hundreds-strong ‘Healy-Rae Army’ volunteers who power the machine, explain their mission, and how local issues are solved, Kerry style.
BEST FILMS
Tar (BBC 2, Thursday 12.05am)
Starring Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, the conductor of a major German Orchestra at the height of her career, preparing both a book launch and much-anticipated live performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. But over the weeks before her show, her professional life begins to unravel as personal demons disrupt her biggest career gamble.
Da (RTÉ 1, Friday 10.35pm)
Hugh Leonard adapts his play into this 1988 film gem set around an Irish-American playwright (Martin Sheen) who confronts his past while returning to Ireland for the funeral of his father, Da (Barnard Hughes). Imagined conversations and flashbacks to their earlier lives together portrays the complicated relationship between a father and a son.
Signal One (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Saturday)
A brilliant scientist meets the inventor of a high-tech machine that can communicate with extraterrestrial life. But contact comes with consequences that soon threaten the survival of the human race. Cerebral sci-fi starring Dennis Quaid, David Thewlis and Isabelle Fuhrman.
CLASSIC MOVIE
Song Sung Blue (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Friday)
Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams. Hitting every emotional chord and bound to thrill his many Irish fans, it is a fitting tribute to one of the most famous singer-songwriters in modern music history.
KIDS STUFF
Charlie the Wonder Dog (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Friday)
An animated film follows Charlie, a beloved family dog, who after discovering his superpowers, sets out to fulfil his destiny and protect the people he loves – only to learn that real heroism comes from courage, kindness, and believing in yourself.
Violent Earth Tornado (Sky Nature, Sunday 6pm)
Nobody can deny climate change any more, and this documentary hammers home the reality changing all our lives. Exploring the science behind natural disasters, featuring footage and interviews with scientists, storm chasers and survivors and examining the changing climate. Presented by Liev Schreiber.
ON DEMAND
Women In Blue (Apple TV)
Season two follows María, now promoted to lieutenant, as she finds herself torn between the official rules she’s sworn to uphold and a relentless pull toward the truth when the body of a student activist is discovered, and the ‘Azules’ are pulled into an investigation that reaches back to the student massacre of 1968.
Novak Djokovic: The Lion In Winter (Amazon Prime)
His legacy already stands unmatched in tennis – with 24 Grand Slam titles, the most in men’s history – more than 1,100 career singles match wins, an Olympic gold medal, a record 428 weeks at world number one, and more Grand Slam appearances than any player in the Open Era. Djokovic has rewritten the record books as the greatest to ever hold a racket.
Don’t Say Good Luck (Netflix)
In this coming-of-age dramedy, Sophie Birenbaum is ready for the spotlight as the lead in her high school musical, until she’s living with even more drama at home than on the stage. With more edge that the usual high school drama, this one looks like a winner for the back to college crowd next month.
SPORTS CENTRE
Hockey World Cup 2026 (RTÉ 2, Thursday, 3.45pm)
The Ireland men’s first appearance in the competition since 2018, with wins over Wales and France in their play-off matches. Ranked 10th in the world, Ireland have been drawn in Pool C and will take on Australia, South Africa and Spain. A top-two finish in the pool would see the boys in green progress to Pool E for a shot at a place in the semi-finals. Peter Collins presents live coverage from Belfius Hockey Arena, Belgium.