TV pick of the week: ‘The Phone Box Babies’
TV WEEK (Wednesday 2nd to Tuesday 8th)
TOP SPECIALS
Hill (Sky Documentaries, Wednesday 2nd, 9pm)
One Name. Two World Champions. In 1996, Damon Hill claimed the Formula 1 World Championship and cemented his place in motorsport history, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Graham Hill. How he defied the odds and tragedy to become a racing legend in his own right is a thrilling ride.
A Song For Jenny (BBC 4, Wednesday 2nd, 10.30pm)
One-off drama which tells the true story of Julie Nicholson’s response to her daughter Jenny’s death in the July 7 bombing at Edgware Road tube station. A moving film that explores the impact of violence on one woman and her family. Screenwriter Frank McGuinness introduces the story.
Supercruising: Life At Sea (CH4, Thursday 8pm)
A life on the ocean wave is the ultimate Lotto ambition for many. This eight-part series follows two luxury cruise ships as they voyage the oceans carrying holidaymakers around the Caribbean, South America, North Africa and the Canary Islands. Each episode goes behind the scenes to look at life below deck, witnessing the full supercruise experience.
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne (Sky Arts, Friday 4th, 10pm)
Charting Ozzy’s torturous and emotionally fraught journey to sobriety, which the iconic musician regards as his greatest accomplishment. Featuring never-seen-before footage uncovered from the archives and interviews with Paul McCartney, Tommy Lee, Henry Rollins and other rock luminaries.
WATCH OF THE WEEK
The Phone Box Babies (RTÉ 1, Wednesday 2nd, 9.35pm)
New insights into the lives and identities of three newborn babies abandoned in the 1960s in different parts of Ireland, and discovered by random individuals in phone boxes, left without any identifying information or clue to their origins. Fifty years later, as adults, they discover their connection to each other and embark on an emotional journey to uncover their identities – only to uncover a web of secrets and untold stories that reflect an Ireland of the past.
BEST FILMS
The Duke (RTÉ 1, Friday 4th, 9.35pm)
In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old London taxi driver, stole Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery. Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting on condition that the government invested more in care for the elderly – another social campaign that marked his ‘do good’ life. Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren star in this feelgood flick based on a true story.
Quiz Lady (BBC 1, Friday 4th, 12.05am)
A gameshow-obsessed young woman, played by Awkwafina, and her train-wreck of a sister Sandra Oh work together to repay their mother’s gambling debts the only way they know how: by becoming bona-fide gameshow champions.
William Tell (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Friday)
The year 1307, the Holy Roman Empire is in turmoil as rising dynasties encroach on new lands, desperate for power. Switzerland bows under the brutal Austrian dominance of a relentless dictator, until local huntsman William Tell decides to take the fight to the cruel oppressors using his expertise with one particular weapon.
London Has Fallen (RTÉ 1, Sunday 6th, 9.30pm)
When the world’s most powerful leaders gather in London for a prime minister’s funeral, terrorists unleash a devastating attack leaving the city in chaos. Enter Secret Service agent Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) to rescue the US president from a horrible fate. A well oiled action sequel where Butler blows the baddies away.
CLASSIC MOVIE
Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (TG4, Friday 4th, 9.05pm)
The true story of a pair of outlaws fast-draws, wild rides, bank robberies and torrid love affairs south of the border in far away Bolivia. It’s the story of a remarkable friendship between clever conman Butch and the ever-dangerous Sundance Kid. Paul Newman and Robert Redford in a cracker from 1969.
KIDS STUFF
Empire Waist (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Wednesday)
Lenore Miller is a plus size, insecure teen whose talent for fashion is discovered by her confident, plus-sized classmate, forcing her to endure the spotlight – and straight into the path of bullies and new friends. With the backing of her dad, can she overcome her own insecurities to wear her own designs?
Shark Whisperer (Netflix)
A visually arresting documentary that dives into the murky waters of modern conservation, where science, activism, and spectacle collide. At its centre is marine conservationist and social media lightning rod Ocean Ramsey, who strives to connect with these predators on an unprecedented level to challenge the negative perception of sharks.
ON DEMAND
Suspicion (Apple TV)
When the son of prominent businesswoman Uma Thurman is kidnapped from a New York hotel, the eye of suspicion quickly falls on four ordinary British citizens. Finding themselves in a trans-Atlantic cat and mouse race to evade the combined forces of the National Crime Agency and the FBI to prove their innocence, it becomes apparent that not everyone can be trusted.
The Sandman (Netflix)
After a fateful reunion with his family, Dream of the Endless must face one impossible decision after another as he attempts to save himself, his kingdom, and the waking world from the epic fallout of his past misdeeds. To make amends, Dream confronts longtime friends and foes, gods, monsters, and mortals on a path to forgiveness full of unexpected twists and turns.
Heads Of State (Amazon Prime)
Action comedy about two world leaders who put aside their differences when they become the targets of a powerful and ruthless foreign adversary. UK prime minister Sam Clarke (Idris Elba) and US president Will Derringer (John Cena) are begrudgingly forced to rely on the only people they can trust: each other – to thwart a conspiracy that threatens the entire free world.
Tour De France Unchained (Netflix)
In its final season the world’s biggest cycling race becomes a battlefield where broken dreams meet unexpected triumphs. The gap between the teams widens, but the peloton heavyweights face a new generation of cyclists all clinging to one crazy idea – toppling the kings.
SPORTS CENTRE
Wimbledon 2025 (BBC 2, all week, 1pm)
Pass the strawberries and cream please for this annual festival of tennis played by the best stars of the game in that magical suburb of London where polite cheers mix with deadly sportsmanship across the fabled courts of the iconic location.
UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Live (RTÉ 2, Wednesday 2nd, 7.30pm)
Live coverage from Basel of the opening ceremony followed by Switzerland v Norway in Group A. Thursday 2nd 4.30pm has Belgium v Italy in Group B and Spain v Portugal in Group B at 7.30pm. Friday 3rd at 4.30 has Denmark v Sweden in Group C, with Germany v Poland also in Group C at 8pm.