WATCH OF THE WEEK: RTÉ 100: Points of View
TV WEEK (Wednesday 2nd to Tuesday 8th)
TOP SPECIALS
Donal’s Italian Kitchen (RTÉ 1, Wednesday 2nd, 8.30pm)
Donal Skehan travels through Italy chasing the places, people and dishes that have shaped his cooking. He revisits honeymoon memories in Florence, learns at the feet of two Nonne with a lifetime of wisdom between them, and shares notes from Italian-American diners in LA, as he explores pasta in all its forms and reclaims the lost art of a proper lunch.
Stolen Babies (BBC 2, Wednesday 2nd, 9pm)
A landmark feature documentary that uncovers Britain’s forced adoption scandal. Between 1949 and 1976, more than 250,000 unmarried mothers across the UK had their babies forcibly taken for adoption by the state. In July 2026, the government accepted responsibility for the historic actions and apologised to those affected. Institutions – including social services, government agencies, and the NHS – appeared to work together within a system driven by deep-rooted prejudice against women based on their class, race, and marital status.
Sandi’s Ireland: A Literary Journey (More 4, Thursday 3rd, 9pm)
Danish-British broadcaster, author and comedian Sandi Toksvig is following in the footsteps of some of Ireland’s literary greats. Her journey takes her from the Mourne Mountains beloved by CS Lewis and Seamus Heaney, to the Abbey Theatre, Sweney’s Pharmacy and the James Joyce Centre in Dublin, as well as Yeats’s grave at Drumcliffe. Along the way, she meets contemporary writers, poets and performers to explore how Ireland’s rich storytelling traditions continue to thrive and evolve today.
The Dark (Virgin Media One, Thursday 3rd, 10pm)
Set in the remote, bleak landscapes of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands, the plot kicks off when a young man’s body is found eerily and deliberately staged. Detective Monica Kennedy teams up with partner Connor Crawford to stop a mounting tally of victims, and the investigation forces Monica to confront dark secrets from her own personal past.
Europe’s Wild Kingdoms Water World (Sky Nature, Sunday 6th, 5pm)
Across Europe, world-famous heritage sites such as Mont-Saint-Michel, Bran Castle and the Alhambra draw visitors for their history and beauty. Yet beneath their grand façades lie lesser-known stories. Shaped by centuries of human activity, these sites and their surrounding landscapes are now home to a surprising range of wildlife, from harbour seals and red deer to black storks and elusive amphibians.
WATCH OF THE WEEK
RTÉ 100: Points of View (RTÉ 1, Wednesday 2nd, 9.35pm)
This new documentary looks at how Radió Éireann and RTÉ evolved to tell Ireland’s story to us and to the world. From the early crystal radio sets to TikTok trends and beyond, the series will look at entertainment, sport, news, the Irish language, drama and comedy and how these helped shape the story of a nation. The series will also consider how public service media’s creativity, constraints and occasionally even contrary nature continue to reflect Ireland and the world. Contributors include Fintan O’Toole, Colm O’Gorman, Jim Sheridan and Sinead O’Carroll.
BEST FILMS
Respect (BBC 2, Thursday 3rd, 12.05am)
Jennifer Hudson takes on the role of her life in this biopic following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom. A legend of global entertainment, she overcame many obstacles in a remarkable journey to find her unique and powerful voice.
All Of Us Strangers (RTÉ 1, Friday 4th, 9.35pm)
Lonely gay screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), which starts a process that alters the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, both are preoccupied with memories of the past and drawn back to where they came from.
Swing Bout (RTÉ 2, Friday 4th, 9.35pm)
Director Maurice O’Carroll’s absorbing crime thriller is set backstage at a major boxing event, and it gets every ounce of impact from its tiny budget in a brilliant cast led by Ciara Berkeley as the young sporting hopeful on her journey from the dressing room to the ring during an evening of deceit, betrayal, and life-altering decisions.
CLASSIC MOVIE
Minari (CH4, Wednesday 2nd, 1.50am)
A Korean-American family move to a tiny Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream – a dream that changes completely with the arrival of their foul-mouthed, but loving grandmother. Amidst the instability and challenges of this new life in the rugged Ozarks, Minari mixes comedy and drama to great effect.
KIDS STUFF
Panda Plan 2: The Magical Tribe (Sky Cinema Premiere, from Wednesday)
When lovable Panda Hu Hu and international superstar Jackie Chan stumble upon a hidden primitive tribe, Hu Hu is hailed as a ‘divine beast’ believed to be the key to saving the tribe from disaster. As quirky warriors and magical leaders close in, Jackie has to protect Hu Hu while uncovering the secrets of the mysterious land.
Mean Girls (RTÉ 2, Thursday 3rd, 9.35pm)
The 2004 comedy that launched the career of Lindsay Lohan still has enough impact to capture the attention of a new generation. Cady Heron is enrolled at North Shore High School near Chicago after having living in Africa for many years. Thrust into a new world of romance, jealousy and dubious friendships, Cady is forced to call on her African experience to survive.
ON DEMAND
Turning Point: Generation 9/11 (Netflix)
Twenty-five years after 9/11, this documentary explores how a single day shaped the next generation. From children who lost their parents in the attacks to journalists who cut their teeth on the original War on Terror to young Afghans and Marines forced to deal with the fallout of America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, their gripping stories reveal the legacy of 9/11 and the lives it continues to shape.
Last Seen (Apple TV)
Police dispatcher Ian Ridley’s daughter Maggie disappeared 11 years ago – not leaving a trace. Then, out of the blue one day, he receives a distress call which he believes is Maggie, and embarks on a relentless quest to find her and reunite his family – no matter what the consequences. Patrick Bramall and Maxine Peake star.
Mayday (Disney+)
At the height of the Cold War in 1987, Lieutenant Troy Brennan’s reconnaissance mission over Soviet territory goes awry, forcing him to crash-land and survive in the Russian wilderness while evading the constant threat of capture. Ryan Reynolds plays the crashed pilot who is forced to team up a former KGB operative, played by Kenneth Brannagh – a Top Gun loving exile who’s living off-grid in the forests of Siberia.
Earle Meets World (Netflix)
Gen-Z’s ultimate It Girl, Alix Earle, is making the next big jump in her career. Can she balance her burgeoning business empire with being that unfiltered, 20-something, hot mess that America fell in love with? Now she’s taking her candid chaos from your FYP to TV, and nothing is off limits.
SPORTS CENTRE
South Africa v New Zealand (Sky Sports Action, Saturday 5th, 3.55pm)
It’s the third test between these two super-powers, and it’s impossible to predict the final scoreline. The All Blacks started this series with a double-score victory – an arrow right in the heart of South Africa’s rugby loving population. No doubt they’ll be out to avenge such a drubbing.