TV&Satellite Week

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NEW SCI-FI Doctor Who Saturday, 6.50pm, BBC1 A plucky new companion joins the Doctor in the TARDIS as Doctor Who returns for a new series this week – but unlike a lot of her predecessors, she’s not there by choice. Belinda Chandra (Andor and Annika star Varada Sethu) is an overworked nurse who’s at home sleeping after a long shift when she’s suddenly abducted by robots and taken to outer space – where Belinda meets the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) for the first time. The pair are soon caught up in a fight for their lives as they attempt to discover what the robots are up to – but while the Doctor assumes Belinda will become his new partner in adventures through space and time, she just wants to go home.…

NEW SCI-FI The Last of Us Monday, 9pm, Sky Atlantic When post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us hit our screens in 2023, it proved beyond doubt that video games could be adapted brilliantly for TV, with viewers and critics alike applauding its engrossing world-building and well-rounded characters. As the hotly anticipated second season arrives this week, the action picks up five years on from the Season 1 finale. Survivors Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) are now living in the community of Jackson, Wyoming, where those who have managed to avoid the parasitic cordyceps infection – which turns humans into violent mutants – are sheltering together. UNDER STRAIN ‘You get the sense that they all feel like they’ve maybe solved the problem,’ series co-creator and showrunner Craig Mazin tells…

NEW ENTERTAINMENT The Piano Sunday, 9pm, C4 There’s more tinkling of the ivories when Claudia Winkleman returns for a third series of The Piano with another crop of amateur pianists showcasing their talents at major train stations around the UK. This time, however, there are a few changes. As well as stopping off at various railway terminals, the show will also be calling at Britain’s busiest airport, Heathrow. Also, pop superstar Mika has a new fellow mentor in the form of Jon Batiste. The American award-winning singer-songwriter takes over the role filled by classical pianist Lang Lang in the previous series. At each port of call, the pair watch the performances from behind the scenes and choose pianists to perform in a special concert at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music…

NEW FACTUAL Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story Wednesday, 9pm, Sky Arts This year marks the 45th anniversary of the release of debut album Too Much Pressure by Coventry ska band The Selecter, who toured with The Specials and Madness in 1979 as 2-Tone swept the nation. Still recording and touring, and with a slot at this year’s Glastonbury, 71-year-old lead singer Pauline Black looks back on her remarkable life in Sky Arts’ feature-length rockumentary Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story. Born Belinda Magnus, Black was brought up by middle-aged white adoptive parents, and recalls feeling like an outsider during her Essex childhood. ‘The environment was a little alienating, from the point of view of a little brown girl,’ she tells TV&Satellite Week. ‘Most people had hardly ever seen or spoken to a…

Sonia leaves Walford… after getting an unexpected visitor Sonia’s none too pleased when a bunch of true-crime fans, fascinated by Reiss’ wrongdoings, are brought to her doorstep by Kim and Mo. Blaming the increased interest in the case on Bianca’s recent interview with a journalist, Son has a pop at her sister but later comes to her aid when she suffers a panic attack. The siblings soon make amends, but as they enjoy drinks at Harry’s Barn, Bianca’s spooked by what she believes is an overzealous fan, and chases him to the playground. The mystery man then turns up at No 25 to request an audience with Sonia. EastEnders bosses aren’t revealing his identity… Could it be Son’s long-lost dad, perhaps? As a truth comes to light and stunned Sonia…