It's time to celebrate 40 years of doof doofs!
This week's best telly includes some huge new and returning dramas, including Steven Knight's A Thousand Blows, the third season of The White Lotus and Netflix's new political thriller Zero Day, starring Robert De Niro.
Plus, it's a HUGE, some would say EXPLOSIVE, week for EastEnders as the much-loved soap celebrates its 40th anniversary with a week of brand new episodes, including an hour-long on Wednesday and a completely live episode (yes, LIVE) on Thursday.
And it's time for the final unmaskings of the series as The Masked Singer crowns its winner.
Here are 7 TV shows you can't miss this week...
1
GRAND FINAL
THE MASKED SINGER
Saturday 15th February at Time on ITV1
After weeks of guesses and unmaskings, just three characters remain as The Masked Singer reaches its grand final this weekend.
But who out of Wolf, Dressed Crab and Pufferfish will be crowned the winner. And more importantly, who's behind the mask?
8 EPISODES
STREAM ON ITVX
2
RETURNING
BAFTA FILM AWARDS
Sunday 18th February at 7pm on BBC One
The biggest night in film has arrived as once again David Tennant is on hosting duties for this year's BAFTA Film Awards, guiding us through a spectacular celebration of the year's best films.
With a star-studded audience of nominees from Wicked, Conclave, A Complete Unknown and more, who will take home the coveted BAFTA mask?
The night will also feature an exclusive show-stopping performance from Take That and a special musical moment with Jeff Goldblum.
STREAM ON BBC IPLAYER
3
40TH ANNIVERSARY WEEK
EASTENDERS
Monday 17th to Thursday 20th February at 7.30pm on BBC One
EastEnders are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a week of explosive episodes, including an hour-long episode on Wednesday, a public vote and a fully live episode on Thursday which promises to change Walford, and the lives of those who live in it forever.
This week, Honey and Billy are getting ready to tie the knot, Cindy is armed and determined to discover her Christmas night attacker, Reiss is back in Walford, Martin desperately fights his feelings for Stacey and Linda becomes increasingly worried about Phil.
Worlds collide as two dramatic showdowns trigger a terrible series of events which ends with a huge explosion coming from inside The Queen Vic with Wednesday's hour-long episode full of total panic as the people trapped inside face a desperate fight to escape.
Outside, Jack and others try to heroically save as many of their friends and neighbours as they can, as parts of The Vic teeter dangerously close to collapse. But as the rescue mission gets underway, not everyone will get out of the smouldering Vic alive.
For Sonia, who's now in labour in the middle of a total disaster, things take a nightmarish turn. With no medical support on hand and only two traumatised people with her, will Sonia make it out alive?
Meanwhile, after a lovestruck Jack and Ravi ramp up their efforts to prove to her that they are the man she should be with, Denise finds herself even more conflicted and comes to a decision over whether her future should be with Jack, or Ravi.
And that decision is up to YOU. After Wednesday's hour-long episode airs, you'll be able to cast your vote for Denise’s potential suitor.
CONTINUES NIGHTLY
STREAM ON BBC IPLAYER
4
BRAND NEW
EASTENDERS:
40 YEARS ON THE SQUARE
Monday 17th February at 8pm on BBC One
Presented by Ross Kemp, EastEnders: 40 Years on The Square will revisit some of the show’s most poignant and ground-breaking storylines, including the first kiss between two gay men on British television, Kat’s historical abuse storyline, Mark Fowler and Zack’s HIV diagnoses, as well as many more.
It'll also share behind the scenes insight as Ross speaks to some of the actors that were directly involved in those storylines, many of which tackled themes and issues that had never been featured on primetime British TV or on soaps beforehand.
Whilst looking at the impact of the show’s continued success, Ross will chat to original cast members and show stalwarts Adam Woodyatt, Gillian Taylforth and Letitia Dean, as they reminisce on their early days in E20 and offer their thoughts on some of their favourite storylines across the past 40 years.
Plus there'll be special appearances from EastEnders legends Anita Dobson and Pam St Clement, with the original landlady taking a trip back down memory lane alongside her on-screen daughter.
STREAM ON BBC IPLAYER
5
RETURNING DRAMA
THE WHITE LOTUS
Monday 17th February at 9pm on Sky Atlantic
This week sees the return of social satire The White Lotus for its third season. Set at an exclusive Thai resort, it follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week.
Joining the cast for season three are Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon and Michelle Monaghan as Kate, Laurie and Jaclyn, three long-time friends on a girls’ trip after not having seen each other for a while.
Walton Goggins plays Rick Hatchett, a rugged man with a chip on his shoulder, traveling with his girlfriend Chelsea, played by Aimee Lou Wood.
Jason Isaacs plays Timothy Ratliff, a wealthy businessman businessman vacationing with his wife Victoria played by Parker Posey. Their three children; eldest son Saxon, played by Patrick Schwarzenegger, middle child Piper, played by Sarah Catherine Hook and youngest child Lochlan, played by Sam Nivola.
Elsewhere, Lek Patravadi plays Sritala, one of the owners of The White Lotus and the visionary behind its wellness program, Lalisa Manobal plays Mook, one of the health mentors for guests staying at The White Lotus, with Natasha Rothwell playing spa manager from The White Lotus in Hawaii, Belinda and Tayme Thapthimthong as security guard Gaitok.
8 EPISODES CONTINUES WEEKLY
STREAM ON SKY AND NOW
6
BRAND NEW DRAMA
ZERO DAY
Thursday 20th February on Netflix
Robert De Niro stars in his first ever television series this week, Netflix's new political thriller, Zero Day, which asks the question on everyone’s mind. How do we find truth in a world in crisis, one seemingly being torn apart by forces outside our control?
And in an era rife with conspiracy theory and subterfuge, how much of those forces are products of our own doing, perhaps even of our own imagining?
De Niro stars as respected former President George Mullen, who, as head of the Zero Day Commission, is charged with finding the perpetrators of a devastating cyberattack that caused chaos and thousands of fatalities across the country.
Disinformation runs rampant and the personal ambitions of power brokers in technology, Wall Street, and government collide. Mullen’s unwavering search for the truth forces him to confront his own dark secrets while risking all he holds dear.
6 EPISODES
STREAM ON NETFLIX ALL EPISODES AVAILABLE
7
BRAND NEW DRAMA
A THOUSAND BLOWS
Friday 21st February on Disney+
Set in the perilous world of illegal boxing in 1880s Victorian London, Steven Knight's new period drama, A Thousand Blows, launches this week on Disney+ and follows Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica who find themselves thrust into the vibrant and violent melting pot of post-industrial revolution London's East End from Jamaica
Drawn into the criminal underbelly of the thriving boxing scene, Hezekiah meets Mary Carr, leader of The Forty Elephants, the notorious all-female London gang, as they battle for survival on the streets.
As Hezekiah sharpens his new skills, he comes up against Sugar Goodson, a seasoned and dangerous boxer played by Stephen Graham, and the two are soon locked into an intense rivalry that spills out way beyond the ring.
It stars Stephen Graham as Sugar Goodson, Erin Doherty as Mary Carr and Malachi Kirby as Hezekiah Moscow whilst the wider ensemble cast includes Francis Lovehall as Hezekiah’s best friend Alec Munroe, Jason Tobin as Mr Lao and James Nelson-Joyce as Edward “Treacle” Goodson.
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