The best TV to watch this week from Intelligence and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
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Easter TV highlights for 2023 include a tribute to the beloved Paul O’Grady plus the Agatha Christie mystery Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?
Spy comedy Intelligence also returns to Sky, while Stacey Dooley meets those training to fight for Ukraine.
It’s an emotional week of TV ahead, so read on for more on these shows and other highlights:
Saturday, 8 April, 9.00pm: Intelligence: A Special Agent Special | Sky Comedy
Fresh from his recent stint in the Bake Off tent, David Schwimmer returns in a special episode of the GCHQ-set comedy, once again accompanied by co-star (and show creator) Nick Mohammed.
In past episodes, we’ve seen our cyber-crime-fighting heroes counter the Russians, stymie a plan to disrupt the NHS and halt a nuclear disaster. But this time, for the gang at the Government Communications Headquarters, it’s personal! The future of CySec is in the balance and the team must go off the books to salvage their reputations and retain their jobs.
Sunday, 9 April, 8.00pm, For the Love of Paul O’Grady | ITV1
Paul O'Grady, the much-loved comedian, who passed away last month, embedded himself as a national treasure on ITV. So in this special tribute show, the broadcaster looks back on his life and career.
Read more: Paul O'Grady's husband shares last photo together
Rather poignantly, what will now be the final series of For the Life of Dogs had already been scheduled for this week. So on Thursday at 8.30pm, we’ll see the host falling head over heels for a gorgeous Newfoundland who needs major life-changing surgery on his back legs and meeting a lab cross who has an obsession with water. The stories featured are always affecting – now even more so.
Sunday, 9 April – Tuesday, 11 April, 9.00pm: Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? | ITV1
This fiendish Agatha Christie mystery (adapted here by Hugh Laurie) was first made available last year on BritBox, but is being introduced here to a hopefully bigger audience.
Read more: Hugh Laurie's Agatha Christie story is a treat
It fully deserves to attract a wider section of the viewing public, as it’s a cracking three-parter led by Will Poulter who, as vicar’s son Bobby Jones, sets off on a crime-solving adventure after a dying man’s enigmatic final words arouse his interest. Lucy Boynton (seen most recently The Ipcress File) co-stars as Will’s socialite friend Lady Frankie Derwent.
Sunday, 9 April, 9.00pm: Sara Pascoe: The Last Woman on Earth | BBC2
The writer and comedian returns with series two of her always entertaining look at the world’s most endangered jobs.
This time around, Pascoe’s search for professions on the verge of extinction will take her to Greece, Denmark and Jordan. But will such skills as being a Lego master builder or a Dead Sea lifeguard survive the relentless pace of the modern world or be consigned to the scrapheap? Speaking about her travel plans, Pascoe commented: “Having been locked indoors like everyone else through the pandemic, I can’t wait to get back out into the world to see what’s changed and how rare and interesting jobs are being affected.”
Wednesday, 12 April, 9.00pm: Stacey Dooley: Ready for War | BBC3
Documentary maker Stacey Dooley takes a look at the British army’s intense training programme for Ukrainian civilians who are preparing for deployment to the frontline in the fight against invading forces from Russia.
Speaking about her experiences with the likes of florist and gardener Mykola and welder Pasha, Dooley said recently: “The Ukrainian men I came to know over a few short weeks were incredibly impressive. I think of them every day and hope their training will keep them alive.” Fans of Dooley’s will know to expect plenty in the way of emotional insight as these would-be soldiers endure physical challenges.
Wednesday, 12 April, 9.00pm: Matt Baker’s Travels in the Country: USA | More4
A break away from the Durham Dales sees Matt Baker cross the Atlantic to experience life in rural America – his first stop-off point being Florida.
Read more: Matt Baker lands new travel series
As you’d expect, the host gets stuck in from the off, as we see him harvesting sugar cane on a farm and diving below the depths in the coral reef. But he’s slightly more circumspect when it comes to two of his other visits, what with the everglades being populated by alligators and Florida’s forests filled with Burmese pythons. Thankfully, there’s a guy at the last spot whose job it is to get rid of this invasive menace: meet the delightfully named Dusty Crum.
Friday, 14 April: The Last Thing He Told Me | Apple TV+
Having been an instant hit and spent 65 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, it was only a matter of time before Laura Dave’s acclaimed mystery thriller came to TV. And now that moment has come, with Reese Witherspoon’s company Hello Sunshine bringing us the miniseries version, which has been adapted for the screen by Dave herself.
At the centre of events is Hannah (played by Jennifer Garner), who must forge a relationship with her difficult 16-year-old stepdaughter Bailey (Angourie Rice) as she attempts to discover why her husband has mysteriously disappeared…
