Tonight's television schedule brings a powerful and harrowing true story to the forefront with the premiere of a major new drama on BBC One. Prisoner 951 tells the terrifying real-life story of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's six-year detention in Iran, a project she has been directly involved in producing.
A Mother's Fight for Freedom
The drama plunges viewers into the immediate horror faced by Nazanin, played by Narges Rashidi, who is seized at an airport and torn away from her baby daughter. She is accused of being a spy and confronted with the chilling ultimatum: "If you want to see your child again, you will cooperate." Rashidi's performance captures the profound fear, confusion, and resilience that characterised Nazanin's ordeal.
Meanwhile, the parallel narrative follows her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, portrayed by Joseph Fiennes. From their family home in London, he embarks on a relentless and public campaign to secure his wife's release, battling bureaucracy and international diplomacy to bring her home.
Technology and Talent Across the Channels
Elsewhere on the BBC, Chris McCausland: Seeing into the Future offers a different perspective on overcoming challenges. The comedian and Strictly Come Dancing champion, who has a background in computing and a software engineering degree, embraces his inner geek. He explores cutting-edge technology that could aid his independence while living with a degenerative eye condition. His journey takes him to the United States to test a self-driving car and experiment with a pair of innovative talking glasses.
Over on Channel 4, the needles are clicking furiously in Game of Wool: Britain's Best Knitter. For kids' week, the contestants face a daunting 12-hour challenge to crochet elaborate fancy dress costumes for toddlers. The real test may not just be impressing the judges, but how the described "feral two-year-olds" react to creations like Lydia's lion romper suit and Ailsa's brilliant zebra design. The knitters will also craft interactive wall hangings for a children's bedroom.
Further Evening Viewing
Channel 4 also presents Summerwater, which shifts focus to the Hendersons' cabin. Parents Rachel (Shauna Macdonald) and Ian (Jamie Sives) are working to rebuild trust after his financial misdeeds, leaving their secretive teenagers to make reckless decisions of their own, from solo kayaking on the loch to meeting a mysterious man in the woods.
On Sky Max, the supernatural drama Revival continues. It's been over a month since the dead returned to life in Wisconsin, and the governor's imposition of martial law creates new obstacles for Dana as she tries to help her ailing "revived" sister. The tense situation also leads to a cathartic confrontation with her overbearing father, Sheriff Wayne.
Finally, ITV1 welcomes back Changing Ends, Alan Carr's hilarious semi-autobiographical comedy. Set in 1989, a teenage Alan (Oliver Savell) enters his "saucy era," clumsily navigating his assumptions about women while developing a true crush on Jake, who works in the local Athena shop.
For film enthusiasts, Sky Arts offers the classic The Barefoot Contessa from 1954. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, this cynical drama begins with the funeral of its movie star heroine, Maria Vargas, played by Ava Gardner. Humphrey Bogart stars as a world-weary director in a story told through the eyes of the men in her life.
Today's Live Sport Line-Up
Sports fans are well catered for with a full day of action:
- Football: The Championship derby between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United kicks off at 11.30am on ITV1. Later, Sky Sports Main Event broadcasts Premier League matches, including Leeds v Aston Villa at 1pm and the North London derby, Arsenal v Tottenham, at 4pm.
- Rugby Union: TNT Sports 1 covers international matches, with Scotland facing Tonga at 12.30pm and England taking on Argentina at 3.45pm.
