PICKS OF THE WEEK: 09-15 FEBRUARY 2026, WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Our picks of what to watch during the week ahead.

SMALL PROPHETS

Monday, BBC Two

The six-part series is a comic tale of eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits dad Brian (Sir Michael Palin) and hopes for Clea to return.

That is just the way it is, until one day dad Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and more than a little alchemy. With recipe in hand, Michael sets out (albeit with some scepticism) to create Homunculi - magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future - in the hope they have the answer to his burning question, ‘will I ever see Clea again?’.

 RIDDICULOUS

Monday, ITV1

Three teams of two go head to head in a series of quick-fire general knowledge questions that will lead the teams to unlock a riddle, set by the show’s very own Riddlemaster and star of The Play that Goes Wrong, Henry Lewis. The more questions and riddles they get correct, the more money they’ll bank. 

With a mixture of verbal and visual riddles, the teams will have to flex their mental brainpower and display the inner workings of their minds to solve them. But will they be able to crack the clues? Or will the fear of being ridiculed stop them thinking straight? 

 MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS

Tuesday, BBC One

The first heat sees four intrepid chefs enter the MasterChef kitchen, where their skills will be assessed across two tasks. A place in the quarter-finals is at stake, and only those with enough culinary dexterity will make it through. Nerves will be tested from the get-go, as the infamous skills test returns. The chefs walk into an unprecedented challenge – as the test is set by former professional champions and finalists, who are now making their own waves in the food world.

 THE SUMMIT

Tuesday, ITV1

Hosted by Ben Shephard, 14 strangers from all walks of life will face the daunting challenge of climbing a mountain in the breathtaking, rugged Alps of New Zealand’s South Island. They will also face the ultimate test of strategy and resilience as they compete for a share of a potential £200,000 cash prize.

With 14 days to reach the summit, and an equal share of the prize fund in their backpacks, the contestants will have to navigate treacherous terrain, wild conditions and overcome extraordinary challenges - set by the mysterious Mountain’s Keeper – that block their path to the peak.

 BECOMING VICTORIA WOOD

Thursday, U&Gold

A decade after her passing, Becoming Victoria Wood offers an intimate, revealing portrait of one of Britain’s most beloved entertainers. Featuring specially filmed dramatic readings by Jessica Barden (The End of the F**ing World*, Dune: Prophecy), the film brings Victoria Wood’s own letters, interviews and personal writings vividly to life. Through rare archive material, previously unheard audio diaries and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, the documentary uncovers the formative experiences, private struggles and inner life that shaped her extraordinary career.

 HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN FROM BELFAST

Thursday, Netflix

Clever, chaotic TV writer Saoirse, glamorous, stressed-out mother of three Robyn, and dependable, inhibited carer Dara have been a tight-knit group since school. Now in their late 30s, but still as close as ever, these three friends are about to embark on the most thrilling adventure of their lives.

When an email arrives, telling them about the death of the estranged fourth member of their childhood gang, a series of eerie events at her wake set them on a dark, dangerous and hilarious odyssey through Ireland and beyond as each tries to piece together the truth of the past. A show about friendship, memory and what happens when life doesn’t turn out quite like you’d expected.

 JESY NELSON: LIFE AFTER LITTLE MIX

Friday, Prime Video

The 6-part docuseries will follow Jesy Nelson as she embarks on the most transformative journey yet - motherhood. With her life in the public eye for over a decade as one-fourth of the global pop phenomenon Little Mix, Jesy has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Now, she's ready to share her truth like never before.