PICKS OF THE WEEK: 11-17 MAY 2026, WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Our picks of what to watch during the week ahead.

THE WAY OUT

Tuesday, U&Dave

Brand-New U&Originals escape room comedy entertainment series hosted by Mel Giedroyc, and featuring Ed Gamble and Nish Kumar as team captains. Each captain selected their own team members for the series, with Ed Gamble enlisting Chloe Petts and Lou Sanders, and Nish Kumar selecting Amy Annette and David O’Doherty.

In each episode of The Way Out, Mel Giedroyc will drop the two teams of comedians into a bespoke, themed escape room with one simple instruction: the winner is the first team to find ‘the way out’.

 GOOD OMENS

Wednesday, Prime Video

Good Omens 3 picks up where the ineffable story left off in Season Two as the beloved and unlikely duo – angel Aziraphale and demon Crowley return to face their most epic and personal adventure yet. Their millennia-long friendship has been fractured ever since Aziraphale (Michael Sheen) accepted the offer to return to Heaven, leaving Crowley (David Tennant) behind.

Now, as the newly appointed Supreme Archangel, Aziraphale is tasked with overseeing the Second Coming, a monumental responsibility that weighs heavily on him, and is made worse when his plans cause some consternation among the other angels. Meanwhile, heartbroken Crowley finds himself at rock bottom, wandering the streets of Soho.

 THE HARDACRES

Thursday, 5

Welcome back to the warm-hearted, rags to riches family saga. It’s 1895, and modernity is arriving at Hardacre Hall, bringing with it electricity, new ideas and new relationships. Hungry for new challenges, Mary champions adult education, while amid a looming recession Sam takes steps to expand the family business, not least while wondering if Joe is truly ready to take the reins.

A chance encounter starts an intense romance for Liza, Harry’s passion for education is reignited with the help of a new tutor, and Joe embraces married life with Betsy. However, their biggest challenge is from a formidable new arrival, Lady Imelda Hansen – the mother of their neighbour Emma.

 SMOGGIE QUEENS

Friday, BBC Three

Joining the Smoggie family for this second series, which is set and filmed in Middlesbrough, is BAFTA winning Monica Dolan along with Amalia Vitale and Freya Parker as well as Middlesbrough legends Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara. Returning cast are Neil Grainger, Charlotte Riley, Peter McPherson, Lauryn Redding, Michael Mather, Bill Fellows, Michael Hodgson, Steph McGovern and Michelle Visage.

 THE EX-WIFE

Friday, 5

The second series will see Celine Buckens and Tom Mison reprise their roles of Tasha and Jack, with Jordan Stephens also returning to play Sam while Katie McGrath joins the cast in the lead role of Jen. The second series starts three years after the conclusion of series one, with Tasha now hiding in Cyprus with her daughter Emily, while Jen has moved on and is preparing to walk down the aisle for a second time.

 RIVALS

Friday, Disney+

Set against the backdrop of the stunning Cotswolds countryside and the glamorous, high-stakes world of 1980s British television, the second instalment will see the return of the all-star cast that won the hearts of fans and critics alike as well as introducing brand new faces. 

Careers, marriages, and reputations hang in the balance as personal and professional lives collide in a world where secrets can’t stay hidden for long. Bold, emotionally charged, and filled with unforgettable moments, “Rivals” is a thrilling ride through a landscape of breathtaking beauty, fierce competition, and life-changing decisions—where the cost of success could be everything. 

 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

Saturday, BBC One

Graham Norton serves up his trademark wit and inimitable commentary, live from Vienna, Austria, as Look Mum No Computer takes to the stage to fly the flag for the United Kingdom at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Twenty-five incredible acts perform in a bid for the most points from juries and voters across Europe, but only one will be crowned the new Eurovision champion.

 DEATH VALLEY

Sunday, BBC One

The unlikely crime solving duo make a welcome return as retired actor John Chapel and disarming Welsh detective sergeant Janie Mallowan, alongside regular cast Alexandria Riley (Helen Baxter), Steffan Rhodri (DCI Barry Clarke), Melanie Walters (Yvonne Mallowan) and Rithvik Andugula (DC Evan Chaudhry). Set and filmed in Wales, the series broke records on its launch with the biggest overnight audience for a new scripted show in five years; the series averaged a strong 4.6 million average across 28 days. For Welsh audiences, Death Valley was the number one comedy across all channels and platforms in 2025.