PICKS OF THE WEEK: 20-26th JULY 2026, WHAT TO WATCH THIS WEEK

Our picks of what to watch during the week ahead.

THE UNDECLARED WAR

Tuesday, Channel 4

Set in 2024, immediately after the end of season one, the team in the Malware Department at GCHQ come to terms with a massive Russian cyber-attack. But just as the British finally gain the upper hand, Danny and his team realise that Russia were not the real architects of the attack. They have a new adversary who is set to attack. And not only that, but the team realise that they have a mole in GCHQ. 

 GRANITE HARBOUR

Thursday, BBC iPlayer

The third series sees Sgt Davis Lindo (Romario Simpson) and DCI Lara ‘Bart’ Bartlett (Hannah Donaldson) investigate a suspicious death in the travelling community at an estate on the outskirts of Aberdeen. As the investigation gets underway, Lindo and Bart must navigate a complicated cross-community romance which uncovers a complex past.

 BORIS JOHNSON: INTO THE KILL ZONE

Friday, 5

Quietly entering the country so as not to draw attention to himself, Boris travels beyond Kyiv in a 72-hour unprotected journey to the front line ‘kill zone’ near Zaporizhzhia, where drones, artillery and the realities of modern warfare quickly replace diplomacy and political rhetoric.

Boris witnesses the realities of modern war at close range. Embedded with Ukrainian soldiers, he visits shattered villages, a frontline chapel, secret drone bases and even a makeshift bomb factory hidden inside abandoned cottages, and shelters in an under-siege eighth story flat during a missile strike.

 THE HIT LIST

Saturday, BBC One

The Hit List produced by the award-winning Tuesday’s Child Scotland returns for its ninth series and the music‑fuelled competition is more addictive than ever. Hosts Marvin and Rochelle Humes each Saturday put three pairs of music‑loving contestants through their paces in a fast‑paced quiz that tests their ability to recognise the biggest hits from across the years. Covering all genres from rock to reggae, R&B to rap, the teams must name as many artists and song titles as possible, and stay cool under pressure, as they compete for a chance to take home a massive £10,000.

 DEAL OR NO DEAL: CELEBRITY SPECIAL

Saturday, ITV1

Deal or No Deal sees contestants opening the iconic red boxes as they try to win a life-changing cash prize in a nail-biting game of nerves and intuition, but standing in their way is the Banker ready to unnerve, entice and outwit our players. With tensions running high in the studio, who will have what it takes to beat the Banker?

 FORCE OF NATURE

Sunday, ITV1

Through dramatic, character-led storytelling, it captures nature’s resilience in the face of hurricanes, floods, droughts, and wildfires — showcasing both the ferocity of Earth’s forces and the ingenuity of animal survival. Urgent, heartfelt and inspiring, there has never been a more pressing and relevant natural history series.

From chimpanzees in Senegal to Californian sea otters and 40,000 Caribbean flamingos to Arctic polar bears, the stunning films bring to life the trials and tribulations of the animal world.

THE RAPTURE

Sunday, BBC One

Adapted from Liz Jensen’s bestselling novel, The Rapture is a high-stakes thriller which crackles with danger. Set in a heatwave, with protestors on the streets, forensic psychologist Gabs Fox (Madeley) starts a new job at a high-security psychiatric hospital where she meets 17-year-old Bethany Krall (India Amarteifio – Queen Charlotte, The Midwich Cuckoos).

Bethany was convicted of murdering her mother but claims she is innocent. She is estranged from her father Leonard (Sam Hazeldine – The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power, Slow Horses), who is the charismatic leader of an influential religious movement. Bethany tells Gabs that she has psychic powers and can predict the future - but what will it take for Gabs to believe her? And if Bethany didn’t kill her mother, then who did?