What’s On TV: The best TV in Scotland this week
DRAMA
Jekyll and Hyde
It inspired the Incredible Hulk, there’s been a sex change version, and now Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde becomes a rollicking romp for weekend family viewing.
The show centres on the grandson of the infamous Dr Henry Jekyll, who terrorised London after developing a formula that unlocks Man’s dark side. He returns to London from Ceylon in the 1930s to claim his inheritance. As he looks into the mysterious past of his family, he has no idea he’s being watched by members of a secret society. And if they don’t do for him, ruthless spymaster Richard E Grant, who plans to use him as bait for a trap, may mean doom for our hero.
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Hide AdStar Tom Bateman admits to channelling Heath Ledger’s furniture-chewing Joker from The Dark Knight. More promising is writer Charlie Higson’s stated aim to give us Downton Abbey with monsters – well, it does have Downton guest star Grant in there, and he’s not an actor afraid to go big, let’s say. Feisty former Coronation Street actor and Strictly Come Dancing favourite Natalie Gumede will hopefully be more than just the love interest as Belle.
The question viewers in Scotland will likely be asking is – will anyone actually pronounce “Jekyll” correctly?
Tomorrow, STV, 6:30pm
DOCUMENTARY
Great Canal Journeys
While age has affected Prunella Scales’ memory, she’s still a charming guide to Britain’s canals alongside husband Timothy West in this perfect Sunday series. The thespian couple go in search of the lost route between London and the sea, which has not been fully accesible for more than 200 years. It takes four different boats to traverse now, but they’re up for the challenge. They set off from the Thames at Teddington and travel through the Surrey and Sussex countryside before hitting Guildford, and a canal-side theatre where they have both regularly entertained.
Tomorrow, Channel 4, 8pm
PEOPLE
Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes
Presenter Carol Smillie and her gang of roving reporters pay tribute to people throughout the land whose hard work, ingenuity, ambition and generosity have bettered their communities. The first episode highlights the Courage Award and gives us the nominees for the Young Hero of the Year.
Monday, STV, 8pm
REAL LIVES
Eamonn & Ruth: How the Other Half Lives
Daytime favourites and old married couple Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes join the mega-rich to see how they spend their money (does anyone imagine it’s hard?). They begin with a flight to Moscow by private jet.
Tuesday, Channel 5, 9pm
DRAMA
Cuffs
On his first day working with PC Ryan Draper (Ashley Walters), rookie cop PC Jake Vickers (Jacob Ifan) faces a challenging shift on Brighton’s streets, but as the son of the chief super, his biggest job is earning the respect of his new colleagues in this promising new police drama.
Wednesday, BBC1, 8pm
COMEDY
Citizen Khan
Adil Ray is back, writing and starring in this strangely likeable sitcom as the self-proclaimed Asian community leader, here trying to have a nice family day out at a posh house.
Friday, BBC1, 8:30pm