By Pa And Sheena McGinley

Copyright independent

Pick of the day

Cheap Irish Homes

RTÉ One, 7pm

This time, Maggie Molloy searches for great value properties with Peter Cruise, a 65-year-old carpenter from Dublin.

The Newsreader

BBC Two, Today & Friday, 9pm

Helen faces exposure of her past mental-health issues. Then, in Friday’s final episode, the world changes forever when the Berlin Wall falls.

Home Rescue: The Big Fix

RTÉ2, 9.35pm

Music teacher Carrie Haskins is ready to reclaim the Kildare home she grew up in, which she now shares with her three children. The team steps in to transform it into a warm, functional space.

BBC Four, 10pm

Brian De Palma’s iconic horror based on Stephen King’s novel follows Sissy Spacek’s shy, telekinetic teenager who is bullied at school and repressed by her mother (Piper Laurie) at home.

House of Guinness Netflix, streaming now

It might be from those behind Peaky Blinders, but I’m hoping for more than over-acting background artists, a slew of slow-mo walking on cobbled streets, and questionable Irish accents. Set in Dublin and New York, it follows Sir Ben Guinness’s chosen offspring (Arthur and Edward) and the black sheep (Anne and Ben) dealing with the family business after his death.

Netflix, streaming now

If I could mainline Toni Collette and Mae Martin straight into my eyeballs for eternity, I absolutely would. But for now, this atmospheric number – which is part The Program and part Bogdan – more than does the trick.

Alice in Borderland Netflix, streaming now

Buckle up, it’s time to return to Borderland. Season 3 of this superior Korean offering sees our protagonists happily married – apart from the hallucinations and PTSD. Then, Usagi vanishes…

Slow Horses

AppleTV+, streaming now

Six Feet Under, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Dexter… you’ve probably heard me bang on about just how disappointing the fourth series of an iconic show can be. Heading into Slow Horses’ fourth run last year, I was freaked it would blow harder than one of Jackson Lamb’s emissions after a “#7 noodles”. And while it did have undercurrents of a high-end episode of EastEnders on a day trip to France at times, overall, it was darkly majestic with a cracking crowd-scene climax. Now, the spy dramady, following agents serving in a dumping ground department of MI5 due to their career-ending cock-ups, returns – and all eyes are on resident Slough House tech pest and quintessential ‘incel’, Roddy. Last time, Roddy was romanced by bots, but now he’s got an IRL girlfriend. Unfortunately for everyone, said love interest is setting off alarm bells all over the shop. Will there be more shock deaths? Will Standish get kidnapped (again)? Episodes land weekly.

Sneaker Wars: Adidas V Puma Disney+, streaming now

While this story of warring German brothers creating battling brands has been trotted out a few times, none of the more recent documentaries have wielded such household names as “sneakerheads” David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Neymar, and more.

The Railway Murders

Prime Video, streaming now

Stark documentary charting how two childhood friends became killers, and how a determined group of women – both victims and members of the police force – helped to bring them to justice.

Disney+, streaming now

You may have seen Lily James headbanging around The One Show set with Michael Palin over the last week or so – and here’s why. She stars as a recent grad who defies tech industry norms to launch no less than two game-changing dating apps. Based on the true story behind Bumble, it charts her rise as the youngest self-made female billionaire after a turn at Tinder. The Reluctant Traveler

AppleTV+, streaming now

Armed with his bucket list, Eugene Levy is becoming increasingly more open to travelling to far-flung destinations – like the US, which, for a Canadian, is pretty darn brave. Other destinations this season include Austria, Canada, England, India, Mexico, South Korea and even little ol’ Ireland.

Haunted Hotel

Netflix, streaming now

Kicking off spooky season, this animated comedy features a mum juggling hotel management and hauntings from her ghostly brother – voiced by Will Forte.