Jimmy Akingbola: Handle with Care – Tuesday, STV, 9pm
When he was just two-years-old, Jimmy Akingbola was uprooted from his Nigerian family and fostered by a white British family who warmly embraced him. In this frank, thoughtful, poignant programme, the acclaimed actor/presenter reflects upon his upbringing. He meets up with his beloved foster mother and siblings, as well as two other well-known Black British adoptees, the actor Lennie James and the athlete Kris Akabussi. Their shared insight is compelling. Akingbola’s essay doesn’t shy away from the hideous racism and abuse that people of colour are forced to endure, but his message remains hopeful. This, ultimately, is a story of acceptance, love and survival. It is, without a hint of hyperbole, a beautiful piece of television.
Scotland’s Biggest Families – Monday, BBC One, 8pm
The Hanns from Dundee are composed of mum Emma, dad Roy and their 13 children: officially Scotland’s biggest family. Eight of the kids are still living at home. This charming new series, which was filmed over a year, welcomes us into their world. In my notes I wrote ‘delightful chaos’, and I daresay Emma and Roy would agree with that assessment. They were raised as Mormons, but left the church six years ago. Their candour is commendable, it’s all rather fascinating. The Hanns are a lovely family packed with sharp, funny characters. Meanwhile, in Lossiemouth, the equally agreeable Sullivans are getting ready for the arrival of their twelfth child. Prepare to be amazed by their epic shopping trips.
Italia ’90: When Football Changed Forever – Monday, Channel 4, 9pm
I don’t know very much about football, it’s just not for me, but I’m almost always partial to a good documentary about the beautiful game’s behind-the-scenes drama. This new series is a case in point. It begins on the eve of the most-watched World Cup in history. The England squad and their fans have arrived in Sardinia. The coming weeks will define the future of the game back home. This is basically Year Zero for top-flight British football as it’s known and loved (?) today. The programme explains why that was the case by delving back into the ‘80s, a dark period in the game when hooliganism was rife. Something had to change.
Made in the ‘80s: The Decade That Changed Our World – Monday, Channel 4, 10pm
The ‘80s turmoil continues in episode two of this authoritative series. Thatcher’s Britain was scarred with division and unrest, hence why so many people felt a burning desire to rebel against the oppressive status quo. This all took place, as we know, against the tragic backdrop of the AIDS pandemic. As its title suggests, the point of this series is to illustrate how so many British pioneers from the entwined worlds of art, entertainment and political activism helped to shape the future of Britain. Naturally, the birth of Channel 4, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is a big part of the story. Provocative and progressive by design, it was a thorn in the side of the establishment.
Nazi Hunters: The Real Walk-In – Monday, STV, 10:45pm
A companion piece to The Walk-In, that absolutely pummelling factual drama starring Stephen Graham, which concludes on Monday, this powerful report from ITV’s estimable Exposure strand delves even deeper into the remarkable story of Matthew Collins. A former fascist, Collins eventually renounced his hate-fuelled past. He became an undercover journalist intent on exposing the vile activities of British far-right organisations. The programme reveals how Collins and his similarly brave colleague Robbie Mullen – who acted as a mole within the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Action – were instrumental in stopping a plot to murder Labour MP Rosie Cooper. Nearly twenty people have been imprisoned as a result of their investigation.
Charles: Our New King – Wednesday, STV, 9pm
What kind of monarch will King Charles III be? This commendably balanced profile provides some persuasive clues. It’s common knowledge that Charles has deeply-felt opinions, and he’s not afraid to express them. In that sense he’s the antithesis of his late mother, who never once rocked the boat throughout her long diplomatic reign. A portrait emerges of a man who can be egotistical and short-tempered, but also very charming, engaged, genuine and sensitive. A complex human being, no less. You may be left with the impression, as I was, that for all his immense power and privilege, Charles would’ve preferred a much quieter life. In particular, the chapter on his unhappy time at boarding school is rather sad.
How to Survive a Dictatorship with Munya Chawawa – Thursday, Channel 4, 10pm
Comedian Munya Chawawa’s initial plan for this programme involved a return to his Zimbabwean roots, where he could investigate the legacy of notorious tyrant Robert Mugabe. But then, at the very last minute, Chawawa and his crew discovered that their filming visas had been cancelled with no explanation whatsoever. Undaunted, they travel to South Africa instead, where Chawawa meets up with some of Mugabe’s friends, family-members, henchmen and victims. He wants, if possible, to gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the monster. Preview copies weren’t available, but Chawawa is a smart guy who will almost certainly provide some interesting insight into the horrific life and times of one of history’s most brutal dictators.
