Black British talent comes out in full force with a stellar selection of shows available to watch this week.
From the long-anticipated Big Age by best-selling author Bolu Babalola to Babou Ceesay as forensic pathologist Wolfe Kinteh in Wolfe to Highlife a reality tv show based on young West Africans. You’re in for a real treat with this variety of picks.
Landmark – Monday 8th September @ 8pm | Sky Arts
Britain’s most talented artists are taking on a life-changing challenge as Sky Arts launches the search for the UK’s next major landmark. Fronted by Gemma Cairney, Landmark is a new competitive format that delves into the purpose and power of public art as 18 artists from Glasgow to Guildford go head-to-head for the chance to create a new national landmark. Benjamin Zephaniah appears as the guest judge for the Midlands.
On The Verge – Tuesday 7th September | Netflix
Four women – a chef, a single mum, an heiress and a job seeker – dig into love and work, with a generous side of midlife crises, in pre-pandemic LA. Starring Sarah Jones.
House Through Time – Tuesday 7th September @ 9pm | BBC Two
David Olusoga sets out once more to uncover the history of a single house, exploring the lives of its residents to tell an extraordinary story that spans 150 years. This time the house is in Leeds, a city whose wool and textile trades helped make Victorian Britain an industrial superpower.
Grenfell: The Untold Story – Wednesday 8th September @ 10pm | Channel 4
Grenfell: The Untold Story spotlights the struggles experienced by residents in the years before the 2017 fire that destroyed the West London tower block, killing 72 people. It will use previously unseen footage from community artist Constantine Gras, who had filmed people with concerns about the building’s refurbishment when the highly combustible cladding was applied to its exterior.
Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali – Thursday 8th September | Netflix
From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali’s extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals.
Mercury Prize 2021 Live: Album Of The Year – Thursday 9th September @ 9pm | BBC Four
The Mercury Prize Albums Of The Year celebrates and promotes the best of British music annually, recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres. For the first time since September 2019, the awards ceremony returns to Hammersmith and the BBC will provide live coverage of the event. The programme will feature live performances from the shortlisted artists and will culminate in the live announcement of this year’s winner. Shortlist includes Laura Mvula – Pink Noise, Ghetts – Conflict of Interest, Celeste – Not Your Muse.
Wolfe – Friday 10th September @ 9pm | Sky Max
Babou Ceesay stars as forensic pathologist professor Wolfe Kinteh – North England’s finest crime scene expert. Wolfe runs the local university forensics department working hand-in-hand with the police to investigate crime scenes and pass on his laser-sharp insight to the next generation of crime fighters.
The National Television Awards – Thursday 9th September @ 7.30pm | ITV
The 26th staging of the awards takes place at The O2 in London, with the winners chosen once again by the British public.
Black To Front
Channel 4’s whole schedule will go Black for a day to amplify the conversations around representation and diversity, starting with a one-off special The Big Breakfast fronted by Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu, followed by some of Channel 4’s biggest flagship shows hosted by Black talent, including Celebrity Gogglebox, Countdown and Channel 4 News, with an all-Black presenting and reporting team. Hollyoaks will be an hour-long special entirely written, directed and performed by its Black talent.
Mel B’s Packed Lunch – Friday 10th September @ 12.30pm | Channel 4
Mel will be joined by popular Steph’s Packed Lunch regular and football icon Chris Kamara, while resident chef Freddy Forster cooks up tasty treats in the kitchen.
Highlife – Friday 10th September @ 10pm | Channel 4
Follows the lives and loves of a group of ambitious, glamorous young British West Africans all chasing their own idea of success. Highlighting a community where high family expectations often impact career choices, relationships and even friendship groups, the four-part docu-ality series is an aspirational but utterly relatable authentic portrayal of British life.
Big Age – Friday 10th September @ 11pm | Channel 4
Written by best selling author of Love in Colour Bolu Babalola, Big Age is a friendship based, hang out comedy, set in London following a group of friends and focusing on British Nigerian 25-year-old Ṣadé who is at a crossroads in her life. She has big ambitions to be a writer but is conflicted because of her allegiance to her parents and their dreams for her. She’s trying to decide what to do both for her dreams, against the pressure of parental expectations, especially as a second-generation immigrant daughter. Starring Ronke Adekoluejo, Racheal Ofori, Michael Workeye and CJ Beckford.
Unapologetic – Friday 10th September @ 11.35pm | Channel 4
A late-night topical discussion where guests are encouraged to say what they want to say without apologising. This isn’t a show about black people – this is the show where black people talk freely about everything, offering new views on existing subjects as well as bringing new subjects and voices to the table. Hosted by DJ and presenter Yinka Bokinni and social media star and presenter Zeze Millz.
