Ten Pound Poms, Amandaland, Chess Masters and 25 Years of Bargain Hunt: TV highlights this week

Candy: A Death in Texas (Saturday 08/03/25, Channel 4, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

The case of Candy Montgomery, a seemingly ordinary, churchgoing wife and mother who killed her friend with an axe, rocked her small Texan town in 1980.

It also made a big impression on TV producers.

In 1990, the case inspired the TV movie A Killing in a Small Town (which changed the characters names), and then in the 2020s it was turned into two US mini-series – Love & Death, which aired on ITV1 last year, and Candy: A Death in Texas, which comes to Channel 4 tonight.

So, what is it about the story that has proved so fascinating? Actress Jessica Biel, who takes the title role in the series and also served as an executive producer, can see why people have been drawn to the true crime story.

She told Nylon: “So many things about this story were intriguing to me. This woman, who seems to be this very normal, beloved member of the community and then has this incredible act of violence, which changes so many people’s lives.

“The psychological elements of that, the humanness, why we do the things that we do, how we get pushed, how we get triggered – those are the elements that really interested me initially in this show and in this character, and then how it was all laid out.”

Jessica, who first found fame in the US TV drama 7th Heaven and whose CV includes the films The Illusionist and the Total Recall remake, as well as an acclaimed performance in the series The Sinner, also thinks the story offers enough scope for two ‘rival’ series.

Jessica told Indie Wire that she was looking forward to seeing Love & Death, which saw Elizabeth Olsen taking the role of Candy Montgomery. She said: “I actually think it’s an exciting, positive thing when there are two projects about the same thing. It drives viewers from one to the other. If you like this story and you’re interested and intrigued, check out this other version.”

Tonight, we get to see her version as the series begins with a double bill. In the opening episode, what appears to be an ordinary day for Candy is interrupted by a truly unexpected incident.

Meanwhile, Allan Gore (Pablo Schreiber), who’s away on business, is trying and failing to reach his absent wife Betty (Melanie Lynskey).

The second edition flashes back two years, as Candy and Betty are both shocked by the news that their beloved pastor Jackie (Selena Anduze) is getting divorced. That’s enough to get Candy pondering her own love life, but Betty has other things on her mind as she takes in a troubled foster child.

If you can’t wait to find out what happens next (and don’t want to Google the real incident), the good news is that there’s another double bill on Sunday, followed by the fifth and final episode on Monday.

And if, as Biel predicted, you are so fascinated that you want to see a different perspective on the story, there’s always Love & Death on ITVX.

Ten Pound Poms (Sunday 09/03/25, BBC1, 8pm)

Words by Rob Lavender

One of the surprise big hits of last year was the BBC’s period drama Ten Pound Poms, focusing on an era not normally mined for such historical series.

It followed a group of Brits who left a dreary, post-war Britain behind them and embarked on a life-changing adventure on the other side of the world – Australia, where the government had just enacted the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme which saw the cost of travelling heavily subsidised in a bid to substantially increase the population and to supply vital workers its nascent economy. The overriding policy at the time was dubbed “Populate or Perish”.

If the setting was a gamble for a primetime drama, the cast certainly wasn’t – it featured Michelle Keegan (Fool Me Once, Brassic), Faye Marsay (Glue, Game of Thrones) and Warren Brown (The Responder, Luther) in key roles, and was written and created by the BAFTA award-winning Danny Brocklehurst.

All reprise their roles in this second series, which will be eagerly awaited by viewers of the first. Joining them will be some fresh faces, however, including the Skinner family, fresh off the boat from Ireland, and the unscrupulous landlord Benny Bates (Marcus Graham of Mulholland Drive and Picnic at Hanging Rock), who promises to have a big impact from the off – as he makes Terry an offer he apparently can’t refuse…

Fans know that the characters had a challenging first year in Oz, to say the least. Series two follows nurse Kate Thorne (Keegan) and the Roberts family (headed by Marsay and Brown) into 1957 – but will it be the year they finally manage to realise the Australian Dream?

As Kate, Annie and Terry settle into their new lives, they each struggle to reconcile their hopes for the life they were promised with the harsh realities they face at Galgownie.

Brocklehurst, who also exec-produces the series, says of his creation: “The positive viewer response to Ten Pound Poms was a true delight. We tapped into a little-known part of our recent history and told stories which reflected the realities of the real Poms that made the trip.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be teaming again with the BBC, [Australian network] Stan and Eleven to continue our characters’ adventure Down Under.”

The positive response he mentions is an understatement – the show was one of the Beeb’s biggest hits, launching to a 28-day figure of 7.7 million viewers. Presumably news of this second series will have some of those who missed out first time around flocking to iPlayer to catch up.

Why not join them? The booming township of Galgownie is a fascinating – if slightly perilous – place to visit, although you may be thankful that, unlike Kate, Annie et al, you don’t have to build a life there…

Chess Masters: The Endgame (Monday 10/03/25, BBC2, 8pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

It’s one of the world’s oldest games, yet it seems like a new generation has recently been discovering chess.

An estimated six million people regularly play in the UK, it was the most watched game on Twitch in 2021, and the most downloaded app from the iPhone store in February 2023.

If all that wasn’t enough to convince you that it’s having a resurgence, then BBC2 is launching the new show Chess Masters: The Endgame, which will be the first time the sport has been on the BBC in over three decades.

The idea is that across eight episodes, 12 passionate and skilled amateur players from a range of backgrounds will battle it out across a series of rapid chess games before one will be crowned the title of Chess Master.

That’s definitely exciting for dedicated players. Malcolm Pein Director of International Chess and External Relations, The English Chess Federation says: “The chess community has waited over 30 years for the game to return to our screens and everyone is hugely excited at the prospect of creating an innovative format with the best broadcasting professionals to bring the 64 squares to life for the millions of new players and for those whose chess journey has not yet begun.”

If you’re not already part of the community and struggle to tell your pawn from your rook, then the good news is that Chess Masters: The Endgame should also serve as an introduction – and presenter Sue Perkins is happy to be our guide.

She says: “It’s all about psychology, strategy, smart thinking, and nerves of steel. Chess that is, not my job (which usually involves the opposite).

I’m there to help us understand what’s going on in the players’ heads and make sense of what’s happening on the board.”

To give us a bit of extra guidance, there’s also expert commentary from three-time British chess champion and grandmaster David Howell, and expert chess coach and Anthony Mathurin, who as a former Traitors contestant definitely knows a thing or two about games of strategy.

David says: “I’m extremely excited to be part of Chess Masters. Chess has been a huge part of my life, and I cannot wait to invite viewers into the subtleties and intrigues of the game, as well as introducing them to the chess community. We have the perfect selection of contestants, reflecting the fact that chess is a game for everyone.”

Anthony adds: “I am exhilarated and incredibly excited to showcase and deep dive into the intense inner psychological battle of competitive chess with a twist of the unexpected. Let the games begin!”

In this opening episode, we see the first of two heats as six talented players from across the UK arrive at Cardiff’s former coal exchange, where they face a brain-boggling puzzle and a high-stakes speed chess battle.

The BBC’s decision to add the show to the ‘quizzy Monday’ line up, when viewers are already used to giving their little greys cells a grey work out, is starting to look like a masterful gambit…

The Bay (Tuesday 11/03/25, ITV1, 9pm)

Words by Damon Smith

Death has always loomed large over the gritty police drama fondly dubbed the Northern Broadchurch, shot on location in Morecambe Bay and surrounding areas. However, this season, the grief has been profound and deeply personal for DS Jenn Townsend played by Marsha Thomason.

Morecambe Police’s Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been denying herself the proper space and time to acknowledge the devastating impact of her father’s death and the pressure cooker of pent-up anguish is ready to explode as the fifth season reaches its dramatic conclusion.

“In true Jenn fashion, she doesn’t actually want to deal with her emotions, which is ironic given that her work as a FLO is dealing with people’s emotions,” observes Thomason about the conflicted yet resourceful character she has played since 2022.

“I suppose she’s immersed in other people’s grief all the time and that is a heavy load so she just doesn’t want to deal with her own. She tries to keep a lid on it and it’s not healthy. It’s also not sustainable.”

The hunt for 22-year-old Hannah Dawson’s killer has taken a huge toll on Jenn and off screen, Thomason has been deeply moved by this season’s storyline. “There is a scene where Jenn is interviewing a possible suspect and I, or rather Jenn, has this speech about women’s lives being snuffed out,” she recalls. “That was very emotional and dark in a way that I hadn’t expected.”

As the tide prepares to go out on The Bay for another year, Jenn continues to seek justice for the deceased and peace of mind for Hannah’s divorced parents, Julie and Steve. Her relationship with Chris has been damaged, perhaps beyond repair, and she will have to face the fallout of her actions once the dust settles on the case.

“Jenn is not in a great place in her personal life with Chris. In fact, we find them in the worst place,” Thomason confirms. “Every scene, they’re either butting heads or they’re missing one another emotionally. It is actually pretty sad.” Teasingly, she adds, “Whether they get through it or not remains to be seen.”

Without Chris, played by Barry Sloane, as her ballast, Jenn is primed to detonate and one of the people likely to get caught in the blast is her mother, Anne. Portrayed by Suzanne Packer, best known as Tess Bateman on Casualty and Holby City, the Welsh actor is a new addition to the show this season and has made an enormous impact, especially on Jenn during her darkest moments.

“Anne is a great grandmother but not so great as a mum,” acknowledges Thomason. “She isn’t very giving of her love and she isn’t very kind to Jenn. It feels like Jenn is always seeking what she never receives from her mum.”

Before the healing hopefully begins, crucial evidence reveals someone close to the victim has been withholding vital information and the team slowly pieces together Hannah’s final movements on the night she died to expose her killer.

Amandaland (Wednesday 12/03/25, BBC1, 9pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

In the acclaimed sitcom Motherland, Amanda (Lucy Punch) was the mum with the beautiful house – and hair – who reigned over the school gates. However, the reason she managed to make the school run looks so effortless was because she dumped a lot of her donkey work on long-suffering Anne (Philippa Dunne).

And while Amanda may not have appreciated her, it turned out the audience did. Actress Philippa explains: “All through Motherland I just played her as I felt was necessary, and I didn’t know people would like her so much.

“She was just meant to be a little weirdo who popped up every now and again. But I think people saw the underdog in her, and they started to root for her. They wanted Anne to find her voice and stand up to situations that maybe weren’t the most correct. I think people got behind her in a protective way. They wanted to see her blossom.”

So not only were Motherland fans delighted to see Anne was returning for the spin-off Amandaland, which comes to an end tonight, they were also relieved to see a more put-together Anne, who had seemingly found an identity outside being Amanda’s minion.

Philippa says: “She’s gone back to work, her kids have grown up, and she’s had the chance to spread her wings, be her own woman, and do her own thing. She’s got her time back to herself; she’s no longer following Amanda around. Her confidence has grown, and she’s made new friends. She’s just in a really good place.

“Then Amanda comes back into the picture.”

So, despite the progress she has made, it seems Anne has returned to doing Amanda’s bidding, but why?

Philippa explains: “Amanda is everything Anne wishes she could be. She’s so glamorous, so beautiful, so sociable – she’s the full glamorous package.

“But also beyond the surface level, Anne sees that Amanda needs help. It’s genuine care, and she does realise that Amanda has these kind of shortcomings that could lead her into sticky situations. So Anne is always there to pick up the pieces.”

Amanda has been even more in need of help in this spin-off, which has seen her leaving her glamorous home and desirable London postcode behind to make a new start.

As well as Anne, she’s had her own mum, Felicity (Joanna Lumley), who has softened a bit since her needling guest appearances in Motherland, for support.

And as the current run reaches an end, it seems Amanda has well and truly settled in – she’s even taking over the end-of-season awards do at Hounslow Eagles clubhouse.

So that means Anne’s plans for a keg of beer for the grown-ups and buckets of sweets for the kids will be replaced with black tie, churros and cocktails. But who will actually end up doing the work?

And will the party make Amanda realise that she does love her new ‘SoHa’ life after all? Because not only has her boyfriend Johannes bought her a Range Rover, he’s also asked her to move into his Wapping penthouse, which could mean a return to the life she’d become accustomed to before her divorce.

25 Years of Bargain Hunt (Thursday 13/03/25, BBC1, 12.15pm, BBC1 Scotland, 3pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

When the first episode of Bargain Hunt aired back on March 13, 2000, who would have guessed that the series would still be a daytime TV institution 25 years later?

Certainly not original presenter David Dickinson, who admitted he thought the format, in which teams scour antique fairs looking for items they can sell for a profit at auction, had a fatal flaw.

Speaking to The Independent all the way back in 2003, he said: “It’s all back to front. Goods at fairs are goods that have already been bought once at auction, so to take them back to auction and make another profit… well, it’s nearly impossible. I thought I’d be saying every day, ‘Well, Mary, sorry you lost £90 there.’ But it found its own legs. The charm of the game is that people enjoy doing it and want to try their luck.”

All these years later, it’s clear that the charm endures – in fact, Bargain Hunt even survived Dickinson, who was a big part of its original appeal, standing down. (He first left the daytime show to concentrate on the primetime version, and then made the move to ITV.)

Tim Wonnacott took over as host, and then in 2016 it moved to the current format which sees a rotating team of antique experts taking the helm.

And now a host of those presenters and specialists are throwing a street party to celebrate the show’s 25th birthday, as well as rifling through the archives for some of Bargain Hunt’s many highlights.

Naturally, we get to see David Dickinson in action, as Charlie Ross, with the help of his co-presenters, shares a few behind-the-scenes secrets from those early days, and experts Philip Serrell, Kate Bliss and Thomas Forrester spill the beans on their fondest memories.

One thing that may have slipped some viewers’ memories is that in 2002, there was a Bargain Hunt pantomime, which aired on Christmas Day. We hear how it brought together the unlikely combination of Snow White and the A1 and perhaps get an insight into why it didn’t become an annual tradition.

That festive special wasn’t the only sign that Bargain Hunt had quickly become something of a national obsession. There was also the time Thomas’s team made a huge loss – and none other than the late, great Terry Wogan weighed in on the matter on his Radio 2 show the following day.

That may have been embarrassing for Thomas, but Tim Weeks arguably has more reason to look back and cringe. His team once purchased an old ice cream freezer, which still holds the dubious honour of being the only item not to sell on Bargain Hunt.

We’re also reminded of a celebrity cheating scandal, but there are plenty of happier memories to share too, including a team making a whopping £395 profit at auction thanks to a rusty suit of armour and on-screen marriage proposal.

No wonder the team are raising a toast to Bargain’s Hunt silver anniversary.

Steven McRae: Dancing Back to the Light (Friday 14/03/25, BBC2, 9pm)

Words by Damon Smith

The human body is a remarkable feat of engineering. More than 200 bones and 600 muscles operating hopefully in harmony. These intricate moving parts occasionally come under strain and experience wear and tear with age, requiring rest, rehabilitation and, in extreme cases, medical intervention.

In 2019, Royal Ballet principal dancer Steven McRae was 34 years old and at the pinnacle of his career with the Covent Garden-based company. On October 16, he was dancing the role of Des Grieux in the ballet Manon opposite Akane Takada in the title role when the unimaginable happened in front of 2,500 spectators.

Towards the end of Act 2, he heard something crack in his leg, stopped performing and walked off stage.

Reece Clark danced Des Grieux for the rest of the performance and McRae learnt his Achilles tendon had ruptured, a potentially career-ending injury. No one knew if he would return to the stage of the Royal Opera House and bask in the rapturous response of an audience again.

Director Stephane Carrel is granted intimate access to McRae and the hallowed halls of The Royal Ballet to follow the dancer’s physical and emotional battle to regain control of his body and destiny.

Supported by his wife, fellow dancer Elizabeth Harrod, and three young children, McRae faces a long road to recovery including a full reconstruction of his Achilles tendon, which unexpectedly intersects with the world shutting down during a global pandemic.

When cameras are permitted to follow him for Carrel’s documentary, McRae publicly reflects on his incredible rise to fame and the scale of the challenge ahead of him. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, he fell in love with dance at an early age and won coveted international prizes as a teenager, which secured him a scholarship to The Royal Ballet School at the age of 17. Six years later, he was named a principal dancer with the company.

The Royal Ballet’s artistic director Kevin O’Hare supports McRae through his rehabilitation and the company boasts a dedicated full-time medical team for the 100 dancers. As he battles back to fitness, McRae reevaluates his relationship with his body and a heavy physical price paid by stars of his calibre, who push themselves to the limit in pursuit of artistic excellence.

On screen, McRae candidly addresses the taboo issue of mental health in the dance world, where the focus is so often on physical wellbeing. As he regains strength and mobility in the film, McRae nervously prepares for a triumphant return to the stage in Romeo and Juliet before he tackles other demanding roles in The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

Out of the darkness of that fateful evening in 2019, he has found a steely determination and resilience to battle his way back into the spotlight.