The One Show at 20, A House Through Time and The Great British Sewing Bee: TV highlights

Bettany Hughes’ Lost Worlds: Dawn of Civilisations (Saturday 08/08/026, Channel 4, 8pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

If it’s not a contradiction in terms, ancient history is very current right now, especially with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in cinemas. We’ve seen Dan Snow and Richard E Grant embark on their own version of the Odyssey for Channels 5 and 4 respectively, and it wouldn’t be surprising if more presenters follow suit.

However, no one could ever accuse historian Bettany Hughes of jumping on a bandwagon. Her own passion for ancient history was sparked at the age of just five, when her grandmother took her to see an exhibition on Tutankhamun at the British Museum.

She went onto study the subject at university, before moving into TV in 2000. Bettany didn’t realise it at the time, but she later discovered she was the first female historian to present a history series on British TV.

If you need further proof of her devotion to her subject, consider that it leads her to regularly face her fears. Bettany once told the Observer: “I end up in tombs the whole time, but I’m scared of the dark and I’m claustrophobic. I got trapped in an underground city in Cappadocia, Türkiye, 35 years ago. There were no lights, I was on my own. I ended up in a tunnel that was getting smaller and smaller and deeper and deeper. Petrifying.”

Yet despite that experience, she’s going back to Türkiye for this new two-part documentary which sees her crossing ancient Anatolia to tell the story of human civilisation, exploring the emergence of the societies and myths that continue to shape the way we see the world.

She begins in Ephesus, which was once a thriving port that gave refuge to Queen Cleopatra and her lover Mark Antony. It was also one of antiquity’s great artistic powerhouses, and Bettany learns more how art, along with power and ambition, helped to define the ancient Mediterranean world.

After leaving the Aegean coast, Bettany travels deep into the Anatolian interior to the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia. As the sun rises, she watches dozens of hot air balloons rise above valleys, but she also has her eyes on the ground as she points out the cave dwellings that sheltered hermits, monks and entire communities for centuries.

Her journey then takes her to the remote northeast of Anatolia, where she rides a traditional horse and sleigh over a vast frozen lake to reach the city of Ani.

It’s a chance for Bettany to follow in the footsteps of the merchants who trod the Silk Roads, and she also meets Kara Kenan, whose family lived in the caves under the ‘ghost town’ for over 500 years

Then it’s time to move into the age of the train as she catches the spectacular Doğu Express. It takes her through the town of Divriği, where she encounters a masterpiece of Islamic art.

This first leg of her journey then concludes in Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, where the past and present truly come together.

Van Der Valk (Sunday 09/08/26, ITV1, 8pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Last week, the rebooted crime drama Van Der Valk returned for a fourth series, and it seems Marc Warren has truly settled into the role of the Amsterdam-based detective Piet (which was originally played by Barry Foster).

Marc says: “Chris Murray, the writer and showrunner, when we did the first scene this season, he said it felt like slipping on a comfortable jumper. We just fitted into it very easily. There’s a general feeling of knowing where we’re at and being very relaxed and comfortable with it.”

It’s not just the role that Marc has adjusted to – he’s also got used to living and working in Amsterdam. He says: “I love being in Europe and I love working in Europe. I just love the feel of Amsterdam and I’m very happy there. I’ve also been fortunate enough to work in Prague a few times. I still don’t speak any Dutch although I do speak a little bit of Czech.

“I tried to learn some Dutch but it’s very difficult. Although I have learned to say ‘sneller en beter’. It means ‘quicker and better’, which is something they say sometimes if they want another take.”

Luckily, Marc is unlikely to take offence as there’s a lot of mutual respect between the leading man and the crew. He explains “I’ve always been interested in the process of filmmaking and TV making, so you learn more about it. I love the Dutch crews and the fantastic locations, and we’ve always had a really great Dutch cast. I’m working with a lovely group of actors. It always amazes me because when you see the final product you never quite know how it’s made, and I think we make a really good show.

He adds: “And I get to wear nice jumpers.”

However, if you’re worried that’s all sounding like everyone is getting a little too comfortable, don’t worry. Marc points out that the series is becoming increasingly ambitious: “What it felt like, and I felt it really strongly in episode one, it felt like a bigger show. It seemed like we had more crew and there was more going on.

“In episode one particularly it was quite an intricate show, lots of cars and explosions and stunts, and it felt like the whole show had gone up a level.”

Tonight’s second instalment also has an intriguing premise as Piet and the team are called in when an environmental campaigner is murdered on the eve of a global conference. Several potential suspects are caught on CCTV, and one of them appears to be Cobie Stegenga, a famous singer who went missing.

Most people assumed she’d taken her own life because she was unable to cope with the pressures of being a celebrity, but Cobie’s father has never given up hope that she’s still alive.

Can the devoted dad and former fan Eddie Sulemann, who has his own theories about what happened to the star, help Piet to get to the truth and solve the murder?

Martin and Roman’s Irish Road Trip (Monday 10/08/2026, Channel 4, 8pm)

Words by Richard Jones

We’ve seen Bradley & Barney Walsh in Breaking Dad, and Jack and Michael Whitehall in Travels with My Father, and now another famous father and son are dipping their toes into the ever-deepening celebrity travelogue pool.

Martin and Roman Kemp are setting off on a unique road trip to investigate the legends, landscapes, mystery and history around the magical island of Ireland.

From ancient tombs and faerie forts to craggy coasts and reputedly haunted castles, over the next three weeks, the pair will speak to those committed to keeping the old ways alive through traditional rituals, practices, music and performance.

Judith Cassidy, Tourism Ireland’s Acting Head of Great Britain, said: “We are delighted to welcome Martin and Roman Kemp to Ireland, to film all about the ancient stories and traditions that make this island unique.

“Their journey will highlight our stunning scenery and rich heritage, capturing viewers’ imaginations and inspiring them to come and explore the island of Ireland for their next holiday.”

Former EastEnders actor Martin lived on the Emerald Isle for a while during his Spandau Ballet pop-star days and fell in love with the storytelling traditions of the island.

Now he wants to share that passion with his son, who is currently one of the regular presenters of The One Show and hosts BBC daytime quiz The Finish Line.

Given that Martin’s mum Eileen always used to tell her son that she was half Irish, he believes storytelling genes might just be in his blood.

And as the father and son journey through spectacular scenery, meet extraordinary people and visit mind-blowing historic sites, they hear some unforgettable tales.

But while Martin loves nothing more than to believe in a good myth – however unlikely – Roman’s logical mind makes it harder for him to embrace the unproven.

With the trip encouraging the pair to profoundly examine their own history, lives and relationship, can Martin convince his son to experience the joy of embracing the unknown?

In this week’s first episode, Martin and Roman begin their bants-and-bonding adventure on Ireland’s south coast in County Cork – an area shaped by powerful tides, dramatic history and the kind of stirring myths that Martin loves.

They take to the water in kayaks to learn the story of Cliona, Queen of the Banshees, and the legend of her ominous ocean wave.

The pair also travel to the former prison known as ‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’, Spike Island, where they get up close and personal with its haunting history.

Finally, their visit to County Cork culminates in a pub where Martin takes to the stage as part of a storytelling community group.

The Kemp’s adventure continues next week on Ireland’s west coast in the counties of Meath and Dublin, before the final leg of their adventure in a fortnight takes them to a snowy Northern Ireland.

As well as exploring the Irish origins of Halloween and heading to Europe’s largest Halloween festival in Derry, they spend a night at what is reputed to be Northern Island’s most haunted hotel.

If that fretful experience isn’t enough to strengthen their father-and-son bond, what is?

The Great British Sewing Bee (Tuesday 11/08/26, BBC Two, 8pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

Thimbles, scissors, pins and cutting mat at the ready – yes, The Great British Sewing Bee, filmed at Sunny Bank Mills on the outskirts of Leeds, is now in full swing, and as this week sees the fifth episode air, chances are you already have your favourite contestant by now. Well, it’s just not the same if you don’t have anyone to root for, is it?

Actually, it can be fun just watching it for the judges. Patrick Grant has been with the show since it began way back in 2013. Thanks to his well-groomed looks and ability to run up a skirt (oo-er missus), he’s become something of a heartthrob during the past few years, and the show just wouldn’t be the same without him.

His sidekick since the fourth run has been designer Esme Young. She’s the co-founder of fashion label Swanky Modes and a tutor in pattern-cutting at London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins art school. She’s turned out to be a real star. Funky and effortlessly cool, Esme has a razor-sharp wit and every now and then drops into conversation a revelation about her life, such as an anecdote involving watching the Notting Hill carnival alongside none other than David Bowie.

While the judging line-up has been relatively steady, the same cannot be said for the role of host. Claudia Winkleman was the original presenter, and has been followed by Joe Lycett and Sara Pascoe (with Kiell Smith-Bynoe standing in while the latter was on maternity leave). At Christmas, Sophie Willan of Alma’s Not Normal fame had a trial run in the hot seat, and is now in charge full-time.

“We are delighted to welcome Sophie Willan to The Great British Sewing Bee,” said Commissioning Editor Cal Turner last year when Sophie’s appointment was announced. “With her boundless enthusiasm and energy, Sophie will bring her own unique spark to the sewing room alongside Patrick and Esme.”

She has certainly done that. Quick-witted and easy to get along with, Sophie has also managed to put the sewers at their ease and kept viewers laughing thanks to a nice line in one-liners and quips.

So far during this run – its 12th to date – we’ve seen the gang tackle summer shorts with a patch pocket in week one and adaptive fashion in week two, while the third episode was Patrick’s favourite. Yes, it was Reduce, Reuse and Recycle; sustainability is close to his heart. Last time out, Mexico was the theme, with renowned fashion designer Erika Alvarez joining in to offer tips and advice as those left in the haberdashery made a folkloric top, turned a tablecloth into a structured garment and created an outfit inspired by a Mexican festival.

This time around, it’s Sports Week. Yes, you may have thought we were getting to the end of a summer dominated by various events, but you’d be wrong.

Thankfully you don’t have to athletic to appreciate the skill involved in the episode’s three tasks, which involve making a classic pair of men’s swimming shorts, pairing up to turn windsurf sails into a structured garment and a made-to-measure involving very swanky bowling shirts.

So, who will be relegated and who’s heading for the top of the podium? Only time will tell…

Murder Trial (Wednesday 13/08/2026, BBC Two, 9pm)

Words by Richard Jones

There are plenty of true-crime documentaries on the TV at the moment.

Just this week, Groomed: The Truth Behind the Lie continues on Sky Documentaries, while ITV1 is airing Cold Case Forensics: In the Blood, and Spy Next Door: The Anna Chapman Story and The Schoolgirl Terrorist are both debuting on Channel 4.

But arguably the best of the current batch is Death of a Dog Walker, the latest instalment of Murder Trial, the BBC series which sees haunting cold cases and gripping investigations unfold as suspects stand trial and victims’ families seek justice in Scotland’s High Courts.

Former country estate groundsman Brian Low is found dead by a fellow dog walker one winter morning in rural Perthshire.

Several days later, it’s revealed he has been shot dead, and his neighbour and ex-gamekeeper David Campbell is accused of his murder.

Battling the potential missed forensic opportunities, the prosecution attempts to link multiple smaller strands of evidence to build a picture of a decades-old feud between victim and accused and how it led to a pre-meditated murder.

A section of Campbell’s home CCTV was deleted on the night in question and his doorbell camera was covered in tape on the morning of the crime.

However, the prosecution shows video footage from the local area, revealing a mysterious dark figure on an e-bike carrying a shotgun-shaped bag on the route from Campbell’s house to the crime scene.

Further sightings show a horse being startled in a nearby field around the time they believe Low’s mobile phone stopped moving.

Does this CCTV show the killer on his way to murder Brian and a horse spooked by a gunshot? And can the jury be convinced the man on the bike is Campbell?

With no witnesses to the incident itself and no direct forensics connecting the accused to the deceased, the defence’s role is to expose flaws in the evidence. They will tear apart the prosecution’s timeline – and target flaws in the evidence of the victim’s own partner, Pam Curran.

Discrepancy in her memory of when she last saw Brian alive puts her vital testimony in question and reveals a critical gap in the events.

In an attempt to raise doubts in the minds of the jury, they will also argue that the CCTV does not show the defendant at all and that he has an alibi.

With both sides also relying on vital witness testimony from fellow estate workers and neighbours, the trial paints a picture of a small community ripped apart by old grudges and secrets surfacing in the wake of a killing.

The case concludes next week – although the second part is available on the BBC iPlayer now for those who can’t wait.

It sees the victim’s family desperately seeking justice and answers, and the fate of the accused hanging in the balance.

Witnesses unearth more shocking revelations, and the defendant takes the stand before the jury must answer the ultimate question – is David Campbell guilty or not guilty of Brian Low’s murder?

A House Through Time (Thursday 13/08/26, BBC Two, 9pm)

Words by Sarah Morgan

David Olusoga is back on the box – and that can only be a good thing.

While watching his informative yet entertaining programmes, we tend to feel a little more intelligent; he manages to enlighten his viewers without browbeating them. If only he’d been in charge of our school history lessons…

He was born in Nigeria in 1970 to a Nigerian father and British mother; he arrived in the UK at the age of five and grew up in Gateshead, where the family was subjected to racial abuse – their home was attacked by the National Front and they required police protection before relocating.

Olusoga then studied history at the University of Liverpool. After graduating he realised how few black people were working in the media, so he took a course in broadcast journalism at Leeds Trinity University and became a TV producer on a variety of programmes before heading in front of the camera.

Olusoga’s softly spoken but passionate style of presenting has made him a compelling presence on the small screen. His debut came in 2014’s The World’s War: Forgotten Soldiers of Empire, which examined the service of Indian, African and Asian troops during the First World War.

Projects such as Civilisations, Black and British: A Forgotten History, The World’s War and the Bafta-winning Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners followed. However, it’s A House Through Time for which he’s best known – either that, or his time in the first run of Celebrity Traitors; he was a Faithful and reached the final.

“We were all fans of the show and that’s why we wanted to take part,” reflected Olusoga while being interviewed by the BBC after the event. “We thought it’d be an incredible experience, and it really was.”

So far A House Through Time has charted the history of properties in Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol and Leeds from the time they were built to the present day.

The previous series, broadcast in 2024, took a different approach by detailing life in properties in London and Berlin during the Second World War. However, the sixth run reverts to the original format by concentrating on one place – a home that sits high on Calton Hill, overlooking Edinburgh.

It was built in 1785, making it one of the oldest houses to feature in the programme. Its construction predates that of the city’s elegant Georgian New Town, but came centuries after its medieval Old Town was founded. It has certainly witnessed many changes, including Edinburgh’s rapid 18th century expansion, and was occupied by aspirational people rather than the genuinely wealthy.

Researching the house’s past proved to be tricky because multiple families lived in it at any one time, from wealthy widows and post office administrators to an artist who went on to impress Queen Victoria.

“I’m delighted that we are bringing A House Through Time to Edinburgh, a city I adore and that is bursting with history,” says David.

Throughout the run, we’re promised juicy stories involving bankruptcy, espionage and the owner of a ‘house of ill fame’ – basically, it’s almost 300 years of scandal that would make even a soap opera writer blush.

The One Show at 20 (Friday 14/08/26, BBC1, 7pm)

Words by Rachael Popow

Yes, it really has been 20 years since The One Show first appeared on our screens – although in the nicest possible way, some people might think it feels like longer. That’s because the show has become such a TV institution, it’s hard to remember a time when it wasn’t on.

However, the first episode aired on August 14, 2006, as part of a pilot run hosted by Adrian Chiles and Nadia Sawalha. The idea was to bring viewers an updated version of the magazine show Nationwide with stories from around the UK.

It proved a hit with viewers, and was brought back the following year with Chiles and new co-host Myleene Klass. When she left to have her first child, Christine Bleakley stepped in and the show settled into its groove of celebrity chat, human interest and topical stories, with the presenters expertly handling the changes in tone so dramatic, they might have given lesser hosts whiplash.

Then in 2010, The One Show faced its first big test when Adrian and Christine both left. Would the format prove to be bigger than its stars? As it turned out, yes it would, but it probably helped that Alex Jones was chosen to take Bleakley’s place on the sofa.

Although her co-hosts have changed, Alex has been with the show ever since. As she pointed out last year while celebrating her 15th anniversary, The One Show has been a constant for her as well as the audience.

She said: “I started as a young girl and I feel like I’ve grown up with our viewers. They have seen me through all my big life moments like getting engaged and married, to having children. Our viewers are like extended family by now!”

So, why does Alex think The One Show is so successful? She says: “I think the reason is it really strikes a chord with people because we sit right at the heart of the nation. Our job, essentially, is to reflect what’s going on. All the small daily bits and pieces, but also the big events that affect the country. When we reflect and report on those big events such as D Day, or when the Queen died, all of those life-changing events, I think we find a human way to do it, a way that connects with people and makes them feel comforted.”

Then there’s the fact it’s live. Alex laughs: “The moment that takes the cake is absolutely Sheridan Smith and Stephen Fry getting stuck in the lift and missing the first half of the show. I mean, those are my favourite bits. I think that’s the whole beauty of being live. Things going wrong is what makes us all cry laughing. I think it’s really nice to be laughing heartily, and the audience, hopefully are doing the same at home.”

Hopefully there won’t be too many mishaps in tonight’s special episode though. The culmination of a week-long celebration, it sees Alex and her co-host Roman Kemp bring together some of the biggest names, favourite stories and standout moments from the last 20 years.