WTW – what to watch this week

Grace Kelly: Lost Tapes of a Princess

Channel 4, Saturday 12 June at 9pm

There has long been a fascination with Hollywood actresses, none more so than Grace Kelly. With special permission from the Grimaldi family, which Kelly married into, this feature examines the personal life of the actress and princess. It includes interviews with those closest to her, including Kelly’s son and Monaco’s current sovereign Prince Albert II.

Brian Cox’s Adventures in Space and Time

BBC Two, Sunday 13 June at 9pm

Brian Cox’s continues to look back on a decade of discovery. In this episode, the physicist will take a fresh look at the concept of gravity, revealing that it is far more than a force that makes objects fall to the ground. Watch Professor Cox on Reaction’s Answer Time here.

Peter Taylor: Ireland After Partition

BBC Two, Monday 14 June at 9pm

To mark the centenary of the partition of Ireland in 1921, Peter Taylor, award-winning journalist and documentary-maker, invites audiences to join him on a personal journey. He revisits the films he has made over the past 50 years reflecting the issues surrounding a united Ireland and reveals how his own understanding of these issues has been challenged and evolved over the years. 

Unsettled: Citizens, Migrants, Refugees

The National Archives, Tuesday 15 June at 6pm

Join the University of Washington’s Jordanna Bailkin to learn how Britain’s refugee camps have shaped the multicultural present. She analyses the linguistic separations between “migrant” and “citizen” and looks at the conflicts that caused migration. As Europe once again becomes the focal point of the refugee crisis, Bailkin presents her concerns from a liberal democracy’s recent past. You can book tickets for this online event here. 

Vivienne Westwood: Catwalk

V&A Museum, Wednesday 16 June at 7pm

In celebration of her 80th birthday, Vivienne Westwood Catwalk follows 40 years of Westwood catwalk collections, from her 1981 debut to the spring/summer 2021 collection by Westwood creative director Andreas Kronthaler. Join Westwood, Kronthaler and Alexander Fury, author of Vivienne Westwood Catwalk, as they discuss some of the most influential pieces and how fashion constantly changes and challenges contemporary culture. You can book tickets to this online event here. 

Together

BBC Two, Thursday 17 June at 9pm

Starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan, Together follows a husband and wife forced to re-evaluate their relationship over lockdown. She is the coordinator for Europe at a refugee charity, the daughter of a dentist and “an old socialist mother”. He is a successful self-made man who runs a boutique consultancy company and has been forced to furlough staff and take up growing vegetables. Artie, their 10-year-old son, has kept their relationship together – until now. 

British Ballet Charity Gala

The Royal Opera House, Friday 18 June at 7pm

Hosted by Darcey Bussell, this gala event brings together eight of the UK’s leading dance companies for the very first time in a powerful celebration of dance, unity and joy. Companies involved include the Ballet Black, English National Ballet, Scottish Ballet and The Royal Ballet. Ticket purchase and streaming access can be found here. 

A Pandemic Poem: Where Did the World Go?

BBC Two, Friday 18 June at 9pm

There has been great amounts of debate on the pandemic, but few in the form of poetry. Using a poem written by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, this programme follows the progression of Covid-19 from its rumoured start in Wuhan to the vaccine rollout and the easing of lockdown. Expect a unique reflection on the pandemic.