WTW – what to watch this week

The Glorias
Sky Cinema, Sunday 7 March at 8pm and On Demand

Directed by Julie Taymor, this is the story of Gloria Steinem – but not as you’ve seen it before. After returning from a fellowship in India, Steinem pursues a career in journalism where she is assigned to the fashion desk. After publishing an exposé on the poor working conditions of the waitresses working at the Playboy Club, her name is made. After feeling degraded in the workplace she leaves and turns down a book offer. The twists and turns of her life that follow lead her to become the face of the women’s liberation movement – viewing will be just in time for this year’s International Women’s Day.

Oprah with Harry and Megan
ITV, Monday 8 March at 9pm

In a primetime special, ITV airs this anticipated bombshell interview a day after it airs on CBS in the US. The Sussexes’ will discuss marriage, life in the public eye and their hopes for the future, among other topics. Royal aides are on edge as no subject is off the table in this conversation. 

The Great Celebrity Bake Off: Stand Up To Cancer
Channel 4, Tuesday March 9 at 8pm

The famous charity bake off is back. In each of the five episodes stars such as James McAvoy and Dame Kelly Holmes will battle it out in the famous white tent. The celebrities will undertake three challenges, the Signature, the Technical and the Showstopper. In aid of Stand Up To Cancer, the famous names will compete for the place of star baker. 

The Terror
BBC Two, Wednesday 10 March at 9pm

Ridley Scott brings to life the true story of Captain Sir John Franklin and his crew’s lost royal navy expedition to the Arctic in 1845, in search of the Northwest Passage. The chilling 10-part series depicts one of polar exploration’s darkest mysteries with a crew stalked by a sinister presence on their voyage. The first two episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

Roman Britain’s Missing Legion: What Really Happened to Legio IX Hispana
Guildhall Library, Thursday 11  March at 7pm

Legio IX Hispana had an impressive history as one of the key legions during the conquests of Britain, later founding York guarding over the northern frontiers. However, evidence of the legion’s existence disappears after AD 108, and the mystery of what happened to it has consumed debate and imaginations for decades. In this online event discussing issues tackled in his new book, Dr Simon Elliot analyses four key theories in trying to find an answer to one of history’s most elusive questions. This event is free to attend and you can register here.

Cherry
Apple TV+, Friday 12 March

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Tom Holland sheds his Spiderman costume to play a very different character. This new American crime drama explores the life of life of Cherry, an army medic who turns to robbing banks to support his opioid addiction. Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Nico Walker, Cherry brings to life the struggles he faced as an army veteran tackling addiction and PTSD.  

Paper Lives
Netflix, Friday 12 March

This new Turkish film tells the story of Mehmet, a kind spirit who runs the waste warehouse in an old neighbourhood of Istanbul. In an area carved by emigration, he takes it upon himself to help those in need – especially the homeless. One day, he meets an eight-year-old boy residing at the bottom of a waste sack in the warehouse and he becomes determined to reunite the boy with his mother. What he doesn’t anticipate, however, is the bond that forms with the boy. Dark yet moving, the perfect weekend watch. 

The One
Netflix, Friday 12  March

Can DNA taken from a simple strand of hair find us love? The CEO of MatchDNA thinks so, but “genetically guaranteed love” has consequences and explosive ones at that. “We deserve the fairytale!” she shouts to an audience – but at what cost? Set five minutes in the future, this new drama series will make watchers change the way they look at love and relationships forever.