WTW – what to watch this week

Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation

BBC Four, Monday 19 April at 10pm

This new three-part documentary investigates the 1993 murder of Stephen Lawrence. It devastated a family, traumatised a nation and exposed racism in the establishment. Two decades on, what is the legacy left behind by Lawrence? 

Lucy The Human Chimp

Channel 4, Monday 19 April at 10:45pm

Directed by Alex Parkinson, the documentary film revisits the story of a chimpanzee raised as a human by Janis Carter. Carter took on the task of living with Lucy the chimpanzee, in the wild. The documentary will feature previously unseen archive footage, photographs and dramatic reconstruction to tell the story of a professor who swapped the classroom for the jungle. 

Glow Up

BBC iPlayer, Tuesday 20 April

Maya Jama takes the reins from Stacey Dooley to present a new series of Glow Up as she tries to find the best upcoming talent in the makeup and beauty industry. More applicants than ever before face resident judges Val Garland and Dominic Skinner alongside many guest expert judges from the fashion and beauty world.

Edmund de Waal: Letters to Camondo

V&A Museum, Tuesday 20 April at 7pm

Join artist and author Edmund de Waal in an online conversation with Olivier Gabet, director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Musée Nissim de Camondo on his new book, Letters to Camondo. The Camondo family lived in Paris a few doors down from de Waal’s ancestors, the Ephrussi. But with both families being collectors and targets of anti-semitism, they shared more than geography. The book collects a series of letters written from de Waal to the Count Moïse de Camondo. You can purchase tickets to this online event here. 

Doctors of War: Saving Lives

Channel 5, Tuesday 20 April at 10pm

Directed by Nathaniel Lippiett, the audience follows UK surgeon John Buckels and his team of medics as they battle to save the lives of victims in war-ravaged Sudan. The documentary offers a candid and raw snapshot into the life of a refugee camp, and the devastating conditions people face in a country ripped apart by ten years of brutal conflict. 

Zero

Netflix, Wednesday 21 April

Would you rather be perceived as someone you’re not or be invisible? This question consumes the mind of Omar, the protagonist of a new Italian Netflix series. In this amalgamation of drama, comedy and sci-fi, Omar discovers that he does not only feel invisible, but he can become invisible at his own will. This anticipated watch is set to be the first Italian series that focuses on the black experience. 

Stowaway

Netflix, Thursday 22 April

Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim and Toni Collete don astronaut gear for this star-studded sci-fi thriller. A three-person crew was well on their way on a two-year mission to Mars when they discover a stowaway on-board. No turning back, he joins the crew for an experience of a lifetime. But when it becomes clear there is only enough oxygen and provisions for three, this accidental trip could be catastrophic for all. 

Searching for Sheela

Netflix, Thursday 22 April

Ma Anand Sheela is an infamously controversial figure. In 1986, she pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault for her role in the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack. The Rajneesh movement’s spokeswoman has been nicknamed both Sheela the Terrible and Sheela the Charmer, but which one is she? This documentary seeks to answer that question. 

Accused of Murdering Our Son – The Steven Clark Story

ITV, Thursday 22 April at 9pm

In 1992, aged 23, Stephen Clark disappeared in mysterious circumstances following a walk with his mother. In September 2020, his parents Doris and Charles were arrested on suspicion of murder following a Cleveland and North Yorkshire Cold Case Unit review. Now, presenter and ex-detective Mark Williams-Thomas takes a look at the case that has stumped law enforcement for nearly three decades.