Weekend TV Picks: Miriam Margolyes in New Zealand, Beethoven's Ninth, and More

Strategic Insights -

Miriam Margolyes has a new series exploring New Zealand, where she plays a nun in a film that encourages the cameras to follow her as she asks how being a New Zealander is different from being Australian. Meanwhile, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is featured in a Proms performance, alongside Bent Sørensen's Evening Land and Anna Clyne's The Years. In other TV picks, the 1990s Canada-set true-crime drama Under the Bridge ends in a dramatic courtroom showdown, while First Dates features Caitlin making a play for children's entertainer Michael. John Cena returns as the hulking hero Peacemaker in a Sky Max series. This weekend's live sport includes the Women's rugby World Cup: England v USA, and Premier League football: West Ham v Chelsea.

Key Takeaways:

  • Miriam Margolyes stars in a new series exploring New Zealand, where she plays a nun in a film that follows her as she asks how being a New Zealander is different from being Australian.
  • Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is featured in a Proms performance, alongside Bent Sørensen's Evening Land and Anna Clyne's The Years.
  • The 1990s Canada-set true-crime drama Under the Bridge ends in a dramatic courtroom showdown.
  • First Dates features Caitlin making a play for children's entertainer Michael, and erotic fiction writer Immogen searching for a romantic plot twist.
  • John Cena returns as the hulking hero Peacemaker in a Sky Max series.
  • The highlight package of Reading Festival 2025 features Pop's biggest star du jour Chappell Roan and Irish balladeer Hozier as headliners.
  • The Sky Cinema Premiere features Lorcan Finnegan's sunburnt psychological thriller The Surfer, with Nicolas Cage as a father trying to introduce his teenage son to his childhood seaside home.

Statistics:

  • Miriam Margolyes' new series explores New Zealand, where she plays a nun in a film that features her asking how being a New Zealander is different from being Australian. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 is performed as part of a Proms event, alongside Bent Sørensen's Evening Land and Anna Clyne's The Years. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • The 1990s Canada-set true-crime drama Under the Bridge features a dramatic courtroom showdown. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • First Dates features Caitlin, Immogen, and Elleigha, the naked cleaner, making various connections on the show. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • John Cena returns as Peacemaker in a Sky Max series, with a mix of puerile humor and ultraviolence. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • Reading Festival 2025 features Chappell Roan and Hozier as headliners, with a highlight package bringing the best bits. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • The Surfer is a sunburnt psychological thriller by Lorcan Finnegan, starring Nicolas Cage as a father trying to introduce his teenage son to his childhood seaside home. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • Women's rugby World Cup: England v USA takes place at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on the BBC One. (No specific statistics mentioned)
  • Premier League football: West Ham v Chelsea is broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. (No specific statistics mentioned)

Sources:

  • Miriam Margolyes Discovers New Zealand, 9pm, BBC Two
  • Beethoven's Ninth at the Proms, 8pm, BBC Four
  • Under the Bridge, 9pm, ITV1
  • First Dates, 10pm, Channel 4
  • Peacemaker, 10pm, Sky Max
  • Reading Festival 2025, 10.40pm, BBC One
  • The Surfer, (Lorcan Finnegan, 2024), 7.25am, 12.35pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
  • Women's rugby World Cup: England v USA, 6.30pm, BBC One
  • Premier League football: West Ham v Chelsea, 7pm, Sky Sports Main Event