Today's top TV and streaming choices: Who Do You Think You Are?, San Andreas and Cocaine Air

Irish Independent

a day ago

Who Do You Think You Are? BBC One, 8pm
Diane Morgan is the final celebrity to delve into their family's past. She discovers a wartime love story involving her great-great aunt and unearths facts about a distant relative known as German Charlie.
Taskmaster Channel 4, 10.05pm
It's no longer on TV, but that isn't about to stop Stevie Martin trying to land a role in Downton Abbey. Meanwhile, Mathew Baynton's dignity goes out of the window and Jason Mantzoukas tries to find a new friend. Plus, poor Alex Horne has to deal with yoghurt on his shoes.
Fíorscéal TG4, 10.45pm
Sustainable construction enters the spotlight, with builders revealing how they have begun to change their methods after finding it difficult to find raw materials.
San Andreas RTÉ2, 9pm
A massive earthquake devastates California, prompting an LA-based rescue helicopter pilot and his ex-wife to make a journey across the state to find their daughter. However, the trip turns out to be far more perilous than they imagined. Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Ioan Gruffudd and Kylie Minogue star.
Call Her Alex Disney+, streaming now
Back in October 2024, just less than a month before the election, Kamala Harris went on the Call Her Daddy podcast. Her appearance on such a highly popularised new medium was meant to nail her bid for the presidency. Instead, we have Trump and Stephen Miller in the White House and lingering whimpers of 'Why didn't Kamala go on Joe Rogan instead?' Such retrospection is, unfortunately, futile at this point. So, instead, let's find out more about Alex Cooper and what it took to become the most influential female podcaster of a generation. Directed by Ry Russo-Young (Nuclear Family), this two-part docuseries follows Cooper from a shy Pennsylvania kid to a progressive sex-and-dating podcaster, evolving over six years into the CEO of a media empire. More than a success story, it's a portrait of a person creating a space where women feel heard (and their respective others in their life can glean some often-necessary pointers).
The Survivors Netflix, streaming now
We're mostly used to two types of Australian viewing: soaps and super-dry (to the point of cringe) comedy. This is different. The drama follows Kieran Elliott's life after two people drown in his hometown of Evelyn Bay, Australia. To top it off, a young girl also went missing. Returning with his family 15 years later, the simmering guilt resurfaces, especially when the body of a young woman is found on the beach…
K.O. Netflix, streaming now
No one does visceral city grit like the French. Bastien has lived as a recluse since accidentally killing his opponent Enzo in an MMA fight three years ago. Now, Enzo's widow tracks him down as, essentially, he owes her one. Her request? Find her missing teenage son.
Tyler Perry's Straw Netflix, streaming now
Between this and last month's release of She the People, Mr Tyler Perry is getting himself around. This offering, however, is far more stark than May's fare. Here, one mum's day unfurls as it goes from tricky to catastrophic. Pushed to the precipice by a world that seems indifferent to her plight (until they can livestream it), she soon gets attention when she unwittingly holds up a bank.
The Orkney Assassin Prime Video, streaming now
The Orkney Isles lie 130 miles north of Aberdeen. It's a peaceful place with a strong sense of community. In June 1994, however, Bangladeshi waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood was working at the lone curry house when a masked man fatally shot him. This documentary revisits one of Scotland's most extraordinary murder cases, examining racism, loyalty, and the impact of trauma decades later.
Ocean with David Attenborough Disney+, streaming now The man who will never retire explores stunning ocean habitats, highlighting the challenges for marine-life recovery.
On November 5, 2021, Travis Scott stepped on stage to perform at Astroworld, which ended in the deaths of 10 people. An exclusive look told from the perspective of the survivors, paramedics and staff who were at the centre of this tragedy.
Cocaine Air Netflix, streaming now
Indeed, it's wall-to-wall documentaries this week. On March 20, 2013, four French nationals were arrested on a private jet at Punta Cana airport. On board: 700kg of cocaine in 26 suitcases. All lack the profile of an international drug smuggler, and no one knows who owns the luggage.