There are some things the Brits just do better than anyone else – think talk shows, game shows, comedy and hard-hitting dramas, not to mention actuality and investigative reportage. If you fancy some brilliant British entertainment, then DStv is the place to be.
There’s a vast and varied range of British programming available on DStv, across a wide range of channels, with even more coming your way soon. M-Net will be featuring the following highly-rated series this year as the BBC/HBO co-production Years and Years, starring Emma Thompson, that revolves around the Lyons family where one crucial event shapes their lives; Luminaries, based on Eleanor Catton’s 2013 Man Booker Prize-winning novel set during the 1860s gold rush in New Zealand’s wild West Coast; The Bay, a riveting story about a policewoman who gets tangled up in a case and does something she shouldn’t and Vigil, a six-part thriller about the mysterious disappearance of a Scottish fishing trawler and a death on-board a Trident nuclear submarine that brings the police into conflict with the Navy and British security services.
It doesn’t get more English than a trusty who-dunnit series. The queen of the genre herself, Agatha Christie, has one of her spooky classics brought to life in The Pale Horse on BBC First, about an antique dealer Mark Easterbrook, whose name is found on a mysterious list discovered in the shoe of a dead woman. When Mark starts an investigation, he is led to an old inn called The Pale Horse, starting Sunday, 7 June on BBC First (channel 119) at 20:00. Other great detective series include Van der Valk, the remake of the hit show that ran from 1972 until 1992, kicking off on Wednesday, 24 June on BBC First (channel 119 at 20:00; the second season of Agatha Raisin on Friday, 26 June on BBC First (channel 119) at 20:00 and Riviera, on Sunday, 28 June on BBC First (channel 119) at 20:00.
When it comes to brilliant in-depth reporting, two names spring to mind – Louis Theroux and Stacey Dooley, who are both found on BBC Brit (channel 120). Louis Theroux: Beware of the Tiger, sees Louis follow the self-proclaimed Tiger King, Joe Exotic. Back in 2011, Louis visited the infamous GW Exotic Animal Park, where the big-cat breeder Joe is just as flamboyant as what you’d expect, and Louis was the first on his case, investigation how his collection of 180 lions and tigers was spiralling out of control, even back then. Watch it on Thursday, 18 June on BBC Brit (channel 120) at 20:00.
You might have seen a softer side of investigative reporter Stacey when she won Strictly Come Dancing, but there’s nothing soft about her when she sets out to uncover the truth. On Tuesday, 2 June, you can watch her take on arms dealers in the US to find out what goes on (BBC Brit (channel 120) at 22:15). In the next episode, she goes inside Spain’s Narcos Wars, in which she is granted unprecedented access to the frontline investigative teams in the Costa del Sol. Starts Tuesday 9 June on BBC Brit (120) at 22:15.
English humour is a genre all on its own, it is woven cleverly into the very nature of some of the best-loved shows. Just take game show Pointless, with its hosts Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman, whose subtle underlying comments and funny observations alone make the show worth watching. The long-running series has teams of two contestants try to score the fewest points by finding obscure but correct answers to questions. Watch it Monday to Friday on BBC Brit at 19:00.
More of that humour is available on the untouchable Graham Norton Show. He brings his special charm, wit and idiosyncrasies to a show that encourages the best in his A-lister guests. Even during lockdown, he’s been hosting his show from home, with all sorts of hilarious consequences. It’s on BBC Brit on Tuesdays at 20:19.
Then there’s more in-your-face humour with Michael McIntyre’s Big Show S5. The hugely popular show is packed with wit, warm, hilarious moments and big star names. The celebrity guests in this season include singing sensations such as Robbie Williams, Camila Cabello and Andrea Bocelli. Season 5 starts Sunday 7 June on BBC Brit (channel 120) at 19:00.
On the lifestyle side, there are two classic BBC Lifestyle shows to look forward to: The Great British Bake Off S10 starts Monday, 1 June on BBC Lifestyle (channel 174) at 20:00 and Come Dine with Me South Africa S6 starts Wednesday, 3 June on BBC Lifestyle (channel 174) at 20:00. There’s also something new to look out to My Big Fat Desi Wedding, which starts on 27 June. Take a peek inside preparations for some of the biggest, most elaborate wedding ceremonies in the world: Indian weddings.
All in all, it’s a feast of entertainment the Queen would be proud of. Pour yourself a cuppa, find a spot on the sofa, and get an eyeful of good old Blighty.
Download and watch later
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