The Capture Series Three Delivers a Stark Warning About Truth in the Digital Age

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

The BBC has shared an early glimpse of the third series of The Capture, and the story looks set to push its themes even further. The new image highlights Holliday Grainger as Rachel Carey, a character who has carried the weight of the show's questions about trust, surveillance and manufactured reality. With deepfakes now part of everyday conversation, the series feels even more timely than before, and this chapter digs straight into that unease.

A year has passed since Carey broadcast a live deepfake of a government minister, exposing the covert Correction programme that allowed the intelligence services to manipulate video evidence. The fallout is still rolling through Westminster, with a formal inquiry underway. In the middle of this storm, Carey has stepped into the role of Acting Commander of Counter Terrorism Command. She is trying to restore public faith in surveillance systems through Operation Veritas, a camera network designed to bring clarity back to policing. It sounds ideal, although the world of The Capture has a habit of turning ideals inside out.

When a tightly planned terror attack strikes at the centre of British power, leaving only one surviving witness, the pressure on Carey intensifies. Each step of the investigation drags her deeper into a widening geopolitical conflict that pulls in government, intelligence circles and the media. The scale of the conspiracy grows, twisting its way through the State, and Carey is left trying to work out who is truly steering events. With violence escalating around her and allies slipping away, the question becomes what she is prepared to give up in the fight for the truth.

The third series runs for six hour long episodes and comes from Heyday Television. It is created and written by Ben Chanan, who also directs alongside Anthony Philipson and Johnny Allan. Derek Ritchie produces the series and serves as Executive Producer, with David Heyman, Rosie Alison and Sue Gibbs representing Heyday, Tom Coan for Universal International Studios, Rebecca Ferguson for the BBC and Chanan himself also on board. Once completed, NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will handle international distribution. The early look sets the mood well. A world where truth flickers, and one person trying to keep hold of it as everything shifts around her.

Red Eye Returns with a High-Stakes Embassy Crisis for New Year’s Day

Images: ITV Press

By Jon Donnis

ITV is starting the year with real intent as Red Eye touches down once more. Jing Lusi slips back into the role of DS Hana Li, this time drawn into an investigation that unfolds inside the locked walls of the US Embassy in London. Martin Compston joins her as Clay Brody, the Embassy's Head of Security and a former colleague she has every reason to distrust. Their uneasy partnership becomes the heart of a story built on pressure, shifting loyalties and a threat that refuses to stay still.

The setup wastes no time. Celebrations for a newly appointed US Ambassador are brought to an abrupt halt when a call warns that a British plane will be blown out of the sky if anyone tries to leave. The Embassy shuts down, trapping guests and staff inside. Then the killings start, dragging Hana into a political tangle that is as dangerous as it is claustrophobic. The tension spikes further once she learns whose plane is at risk. Director General Madeline Delaney, played once again by Lesley Sharp, is on board. With a murderer stalking the Embassy corridors and a jet in the air running out of time, Hana and Brody have to set aside old grievances and find whoever is orchestrating the chaos.

Jemma Moore returns as journalist Jess Li, adding another familiar anchor to the cast. The production itself comes from Bad Wolf, the Wales based company behind major dramas such as His Dark Materials and Industry. Peter A Dowling leads the writing, bringing the twists he is known for, while Jingan Young contributes the third episode. Kieron Hawkes directs the opening three instalments, with Camilla Strøm Henriksen taking over for the remaining episodes.

Last year's launch pulled in more than 8 million viewers and logged over 29 million streams on ITVX, placing Red Eye firmly among ITV's standout dramas of 2024. The new run delivers six fresh episodes, executive produced by Julie Gardner, Peter A Dowling and Lachlan MacKinnon, with Chris May producing. It feels like a continuation shaped with confidence, raising the stakes while keeping the pulse of the first series very much alive.

Red Eye returns to ITV1 and STV on New Year's Day and will be available to stream on ITVX and STV Player. 

Nordic Train at Christmas Brings Norway’s Winter Magic to Channel 4

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

There is something instantly calming about a good Christmas travel special, and Nordic Train at Christmas leans into that charm with real confidence. Hugh Bonneville guides the trip with a warm voice that fits the snowy setting, taking viewers along the Bergen Line as it cuts through some of the most striking winter scenery in Europe. The journey begins in Bergen, a city tucked between mountains and ancient fjords, and the programme takes time to let the place breathe. You see staff going about their day, passengers settling in as the light bounces off the snow, and locals getting on with life in a landscape that feels almost unreal.

As the train climbs towards Finse, the surroundings shift into something even more dramatic. Finse sits high in the hills and is home to one of the highest altitude hotels on the continent, which gives the episode a lovely sense of height and isolation. From there the trip presses on towards Oslo, where the season has the capital glowing with festive energy. The whole thing has a gentle rhythm, which echoes the success of last year's Alpine Train at Christmas. That earlier special drew a combined audience of 3.03 million, so there is a clear appetite for this kind of slow and scenic television.

The production comes from King of Sunshine Productions in partnership with Motion Entertainment. It runs for a full hour and is shaped by executive producers Sohail Shah and Deep Sehgal, with Gareth Fielding overseeing the series. Channel 4 commissioned the project through Jasper Hone and Jo Street, who both spoke of their enthusiasm for revisiting this format. Hone described how pleased they were to team up with King of Sunshine again after last year's success, and highlighted the beauty of the route between Norway's two biggest cities. It is easy to see why. The landscapes are captivating, the towns along the line have real character, and the whole programme feels like a gentle invitation to settle in and enjoy the season.

Amadeus trailer strikes a bold note for Sky

Image: Sky Press

By Jon Donnis

Sky has dropped the first trailer for its new limited series Amadeus, a fresh Sky Original that brings a lively edge to one of music's most enduring stories. Will Sharpe takes on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a prodigy whose genius flickers between dazzling brilliance and raw chaos. Paul Bettany steps into the role of Antonio Salieri, the court composer who watches Mozart's rise with a mix of admiration and growing dread. Gabrielle Creevy appears as Constanze Weber, whose fierce loyalty anchors Mozart at his wildest moments.

The series draws on Peter Shaffer's celebrated play, with Joe Barton shaping it into a five part retelling that treats Mozart not as a distant historical figure but as a vibrant force who upset the balance of 18th Century Vienna. The show follows him at twenty five, newly arrived in a city humming with possibility. He is desperate to shake off the child prodigy label and push his music into new territory, yet his arrival pulls him straight into the paths of Constanze and Salieri.

From that point the story becomes a clash of talent, ambition and faith. Mozart's reputation may be questionable and the conservative court may eye him with suspicion, yet his gift refuses to dim. Salieri, devout and proud of his position, finds himself tortured by the idea that this unruly young composer possesses something close to a divine spark. It eats at him. It shapes his every thought. Mozart becomes a danger to his standing, his sense of self and even his belief in God.

What begins as rivalry twists into something darker. The obsession stretches across three decades, haunted by the idea that only one of them can truly define the age. It eventually surfaces in a confession of murder and a final attempt by Salieri to tie his own name to Mozart's for all time.

The trailer hints at a lavish but unsettling world. It feels like a story about genius, jealousy and the price of wanting to be remembered, all wrapped in the energy of a musician who refused to play by the rules.

COMPETITION: Win All Creatures Great & Small Series 6 on DVD

Acorn Media International has announced All Creatures Great & Small Series 6 and Series 1 to 6 Box Set are set to arrive on DVD and digital on 1 December 2025, following its run on 5.

And to celebrate we have a copy on DVD to give away!

Synopsis:

Hailed by The Guardian as ‘the comforting TV we all need’ and ‘the most charming drama on TV’ by Daily Mail, this endlessly entertaining drama is based on the popular novels and life of veterinary surgeon and writer James Herriot (aka James Alfred Wight OBE). 

 

The soul soothing series has solidified itself as one of the nation’s best-loved shows and has gone on to become 5’s biggest hit and has captured the hearts of audiences across the globe. 

 

The new series takes us to the end of the Second World War, where we find the Skeldale House at sixes and sevens. With victory in Europe declared, there is the promise of peace at last. But there’s no rest for James (Nicholas Ralph – The Most Reluctant Convert), as he juggles veterinary work with his busy family life with Helen (Rachel Shenton – Hollyoaks, White Gold) and the exceptionally challenging Siegfried (Samuel West – Slow Horses, Darkest Hour). 

 

A battle worn, but more mature, Tristan (Callum Woodhouse – The Durrells) returns and must re-adjust to life back in Darrowby. Meanwhile, Mrs Hall (Anna Madeley – Deadwater Fell, In Bruges) works hard to bring everyone back together and restore harmony at the surgery. As the Skeldale house re-connect, they must find their renewed purpose as the world around them starts to breathe again and look to a brighter future. 

 

With stunning scenery, a delightful cast and brilliant storytelling, escape from everyday life and join All Creatures Great & Small this Christmas for an uplifting watch and the perfect winter warmer this festive season. 

The Christmas Special, All God’s Creatures is also included, guaranteed to bring joy and warmth into our living rooms this festive season. 

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/43K8odN

Enter now for a chance to win.

Which character does Nicholas Ralph play in All Creatures Great & Small?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

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5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Amanda Holden joins Scam Interceptors to take on fraudsters

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

Amanda Holden has decided she has had enough of scammers trading on her name, so she is stepping straight into the fight. After criminals used her image to trick victims out of large sums of money, she has teamed up with the Scam Interceptors crew for a one off special that forms part of BBC Scam Safe Week.

The episode pairs her with Rav Wilding and the rest of the team as they dig into the global networks responsible for targeting people across the UK, including the ones pretending to be Amanda herself. It is a personal mission for her, and you can feel that edge in the way the programme has been framed.

The team sticks to the same remote access tools used by the scammers, turning the technology back on the fraudsters. They are able to watch the operations unfold in real time, track how the criminals work and move in before another victim is caught up in the mess. The plan is simple. See the scam forming, expose the people behind it and shut it down before any money changes hands.

It is a rare chance to watch the tables being flipped on a group that usually hides behind screens. For Amanda, it is also a way to reclaim her own name from the people who have been misusing it, while helping the team shine a light on the growing scale of scam crime in the UK.

Watch Celebrity Scam Interceptors from 2pm on Monday 24 November on BBC One and iPlayer

Interview with Amanda Holden

What made you take part in Scam Interceptors?

I can't stand injustice. My family and friends say I'm always ready to fight a cause or someone's corner so I thought this was something I would be quite passionate about having had some recent first-hand experience!

You've had some personal experience of dealing with scammers, haven't you?

I was part of what the police called a 'romance fraud'. I later found out that relatives of a vulnerable older man contacted the police to ask for help as they were so worried. They wanted to stop their uncle from putting his house on the market because he believed that the proceeds of the sale were then going to come to me and we were going to live together! Obviously, this was never going to happen. The first I heard about it all was from the police. The scammers were going to pocket all his money.

I found this shocking and felt personally responsible for his wellbeing so tried to help the police in every way I could. Brilliantly and just in the nick of time he did not sell his home. He realised that there was no relationship with me directly. It made me realise that my profile is out there being used for all sorts of bad reasons so I thought if I can use my profile for good, and draw attention to the week of scam programming, then that could only be a positive thing. Thank goodness this person's family stepped in.

What did you learn from your time in the scam hub?

I literally don't know how the team copes with the stress of trying to put fires out everywhere and then them igniting again. It's mind blowing but it really pulls on your heartstrings. It's very emotional when you see things happening in real time, money being transferred in seconds, I just wanted to stop them or scream at the individuals that they were being scammed. I realised that every minute counts and every small win is a big win. Plus, I met 'Scamanda' - one of the scammers pretending to be me. I gave them what for!

What would you advise people?

I don't pick up the phone to any number I don't recognise or withheld numbers. I think if someone really needs to speak to you, they will leave you a message or communication will arrive in the post that you can verify with your bank in person. There are official telephone numbers for companies that ring you, so check the number calling you or if you've answered and become unsure of who you are speaking with - hang up! Then google and look for an official number and compare and call your bank to check. Never, ever give out bank details, pin numbers or transfer money is what I say. Hang up and call into your local bank branch or call their official number on the back of your bank card.

ITV Unveils First Look at espionage drama Betrayal

Image: ITV Press

By Jon Donnis

ITV has shared the first images from Betrayal, a four part thriller due to arrive in 2026 on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player. The cast alone makes you sit up a bit. Shaun Evans leads the story, with Romola Garai close behind him, and both seem well matched for a drama rooted in the messy overlap between personal and political danger.

The script comes from David Eldridge, whose writing often digs into the cracks in relationships, and this one is directed by Julian Jarrold. It plays out inside MI5, not with glossy spy tricks, but with a focus on the fragile ties between people who live their lives under pressure and behind locked doors.

Evans plays John Hughes, a mid career MI5 officer trying to keep pace with an intelligence world that keeps shifting under his feet. A meeting with a British Iranian man who claims to have information about a coming attack pushes John into a corner. The encounter does not unfold as he expects, and soon he is facing an internal investigation led by his superiors, including Simone Grant, played by Nikki Amuka Bird. At home, Claire, played by Romola Garai, struggles with the constant secrecy that defines John's work.

The story threads John's efforts to repair his marriage with his refusal to step back from the case. Mehreen Askari Evans, played by Zahra Ahmadi, joins the investigation when she is assigned to take over his duties, and John starts to see her as a rare ally. He becomes convinced that a hardline faction of the Iranian regime is involved, yet he cannot shake the feeling that danger might be creeping closer than he realises. The tension builds around whether he can pinpoint the target and stop the attack before time runs out.

Irma Inniss produces the series, which brings together a broad cast that includes Gamba Cole, Omid Djalili, Matthew Tennyson, Hayley Tamaddon, Anthony Flanagan, Paddy Rowan, Waj Ali, Karim Kadjar, Emma Cunniffe, Georgina Rylance, Ben Lambert, Julia Watson and Julian Wadham. Newcomers Elham Karimpour, Aidan Rivers, Corin Silva and Eliza Agrosoaie also feature.

Betrayal comes from Mammoth Screen, the ITV Studios label behind Code of Silence, working with Navarino Pictures. The executive producers are David Eldridge, Shaun Evans, Julian Jarrold, Tom Leggett and Damien Timmer, with development led by Rebecca Keane. Polly Hill and Huw Kennair Jones oversee the project for ITV, and ITV Studios will handle distribution.