This week's television choices: Swedish detective Saga The Bridge set to run and run

 

Gerard Gilbert
Thursday 26 April 2012 14:37 EDT
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Stars of the BBC4 cop show The Bridge
Stars of the BBC4 cop show The Bridge

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TV Pick of the Week: The Bridge, Saturday 9pm BBC4

"Extremely focused. Single. Successful. Clearly defined targets. Good at planning." Her boss thinks that Swedish detective Saga (Sofia Helin) is describing herself, whereas she is reading out the psychological profile of the "truth terrorist" who is bumping off the homeless and now has one of them strapped to a chair on his website. It's a defining moment about Saga and what others think of her – and she is a terrific creation, with her now trademark leather trousers and obvious location somewhere along the autistic spectrum, although this is never spelt out. The newelement, the one about the unhappy teenage girl and her mute mother, deepens this week, as (now a runaway) the girl unwisely accepts the offer a bed from a stranger. Terrific stuff – Nordic noir does it again. Kim Bodnia also stars.

Perspectives: Wind in the Willows with Griff Rhys Jones

Sunday 10.15pm ITV1

The comedian explores the classic children's tale and his love of the character Mr Toad, who he played at the National Theatre in 1990. Griff delves into the history of the book and the life of its author, Kenneth Grahame (who died 80 years ago), uncovering the sometimes dark and ultimately rather sad story of its creation.

Foxes Live: Wild in the City

Monday 8pm Channel 4

Springwatch gets a competitor, albeit one narrowly focused on the British fox, increasingly a city dweller as most urbanites can attest. Mark Evans and Anita Rani use state-of-the-art tracking technology, camera rigs and amateur footage to observe the animals' behaviour and to try to estimate just how many of the critters are living among us.

Later Live – with Jools Holland

Tuesday 10pm BBC2

Multi-instrumentalist and renowned crowd-surfer Annie Erin Clark, better known by her stage name St Vincent (above), follows her ferocious Record Store Day release, "Krokodil", with her debut on the show. Richard Hawley, Damon Albarn and, with his Extraordinaires, funk-soul veteran Charles Bradley are also on the bill.

The Killing

Wednesday 10pm Channel 4

Now that we don't have to compare it directly with the Danish original, perhaps we can appreciate this American version on its own merits. The first series caused a storm in the US because the case of the murdered teenager was left unresolved, and Mireille Enos returns as Sarah Linden to follow up the latest clues.

Playhouse Presents: King of the Teds

Thursday 9pm Sky Arts 1

It ain't unusual, it's downright unique. Tom Jones makes his acting debut, unless you count some of the mugging that goes on in The Voice. Jones co-stars with Brenda Blethyn, playing married couple Ron and Tina, who endure troubled times in their relationship after Ron is made redundant. Alison Steadman also stars.

Piers Morgan's Life Stories: Jason Donovan

Friday 9pm ITV1

The Australian actor, singer and former Strictly Come Dancing participant recalls his relationship with Kylie Minogue, which ended when she left him for rock musician Michael Hutchence. He also reflects on his battle to beat cocaine addiction and pays tribute to the woman who, he believes, saved his life.

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