This week's must-see TV: emotional new Pilgrimage and final season of hit Netflix show

The TV landscape is rich in entertainment this week - from a one-off special with Elton John to a new season of Pilgrimage, where a new batch of celebrities explore their faith and beliefs.

A new season of Race Across the World also airs this week, with five new pairs departing from the Great Wall of China. Stripped of their belongings, all must race against one another to the finish line in India with a limited budget.

Streaming giants also have plenty to offer. For starters, Penn Badgley reprises his role as serial killer Joe Goldberg for the last time as he fronts the final season of the hit Netflix show You.

Over on Sky, Joe Lycett tries to single-handedly form the United States of Birmingham as he pays tribute to his hometown for a chaotic and hilarious series.

Saturday, ITV1

ITV brings a new primetime spectacle as music legend Elton John shares the stage with Grammy winner Brandi Carlile in a one-night-only special.

Filmed at the London Palladium, the special features powerhouse duets and iconic hits like Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer. The duo even treat audiences to an intimate sit-down on stage, hosted by their close pal Dan Levy, as they shine a light on their 20-year friendship.

Expect exclusive backstage moments, heartfelt banter and a reminder of why Elton remains a global treasure. A must-watch for lifelong and new fans alike.

Thursday, Sky Atlantic

From filmmaker Mark Duplass and producer Mel Eslyn comes indie series Penelope, a fresh and intimate reimagining of the Odyssey’s overlooked heroine.

Megan Stott (Little Fires Everywhere, Aftermath) stars as Penelope, a modern-day teen who embarks on a soul-seeking journey into the remote wilderness of the Pacific Northwest as she questions her place in the world.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend (Austin Abrams) is on a cryptic trip of his own. Blending magical realism with raw emotion, this Sky Atlantic drama explores love, longing and identity through a Gen Z lens. Dreamy, daring and quietly devastating.

Sunday, ITV 1

TV personality and Loose Women panellist Katie Piper hits the road in Weekend Escapes, a feel-good travel-log offering viewers a mindful getaway, as she rekindles with the English countryside.

Each episode sees Katie exploring hidden gems across the UK. Along the way, she meets locals, reconnects with nature but she also reflects on healing and resilience.

With charming guest appearances from friends and celebrities like Natalie Cassidy and Prue Leith, this heartwarming ITV series is your perfect Sunday unwind - brimming with beauty, laughter and positivity.

Thursday, ITVX

Subtitled Infamy, the second season of ITVX’s anthology series The Terror shifts from Arctic isolation to 1940s America and Japan.

This chilling show dives deep into Japanese folklore, centering on a shape-shifting spirit haunting a Japanese-American community during WWII.

Derek Mio stars as Chester Nakayama, a young photographer caught between cultures and under siege by both supernatural forces and political paranoia.

George Takei brings gravitas as Yamato-san, a community elder with dark secrets. Eerie atmospheres, historical depth and psychological terror will linger long after the credits roll.

Thursday, Netflix

Penn Badgley reprises the role of Joe Goldberg for the explosive final season of Netflix’s You. After living as a fugitive in Europe, the serial killer is back in New York, where everything began - but he’s not alone.

Joe is now married to icy heiress Kate (Charlotte Ritchie) and raising his son Henry in the spotlight. Set three years after season 4, Joe’s attempt at a clean slate begins to unravel when old habits resurface.

A fresh murder, despite Kate’s interference, drives a wedge between them - just as Joe falls for someone new. As the walls close in, ghosts from past seasons return and massive secrets spill for Joe’s last chapter.

Sunday, 9pm, C5

Channel 5’s The Cancellation of Kenny Everett explores how a comedy genius became a casualty of controversy. This revealing docu-drama traces Everett’s meteoric rise from pirate radio to 80’s TV stardom.

A pioneering comedian, Kenny was unafraid to push boundaries as an entertainer, which earned him high praise for his unfiltered attitude.

Featuring insights from friends, critics and unseen footage of the late star, this film unpacks the pressures of fame and public backlash. Was Kenny ahead of his time - or simply too outrageous for it? A compelling tribute and critique of a trailblazing, complex icon.

Tuesday, Disney +

Andor returns to chart the steps that lead Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) from a cynical nobody to the Rebellion’s hero. Set years before the events of 2016 film Rogue One, the 12-episode arc is split into three-episode time jumps, covering four years of Cassian’s transformation.

He kicks off the series undercover, haunted by loss as the Empire tightens its grip. Stellan Skarsgard reprises his own role as the enigmatic Luthen Rael, while Genevieve O’Reilly’s Mon Mothma edges closer to open resistance. Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough and Varada Sethu also appear in this tense, layered and unmissable show.

Sunday, BBC2

Pilgrimage returns with seven familiar faces - The Wanted star Jay McGuinness, comedian Helen Lederer, broadcaster Jeff Brazier and The Traitors winner Harry Clark are among those agreeing to the challenge.

Together, budding pilgrims walk nearly 300 kilometres from Austria to the abbey of Einsiedeln in Switzerland, through the German and Swiss Alps.

Revelations flow as the group discuss faith, purpose and personal transformation while battling blisters and steep climbs. It’s emotional, scenic and even unexpectedly hilarious with Harry and Jay providing all the laughs - reminding us that spiritual journeys never go as planned.

Wednesday, 9pm, BBC1

Race Across the World takes five new pairs on an epic, cash-strapped journey across Asia - from the Great Wall of China in the north of Beijing to the southern tip of India.

With no flights, limited funds and no smartphones, it’s a high-stakes race through crowded cities and picturesque mountain ranges. Episode one sees the team make their way out of the city as they strategise over routes and budgets.

Actor John Hannah is back narrating this series, which promises emotional moments, soaring victories and the kind of human connection only travel can ignite.

Tuesday, Sky Max

In this vibrant four-part series, comedian Joe Lycett proudly celebrates his roots as he embarks on a journey across North America to visit 18 towns named Birmingham - from Canada’s Saskatchewan province down to the Deep South.

With the blessing of Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Joe aims to explore the history and culture of these namesake towns, forging official Friendship Agreements along the way.

The series culminates with Joe inviting his new found friends to the UK for the inaugural International Day of Birmingham. Expect laughs, heartfelt moments and a brilliantly bonkers finale.

Monday, Disney+

Narrated by Blake Lively, this three-part series is a visually stunning show uncovering the untold lives of nature’s most well-dressed birds.

Using cutting-edge camera techniques and intimate narration, each episode follows a different penguin species - from the Galapagos to the Macaronis - across their breathtaking and often harsh habitats.

Episode one offers an insight into the lives of the Emperor penguins, capturing rare footage of chicks encountering Antarctic storms. With heart, humour and suspense, this Nat Geo Wild collaboration shows the resilience and vulnerability of penguins in a rapidly changing world. Perfect for families and wildlife lovers alike.

Saturday, C5

Get your glitterballs out! Sally Lindsay’s 70s Quiz Night is a retro riot of trivia, tunes and platform shoes. Hosted by Sally Lindsay, this 90-minute special pits two celebrity teams against each other in themed rounds on 1970s music, TV, fashion and even scandals.

Former Corrie actress Sally chairs the quiz with team captains Shaparak Khorsandi and John Thomson. Both are joined by Tiswas’ Sally James, former Stars in Their Eyes host Matthew Kelly, one-time Hi-de-Hi! actress Su Pollard and even Sally Lindsay’s Madame Blanc Mysteries co-star, Steve Edge.

Tuesday, 8pm, C5

Longleat House and Gardens marks their 75th anniversary with exclusive access granted by Lord and Lady Bath. This new series goes behind the scenes of the iconic estate, from animal keepers and historians to the handymen who all keep it running for a million annual visitors.

Expect candid moments, fascinating stories and a glimpse into life with 1,000 residents - including lions, rhinos, koalas and more. Inside Longleat is your VIP pass to a truly wild stately home.

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