Unreported World: Censored Film Queens of Nigeria
7.30pm, Channel 4
There’s a reason why this Friday evening buzzkill of a documentary strand is approaching its 50th season: it does a brilliant job of finding essential, often bleak stories from around the world and offering a potted guide. This new run begins in Nigeria and the conservative city of Kano, which is home to a prolific film industry. Anja Popp meets Mansurah Isah, one of its few female directors, and explores her battle to elevate women’s perspectives. Phil Harrison
Extraordinary Portraits with Bill Bailey
7.30pm, BBC One
Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson is tasked with painting Lindsay, a heroic animal rescuer who has saved and rehabilitated 198 creatures (and counting) at her Wye valley sanctuary. But will his portrait capture the breadth of her story without it being a bit too on the nose? Priya Elan
Primark vs John Lewis: Battle of the Brands
8pm, Channel 4
Kate Quilton ponders a seemingly unlikely high street battle as this series continues. How did that bastion of middle-class comfort John Lewis find itself in competition with cheap and cheerful Primark? Quilton goes behind the shopfronts of both to explore their respective approaches. PH
Big Cats 24/7
9pm, BBC Two
In the finale, the crew follow a new generation of cats, including 20-month-old Mathata (“He’s like a 15-year-old … looks grownup, but has a lot to learn”) and some overconfident cubs, who must learn to act as a team to bring down large prey. Can they catch a giraffe? Ali Catterall
The Young Offenders
9.30pm, BBC One
Series five of the daft Cork comedy continues. You’d think after a stint in a Colombian prison Jock would have been scared straight. Instead, he tells sidekick Conor they should “be more Escobar” and become a crime cartel. Will mentoring a new generation of tracksuit-sporting shoplifters do the trick? Graeme Virtue
First Dates
10pm, Channel 4
Nicole is aiming high. She’s hoping to be matched with someone resembling her celebrity crush Paul Mescal. Is she in luck? This new run of sweetly awkward encounters follows the usual formula and, as ever, pivots on the charm of the participants and the emotional backstop provided by Fred Sirieix and his team. PH
Film choice
Weapons (Zach Cregger, 2025), Friday, 9pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Amy Madigan won an Oscar for her startling turn as Aunt Gladys in Zach Cregger’s genre-flipping creepfest, but don’t hold your breath waiting for her to appear. After a class of 17 elementary school kids (save one) vanish overnight, we first follow the overlapping stories of those caught up in the aftermath – from teacher Justine (Julia Garner) and Josh Brolin’s grieving parent Archer to cop Paul (Alden Ehrenreich) and sole remaining pupil Alex (Cary Christopher). It’s a seductive jigsaw puzzle, which examines how the loss of a child can descend into rage and recrimination – but it’s not until the malevolent Madigan turns up that the final, gruesome piece is put in place. Simon Wardell
