Can you imagine you’ve been imprisoned for eight years? Locked up in a far-off country, with no way of knowing what was going on in the world? Awful. Just imagine all the fantastic Channel 4 programmes you’ve missed…
But if that should happen to you, don’t worry. There’s a huge library of them on our 4oD service – take a look at the whole list right here.
No such luck for US soldier Sgt Nicholas Brody, played by Brit star Damian Lewis, who returns home after years as a prisoner of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s the opening scenario in Homeland, the Golden Globe-winning US drama coming soon to Channel 4.
But right from the off, something is a bit, well, off. Could this war hero be, in fact, a villain? CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) has her suspicions. She also has more than her share of problems – not least of them her boss, played by another classy Brit, David Harewood.
Take a look at this clip from Episode 1 for a tense taster.
Homeland starts at 9.30pm on Sunday 19 February, and continues at 9pm in the following weeks. It’s a gripping show from some of the writing and production talent behind the legendary 24, and a great advert for British acting.
Not all adverts are ‘great’, I think we can all agree. But there has been no shortage of corkers (it’s an industry term – trust me). On Friday 17 February at 10pm, a new comedy panel-show takes a closer look at advertising. Think 8 Out of 10 Cats meets Mad Men.
While you’re imagining this, which I admit could be quite tricky, here’s the actual pitch:
Two team captains – comedians Mark Watson and Micky Flanagan – will each be joined by a fellow comedian and an insider from the world of advertising every week. As well as answering questions about ads (good and bad) from over the decades, the teams will be making a few promos of their own…
The Mad Bad Ad Show will be hosted by grizzled Channel 4 veteran Mark Dolan (but doesn’t he hide his grizzle well?). For a look back at Mark’s previous campaigning, try Balls of Steel, The Richard Taylor Interviews and The World’s… and Me.
Watch a short promotional film, advertising the aforementioned programme:
And last, but far from least, another Channel 4 favourite is back on our screens. The second series of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings is here. The brief for Series 2? Simple. More is more!
It arrives, aptly enough, at 9pm on Valentine’s Day. What better way to spend 14 February than in front of the TV? It’s about weddings, so it counts as romantic. (If you didn’t already know, it’s also about very, very large dresses.)
Here’s a look at the first episode, and remember that you can always relive the big days from Series 1 on 4oD here.
