This week’s television highlights offer a diverse selection spanning drama, comedy, documentaries, sports, and film, catering to a broad range of viewer interests.

Sky Atlantic debuts *The Five-Star Weekend*, an adaptation of Elin Hilderbrand’s novel. Starring Jennifer Garner as Hollis, a grieving food blogger, the series follows her hosting a weekend gathering in Nantucket, drawing a varied group of friends into a mix of tension and hinted turmoil. While the series features appealing visuals and a strong cast including Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, D’Arcy Carden, and Gemma Chan, critics note it lacks emotional depth.

BBC1 presents *Ann Droid*, a topical comedy about robots caring for the elderly. Created and led by Diane Morgan (as the deadpan robot Linda) alongside Sarah Kendall, the show explores themes of grief and loneliness with a light touch. Linda is assigned to care for widow Sue (Sue Johnston) when her son Michael (Paul Ready) shirks responsibility, resulting in an unlikely but touching friendship.

Music fans can tune into *Top of the Pops: The Story of 2001* on BBC Two, which revisits a transformative year in pop music marked by highlights such as Kylie Minogue’s enduring hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and the chart-topping success of Shaggy. Comedian Mel Giedroyc narrates a singalong retrospective that captures the era’s cultural highlights.

Netflix continues its drama offerings with *Heartstopper Forever* (July 17), the conclusion to Alice Oseman’s acclaimed series about two boys navigating their relationship through secondary school and beyond. The film condenses Charlie’s final year while addressing adolescence, identity, and angst with sensitivity. Meanwhile, *The Hawk* (Netflix, July 16) stars Will Ferrell as a once-top golfer attempting a comeback, blending comedy with reflections on aging and loss.

MGM+ releases *The Westies* on July 12, a stark drama about a violent 1970s Irish gang operating in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. J.K. Simmons portrays the gang’s leader, Eamon Sweeney, caught between a ruthless lifestyle and a desire for quiet. The series explores the tension between old and new criminal orders.

ITVX offers *The Shannara Chronicles* (July 12), a fantasy series featuring Austin Butler and Ivana Baquero, though critics dismiss the storyline as weak despite its notable creative team.

On ITV1, food enthusiasts can follow Tom Kerridge’s culinary journey in *Tom Kerridge Cooks Italy* at 7:30 p.m., exploring Italian regions and their artisanal produce. Additionally, the channel premieres the eight-part drama *The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox* at 9 p.m., chronicling the 2007 murder case in Italy and the wrongful imprisonment and eventual exoneration of Knox, who serves as an executive producer alongside Monica Lewinsky.

Sports coverage continues with the Nations Championship rugby matches on ITV1, featuring Argentina versus England at 8:10 p.m., alongside earlier games including New Zealand versus Ireland and South Africa versus Wales.

Film broadcasts include the visually inventive animated feature *Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse* on BBC Three at 7:15 p.m., celebrated for its dynamic animation and multiple Spider-Man incarnations. Later, BBC One airs the comedy *My Old Ass* at 11:35 p.m., starring Maisy Stella and Aubrey Plaza in a story about youth, self-discovery, and confronting the future.

Classic film enthusiasts can catch the 1953 Western *The Naked Spur* on 5ACTION at 5:10 p.m., starring James Stewart in a darker role as he hunts a fugitive through the Rockies, accompanied by rich psychological themes.

History programming includes Dan Snow’s *The Odyssey* on Channel 5 at 9 p.m., a reenactment of Homer’s epic journey blending historical insight with experiential storytelling.

Lastly, the Proms concert series opens on BBC Two at 7 p.m., featuring an energetic program conducted by the violinist and actor Nick Mohammed, highlighting works by Copland, Gershwin, and Ravel.

Netflix’s *The East Palace* offers a lavish new eight-part Korean series blending historical drama with supernatural themes, following palace intrigue and a ghost whisperer wielding a demon sword amid a neo-Confucian royal setting, mixing K-pop aesthetics with occult elements.

Overall, this week’s programming presents a mix of new dramas, comedies, documentaries, and sports coverage, reflecting a broad cultural and entertainment spectrum.