New to Sky’s HD Channels in April

SANDITON | BBC UKTV, 9.30 Mondays from April 6

Veteran period scribe Andrew Davies brings Jane Austen’s unfinished last novel vividly to life. Sanditon’s a place that’s changing fast. This once sleepy fishing village is transforming into a fashionable spa resort. Changing alongside it is the impulsive and unconventional Charlotte Heywood, who swaps her quiet rural home for the intrigues and dalliances of a seaside town on the make. The plot twists and turn as it exposes the hidden agendas of characters whose fortunes depend on Sanditon’s commercial success. People such as the visionary entrepreneur Tom Parker, mixed-race heiress Miss Lambe, and charismatic but complicated Sidney Parker. Follow Charlotte’s journey to discover herself – and find love on her own terms. Rose Williams (Reign), Theo James (Insurgent), Kris Marshall (Death in Paradise) and Anne Reid (Last Tango In Halifax) star.

GREAT AUSTRALIAN RAILWAY JOURNEYS | Living, 7.30 Saturdays from April 4

Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw’s Handbook to the Chief Cities of the World, Michael Portillo will embark on six new railway journeys across spectacular Australia. Known for its natural wonders and vast open spaces, Michael will explore the its monumental landscapes by riding some of the longest passenger trains and the steepest railway in the world. Travelling almost 15,000km around Australia, Michael’s journeys include Canberra to Melbourne, Sydney to Broken Hill, Newcastle to Brisbane, Port Augusta to Darwin, Kuranda to Townsville, and Adelaide to Perth. As he makes his way around the country, he becomes acquainted with its culture and heritage.

CHARLES: 50 YEARS A PRINCE | Living, 7.30 Sundays from April 5

With unprecedented access to celebratory engagements, plus an exclusive interview, this documentary commemorates HRH Prince Charles’ enduring tenure as Prince of Wales with unseen archive and new revelations. Prince Charles became Prince of Wales aged just nine years old, but it was not until 11 years later, in the summer of 1969, that he was formally invested with the title by the Queen in a spectacular ceremony at Caernarfon Castle. The event was watched by half a billion people around the world putting Wales firmly on the global stage. But it was not without controversy as, for some, the celebration also became a moment for nationalist protest. Five decades on, the Prince is now the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history and his affection for the nation and its people is as strong as ever. Around the world he is widely regarded as one of the nation’s greatest ambassadors. In commemoration of this landmark anniversary, ITV has been granted unique access to the Prince at his secluded Welsh home of Llwynywermod, and with the Duchess of Cornwall on their annual Welsh tour, making new friends and reconnecting with people from the Prince’s past.

RICHARD HAMMOND’S BIG | Discovery Channel, 9.25 Mondays from April 13

Buckle up as award-winning British car aficionado, presenter and host, Richard Hammond once again takes viewers on the ride of their lives to spotlight engineering at its finest in Richard Hammond’s BIG. With decades’ worth of knowledge in all things motor, science, adrenaline, engineering and more, he embarks on a global adventure – from the UK to the USA and beyond – to explore the planet’s biggest structures and machines and the incredible ways engineers have supersized our world.

JANE GOODALL: THE HOPE | National Geographic, 6.30 April 22

Highlights Dr. Goodall’s vast legacy of four decades transforming environmentalism, non-human animal welfare and conservation through her innovative approaches, becoming a worldwide icon. This special depicts the formation of the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI’s) “Tacare” community-centred conservation approach and Roots & Shoots youth empowerment program, her remarkable advocacy and leadership on behalf of chimpanzees and humanity, as well as the next chapter for generations to come. This singular story is of one remarkable woman who not only hoped for a better world — she achieved it!  Picking up where National Geographic Documentary Films’ 2017 award-winning Jane left off, the two-hour special follows Goodall throughout her never-ending travels, capturing her relentless commitment and determination to spread a message of hope. The film offers an intimate perspective of Goodall’s pivotal transformation from scientist to inspirational activist and leader in holistic conservation through JGI, and the harrowing obstacles she has faced throughout her remarkable career.

MIDSOMER MURDERTHON | BBC UKTV, from April 10-13

Murder-mystery fans can solve crimes from their living room this Easter Weekend, with four days of programming dedicated to classic whodunit drama, Midsomer Murders. Nothing is what it seems behind the well-trimmed hedges and net curtains of the picturesque cottages in the idyllic county of Midsomer. Beneath the tranquil surface, dark secrets exist – scandals, jealous and downright evil. Indeed – murder and blackmail are surprisingly commonplace amongst the eccentric inhabitants.

SHADES OF BLUE (S2) | Sky 5, 9.30 Wednesdays from April 8

Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta are back for the explosive second season. Detective Harlee Santos (Lopez) is as committed as ever to raising her teenage daughter while continuing to defend her tight-knit squad of corrupt cops, who never hesitate to bypass the law to safeguard their precinct and each other. Having killed her daughter’s father, Harlee must go to great lengths to cover up her tracks. Now that Lt. Wozniak (Liotta) knows she informed for the FBI, Harlee is desperate to prove her loyalty and regain his trust. Meanwhile, Agent Stahl (Warren Kole) and the FBI continue to closely monitor the squad as a former member of Wozniak’s crew (Anna Gunn) runs for mayor.

INDIAN DREAM HOTEL ON TOUR (S3) | Vibe, 8.30 Thursdays from April 9

The stars of The Indian Dream Hotel on Tour will be heading to Russia, Argentina, Vietnam and Mexico for more global adventures where they seek out the key elements to a happy retirement. In Buenos Aires the group attends a late-night tango event, while in the humid city of Hanoi, they cool off with an afternoon dip at local swimming clubs and experience the famous Red River. Each episode will feature different celebrities, including Miriam Margolyes, Bobby George, Sheila Ferguson, Stanley Johnson, Wayne Sleep, Paul Nicholas, Jan Leeming, Rosemary Shrager, Stephanie Beacham, Syd Little, Janet and Ian Tough.

SHUT-INS: CONTINUES | Vibe, 9.40 Thursdays from April 9

Follows three new severely morbidly obese people struggling to regain control of their lives. Health care options for this group of people is limited – and they’ve gone past the point where dieting and exercise is a viable option. At the root of their weight problem is often a psychological issue and without help, the outlook is grim. The three shut-ins will work closely with leading bariatric surgeons and specialist psychologists to help radically change their food preparation habits. Inevitably there will be periods of progress and elation, but dark days too when the fight to shed weight will feel like an impossible task.

BACK TO THE TITANIC | National Geographic, 7.30 April 14

A team of experts use a specially equipped sub to capture and build the most accurate model of the Titanic wreck and shed new light on her demise.

GOLD RUSH: WHITE WATER (S3) | Discovery Channel, 7.30 Thursdays from April 9

Gold Rush: White Water is gold mining at its most extreme as the Dakota boys, led by father and son team Fred and Dustin Hurt, return to risk it all to unearth millions in gold by diving in the raging white water of creeks in the Alaskan wilderness. Last season the crew reached their limit at their McKinley Creek dive site and moved their operations to new mining sites on Cahoon Creek, 2,000 feet high up the remote Chilkat Mountains in southeast Alaska. Now for the first time in 10 years, father and son are splitting up and working on separate claims to double their chances of striking it rich. But the higher up they go, the more dangerous it gets. As they head deeper into the hostile Alaskan wilderness, they’ll risk their lives battling hungry bears, falling rocks and boulders, and raging currents, searching for a monster payday.

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! | Discovery Channel, 8.30 Sundays from April 26

Bruce Campbell (Ash vs Evil Dead) reveals even more of the world’s wonders and astonishing real-life stories in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Look at the stranger side of human history in the series that unearths the people, places and events that make our world more colourful and more interesting. Meet the natural born thrillers with the gift to dazzle audiences, hyper-driven people who push themselves to the brink, and people who aren’t afraid to test the limits, push boundaries and skirt the edge of sanity.