Irish television is set to deliver a diverse lineup of new shows this week, ranging from documentaries to dramas, offering something for every viewer. Among the highlights is a two-part documentary series that examines into the life of Larry Goodman, known as Ireland’s beef baron. Goodman, whose meat-processing empire has dominated Irish agriculture for decades, faced scrutiny in the early 1990s when the government set up a tribunal to investigate allegations of corruption in the beef industry, focusing particularly on his company, Goodman International.

The Rise and Fall of a Beef Baron

The documentary series charts Goodman’s journey through controversy, negative publicity, and near-bankruptcy, ultimately showing how he rebuilt his empire and retained his unofficial title as Ireland’s biggest beef baron. Goodman, now 89, has largely stepped back from his active roles in the business, which includes property and private healthcare, generating about €2.5 billion a year. His story is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity.

Meanwhile, Queen’s University is celebrating its big anniversary with a musical gala concert featuring Alfie Boe and the Ulster Orchestra. The event, recorded at the university’s Whitla Hall and presented by Kerri Quinn, will include performances by a range of artists, including Van Morrison, who will be the subject of a special tribute. Current and former students will also contribute to the celebration.

Channel 4’s Bizarre Social Experiment

Channel 4 continues its tradition of unique programming with a new social experiment where 18 people are handcuffed to strangers and must handle daily life together. The show, presented by Jonathan Ross, features a mix of personalities, including a polite 60-year-old millionaire paired with a sweary 37-year-old barmaid, and a feminist businesswoman matched with an alpha-male property developer. The challenge is to see which of the nine pairs will last the pace.

RTÉ is also set to air a new series of Home of the Year, following the passing of its charismatic presenter, Hugh Wallace. The series, which Wallace completed before his death, will feature Amanda Bone and Siobhan Lam, along with a new batch of homeowners competing to be crowned home of the year. Later this spring, RTÉ will air the new series of The Great House Revival in honor of Wallace’s legacy.

Restoring a Historic Estate

A new series will follow a team of farmers as they restore a 12-acre patch of land in Waterford’s historic walled garden at Curraghmore estate. The team must clear overgrowth, assess soil quality, and repair infrastructure before planting seeds and growing a variety of food. The challenge will test their skills and decision-making as they work to transform the neglected land into a thriving farm.

In a powerful documentary, Molly vs the Machines explores the impact of social media algorithms on young lives. The film tells the true story of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who took her own life after being caught in an algorithmic spiral. Her father, Ian Russell, is fighting to hold social media giants accountable for the role their platforms played in his daughter’s tragic death.

With the current U.S. administration’s hostility towards Europe, a documentary series by journalist Katya Adler will examine whether Europe can go it alone. The series will explore how European countries are adapting to this new world order, starting with visits to Italy and Germany, where she meets paratroopers on a NATO exercise and visits a Volkswagen factory.

Chef Eva Pau returns with a new series of her cookery show, blending Western and Asian cuisines. The series will feature recipes from China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Korea, offering viewers a chance to brighten their spring with vibrant Asian cooking. Pau will share easy-to-follow recipes for quick dinners, comfort food, and weekend feasts using accessible ingredients.

Suranne Jones stars as British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton in an explosive political thriller. The series, which first aired on Netflix, features Julie Delpy as the visiting French president, Vivienne Toussaint. The story follows Abigail as she faces an impossible choice when her husband is abducted, forcing her to consider stepping down as PM to save his life.

Finally, Guy Ritchie returns to the world of Sherlock Holmes with Young Sherlock, an origin story of the famed detective. The series stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin as a young Sherlock handling Victorian London, taking on his first murder case and finding himself on the wrong side of the law more often than not.