This Week's TV: Telly's latest lavish period drama

LONDON, ENGLAND, September 23, 2010

Penned by Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes, the heir to Downton Abbey is killed on the Titanic and the new heir is completely inappropriate - with the aristocratic family's matriarch Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, particularly horrified. The seven-part drama also follows the lives of the servants. The cast includes Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern as the Earl and Countess of Grantham, Dame Maggie Smith as Violet, while Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, and Rob James-Collier are among those playing the servants. 'You realise how magnificent a time that was, with the simplicity of life and the grandeur,' says Hugh.

Also in this week's TV Choice, Wild At Heart's Stephen Tompkinson brings crime writer Peter Robinson's DCI Alan Banks to life, and Alan Davies chats about Whites, his comedy about a short-tempered chef having a midlife crisis.

Strictly Come Dancing returns, as does Martin Shaw in Inspector George Gently. Michel Roux Jr is back with MasterChef: The Professionals, and comic Rhod Gilbert gets his own show. Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine star in a spoof documentary, and there are more whacky inventions in Genius With Dave Gorman.

In the soaps, will David force himself on Tina in Corrie? Newly wed Janine demands a divorce and clashes with Stacey in EastEnders, while jailed Ryan gets intimate with his prison officer in Emmerdale. Brendan mugs Rhys in Hollyoaks, and Immie is smitten with Giovanni in Doctors. Chris reveals he's gay in Home And Away, and evil Penn makes a confession in Home And Away.

There's also a VIP London break to see Dreamboats And Petticoats to be won in this week's TV Choice competition.

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