TV previews: Accused | Who Do You Think You Are?

PICK OF THE WEEK Accused

BBC1, Tuesday, 9pm

A cabbie squints into his rear-view mirror – electric blue minidress, Tammy Wynette hair, fantastic boobs – and asks: “Who got you ready, luv, Stevie Wonder?” Now we’re in a bar; it’s full of beery lads. “Jesus,” says the host. “Tracie, actually,” answers the blonde, “and I’ll have a Multiple Orgasm.” “On the rocks?” “Wherever, darling, I’m easy.” Then the heckling starts. The woman stands her ground, even taunting the men about their obviously confused sexuality, until Stephen Graham comes to the rescue in another cab. Welcome to the other world of English teacher Simon Gaskell (Sean Bean), who’s transvestite Tracie Tremarco by night. He/she unwittingly becomes involved in a triangular love affair in the first of a new series of Accused from Jimmy McGovern, Britain’s best dramatist.

BEST FACTUAL

Who Do You Think You Are?

BBC1, Wednesday, 9pm

“My own past was fractured,” says Samantha Womack. “My parents split up when I was six and I was always the new girl – Wales, Scotland, London – so I don’t really know who I am. I want to have a history, to know where that line has come from.” Sounds like the actress is an ideal candidate for this returning series, even if she does lay it on a bit soapy thick.

BEST COMEDY

Bad Education

BBC3, Tuesday, 10pm

A gangly fellow slouches into the playground. “Every morning – off!” barks teacher Michelle Gomez, yanking at his hoodie. But this is a teacher too: Jack Whitehall, so funny in Fresh Meat, who’s written this school-set comedy, which will hopefully be his own star vehicle. Good to see Gomez back and also Sarah Solemani from Him & Her, who plays another teacher.

TV previews: Accused | Who Do You Think You Are? | Bad Education