This Zoom-In profiles Alison O'Donnell — the Scottish actress who has played Tosh McIntosh on Shetland since season one, and who announced in June 2026 that season 11 will be her last. We go beyond the badge: her Motherwell roots, the law degree she abandoned, the Edinburgh Fringe play that changed her life, and what it's actually like to film a hit BBC drama while raising two kids.

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Today’s episode is a character study of one of Britain’s favorite TV detectives, DS Ronnie Brooks from Law & Order: UK. He's a street cop at heart with a life story very much like a regular man. In this episode, Michael T looks at what makes Brooks work, his compassion for victims, his bond with partner Matt Devlin, and how his damaged soul affects his police work.

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Rosamund Pike has built a career on precision and power. From Bond intrigue to literary drama and high fantasy. This episode traces her journey from musical beginnings in London to Oxford scholarship and global acclaim, highlighting performances in Gone Girl, A Private War, I Care a Lot, and The Wheel of Time. With wit, intellect, and emotional control, Pike continues to defy expectations, choosing roles that challenge her and stories that matter.

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British TV fans, there's a whole region of the world making television with the same DNA you love. Australia and New Zealand are Commonwealth nations with deep storytelling roots. From the cozy Kiwi charm of The Brokenwood Mysteries to the patient beauty of Darby and Joan, from the sharp wit of Lucy Lawless in My Life is Murder to the brutal outback drama of RFDS. Here’s your guide to what you've been missing from Australia and New Zealand.

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This week's Zoom-In focuses on John Simm. He's one of the most versatile actors working in British television today, with a career spanning more than three decades. From his early days in northern England to the stage, the screen, and everything in between, John Simm has built a body of work that's impossible to ignore. In this episode, we look at the full picture. The roles, the life, and the person behind them.

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Father Brown has been a hit TV show since 2013. Over 140 episodes and it’s still going. But something changed along the way. The early show was about life in Kembleford — and a crime that interrupted it. Now the crime is the whole point, and the people around Father Brown are paying the price. Today I'm talking about the characters who made this show great — Mrs McCarthy, Mallory, Sid, Bunty, Lady Felicia — and why their replacements haven't filled those shoes yet. Father Brown still has what it takes. I just want it to remember where it came from.

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In this week’s Zoom‑In, we spotlight Suranne Jones—one of British television’s most fearless and versatile talents. From Coronation Street to Scott & Bailey, Doctor Foster, and Gentleman Jack, she’s redefined what complex female characters can look like on screen. We trace her journey from Oldham Theatre Workshop to BAFTA acclaim, exploring how personal resilience and creative risk‑taking shaped her craft. Whether she’s commanding a crime scene or a 19th‑century estate, Jones brings emotional truth to every role. Settle in for a thoughtful look at the artist who keeps British drama bold, human, and unforgettable.

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Call the Midwife is a show that makes viewers cry. In this episode, Michael explores why this BBC period drama set in London's East End earns every single emotional moment it delivers. From the thalidomide storyline to the death of a cast member, from Chummy's last moments with her mother to Sister Monica Joan appearing quietly at someone's darkest hour, this episode makes the case for deep-feeling television. Call the Midwife is all about great, emotional storytelling.

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