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'Doctor Who', 'Showtrial' and 'Strictly': The weekend's best TV, 29-31 October

The weekend's best TV sees the return of 'Doctor Who'. (BBC)
The weekend's best TV sees the return of 'Doctor Who'. (BBC)

The weekend's TV kicks off with a particularly starry line-up on The Graham Norton Show and then continues on Saturday with the ever-popular Halloween-themed episode of Strictly Come Dancing.

Long-awaited sci-fi returns on Saturday with the 13th series of Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker's final run as the Time Lord.

Read more: Halloween horrors - the best scary TV this weekend

Must-see drama includes period-set mystery Vienna Blood on Friday, and new crime drama Showtrial and the latest episode of thriller Angela Black on Sunday.

There's also the launch of new animal-themed magazine show The Pet Show on Sunday, hosted by Dermot O'Leary and Joanna Page.

The weekend's best TV, 29-31 October, 2021

Friday

Vienna Blood - BBC Two - 9pm

This period drama actually launched last year, but it's being repeated in the lead-up to season two and is definitely worth a watch.

In 1900s Vienna, a young English doctor studying under Sigmund Freud meets a detective struggling with a murder case and offers his services in deciphering the killer's motivations.

The Graham Norton Show - BBC One - 10.35pm

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 23: Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during an early vote rally for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on October 23, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. People are heading to the polls in New Jersey for early voting as Murphy faces Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)
Barack Obama is on the chat show guest list. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)

Tonight's chat show has an even more impressively starry line-up than usual as former US President Barack Obama and his co-author on a new book, Bruce Springsteen, grace the couch.

Norton also interviews Dame Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Salma Hayek and Tinie Tempah, as Jesy Nelson performs.

Saturday

Strictly Come Dancing - BBC One - 7.10pm

'Strictly' is bringing Halloween week back. (BBC)
'Strictly' is bringing Halloween week back. (BBC)

The dance contest's annual Halloween episode gets the party started on Saturday as couples perform spooky-themed routines in some of the series' best costumes.

Look out for Judi Love's return from COVID isolation, John Whaite's Quickstep, and Sara Davies' couple's choice routine.

Sunday

Doctor Who - BBC One - 6.25pm

'Doctor Who' returns for series 13. (BBC)
'Doctor Who' returns for series 13. (BBC)

The long-awaited series 13 finally debuts this weekend, beginning with a Halloween episode.

Flex will be a new concept in the rebooted Whoniverse as the series spans one long story, with the addition of a new companion played by John Bishop.

Read more: Doctor Who season 13 - All you need to know

It's Jodie Whittaker's last series as the Doctor before a new Time Lord is announced and former writer Russell T Davies returns with them.

The Pet Show - ITV - 6pm

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The Pet Show Ep1 on ITV and ITV Hub

Pictured: Hosts Dermot O'Leary and Joanna Page.

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Dermot O'Leary and Joanna Page host 'The Pet Show'. (ITV)

Dermot O'Leary and Joanna Page front this new teatime show celebrating our love of animals.

With expert advice from vets and plenty of cute photos and videos of viewers' pets, as well as some animal guests, it's a must for pet lovers.

Angela Black - ITV - 9pm

Joanne Froggatt stars in 'Angela Black'. (ITV)
Joanne Froggatt stars in 'Angela Black'. (ITV)

The Williams brothers' latest thriller continues tonight as Angela (Joanne Froggatt) seeks therapy to adjust to the changes in her life.

Her sessions reveal how long Olivier's abuse has been going on and Angela struggles with some of the details investigator Ed told her about her husband.

Showtrial - BBC One - 9pm

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 11/08/2021 - Programme Name: Showtrial - TX: 06/08/2021 - Episode: Showtrial - first look (No. n/a) - Picture Shows:  Talitha (CELINE BUCKENS), Cleo (TRACY IFEACHOR) - (C) World Productions - Photographer: Joss Barrett
The crime drama follows a missing student case. (World Productions/Joss Barrett)

This new crime drama follows an investigation into a working class student who has gone missing, and her wealthy classmate who is arrested in connection with the case.

Detectives are concerned by their suspect's lack of empathy and a discovery about the missing student changes the nature of the case.

Watch: Could Matt Smith reprise Doctor Who role? 'You never know!'