Today I'm reminding you of the two epic programmes that are airing this week on the telly, starting with new TV movie version of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM which airs tomorrow at BBC One! Starring John Hannah, Maxine Peake, Matt Lucas and Nonso Anozie it is set in the tyrannical court of Athens, where the pitiless dictator Theseus plans his wedding to Hippolyta, a prisoner of war, and young Hermia is sentenced to death by her own father. Meanwhile, in the town below, amateur theatre group the Mechanicals rehearse, with all their comic rivalries. And beyond Athens, in the wild woods, dark forces are stirring...

Also debuting tomorrow simultaneously at  History, A&E and Lifetime in four consecutive nights is the new mini series version of ROOTS! The $50 million eight hour saga is a historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship! WithMalachi Kirby playing the lead role of Kunta Kinte, the star studded cast also includes Jonathan Rhys Meyers (as a merciless slave owner), Laurence Fishburne (as "Roots" author Alex Haley), James Purefoy (a tobacco plantation owner who buys Kunta Kinte), Mehki Phifer (as a mute farm slave) and Matthew Goode (as Dr. William Waller who is more benign toward slaves)!