This week, we have two words which should get any drama fan excited, and they are 'Sherwood final'. There's also a Channel 5 thriller which will inevitably divide people, and the return of a Channel 4 fave. Read on for more...

We're not quite at the plentiful trough of winter TV yet... That comes the week after with the launch of Strictly Come Dancing, My Mum, You Dad, The Wives, and Nightsleeper. But this week ain't bad at all...

Here are tvguide.co.uk's top picks for the week.

Sherwood finale on BBC and BBC iPlayer (Monday, September 09, 2024 at 9pm)

Sherwood series 1 was one of the best drama series of 2022. And, while Sherwood series 2 arguably hasn't quite lived up to its predecessor, it's still a cracking series, with some insanely good performances. Not least from Monica Dolan as the grieving but vindictive Ann Branson, and Oliver Huntingdon as the truly unhinged Ryan Bottomley.

Episode 5 airs in Sunday, with the finale - episode 6 - following on Monday. In the final episode, the Sparrows are on the warpath and Ann is their target. It's threatening to be one hell of a showdown.

Special mention to Grace, too, another well-cast murder mystery which continues on Sunday, September 08, 2024 on ITV1 and ITV iPlayer. This week, the team investigates when an unidentified murder victim is found left out in the open countryside in curious circumstances.

The Teacher on Channel 5 and My5 (Monday, September 09, 2024 at 9pm)

Our biggest guilty pleasure on TV is undoubtedly a Channel 5 thriller (preferably streamed over four nights like this one). It's highly unlikely they'll ever win a BAFTA, but they are entertaining, and usually have a pretty impressive cast.

The Teacher is EXACTLY what you want from a thriller - it's easy on the eye, preposterous at times, and frankly good fun.

The first series aired in 2022 with Sheridan Smith in the lead. This time, it's a whole new plot following Dani (Kara Tointon), a teacher who loves her job.

She a mentor and inspiration to her students. However, when she lets her personal life get in the way of her job, her reputation suffers. Dani begins an impulsive affair with a fellow colleague. But, when a pupil goes missing on a school trip, Dani rightly blames herself for being too easily distracted.

The show airs over four nights, starting on Monday, and concluding on Thursday.

Waterloo Road on BBC1 and iPlayer (Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 9pm)

Waterloo Road is back with series 14, just in time for the new school year.

This time, there are some new faces, including comedian Jason Manford as new headteacher Steve Savage. And, let's hope he doesn't go too near any bunsen burners, as he's rather partial to some industrial-strength hairspray.

As series 14 kicks off, there are the usual teething problems as the students and teachers of Waterloo Road attempt to find their feet. However, a chain of unfortunate circumstances and one bad choice turns lives into chaos and has tragic repercussions for everyone at the school.

There's a reason this series has such a fanbase. It's topical, relatable, and successfully blends comedy and drama - just like real life.

Gogglebox on Channel 4 (Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9pm)

Gogglebox is on its 24th series, which speaks for itself. The usual armchair critics return this Friday, to review the past week's TV shows.

Channel 4 never reveals what shows will be included beforehand, and don't provide preview copies, but it's a successful format that is far from tired.

The National Television Awards 2024 on ITV1 and ITVX (Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 8pm)

Okay, so it knocks the schedules into chaos (can anyone else hear the collective sign of millions of Corrie fans?), but who doesn't love an awards show?

And this is THE ceremony for TV fans. Forget the BAFTAS, these are the awards voted for by The People (us!). Joel Dommett hosts the 29th National Television Awards live from the O2 London, while TV stars including Vicky McClure, Jessica Gunning and Toby Jones will gather for the ceremony.

Here at tvguide.co.uk, we're rooting for Baby Reindeer, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and The Traitors.

Slow Horses on Apple TV+ (Wednesday, September 11, 2024)

The Metro recently described Slow Horses as "the show that should be bigger than Line of Duty", and we couldn't agree more.

This current series 4 of the spy thriller with a brain is arguably the best season yet. The series started last week, with a terror attack at a central London shopping attack.

This week's second episode continues to unravel the plot. Although it's tricky to say more without any spoilers, suffice to say that Gary Oldman's Jackson Lamb is one of the most watchable and compelling characters on TV. We wouldn't want to be stuck in a lift with him, obviously but, hell, we'd trade a kidney for his brain.

Come back to tvguide.co.uk next week for the best TV to watch the week after