TelevisionBanished

Don't miss tonight's episode of Banished - on BBC 2 at 9pm. Catch up with previous episodes on BBC iPlayer.

With James (Russell Tovey) vanished into the bush the attention of Jimmy McGovern’s claustrophobic saga about the first (very reluctant) European settlers focuses on Ewen Bremner’s vicar and his attempt to build a church, and Ross (Joseph Millson) getting his revenge on Kitty for spurning his advances. Or as the gallant Major puts it: “I will not be humiliated by a whore.”

TV Guide has shared a new photo of Joseph as Major Ross and a synopsis for episode 5 of banished, due to air on Thursday 2nd April. 

The bedraggled, starving convicts and power-crazed guards of the penal colony are all equal in the face of a common enemy: nature itself. This week that's made horribly clear when a hapless guard falls victim to an exotic predator in the bush, proving that nobody is safe in this unfamiliar terrain. Major Ross employs the services of the camp's scribe, Letters Molloy, to write a letter to the dead man’s parents informing them of his demise (with the facts rewritten to make the soldier into a glorious war hero, naturally). Meanwhile, an illicit game of cards has dramatic consequences for more than one, and Anne Meredith continues to secretly counsel the grieving Mary – but what might the convict's endgame be?

Broadcast Now shared an infographic for the consolidated viewing figures for Banished episode 1.

The See-Saw Films / RSJ Films epic launched with the third biggest audience for any BBC2 drama opener since 2012 after it added 1m consolidated viewers.

RSJ Films shared a new clip for this week's episode, which airs on Thursday 9pm on BBC 2.

Photographer Garry Lake shared these gorgeous new photos of Joseph on Twitter last night, and the Independent posted a lovely review for one of Joseph's scenes in episode 3. 

There’s no doubt Banished is heavy on plot (tonight we had the holy trinity of fighting, pregnancy and a suicide attempt), and there are enough Things Going On to stop us changing channels, but it works best when the strong cast and heavyweight writer are allowed the breathing space to work their magic.

Tonight's episode of Banished are the TV picks for Digital Spy and The Guardian, with has a great preview from The Guardian today.