The Peoples Joker

Before the war in Ukraine, Mariupol was a thriving city, home to 430,000 people. In a little under three months, most of its citizens had fled Putin's army and thousands had been killed. This Panorama special, filmed and told by residents, is the story of their loss, bravery, determination, and incredible daring in making their escape. They were among those who sought refuge in the Mariupol Theatre, only for it to be bombed, the maternity hospital which was also hit and the Azovstal Steelworks, where hundreds hid in bunkers and Ukrainian forces made their last stand.

David Olusoga explores the 400-year history of the public space in London's West End, which has been a market, a meeting place and a site of protest, performance and renewal. Telling the story of the piazza from its early years as a playground for the aristocracy, through decline and dereliction to eventual rebirth, the programme weaves archive material with virtual production techniques to bring to life the history of this renowned civic space.

How the invention of writing gave humanity a history. From hieroglyphs to emojis, an exploration of the way in which the technology of writing has shaped the world we live in.

Now in its 2nd Season, the story of archaeology fascinates both laymen and professionals. In these installments we accompany Ernst Herzfeld on his last expedition to Persepolis in 1923; we travel to Mexico with the man who cracked the code of the Aztec calendar; we visit the greatest pre-industrial city on earth at Angkor; we join Isidoro Falchi as he discovers proof of the existence of the Etruscans; and we watch Alfred Merlin found the discipline of marine archaeology when he discovers shipwrecks in the Mediterranean..

One man transfixed television viewers during snooker's golden age - Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins. This poignant documentary charts the remarkable rise and fall of the snooker genius, from his early days growing up in Belfast to his climb to the top of the sport as two-time world champion. Higgins was pure showbiz, a mercurial talent at the table who played the game like nobody had done before. Boxing had Muhammad Ali, football was blessed by George Best - snooker had Alex Higgins. Yet like Best, Higgins's brilliance was flawed by his demons.

To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the BBC and the Royal British Legion honour and celebrate the Second World War generation in a programme featuring recollections from some those who remember this historic day. Popular songs of the era are performed by stars including Katherine Jenkins, Adrian Lester, Anton Du Beke, Beverley Knight, Helen George, Sharon D Clarke, Shane Richie and Emma Barton. In a fitting finale at 9.00, the nation is asked to unite for a very special rendition of We'll Meet Again, as a gesture of thanks to the veterans and in memory of lost loved ones. Presented by Sophie Raworth.

In order to immunise the Peoples Republic of China against bourgeois restoration Mao Zedong embarked on the "Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution" in 1966. This was mainly directed against intellectuals. Up to 1976 the whole country was plunged into destructive chaos, shaking the country’s social foundations. The Cultural Revolution is considered today as a "grave left-wing mistake" for which Mao Zedong was responsible.

Andrew O'Hagan asks what made Robert Burns one of the world's favourite poets, as Scotland celebrates the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of its most famous sons. He travels through the landscape of modern Scotland in a poetic journey to the places that inspired Burns and to discover the story of his wild and dramatic life.

Are the self-sufficient couple how members of the royal family should be?

This is the story of ordinary LGBTQ people and their extraordinary lives, loves and struggles over the last 50 years. Presented by Stephen K Amos and Susan Calman.