Evening television lineup: our top picks for Thursday, July 31, featuring The Gone season 2 premiere
In the realm of television, there's always something new and exciting to explore. This week, we're diving into three captivating shows: "The Gone", a gripping crime drama; "Leanne", a heartwarming US comedy; and "Dragons' Den", the beloved business show.
"The Gone", airing on BBC2 at 9 pm, offers a unique blend of Irish and New Zealand themes in a tense and atmospheric crime drama. The show, available as a box set on BBC iPlayer, stars Richard Flood as Irish detective Theo Richter and Acushla-Tara Kupe as New Zealand detective Diana Huia. They are investigating mysterious disappearances in a rural New Zealand town[2][4].
Reviews for "The Gone" have been generally positive, with viewers praising its engaging story, strong acting, and beautiful scenery. The show's well-paced, tense narrative and edge-of-the-seat twists have also been commended[1][4]. However, some critiques mention that the show’s format can be somewhat disjointed, mixing elements of horror, teen drama, and noir crime, which may affect coherence for some viewers[5].
Season 2 of "The Gone" premiered on July 31, 2025, continuing from the cliffhanger ending of season 1, with the detectives pursuing new leads in a tense search for a missing investigative journalist and a serial killer called "the Goatman"[2][4].
Meanwhile, "Leanne", a US comedy, stars Leanne Morgan as a resilient matriarch navigating menopause, grandchildren, and dating after her husband leaves her. The show, unfortunately, is not available on BBC iPlayer. The characters in "Leanne" include Leanne Morgan's family, who are described as loving but unfiltered[6].
For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, "Dragons' Den" on BBC1 at 8 pm is the place to be. Tonight's hopefuls include a virtual gifting app and T-shirts for neurodivergent people. The show features intrepid entrepreneurs pitching their unique selling points and Q1 turnover to the Dragons, including Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett[3].
Lastly, "Saving Lives at Sea" is a docuseries airing on BBC2 at 8 pm, showcasing the invaluable work of the RNLI and their lifeboat crews around the UK. The series features real footage from the crews' own cameras, showcasing poignant stories and superb supporting cast members. In one episode, a child is blown out to sea in a rubber dinghy off the coast of Anglesey, and in another, the Dover crew faces a desperate situation as they go to the aid of a capsized small boat crossing the Channel[1].
"Saving Lives at Sea" airs on BBC2 and is not related to the show "The Gone" or "Dragons' Den". Each of these shows offers a unique and captivating viewing experience, catering to various tastes and interests. Tune in and enjoy the ride!
- If you're intrigued by tense, atmospheric crime dramas, you might want to watch "The Gone" on BBC2 at 9 pm, which combines Irish and New Zealand themes and stars Richard Flood and Acushla-Tara Kupe.
- Despite some critiques about its disjointed format, "The Gone" has received generally positive reviews for its engaging story, strong acting, and beautiful scenery.
- For those who prefer laughter, "Leanne", a US comedy series, is not available on BBC iPlayer, but stars Leanne Morgan as a resilient matriarch navigating menopause, grandchildren, and dating.
- Don't forget to catch "Dragons' Den" on BBC1 at 8 pm, where entrepreneurs pitch their innovative ideas to the Dragons, including Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett.
