True North - Episode Guide

Mickey McGuigan examines the traditional worlds of folklore and magic that still have purchase in modern-day Northern Ireland.

Self-confessed nerd Ed Byrne lands in Northern Ireland to discover a dedicated community of people who enjoy comic books and movies so much they transform themselves into superheroes for fun.

Revealing documentary following a Belfast strippogram agency and its performers – including their most popular act, Balaclava Woman.

Dame Kelly Holmes explores the rise of parkrun and the mental health benefits of running, in the build-up to the launch of a new run in Northern Ireland.

Steven McGonigal has abandoned a career in the world of finance to pursue a childhood ambition - to become a professional rabbit catcher.

An intimate glimpse into an East Belfast weight-loss class and the lives of a group of people determined to shed a few pounds.

Is dementia the end? Or can life still be worth living? Bangor barber Lenny White cuts the hair of men with dementia and offers them his unique form of therapy.

The Cullen family have been bringing all the fun of the fair to people's doorsteps since 1860. True North looks at this unique way of life and explores whether it is in danger of becoming extinct or if the next generation of Cullens can keep the family tradition alive.

Sixty-year-old Shirley sets out on an epic journey to row 3,000 miles unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean while her sister, Evelyn, battles a rare incurable cancer back home in Northern Ireland.

Documentary about living with HIV in Northern Ireland through the experience of Matthew and his drag queen persona Cherrie Ontop. Have attitudes changed and is a cure on the cards?

An intimate portrait of caravan life on the Ards Peninsula, telling the personal stories of those who leave their problems behind in the city and flock to their home from home by the seaside.

True North: Lagan Dragons tells the personal stories behind the women who paddle their way to health after having had breast cancer.

The women in a Belfast bingo hall hope their final number will come up and land them the big win. And with prize money in four figures, tonight the house is going to be a full!

Janine Howard prepares to fulfil her dream of getting married. Her life has been a struggle as one side of her face has been disfigured by a flesh-eating bacterial infection. After suffering frequent verbal insults, does she feel that beauty is only skin deep?

Soul Singers follows the journey of members of the Belfast Community Gospel Choir as they prepare for their annual winter concert, exploring choir members' stories.

From big hairdos to online dress disasters, lavish limos to mahogany spray-on tans, the school prom has become an essential and expensive rite of passage for teenagers in Northern Ireland. How far will teens go to achieve the perfect evening? And who will be their dream date?

Amy-Mae Dolan lives and breathes Irish dancing but has she got what it takes to be the female lead in a special 25th anniversary performance of hit show Riverdance?

Although Libby only took up powerlifting as a hobby two years before competing, she has won medals for Northern Ireland and Team GB at Commonwealth, European and world level.

Fast-paced documentary looking at the lives of the children who dream of becoming the next generation of motorcycle stars, and the families who juggle nerves and excitement as they support these young riders.

Featuring children aged 6-14 racing at speeds of up to 135mph, this action-packed film gives a personal insight into a sporting culture that is unique to Northern Ireland.

At the centre of the action is eight-year-old Max, son of racing superstar Paul Robinson, one of Ireland's most decorated racers. Max takes part in the Bam Bam class for children aged 6-10. His determination on the track and fearless attitude has meant that despite his age, some people are already comparing him to his great-uncle, the legendary Joey Dunlop.

Standing in Max's way is nine-year-old Paige from County Tyrone, who is part of a new wave of girls who want to be involved in the sport. Paige is determined to beat her male rivals and follow in the footsteps of her 11-year-old brother Lewis, who has overcome disappointment to be picked for a top UK team, and is tipped for future stardom.

Also featured is rising star Peter. from County Antrim. During filming, he had his first major accident while racing, and we follow his recovery and return to the track. Aged just 13, he races in the British Talent Cup and hopes one day to race at the highest level.

The families also discuss the dangers of the sport they love and the unthinkable consequences of an accident.

Top Dog looks under the fur of Northern Ireland's competitive dog show circuit. We meet some of the country's most fanatical pet owners and find out what it takes to turn a pampered pup into a prize pooch.

Passion for all things four-wheeled as told through the eyes of five car-crazy young women. From ‘drifting' to showing and spending thousands on pimping and modifying their motors, we show how these cars are an extension of the women's freedom, independence and personality. We meet some of them preparing for the biggest motoring show in the country, while one of the women faces a tough emotional career decision about returning to competition driving.

In an East Belfast bridal shop that caters exclusively for plus-size brides, Rebecca Bryson is on a mission to promote body positivity as she helps brides overcome their nerves and find their dream wedding dress.

Rebecca and her mum Lynn came up with the idea for the boutique after Rebecca struggled to find a dress she liked in her size when shopping for her own wedding dress. It was an experience that left her feeling embarrassed, and she decided that other women should not have to face the same dilemma. This inspired Rebecca to launch her Belfast-based bridal shop. As a plus-size woman, Rebecca understands just how her customers feel. Wedding dress shopping should be a joyful experience, but for larger women it can be an ordeal, and Rebecca knows how nerve-wracking it is to get undressed in front of a stranger and try on dresses that hold so much potential emotional value.

Bex has worn a tracheotomy tube since the age of eight, and her weight has fluctuated because of her health. Rebecca encourages Bex as she tries on dresses that not only show off her curves, but also her tube.

Nicola struggled with her weight for years before deciding to give up dieting - she was happy, healthy and had found Paddy, the love of her life. She couldn't find a dress to suit her shape and size, but on a visit to Rebecca's boutique she found a gown that made her feel like a princess.

Same-sex couple Megan and Lauren both turned to Rebecca for help, giving her the extra challenge of keeping each bride's wedding dress secret. The confidence boost they got from Rebecca helped them enjoy their special day even more.

Observational documentary following Patricia Page, Rat Woman, who is on a mission to rid the homes, businesses and streets of Northern Ireland of the ratty rodents, cocky cockroaches and whacky wasps. For many this a man's job, but Patricia, one of the only female pest controllers in the country, is unfazed by this work – in fact she is the daughter of the legendary Rat Man.

Patricia has her sights firmly set on becoming a legend in her own right as she battles the most common form of pests terrorising the country. Infestations of rats, mice, wasps and other pests are on the increase and have been making life a misery for many in this house-proud nation.

Ironically, Patricia is a rat lover and has a huge respect for her adversaries.

This documentary follows 23-year-old world-class gymnast Rhys McClenaghan in what turns out to be the toughest year of his career.
Newtownards native Rhys competes in different international competitions for both Ireland and Northern Ireland on the pommel horse - one of gymnastics' most challenging disciplines. He has won medals at all the major international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the European and World Gymnastic Championships.

This documentary follows Rhys as he takes part in 2022's three biggest gymnastics events – the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the European Championships in Munich and the World Championships in Liverpool.

Coming off the back of a loss in her last fight, Northern Ireland's premier mixed martial artist Leah McCourt embarks on an intense training camp in a quest to return to winning ways. This documentary follows Leah from the outset of fight-camp, as she manages the pressures of a gruelling training regime, media commitments, and the physical and mental aspects of competing at the highest level of mixed martial arts.

We also get a first-hand insight into Leah's life on the road and the challenges that brings whilst combining her duties of being mum to daughter, Isabella. We meet Leah's family and teammates, including ‘Meatball' Molly McCann, who gives us an insight into her life, both in and out of the Bellator cage. Leah details what the world of mixed martial arts means to her, the highs and lows of being a high-profile fighter, her goals for the future and how it feels to be an inspiration, not only to her daughter Isabella, but for every young girl striving to achieve their ambitions.

The documentary culminates in Leah's return to the cage for a high-profile bout against Dayana Silva at Bellator 285 in Dublin's 3Arena. With behind-the-scenes access, viewers experience the demands placed upon Leah during fight camp, from making weight to media appearances, and to the intense moments backstage in the seconds before stepping into a packed arena full of fight fans cheering her on.

Jobby Crossan's trophy shop has seen better days – its gold and silver trophies are just waiting to be won, the bespoke medals, pins and badges all need to be engraved – a place of hope and aspiration where sporting dreams can come true or be dashed. But what makes this sports shop all the more remarkable is that despite its rundown demeanour, its owner is none other than Jobby Crossan - a living soccer legend who's shared a pitch with George Best, Eusebio, di Stefano, Brian Clough and many more footballing greats.

We will follow the prizes, the cups, the medals, the trophies and the awards as they make their way out of the trophy shop and into homes across the city and beyond, giving a unique insight into the rich, diverse and engaging local sporting communities.

Throughout the rural heartlands of Northern Ireland, an ancient sport is kept alive by small groups of dedicated competitors. It is a test of strength, endurance and strategy: two teams, one rope, one winner, this is tug-of-war. We follow the team from the Ulster-Scots community of Garvagh across a competitive season.

Under experienced coach Kenny Moore, the Garvagh team first convenes in early spring. An early marker is laid down, as the eight-man team learn they must shed a collective 90kg to make weight and qualify for the prestigious Northern Ireland championships. To succeed, the team will have to lean on the experience of Garvagh veterans Nelson Hanna and Steven Speers, who between them share half a century's worth of experience on the rope.