TV preview: As Game of Thrones induces mass hysteria, more mysteries are solved in Line of Duty

Meanwhile, ‘The Bay’ comes to an end and ‘Mark Kermode’s Secrets of Cinema’ returns

Liam Cunningham as Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, in the latest ‘Game of Thrones’ (HBO)

Game of Thrones, Game of Thrones, Game of Thrones... The “tits and dragons” series (Ian McShane’s words, not mine) is back on Sky Atlantic and dominating the airwaves. Last Monday – when the season eight premiere debuted in the UK – every single trending topic on Twitter related to the show. It’s mass hysteria, the likes of which have not been seen since last year’s World Cup.

And, like the World Cup, everyone has someone they’re rooting for. There are the obvious heroes, namely the four surviving Starks: the half-raven Bran, the sassy should-be queen Sansa, the faceless ninja Arya, and the dragon-riding, not-a-bastard, actual-heir-to-the-Iron-Throne Jon Snow. Then there’s Daenerys “bend the knee or die” Targaryen, the First of her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of Many Different Names. There are the good Greyjoys (Theon and Yara). There’s the bad Greyjoy (Euron, who should take it easy with the guyliner). There’s the possibly-not-pregnant Queen Cersei Lannister. There’s the evil Night King. There’s Gendry.

With another five episodes (including this week’s) remaining, you can expect the same feverish debate for at least another month or two (if not far beyond, with all those planned spin-offs).

Despite social media’s saturation with news from the fictional land of Westeros, there are actually other television shows on the air. The best is Line of Duty (BBC1). This Easter Sunday, fans of the Jed Mercurio-scripted thriller will be one step closer to learning the identity of the mysterious rogue police officer “H”. Could it be the obvious choice, Ted Hastings, even though the villainous John (Stephen Graham on top form) has just barged into his family home? Or perhaps the culprit is a left-field possibility, such as Vicky McClure’s DI Fleming? Considering how many sharks this show has already jumped, it’s anyone’s guess.

Elsewhere on Sunday night, The Durrells (ITV) continues with a Europe-trotting episode that takes the eponymous family from Corfu to Paris then back to Dorset. The League of Gentlemen: Live Again (BBC2), a taping of the comedy troupe’s 2018 tour, also debuts on terrestrial TV. Despite the broadcast omitting the first half of the stage show, there are still many laughs to be had as they continue a couple of the stories shown in the 2017 revival episodes. Finally, for those who want to celebrate the reason we have this bank holiday, there’s Jesus: His Life (History), a soapy retelling of the biblical story.

Come Easter Monday, and the pickings are relatively slim for non-Throners. The half-baked The Widow (ITV) continues, as does Ghosts (BBC1), which is basically an adult-aimed Horrible Histories. The highlight is no doubt Mark Kermode’s Secrets of Cinema (BBC4), which continues with the critic’s dissection of disaster movies. Who knew New York had been destroyed almost 70 times at the movies?

Post-bank holiday, the twisty Morecambe-based drama The Bay (ITV) comes to a close. Although a cliche-ridden story, the series has been anchored by a solid performance from Morven Christie as DS Lisa Armstrong. No doubt a second series will come soon. Friday sees John Bishop venture to Ireland (ITV), where the comic toured last year. There he immerses himself in local culture, showing the UK exactly what makes Ireland so great. It’s easy-going and doesn’t mention the backstop too many times.

Oh, and did I mention Game of Thrones is also back on Monday? You don’t even need to skive work for this one. Then you can tweet to your heart’s content about Cersei’s love of elephants and how winter’s finally come. Game of Thrones, Game of Thrones, Game of Thrones….

Game of Thrones (Sky Atlantic, Monday 2am), Line of Duty (BBC1, Sunday 9pm), The Durrells (ITV, Sunday 8pm), The League of Gentlemen: Live Again (BBC2, Sunday 10pm), Jesus: His Life (History Channel, Sunday 9pm), The Widow (ITV, Monday 9pm), Ghosts (BBC1, Monday 9.30pm), Mark Kermode’s Secrets of Cinema (BBC4, Monday 9pm), The Bay (ITV, Wednesday, 9pm), John Bishop’s Ireland (ITV, Friday 8pm)