Picnic at Hanging Rock (BBC Two, 9pm)

Can an eight-part TV version of Joan Lindsay's classic novel outshine the much-admired film version?

Those who have seen director Peter Weir's haunting movie would probably answer in the negative, but in recent years, the small screen has come to rival its bigger cousin for quality, so we may be onto a winner.

In recent times, the likes of Big Little Lies, The Handmaid's Tale, Top of the Lake and Sky's latest series, Sharp Objects, have gone some way to boost the number of leading roles for women, and Picnic at Hanging Rock certainly lends a hand too - it's dominated by strong females.

When the book was published back in 1967, it was hugely acclaimed and quickly became known as one of the greatest entries in Australian literature, but its origins have puzzled readers ever since.

Some are utterly convinced it's based on a true story, while Lindsay herself did little to persuade people one way or the other. However, her housekeeper later claimed her employer had dreamt the basic idea.

A 2017 article from the Australian magazine The Age stated, "The dream had centred on a summer picnic at a place called Hanging Rock, which Joan knew well from her childhood holidays.

"Joan told Rae (her housekeeper) that the dream had felt so real that when she awoke at 7.30am, she could still feel the hot summer breeze blowing through the gum trees and she could still hear the peals of laughter and conversation of the people she'd imagined, and their gaiety and lightness of spirit."

All this mystery merely adds to the tale's appeal.

The film starred Rachel Roberts, while Vivean Gray - instantly recognisable to Neighbours fans for her subsequent role as battleaxe Mrs Mangel - had a small role, as did Oscar-nominated actress Jacki Weaver.

This time around it's Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games star Natalie Dormer who takes the lead role of widowed headmistress Hester Appleyard, who arrives in Australia as the tale begins.

"I'm excited that the BBC Two is bringing this magical reimagining of an Australian classic to the UK audience," says Dormer. "It's a collaboration of which I'm very proud to be a part."

Sue Deeks, the BBC's head of programme acquisition, adds: "This stylistically bold and atmospheric take on Picnic At Hanging Rock - led by one of Britain's most exciting actors, Natalie Dormer - will be irresistible both to fans of the classic novel and to those coming to this mysterious story for the first time."

Ms Appleyard's reasons for moving to the other side of the world are shrouded in mystery, but in just six years, she manages to turn her self-named college into a leading educational establishment attended by bright girls from well-to-do families.

It's situated in an isolated mansion in the bush, close to the local beauty spot of Hanging Rock.

As a treat, several teachers take their star pupils for a picnic there on St Valentine's Day in 1900, where something unthinkable occurs...

Secrets of the National Trust with Alan Titchmarsh (C5, 9pm)

This time, the presenter visits Mount Stewart on the shores of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, which was home to the Stewart family for more than 250 years. They were given the title of Marquess of Londonderry and it was the Marchioness, Lady Edith, who was largely responsible for transforming the house. Alan learns about Edith's eclectic taste as he looks around her private bedroom suite, and meets her granddaughter, Lady Rose. Elsewhere, Nina travels to the Peroni Archive in Belfast to discover how Lady Edith was active in the Suffragist movement to secure women the vote.

CelebAbility (ITV2, 10pm)

Is Iain Stirling on a mission to take over ITV2? His narration is a big part of what makes Love Island so addictive, and he's also hosting this game show. For newcomers, it sees groups of five friends take on five celebrities in a series of challenges based on what the famous faces claim are their hidden talents. This week's celebs are Ollie Locke, Duncan James, Olivia Attwood, Vanessa White and Scott Mills, who, judging by his time on Strictly Come Dancing, probably won't be claiming the samba as his special skill.

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (BBC2)

Cameras follow old friends Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer as they continue on their angling trip round the UK. This time, Paul and Bob fish the river Wensum in Norfolk for Roach, but as the pair struggle up and down the riverbanks, they begin to realise how age is starting to take its toll on their physicality. After staying overnight in a disused train station and visiting a local pub, the pair decide to challenge each other to a fishing competition the following day, where the winner gets a very special culinary treat.