What's on telly?

Kya deLongchamps loosens her stays to give a brief history of a sensuous piece of parlour furniture. 

Here's what to watch on a rainy Bank Holiday.

The best of this evening's telly.

Declan Burke provides a quick snapshot of new year movie releases.

Declan Burke provides a quick snapshot of new year movie releases.

Her performance in new film Gone Girl is expected to land her an Oscar nomination, but Rosamund Pike’s latest role will be on a much smaller scale - reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story.

I can be very lazy. I think many people who work as hard as I do can be. 

US TV bosses have disappointed Downton Abbey fans after announcing that the period drama will continue to be broadcast there months after it is aired in the UK.

Mary Leland on some recent book releases

'Homeland' actor Damian Lewis has apologised to 'Lord Of The Rings' star Ian McKellen after saying he did not want to end up a “fruity actor” who is known for playing wizards.

Ian McKellen has hit back after Homeland star Damian Lewis said that he did not want to end up a “fruity actor” who is known for playing wizards.

Danny Boyle’s impressive Olympic opening ceremony and the spoof sitcom inspired by the Games are both in the running for TV Bafta Awards.

SECOND in line to the English throne, Bertie, aka Albert (Colin Firth), is afflicted by a debilitating stutter.

Colin Firth couldn’t stop himself stammering for two months after filming ‘The King’s Speech’.

Real-life married stars Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly were “perfect” for the role as man and wife in the new film 'Creation', its director said.

Veteran actor Patrick Stewart has won his third Laurence Olivier award for his stage portrayal of Claudius in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

Things are not quite what they seem for a fading Hollywood star (ironic typecasting for Reynolds) whose agent gets him a job playing King Lear in London.

These are hectic times for Cork actor Cillian Murphy. The lad can’t stop working.

In 1996 Kenneth Branagh starred and directed the classic Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet. Now Hamlet SE (Warner, e24.99) introduces the film to DVD in a double-disc edition.

Leonardo DiCaprio could star in a new movie version of 'I, Claudius' after a Hollywood producer picked up the rights to the famous book.

A cast of top actors gathered in Dublin today to toast the 75th birthday of British playwright Harold Pinter through his work.

British actor Roger Moore and American crooner and civil rights promoter Harry Belafonte followed in the footsteps of fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen.

The unfailing charm and tireless entertaining of actor David Hemmings were remembered by family and friends from the showbusiness world at a memorial service.

An interesting up-date of a 17th Century play by Thomas Middleton (and originally performed by Shakespeare's own company).

SOME of the world's best actors are hoping to cast a spell on the producers of the Harry Potter films in a bid to replace the late Richard Harris in a role that won him the hearts of a whole new generation of fans.