You, Me and the Apocalypse (Sky 1, 9pm)

THE end of the world is nigh yet again, but this time it's a comedy format starring Rob Lowe, Pauline Quirke, Megan Mullally of Will & Grace fame and Horrible Histories and The Wrong Mans actor Mathew Baynton.

All play characters who have 34 days to put their affairs in order before a comet strikes our planet – so there's a bit of a "before-I-die" bucket list about the plot.

"It's truly epic. It's multi-continent, multi-nationality. You have Vatican priests, English bankers, the President, a white supremacist; it's a truly epic scope of characters. You are absolutely taken into a world where there are 34 days until it's over. What do you do with your life? Do you go to work? Why? Do you go and get your money from the bank? Literally, everything is on the table for human behaviour," explains Rob Lowe, who plays foul-mouthed priest Father Jude.

Slough bank manager Jamie (played by Baynton) is arrested on suspicion of cyber terrorism and realises he has an identical twin, who his mum Paula (Quirke) has never told him about.

Father Jude interviews candidates for a role in his devil's advocate office, and in New Mexico, librarian Rhonda enters a maximum security prison for a crime she didn't commit, and is befriended by unhinged white supremacist Leanne (Mullally).

The character he plays did make Lowe think about who he would spend his final days with.

"I would be with my wife and sons (he has two boys with wife Sheryl Berkoff) and we would do the things we do whenever we have time together. We'll surf, go out on our boat and fish, watch TV, laugh. I'll smoke a cigar by the outdoor fireplace with them and the dogs nearby. Those are my favourite things to do. I wouldn't be going to Machu Picchu," he says.

Quirke has a more practical vision: "I'd maybe try to get to the shops so I could be prepared for the end, if they hadn't already been looted by then."

Baynton plays two people in the comedy. "I play identical twins, Jamie and Ariel, but they have not had identical lives. Jamie is an intelligent and capable man who has experienced a big loss, and to cope with it, he's created a sort of safety blanket for himself in routine.

"Ariel, in contrast, is a young man who's always had a chip on his shoulder and has done everything he can to prove that he is special.

The challenge is what makes it fun, and that's what you look for with each new project, in order to still be thrilled and interested in your work as an actor," he says.

The Face of Britain by Simon Schama (BBC2, 9pm)

SIMON Schama explores the history of British portraiture, revealing the stories behind some of the greatest images in art. He begins by looking at the eternal power of portraiture, considering how people learn to read faces before they can walk or talk. This makes the portrait one of the most compelling forms of art. Schama looks at how a portrait commissioned to celebrate Winston Churchill's 80th birthday ended in disaster for both artist and sitter, discovers how portraits can involve a battle for control and demonstrates the importance of portraiture in fostering loyalty.

All Star Mr & Mrs (ITV, 8pm)

PHILLIP Schofield returns to test couples knowledge of each other's likes, dislikes and habits. Taking part are former Corrie actor Jimi Mistry and his wife, one-time Strictly Come Dancing dancer Flavia Cacace-Mistry, tennis legend Martina Navratilova and her wife Julia Lemigova, and Good Morning Britain presenter Sean Fletcher and his wife Luned. The winners play for £30,000 for their chosen charity. However, no one walks away empty-handed, because the losers each receive £5,000 for a good cause – not to mention the much-coveted Mr & Mrs carriage clock.