Erling Haaland is a phenomenon. Since arriving in the summer, Manchester City's Norwegian star striker has lit up the Premier League after scoring 20 goals in 13 games. Born in Leeds to a footballing father and an athlete mother, he grew up in a small Norwegian town before moving to Austria and then Germany to further his career. While some foreign footballers have struggled to adapt to English football, Haaland has taken to it like a duck to water. With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, commonly known as Lula, was born into poverty in Brazil in 1945. Coming to prominence as a union leader, he failed to become president on three previous occasions before finally succeeding in 2002. He helped reduce social inequality in the country over two terms but after leaving office he became mired in a corruption scandal and was jailed for 18 months. Now he is facing a run off vote for the Brazilian presidency against incumbent Jair Bolsonaro later this month. How did Lula rise to become such a significant politician and can he repeat his electoral success of 20 years ago? With Mark Coles. Produced by Bob Howard.

Researchers: Octavia Woodward & Matt Toulson

Downing Street's new Chief of Staff, Mark Fullbrook, is not a stranger to politics. He's been the "backroom boy" behind many political campaigns around the world, including Boris Johnson's successful Mayor of London campaigns and President George Bush’s unsuccessful re-election bid in 1992. But, until now, Mark Fullbrook has kept his names out of the headlines.

That changed when it was reported that Fullbrook had been questioned as a witness in an FBI inquiry into alleged electoral bribery in Puerto Rico. Then, this week, he became headline news when it was revealed his Downing Street salary was being paid through his own lobbying firm. The publicity comes at a bad time for Prime Minister Liz Truss who is facing economic turmoil following the Chancellor's mini-budget.

So, who is Mark Fullbrook and why do we know so little about him? Mark Coles looks at the life of an influential, yet unheard-of, political figure.

Presenter: Mark Coles

As Italians go to the polls it's Giorgia Meloni's right-wing party, Brothers of Italy, that's tipped to lead a centre-right coalition. But what is it about her that appeals so much to her voters?

Meloni was born in a working-class neighbourhood of Rome, and got into politics aged 15. She rose through the ranks of her local far-right party, often being sent into schools to counteract left-wing activism.

She made history in 2008 when she was appointed Youth Minister by then prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, becoming Italy's youngest ever minister.

Four years later, aged 35, she split from Berlusconi and started her own political party, the Brothers of Italy, where she has been President since 2014.

In recent years, Fratelli d'Italia has boosted its appeal and looks set to become the largest party. But with Italy's fast turnover of prime ministers, can Giorgia Meloni stay the course and deliver what Italy wants?

CREDITS

Presenter: Mark Coles

The new Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, faces big challenges in his first week in office. The state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be at the top of his agenda, but also improving the reputation of the force.

The Met was heavily criticised following the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving policeman and the sharing of racist and sexist group chat messages by officers at Charing Cross police station. Public trust in the force was strained even further last week when an unarmed black man, Chris Kaba, was fatally shot in Streatham.

Born in Birmingham, Mark Rowley attended Handsworth Grammar School before studying mathematics at Cambridge. After university he joined the West Midlands Police force, rising through the ranks to become the Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, overseeing the response to the terrorist attacks in 2017.

He retired from the Met in 2018, and co-authored a crime thriller.

Now Sir Mark Rowley aims to restore public confidence in the force. So, what kind of leader will he be?

CREDITS

Presenter: Mark Coles

Described as “incredibly bright, borderline eccentric and very Thatcherite”, Kwasi Kwarteng has been MP for Spelthorne in Surrey, since 2010.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Kwasi Kwarteng excelled academically – he was an Eton scholar, got a double first from Cambridge University and a scholarship to Harvard.

He’s worked as a newspaper columnist, a financial analyst and has written several books on history and politics.

Kwasi Kwarteng is a long-time friend and close political ally of the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who’s just promoted him to the top post in the Treasury. At a time of high inflation, rising energy costs and a looming recession. So is he up to the challenge?

Mark Coles charts the life and career of the man with one of the most powerful jobs in the UK.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Credit: Sky News – Anna Jones interview with Kwasi Kwarteng, 5 August 2022

Winner of this year’s Olivier Best Actress Award for her role in the musical Cabaret, now nominated for a Mercury Prize with Bernard Butler for their album, For All Our Days That Tear the Heart.

Mark Coles profiles Killarney actress and singer Jessie Buckley, speaking to some of the family, friends and mentors who’ve helped her along the way.

Credits

Presenter: Mark Coles

Despite finishing second in the vote amongst her Conservative parliamentary colleagues, Liz Truss is seen by many as the favourite to win the leadership contest when party members have their say. But who is the woman bidding to become the UK’s third female Prime Minister? Timandra Harkness follows her unconventional journey in British politics - from child of CND campaigners to preferred candidate of the political right.

Presenter: Timandra Harkness

Just seven years after first entering Parliament as Conservative MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, Rishi Sunak is now one vote away from becoming Prime Minister. From replacing party grandee William Hague to managing the country’s finances through the coronavirus pandemic, Mark Coles follows his journey in British politics and talks to those who know him outside the political world of Westminster.

Presenter: Mark Coles

Born in the Netherlands, the England women's football manager had a successful playing career both at home and in the US, before hanging up her boots. Mark Coles tracks her journey from playing alongside boys at the age of six to the England dugout.

Presenter: Mark Coles