On TV tonight, I Am Ruth sees Kate Winslet starring alongside her real-life daughter, it's the penultimate episode of The English, Kelsey Parker speaks about her late husband Tom, and Christmas at Blenheim Palace sees staff decking the halls and gardens in preparation for its busiest time of year. Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set
- Keep up to date with the latest soap spoiler storylines on TV tonight with our daily soap synopsis
- For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide
What's on TV tonight
Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight...
Best TV shows on TV tonight
I Am Ruth, 9 pm, Channel 4
Kate Winslet has played her fair share of mothers over the years, and now she is starring alongside her real-life daughter in this heart-rending portrayal of modern motherhood. It’s the latest instalment in Dominic Savage’s acclaimed I Am… anthology series (previous episodes are on All 4), which explores a range of female-led stories.
Kate plays Ruth, a woman whose daughter, Freya, is being consumed by social media. It’s a visceral tale that will cut close to the bone for many parents, and 22-year-old Mia Threapleton thrives alongside her Oscar-winning mother in a feature-length drama that’s as authentic as it is poignant.
★★★★★ SMA
The English, 9 pm, BBC Two
Tensions run high in this penultimate episode as a captured Eli (Chaske Spencer) is promised his freedom if he kills Native American-hater Black Eyed Mog (Nichola McAuliffe). A gun-toting Cornelia (Emily Blunt), determined to rescue Eli, gets to Mog first and rescues a young Cheyenne boy whom she names No Trouble (Corey Bird).
But when No Trouble is kidnapped by US soldiers, Eli and Cornelia become embroiled in another bloody gunfight to save the boy, with Cornelia also gripped by a mystery illness. Galloping towards next week’s stunning finale, this is one series we don’t want to end!
★★★★ RF
Kelsey Parker: Life after Tom, 9 pm, ITVBe
It’s only been nine months since The Wanted’s Tom Parker, 33, died from a brain tumour, but his widow Kelsey is keen to share the raw truth about death and grief in an emotional six-part series, continuing tonight with episode two. She allows cameras into the home she shares with the couple’s young children, Aurelia, three, and two-year-old Bodhi.
Most of the time she appears upbeat and determined to honour Tom’s life by fundraising for brain cancer. But when she listens back to his singing voice, her emotions get the better of her. A brave and honest account of life after loss. Catch up with episode one on ITVX.
★★★ HD
Blowing LA, 10.30 pm, Channel 5
A look behind the glossy worlds of two of Los Angeles’ legendary A-list hairdressers – Ted Gibson and Kim Vō, who charge their celebrity clients up to $2,000 for a cut and colour. It’s a cut-throat business, and proving yourself worthy of Hollywood’s finest is crucial to staying at the top of the game. Step inside another world...
★★★ NC
Christmas at Blenheim Palace, 8 pm, Channel 4
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is the first stately home to get the festive treatment in this sparkling three-part series. The Baroque palace was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and boasts a stunning collection of art and furniture as well as acres of beautiful grounds landscaped by Capability Brown.
Half of Blenheim’s preservation bill is covered by its Christmas takings and the staff have just over two weeks to deck the halls and gardens in preparation for its busiest time of year. Event design director Jon has a mile-long trail of lights to install, plus the state rooms are being turned into magical settings for a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. Viewing to get you feeling Christmassy.
★★★ MC
Best box set on TV tonight
With Slow Horses season 2 airing on Apple TV, now is the perfect time to try (or reacquaint yourself) with the first installment so you can catch up with the new episodes.
Season 1 of the celebrated crime drama follows a group of washed-up MI5 agents who have all made excruciating, career-ending mistakes. They end up in a grotty office block called Slough House, assigned to boring admin tasks instead.
With an all-star cast like Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas, the adaptation of Mick Herron's novel series is well worth a watch.
★★★★ LB
Best film on TV tonight
Blue Velvet, 11.10pm, Film4
David Lynch’s bizarre film noir centres on Kyle MacLachlan, whose discovery of a human ear in a field leads him to a sensual torch singer (Isabella Rossellini) and a walk on the wild side. David Lynch’s direction and the evocative soundtrack, including Bobby Vinton and Roy Orbison, create a charged atmosphere and the cast are on brilliant form, with Dean Stockwell and Dennis Hopper hovering dangerously on the edges of the small-town America story.
MacLachlan is mesmerising as the callow hero, while Rossellini and Hopper play their perverted characters with abandon. A powerful cult classic.
★★★★★ IR
Soaps
- EastEnders, 7:30 pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7 pm, ITV
- Coronation Street, 8 pm, ITV
- Hollyoaks, 6:30 pm, Channel 4
Live Sport
- FA Cup: Gillingham vs Dag & Red, second round replay, 7:05 pm (Kick-off TBA), BBC Three
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Kate Winslet's gripping new drama I Am Ruth.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
