On TV tonight, Lucy Worsley investigates the life of Agatha Christie, there are more tough challenges in MasterChef: The Professionals, Philomena Cunk's hilarious Shakespeare mockumentary is on iPlayer, and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is here to spread festive joy. 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
Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen, 9pm, BBC Two
Lucy has an incredible knack for making history come alive and she’s on top form in this engaging three-part documentary, which sees her investigate the life of the world’s best-selling crime writer and reveal the surprisingly unorthodox woman behind the apparently homely image. The series begins with a look at the dark shadows that hung over Agatha Christie’s Torquay childhood and her work in a hospital dispensary during World War One, which both inspired her writing. It also examines the shocking power of her early Poirot novels, The Mysterious Affair at Styles and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. A must-see for Christie fans!
★★★★★ CC
MasterChef: The Professionals, 9 pm, BBC One
In the last of the quarter-finals, we begin with a pastry invention test with a twist - the dessert must be based on a savoury ingredient. This demanding test allows the judges to seek out the all-rounder that they are looking for as the chefs are forced to think on their feet and use their creative muscle to turn out a restaurant standard dessert showcasing a savoury ingredient.
Next, the four must prepare and serve a two-course menu to three of the country's top restaurant critics. Only the food that excites the tricky diners and impresses the judges will win the contenders a place in the all-important semi-finals...
★★★★ LB
Cunk... on Shakespeare, BBC iPlayer
The magnificent Cunk on Earth may have finished – it’s all available on iPlayer – but if you’re missing the musings of the most incompetent (spoof) presenter/historian on the BBC, here’s a chance to catch up with one of Diane Morgan’s alter ego Philomena Cunk’s other mockumentaries. ‘I’ve been studying Shakespeare ever since… I was asked to do this programme,’ begins Philomena, ‘and it turns out he was more than just a bald man who wrote with feathers.’ So begins her not-very comprehensive guide to the Bard, or as she calls it, Who Dost Thou Thinkest Thou Art?
★★★★ JP
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Disney Plus
Marvel fans will enjoy this festive special that finds the Guardians celebrating Christmas and on a mission to find the perfect gift for their leader, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt). Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and Drax (Dave Bautista) head to Earth to get the present – Kevin Bacon (gamely playing himself) – who has been Quill’s hero for a long time (and is namechecked in previous movies). But as they make their way to the actor’s house in California in order to steal him and give him to Star-Lord, Bacon doesn’t seem too keen on the idea…
★★★★ RMC
Best box set on TV tonight
1899 is the latest series by Dark creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese. Their newest offering is an enigmatic show that will have viewers question what is going on at every turn of its eight-episode first season, so it's perfect for those looking for a twisty new thriller to entertain them over the weekend.
All eight episodes are now available to stream on Netflix and feature a great cast including The Pursuit of Love's Emily Beecham and It’s for Your Own Good's Andreas Pietschmann.
★★★★ LB
Best film on TV tonight
The Northman, 9.15pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Writer-director Robert Eggers leaves The Lighthouse and its insular psychological tomfoolery to dive headlong into an action-soaked Viking myth in which Alexander Skarsgård’s ousted prince is determined to have his revenge. As a boy he saw his uncle (Claes Bang) kill his father (Ethan Hawke), the king, and take his mother (Nicole Kidman) for his wife. If this sounds familiar, that’s because a certain Mr Shakespeare took this tale and moulded it into Hamlet. Eggers revels in the astounding landscape of Iceland, along with the gore and grime of ancient warfare, in his most straightforward film yet, and it’s bold and captivating.
★★★★ NP
Soaps
- Hollyoaks, 6.30 pm, Channel 4
Live Sport
- FIFA World Cup: 3 pm, Netherlands v Ecuador (k-o 4 pm), ITV
- FIFA World Cup: 6:05 pm, England v USA, ITV
- Big Fight Live: Eubank vs Farrell, 9 pm, Channel 5
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss your weekly dose of Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen to learn everything about the mystery writer!
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
