On TV tonight, Best Interests kicks off, there's another chance to watch The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, there's a Pride Special of First Dates and Ten Pound Poms: The Real Story explores the inspiration behind the BBC series. 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
Best Interests, 9 pm, BBC One
From This Is England and National Treasure to Help, multi-BAFTA-winning writer Jack Thorne has an unparalleled track record for turning difficult subjects into powerful and poignant drama. His latest series, tracing the journey of a family battling to stop their 13-year-old daughter Marnie’s life-support machine being turned off, is no exception.
Sharon Horgan puts in a tour-de-force performance as Marnie’s mother and Michael Sheen plays her father, while Niamh Moriarty plays the teenager with heartfelt panache. Yet the real plaudits belong to Thorne, who weaves a memorable tale full of life, love, hope and heartbreak. Continues tomorrow.
★★★★★ SMA
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, 9 pm, ITVX
Another chance to catch this fascinating BAFTA-nominated drama relating the strange-but-true story of John Darwin, who faked his own death in 2002 in a canoeing accident so that his wife Anne could claim on his insurance. Darwin turned up in Panama City years later, before turning himself in to the police feigning amnesia.
The bizarre tale is retold from the perspective of long-suffering Anne, who reluctantly goes along with the scheme to avoid bankruptcy. Eddie Marsan and Monica Dolan are brilliant as the Darwins in this well-crafted drama written by Unforgotten’s Chris Lang. Continues until Thursday.
★★★★★ IM
Sarah Beeny vs Cancer, 9 pm, Channel 4
In August 2022, TV presenter Sarah Beeny was diagnosed with breast cancer – almost exactly 40 years after her mother Ann died of the same disease when Sarah was just 10. Sarah decided to document her progress in this film, partly to help herself and her family process their emotions, but also as an act of solidarity with everyone else going through the same battle.
At the same time, Sarah is curious to find out how much things have changed since her mother was undergoing treatment. It’s undoubtedly tough going in places, but the whole family’s honesty and humour makes this ultimately a life-affirming watch.
★★★★★ SP
Ten Pound Poms: The Real Story, 8 pm, BBC Four
On the 50th anniversary of the Australian government’s Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, in 1997 the BBC made this documentary about ‘Ten Pound Poms’ who had left the UK to start afresh Down Under. With the drama series of the same name currently winding its way towards its last episode on BBC1, the timing of this repeat is of course ideal.
And the true-life stories of the interviewees – funny, sad, disastrous and triumphant – share something with the TV series, too.
★★★ SM
Best box set on TV tonight
Never Have I Ever season 4, Netflix
A coming-of-age comedy, Never Have I Ever is about the complicated life of a modern-day first-generation Indian American teenage girl, Devi, an overachieving high school student who has a short fuse that gets her into difficult situations.
Here’s the official plot summary for season 4 from Netflix: "Senior year has finally arrived. Between college conundrums, identity crises and crushes that won't fade, are Devi and the gang ready to face the future?"
Best film on TV tonight
Only You, 9:30pm, BBC Three
Two different love stories collide in this superb feature debut by Brit director Harry Wootliff. In one, strangers Elena (Laia Costa) and Jake (The Crown’s Josh O’Connor) meet one New Year’s Eve in a tussle over a cab home. They fall in love.
In the other story, it’s some years later and Elena and Jake have hit the point in their relationship where it’s either have children or call it a day, complicated by the fact that Elena is actually a bit older than she’s been letting on. A beautifully acted drama, with chemistry to spare and an attention to detail that makes it feel like a slice of real life.
★★★★ SM
Soaps
- EastEnders, 7.30 pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30 pm, ITV1
- Coronation Street, 8 pm, ITV1
- Hollyoaks, 6.30 pm, Channel 4
- Home and Away, 6 pm, 5Star
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Best Interests on TV tonight.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
