On TV tonight, crime drama Grace returns to ITV, Julia Roberts stars in thrilling political drama Gaslit on Starzplay, Chris Packham is one of the hosts of Our Changing Planet on BBC One, Gentleman Jack continues on BBC One and Marcel Theroux (brother of Louis) presents Falklands: Island of Secrets on ITV. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include five TV shows, a film 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
Grace, season 2, 8pm, ITV
John Simm says he could play DS Roy Grace for years to come and that the troubled detective already feels like part of the furniture after his debut stand-alone film last year. Grace returns to our screen in a new series tonight in a murky case that plunges him into the sordid world of snuff films, yet there are plenty of twists and some great action, in a story that bridges the gap between 2021’s pilot and the new series. Also, watch out for Line of Duty’s Craig Parkinson, who catches the eye as new team member DS Norman Potting, and Richie Campbell (Stephen and Top Boy), who returns as DS Branson.
★★★★ SMA
Gaslit, Starzplay
This very different take on the Watergate scandal, which brought down President Nixon, stars Julia Roberts as celebrity socialite Martha Mitchell, and a virtually unrecognisable Sean Penn as her husband John, who was Nixon’s loyal attorney general. The relationship between the Mitchells is strained because of Martha’s outspoken media stances, and efforts to silence her take a shocking turn when she is kidnapped and beaten before being discredited. A well-crafted retelling of a dark chapter in the history of American politics.
★★★★★ IM
Our Changing Planet, 7pm, BBC One
Over the next seven years, six presenters will report from the Earth’s most vulnerable habitats and reveal how animals are adapting to these changes. The series kicks off with Steve Backshall in the Maldives, seeing what the future holds for manta rays, Chris Packham in Iceland, where snow and ice are melting at an alarming rate, and Ella Al-Shamahi in Cambodia, visiting a project that rescues illegally trafficked wildlife, including pangolins. Thankfully, among the dire predictions for the planet, there are glimmers of hope.
★★★★★ JE
Gentleman Jack, season 2, 9pm, BBC One
The coming of the railway to Yorkshire is unsettling Anne Lister (Suranne Jones) and you can’t help but pity Mr Waterhouse (Nicholas Farrell), chair of the local navigation committee, when he faces a barrage of questions from her as she tries to secure her financial future! Meanwhile, Anne’s personal life is also causing her stress, as her overwrought ex, Mariana, remains upset by her new relationship…
★★★★ CC
Falklands: Island of Secrets, 10.15pm, ITV
There have been a number of programmes marking the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, but this one follows the story of Royal Marine Alan Addis, who went missing on the islands in 1980. Four decades later, nobody knows what happened. Documentary maker Marcel Theroux (brother of Louis) has picked up his case and, using evidence gathered by Alan’s family, visits the closed community of the Falklands to investigate, but seems to find more questions than answers.
★★★★ EB
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Idris Elba's Fight School, season 1, BBC iPlayer
When Idris Elba was a young man growing up in London, he could easily have fallen into a life of crime, but says boxing helped to keep him on the straight and narrow. Now, the Luther star is setting up a fight school to give eight British youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to transform their lives in a similar way, while he watches from ringside. It’s an opportunity that most of the recruits are determined to grab with both hands, and it’s clear Idris sees something of his younger self in each of them. All five episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer.
Best film to watch on TV today
Seabiscuit, 1.30pm, GREAT! Movies
This is the mostly true story of a colt which, against the odds, became a legendary racehorse in the Depression era. Tobey Maguire plays the jockey who rides Seabiscuit, while Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper are the horse’s owner and trainer. The film fleshes out each of these men’s characters to add body to a drama that may play around with emotions, but as a tale of adversity overcome, it’s genuinely stirring stuff.
Live Sport
- Snooker: The World Championship, from 10am, BBC Two
- Formula 1, The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, 12.30pm (start time 2pm), Sky Sports F1
- Women's Super League, Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea, 2.15pm (k-o 2.30pm), BBC One
- Premier League, Chelsea vs West Ham, 1pm (k-o 2pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
- Premier League, Liverpool vs Everton, 4pm (k-o 4.30pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Grace on TV tonight – a solid crime drama with the brilliant John Simm in the lead role.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
