On TV tonight, it's the finale of SAS Rogue Heroes, Sally Phillips and Rev Richard Coles take a look at the meaning of Christmas, Tim Minchin reveals his creative influences to creative influences to John Wilson, and more. 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
SAS Rogue Heroes, 9:10 pm, BBC One
Bullets fly and bombs are set as the SAS embark on their most dangerous mission yet in a spectacular climax to this wartime drama. The finale begins with Major David Stirling (Connor Swindells) being called to a special meeting with Winston Churchill (played by the always excellent Jason Watkins), who has great admiration for the SAS’ dash and daring.
After a typically irreverent entrance, Stirling is told that he and his men must go deep behind enemy lines and hit a string of key Axis airstrips, and land on the island of Crete. It’s a mission from which many won’t return…
★★★★ SMA
My Life at Christmas with Sally Phillips, 10.30 am, BBC One
Who better to host this series for advent than actor Sally, who exudes such cheer? In this first episode, her warmth is matched by the Rev Richard Coles, who discusses his unique Christian journey, from child chorister via pop fame with The Communards to his calling as a local vicar for more than a decade.
Most insightfully, he talks about the importance of his relationship with faith at this time of year, since he lost his life-partner, David, in December 2019. A personal and engaging look at the meaning of Christmas.
★★★ NT
Tim Minchin: This Cultural Life, 10.20 pm, BBC Four
Now is as good a time as any to look at the career of Tim Minchin, with Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical – based on the smash-hit stage musical he co-wrote – released in cinemas recently and a new run of his series Upright (Tuesday, from 9pm, Sky Comedy). Here, he reveals his creative influences to John Wilson.
★★★ JP
The Princess, 7 pm, Sky Documentaries
First shown in August to mark the 25th anniversary of her death, this documentary about Princess Diana is worth another watch in light of Elizabeth Debicki’s extraordinary portrayal of her in the latest series of The Crown on Netflix. It tells her story using only archive material, including news footage, royal commentary and vox pops, exploring the period from her 1981 engagement to her sudden death in 1997. There are shocking reminders of the treatment she received from the tabloids, including speculation about her virginity before her wedding and the 1992 publication of an intimate phone call between her and her friend James Gilbey, in which she discusses the collapse of her marriage.
★★★★★ HD
Best box set on TV tonight
With Slow Horses season 2 airing on Apple TV from Friday, December 2, now is the perfect time to try (or reacquaint yourself) with the first instalment 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
Miracle on 34th Street, 2.50 pm, Film4
This lovely thick slice of Hollywood fantasy from 1947 is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. It won Edmund Gwenn an Oscar for his performance as a lovable old department-store Santa Claus who is all-too convincing in the role, while the child whose suspicious nature he has to conquer is played by an eight-year-old Natalie Wood.
Maureen O’Hara plays her mother, who works as supervisor at the shop, and perfectly complements Gwenn’s eye-catching performance. The film was remade in 1973 and 1994, but this original easily outshines both of them.
★★★★ NP
Live Sport
- FIFA World Cup: France v Poland, 2:30 pm (k-o 3 pm), BBC One
- FIFA World Cup: England v Senegal, 6 pm (k-o 7 pm), BBC One
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss the final episode of SAS Rogue Heroes!
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
