On TV tonight, Marie Antoinette starts on BBC Two, we pay tribute to Doc Martin in a new documentary, John Bishop reflects on the year, and there's a special Antiques Roadshow episode. 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
Marie Antoinette, 9 pm, BBC Two
Prepare to see French queen Marie Antoinette from a whole new perspective, as this drama shows how the young Austrian archduchess boldly fought convention and moulded the French courts in her own image. The first episode sees Marie Antoinette, played by Emilia Schüle, as a 14-year-old who is sent to Versailles and forced to marry the socially awkward Dauphin (Louis Cunningham), later to become King Louis XVI.
But first she will have to get to grips with the baffling, and somewhat ridiculous, rules of the French courts, where powerful enemies are never more than a few steps away.
★★★★ NH
Farewell Doc Martin, 8:30 pm, ITV1
Caroline Catz, who plays the grumpy medic’s ever-patient wife Louisa, narrates this affectionate look back at the long-running drama, which bowed out for good on Christmas Day. Inspired by Martin Clunes’ character in the 2000 Brenda Blethyn film Saving Grace, the hit series began in 2004, notching up 10 seasons over 18 years. It’s never been short of celebrity guests in cameos – among others, Sigourney Weaver is a fan.
The rights to Doc Martin have been sold to more than 70 countries around the world, with Doctor Mateo in Spain, Dokter Tinus in the Netherlands and Der Bergdoktor in Austria just three examples.
★★★ MC
John Bishop's End of Year Show, 9.35 pm, ITV1
John Bishop looks back at 2022, with some special guests including Sir Ian McKellen (who’s currently co-starring with John in the pantomime Mother Goose at London’s Duke of York Theatre) and Lioness football heroine Beth Mead. ‘I’m really looking forward to my end of year show – but it’s been such a quiet year, I don’t know what I will talk about!’ he jokes.
★★★ NH
Antiques Roadshow: Toys and Childhood, 8 pm, BBC One
This special edition focuses on the toys and games that have shaped our childhoods, including some of those belonging to the experts. We see how the notion of childhood has changed over time, looking at everything from a 4,000-year-old pull-along toy to original draft drawings of the Teletubbies. Bunny Campione hears about a Mickey Mouse figure given to someone escaping occupied France, while Fiona Bruce finds a unique Christmas present made from an old gas-mask box and talks to Jonathan Ross about his love of Japanese action figures.
★★★★ NH
Best box set on TV tonight
Emily in Paris season 3, Netflix
Emily in Paris is back, and fans are no doubt dying to see more drama, laughter and love in the highly anticipated third season of the hit Netflix series. A lot of the plot has been kept under wraps until it's released, but we do know a little bit.
In season 3, Emily seems to have a massively chaotic work life with her new job with Sylvie causing her drama, and she also seems to have an equally complicated love life. Will she finally be able to settle down and balance things? We'll have to wait and see!
LB
Best film on TV tonight
Chariots of Fire, 9pm, BBC Four
Two athletes from different backgrounds prepare for the 1924 Olympics in this soul-stirring classic British drama from 1981. Four Oscars went its way, including one to Vangelis, who died earlier this year but left the world with a score so iconic that just a few notes from its chiming synths and listeners are overcome with the urge to run in slo-mo.
Ian Charleson and Ben Cross play the competing athletes and the starry cast includes Ian Holm and Struan Rodger (as the athletes’ coaches), Nigel Havers and John Gielgud. And look out for extras in the crowd including Ruby Wax, Sir Kenneth Branagh and Stephen Fry.
★★★★★ SM
Soaps
- EastEnders, 7:30 pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7 pm, ITV1
- Coronation Street, 7:30 pm, ITV1
Live Sport
Championship: Queens Park Rangers vs Luton Town, 6 pm, Sky Sports Football
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Marie Antoinette to get your history fix!
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
