TV tonight: Our highlights for Thursday, May 4

India Amarteifio as Queen Charlotte
(Image credit: Netflix)

On TV tonight, the Bridgerton universe expands with the Queen Charlotte prequel, ITVX gains a new period drama as Tom Jones lands on the streaming service, there's a new episode of Inside No. 9 and Paul O'Grade: For the Love of Dogs to enjoy. 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

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Netflix

India Amarteifio as Young Queen Charlotte in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgeron Story

(Image credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix)

We’ve all fallen in love with the scurrilous court gossip of Bridgerton in recent years, and now we get a chance to find out how the colourful and competitive world of ‘the Ton’ came to be in this six-part spin-off. Set decades before the main drama, this prequel tells the story of the 17-year-old Queen Charlotte (India Amarteifio) and her bittersweet romance with husband King George III (Corey Mylchreest). It’s an intimate glimpse into a lavish world and unmissable viewing for Bridgerton fans. 

SMA  

Tom Jones, ITVX (box set)

The Tom Jones cast

(Image credit: ITV)

If you like your period dramas bright and breezy and full of wit and warmth, this star-studded four-part adaptation of Henry Fielding’s classic 18th-century novel will be right up your street! Solly McLeod takes centre stage as the titular young foundling who, after being abandoned as a baby, has been raised by doting adoptive father Squire Allworthy (James Fleet), but Tom’s origins remain shrouded in mystery, while his roving eye tends to lead to bother. So when feisty Sophia Western (Sophie Wilde), the granddaughter of Squire Western (Alun Armstrong), sets her sights on Tom, will he mend his ways? 

★★★★ CC 

Inside No. 9 season 8, 10 pm (times vary), BBC Two

Barry Styles (Steve Pemberton) and Gareth (Reece Shearsmith) in Inside No. 9 season 8

(Image credit: BBC/James Stack)

Gareth (an excellent Reece Shearsmith) suffers from a fear of Friday the 13th, so when the dreaded day comes around, he locks himself in his house. When a persistent postal worker named Sue (Samantha Spiro) comes knocking, it sets in motion a chain of events that unleashes his worst nightmares. A runaway comedy that builds pressure before delivering a delightful pay-off. 

★★★★ SMA 

Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs season 11, 8.30 pm, ITV1 (not Scotland)

Paul O'Grady at Battersea with handler Ben and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, George.

(Image credit: Battersea Cats and Dogs Home/ITV)

Stray lurcher Freddie arrives at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home with a gaping wound that leaves Paul horrified, and we see Freddie undergo life-saving surgery. We also meet French bulldog Barry, who finds kennel life stressful and has trouble breathing, and King Charles Cavalier spaniel George, who cannot trust humans after being sold numerous times. Can Paul, who enlists the help of Motherland actors Diane Morgan and Anna Maxwell Martin, give these dogs the new start they all deserve? 

★★★★★ NH 

Best box set on TV tonight

Sweet Tooth season 2, Netflix

Dania Ramirez as Aimee and Naledi Murray as Wendy in "Sweet Tooth" on Netflix.

(Image credit: Netflix)

The family-friendly fantasy is back for a second series this week, with half-human hybrid Gus and his friends having to gather their strength to figure out what caused the Great Crumble, the chaotic era when 98% of the world’s population was killed off by a virus. 

But as Gus begins a dark journey to find a cure for a new wave of the Sick, he also learns more about his own origins, as well as his mother Birdie’s role in the events leading up to the collapse of society. Christian Convery (recently seen in Cocaine Bear) returns as Gus, alongside Nonso Anozie and Adeel Akhtar. James Brolin acts as the narrator. 

NC

Best film on TV tonight

A View to a Kill, 8 pm, ITV4

A View to a Kill

(Image credit: Eon productions)

James Bond clashes with a megalomaniac international businessman plotting a global takeover of the computer industry by engineering a devastating earthquake in California's Silicon Valley - and killing millions in the process. Spy adventure, starring Roger Moore in his final appearance as 007 alongside Christopher Walken, Grace Jones, Tanya Roberts and Patrick Macnee.

Soaps

Live Sport

  • Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United, 7 pm (k-o 8 pm), Sky Sports Main Event
  • IPL: Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, 7 pm, Sky Sports Main Event

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on TV tonight.

Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide

Happy viewing!

CATEGORIES
Martin Shore
Staff Writer at WhatToWatch.com

Martin was a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produced a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. Now he works for our sister site Tom's Guide in the same role.

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows, Bridgerton, Gangs of London, The Witcher, Doctor Who, and Ghosts. When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.