TV tonight: our highlights for Monday 28th December

WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 05/12/2020 - Programme Name: Meerkat: A Dynasties Special - TX: 28/12/2020 - Episode: Meerkat: A Dynasties Special (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: Three pups spot trouble in the Makgadikgadi, Botswana - (C) Greg Hartman - Photographer: Greg Hartman (Image credit: BBC/Greg Hartman)

Meerkat: A Dynasties Special is one of the gems today...

Meerkat: A Dynasties Special, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, is a real treat for this evening. Here's what else you shouldn’t miss tonight. 

  • Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include three 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

Meerkat: A Dynasties Special, 7.30pm, BBC1 

TV Tonight

Sir David Attenborough teaches us all about meerkats tonight (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Greg Hartman)

This film about meerkats surviving against all odds in the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana is narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Led by young queen Maghogho, the pint-sized pack fight for survival in a place so hot and dry that almost no other animal can live there. Through heat and dust storms, Maghogho must raise her pups and unite her diminutive dynasty. The meerkats may be smaller than the other species which featured in the Dynasties wildlife series shown in 2018, but they possess just as much personality and courage.

★★★★★ JL

Breaking Dad: The Unseen Show, 8.30pm (times vary), ITV 

TV Tonight Breaking Dad

Watch unseen footage in tonight's Breaking Dad (Picture: Hungry Bear Media )

If you’ve enjoyed the exploits of Bradley Walsh and his son Barney as they’ve taken road trips through America (the title comes from Barney’s attempts to push Bradley out of his comfort zone), here’s a chance to see not only highlights of the two series, but also previously unseen adventures – apparently even Brad and Barney haven’t seen some of them! They’ve loaded up on popcorn and snacks to enjoy the footage, and we suggest you do the same.

★★★ JP

Billy Connolly: It’s Been a Pleasure, 9.30pm (times vary), ITV 

After the announcement that the ‘Big Yin’ won’t be doing stand-up again, this film looks back over his career via classic clips. Sir Lenny Henry, Sir Paul McCartney, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman and Sir Elton John are among those sharing memories, while Sir Billy’s wife Pamela Stephenson reveals her unique insight into life with the former welder from Glasgow. Over the past 50 years he’s made us all laugh until our cheeks ached and sides hurt, and this is a fabulous and emotional tribute to a brilliant man and an absolute comedy legend.

★★★★★ JL

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

The Fall, BBC iPlayer, series 1 to 3

TV tonight The Fall

Jamie Dornan stars alongside Gillian Anderson in chilling BBC crime drama, The Fall (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Artists Studio/Steffan Hill)

If you're looking for a gripping new box set to get your teeth into this Christmas, then look no further than The Fall on BBC iPlayer. The series, set in Northern Ireland, sees DSI Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson) called in to solve a grisly Belfast murder. The series also stars Jamie Doran, better known as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades film series, who gives a chilling portrayal of killer Paul Spector.

Best film to watch on TV tonight

Inside Out, BBC1, 1.20pm 

Inside Out TV Tonight

Inside Out is a movie treat for all the family (Picture: Pixar) (Image credit: Pixar)

A girl's growing pains are brought to life with dazzling wit and tender wisdom in this brilliant, Oscar-winning animation from Pixar. Personified emotions, Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness control 11-year-old Riley's feelings, but chaos ensues after she's uprooted to a new city.

Soaps on TV tonight

  • Emmerdale, 7pm
  • Coronation Street, 7.30pm
  • EastEnders, 8.35pm

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight… 

Don't miss Sir David Attenborough teaching us all about meerkats!

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

Happy viewing!

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.