On TV tonight, the pilgrims reach the end of their inspiring journey as Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles concludes on BBC Two, teen drama Heartstopper arrives on Netflix, while Channel 5's Friday night schedule books in another travel show with Gregg Wallace's Island Getaway. Comedy Not Going Out continues on BBC One and new supernatural thriller The Rising begins on Sky Max/NOW. 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, 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
Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles, 9pm, BBC Two
TV gives us the chance to watch celebrities doing everything from learning to tango to perfecting a tricky chocolate fondant, although it’s rare to see them debate life’s big questions and share their thoughts on faith. But that’s exactly what you get here, with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Louisa Clein, Will Bayley, Scarlett Moffatt, Monty Panesar, Shazia Mirza and Nick Hewer. They’re near the end of their journey from Donegal to Iona, much of it on foot, and tonight they visit a monastery near Moray and a mosque on Stornoway. "I’ve learned I don’t really like walking," quips Scarlett, but it’s clear they’ve all relished the whole experience.
★★★★ JP
Heartstopper, Netflix
Boy meets boy in this hugely anticipated eight-part teen drama, adapted by Alice Oseman from her hugely popular comic-book series of the same name. When shy Charlie (Joe Locke) is assigned the seat next to school rugby star Nick (Kit Connor) in form group, the two develop an unlikely friendship, much to the bafflement of all of their classmates. As Charlie falls head over heels for kind, charming Nick, his friends assume that this is just another futile crush on a straight boy – but Nick is starting to realise that he sees Charlie as more than just a friend, too….
★★★★★ SP
Not Going Out, 9.30pm, BBC One
A ‘locked room’ scenario is like catnip to sitcom writers, and this episode is set around a table as Lee (Lee Mack) confers with other jurors while on jury duty. A unanimous verdict looks likely until, through the window, Lee spots that his car has been scratched. As it’s in a car park exclusively used by jurors, he reasons that whoever did it is in the room – and the only way to keep everyone there is to disagree with the verdict… Worth watching alone for a particularly clever gag about Alphabetti spaghetti.
★★★ JP
The Rising, 9pm, Sky Max/NOW
Sky Max puts a fresh twist on the murder mystery with this supernatural thriller about a young woman hunting her own killer. The stylish eight-part series, filmed in the Lake District, tells the story of Neve Kelly (Clara Rugaard), who returns home after a party to discover none of her family can see or hear her. Then it dawns on Neve that she’s been murdered…
★★★★ SMA
Gregg Wallace's Island Getaway, 7pm, Channel 5
Madeira seems popular with the celebrity traveloguers at the moment – Susan Calman was here just a couple of weeks ago – and now it’s Gregg Wallace’s turn to highlight the glories of a gorgeous island that’s also a particular favourite with winter sun seekers. Gregg puts a foodie spin on his visit, as you’d expect, tucking into espetadas, a local favourite of beef cooked on skewers over hot coals. Plus,
he discovers a tropical fruit he never knew existed – and he’s a fruit and veg expert!
★★★ SM
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Anatomy of a Scandal, season 1, Netflix
Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley swaps the sunshine of California for the shadowy corners of Westminster in this captivating new six-part thriller adapted from Sarah Vaughan’s bestselling novel. The drama is seen through the eyes of Sophie Whitehouse (Sienna Miller) whose perfect world is turned upside down when her politician husband (Rupert Friend) is accused of sexual assault, in a tale examining power, privilege and consent. It’s a captivating story with plenty of twists – some more believable than others – which sees Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery on fine form as prosecution barrister Kate Woodcroft.
Best film to watch on TV tonight
The Imitation Game, 10.40pm, BBC One
Once, Kenneth More would have been the star of this rousing tale of boffin derring-do. Now Benedict Cumberbatch fits the slot neatly, as Alan Turing, the genius recruited during World War Two to crack the Nazis’ uncrackable code. It’s a beautifully evocative film – you can almost smell the wet gabardine – and Keira Knightley slots right in as a latterday Celia Johnson.
Live Sport
- EFL, Huddersfield Town vs Barnsley, 7.15pm (k-o 7.45pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
Soaps on TV tonight
- Emmerdale, 7.30pm, ITV
- Coronation Street, 8pm, ITV
- Hollyoaks, 6.30pm, C4
- Neighbours, 6pm, Channel 5
- Home and Away, 6pm & 6.30pm, 5Star
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Pilgrimage: The Road to the Scottish Isles on TV tonight – the stars come to the end of their inspiring journey.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
