TV Tonight: our highlights for Friday, Oct. 8

By Joanne Lowles
published

'Grantchester' is just one of the gems on TV tonight.

Robson Green as DI Geordie Keating.
Robson Green as DI Geordie Keating. (Image credit: ITV)

On TV tonight, it's the final episode of Grantchester on ITV, while comedian Susan visits beautiful Norfolk in Susan's Calman's Grand Day Out on the Norfolk Broads on Channel 5 and The North Water comes to a chilling close on BBC2. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.

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

Grantchester, 9pm, ITV

TV tonight Revd Will Davenport.

Revd Will Davenport. (Image credit: ITV)

We know DI Geordie Keating was a prisoner of war in Burma during World War Two but he’s never really spoken about it. However, this week, the return of his former comrade Johnny Richards reopens old wounds for the Grantchester favourite. As they probe the murder of a student CND campaigner, Geordie and Revd Will Davenport’s differing views on war and peace put them at loggerheads once more. Later, when Geordie invites Johnny home to meet his wife Kathy, she then starts to quiz him about his time in Burma, and Geordie becomes clearly rattled… Will he open up about his past torment? 

★★★★ VW 

Susan Calman's Grand Day Out, 9pm, Channel 5

TV tonight Susan in her campervan.

Susan hits the road once more.  (Image credit: Channel 5)

Bursting with enthusiasm, Susan Calman is back for another grand tour of the country, accompanied once again by Helen Mirren (her camper van). This first episode sees her under the big skies of Norfolk, on a trip taking in Ludham, Cromer, King’s Lynn and Wells-Next-the-Sea. But before setting off for the coast, Susan has a go on the Albion, one of the last two commercial wherries still sailing the Broads. At 22 tons, it’s a beast of a boat, and when there’s no wind, it needs a push with a quant – a thick pole 24ft long. Step forward, Susan! 

★★★★ SM

The North Water, 9.30pm, BBC2

TV tonight Patrick Sumner survives to live another day

Patrick Sumner survives to live another day. (Image credit: BBC)

After surviving a close encounter with a polar bear, Patrick Sumner (Jack O’Connell) counts his lucky stars when he makes it back to civilisation, but he’s not the only man who plotted an improbable escape from the icy wilderness. ‘A man like Henry Drax doesn’t just die, he must be killed,’ the earnest ship’s doctor tells Baxter, the Volunteer’s owner, who’s deeply unsettled to hear Sumner’s suspicions about the sinking of his ship. With fine cameos from Sir Tom Courtenay and Peter Mullan, it’s a brooding finale to a brutal tale. 

★★★★ SMA

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

Maid, season 1, Netflix

Tv tonight Margaret Qualley stars.

Margaret Qualley stars as single mum Alex. (Image credit: Netflix)

Groundhog Day’s Andie MacDowell teams up with her actor daughter, Margaret Qualley, for this US drama about a young single mother who cleans houses to make ends meet. Inspired by Stephanie Land’s bestselling memoir, the 10-parter sees Qualley play Alex, who’s trapped in a cycle of poverty and homelessness with her young daughter after leaving her abusive partner. Qualley’s real-life mum, Andie MacDowell, plays Alex’s mum Paula, a free spirited artist who has troubles of her own. 

Best film to watch on TV tonight

Voyagers, 10.25am & 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere/NOW

TV tonight The young crew are about to rebel

The young crew are about to rebel. (Image credit: Sky Cinema)

Colin Farrell, Lily-Rose Depp (Johnny’s daughter) and Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk) star in this futuristic sci-fi thriller. Heat, drought and disease have made Earth uninhabitable and a mission is sent to colonise a new planet. On board are scientist Richard Alling, played by Colin, and 30 highly intelligent children, conceived to embark on the 86-year long journey. They will later reproduce on the ship and it’s their grandchildren who will land on the planet. But as they enter adulthood, the crew discover that they have been drugged to keep them docile – discord and chaos follow. 

Live Sport

  • World Cup Qualifier, Czech Republic v Wales, 7pm (k-o 7.45pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW

Soaps on TV tonight

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss Grantchester on TV tonight – a great final episode. 

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

Happy viewing!

Joanne Lowles
Joanne Lowles
Freelance writer and editor

Joanne Lowles has been writing about TV since 2002. After graduating from Cardiff University with a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism, she worked for All About Soap magazine covering the ups and downs of life on the cobbles, the square and the Dales. 


Next came nearly 10 years at TV Times magazine as a writer and then deputy features editor. Here she spent many happy days interviewing the biggest names in entertainment and visiting the sets of some of our most popular shows including Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife and Strictly Come Dancing. 


With a love of nature and wildlife she’s also interviewed the leading experts in this area including David Attenborough, Chris Packham and Steve Backshall. She’s also travelled the world visiting Mongolia, Canada and South Africa to see how the best in the business make the most brilliant natural history documentaries. 


Freelance since 2013, she is now is a digital writer and editor for What to Watch, previews the best on the box for TV Times mag each week and loves being constantly surprised, entertained and informed by the amazing TV that she is lucky enough to watch.