TV Tonight: Our highlights for Monday, January 16

Maternal on ITV1 and ITVx stars Parminder Nagra, Lisa McGrillis and Lara Pulver.

(Image credit: ITV)

On TV tonight, Maternal starts on ITV, The Last of Us finally lands on Sky Atlantic, we meet our next group of singles on Love Island and Silent Witness continues. 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

Maternal, 9 pm, ITV1

There are childcare issues to sort, complicated relationships to navigate and toddlers waking up at 3 am when three dedicated medics return to work after being on maternity leave. Doctors Maryam Afridi (Parminder Nagra)and Helen Cavendish (Lisa McGrillis) plus surgeon Catherine MacDiarmid (Lara Pulver) are friends and colleagues on hand to support one another in this six-part drama which has echoes of The Split.

Ambitious Catherine wants a promotion, Maryam’s panicking she’s not up to the job and Helen must work alongside her consultant husband Guy (Oliver Chris), who’s been having an affair. With a razor-sharp script and relatable scenarios, we’re already hooked!

★★★★★ TL

The Last of Us, 9 pm, Sky Atlantic

Pedro Pascal as Joel, standing in a dark room where the only light comes from a torch that he's holding. He is turned towards the camera and looking apprehensive. — (Image credit: © 2023 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

The history of turning video games into TV shows is a chequered one, but this sweeping, atmospheric series shows what’s possible with the right material. Based on the best-selling 2013 game of the same name, The Last of Us follows military veteran Joel (The Mandalorian’s Pedro Pascal) as he escorts 14-year-old Ellie (Game of Thrones’ Bella Ramsey) across a post-apocalyptic US where a mutant fungus has infected the population, turning people into zombies.

The script (co-written by Chernobyl’s Craig Mazin) expertly sets up the physical and emotional stakes, while the two leads shine as the reluctant travelling companions.

★★★★ SP

Love Island, 9 pm, ITV2

Last year’s summer run of the dating show broke ITV streaming records, so obviously in clear demand, it’s back for its first winter series since 2020, the pandemic putting paid to any cosying up for the past few years. Not that it’s chilly for the singletons as they’re carrying out their will-they-won’t-they games in a luxury new eco-retreat in South Africa. Also new is the host and we can’t think of anyone better than the irrepressible Maya Jama to guide us through who’s cracking on and who’s mugging off. Which couple will be next to feel the feels like Ekin-Su and Davide, or at least hope they like each other long enough to split the £50,000 winners’ money?

★★★ NT

Silent Witness, 9 pm, BBC One

Nikki Alexander (Emilia Fox) examines a necklace in Silent Witness season 26 — (Image credit: BBC)

The forensic crime drama continues to reflect topical concerns as the Lyell Centre team are approached by a heavily pregnant DI Zara Abbas (Meena Rayann) to help with a case related to social media influencers. As well as exploring the difference between the image being projected online and the reality that lurks behind the screen, this two-part story also finds charming newbie Velvy (Alastair Michael) out of his comfort zone at a music festival, and continues his exploration of the more secular side of life. Continues tomorrow.

★★★ IM

Best box set on TV tonight

Kaleidoscope, Netflix

A board featuring heist members — (Image credit: Netflix)

If you're looking for a very unique series this week, Kaleidoscope could be the perfect choice for you. This is a Netflix heist series with a twist, and you can watch the series in any order you like until the thrilling conclusion.

The Mandalorian star Giancarlo Esposito leads the cast as Leo Pap, and we follow a crew of masterful thieves and their attempt to crack a seemingly unbreakable vault for the biggest payday in history. It's certainly an interesting watch especially if you're discussing it with others who may have watched in a different order to you!

Best film on TV tonight

Bank of Dave, Netflix

Bank Of Dave is a Netflix movie starring Rory Kinnear, Phoebe Dynevor and Joel Fry. — (Image credit: Netflix)

From the makers of Fisherman’s Friends comes another feel-good drama based on a true story. Rory Kinnear stars as Dave Fishwick, the Burnley businessman who faced an uphill struggle when he decided to open his own bank to help local businesses. The story has been reframed to involve a fish-out-of-water element, as London lawyer Hugh (Joel Fry) falls for the charms of Burnley and one particular resident.

Kinnear is terrific as Dave, Fry makes an amusing and quirky romantic lead, Hugh Bonneville cameos as a nasty City type and there’s even an appearance from heavy-metal legends Def Leppard at a Bank of Dave benefit concert. The perfect remedy for those New Year blues.