On TV tonight, the strange but true story of teacher John Darwin is brought to life in ITV drama The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, while Doctor Who fans are in for a treat as the Easter special, Legend of the Sea Devils, arrives on BBC One. On BBC Two documentary series, Idris Elba's Fight School, gets off to a knock out start, while Gentleman Jack continues on BBC One. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include four 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
The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, 9pm, ITV
This fascinating new four-part drama relates the stranger-than-fiction true story of former teacher John Darwin, who faked his own death in 2002 in a North Sea canoeing accident so that his wife Anne could claim on his life insurance. He then turned up in Panama years later, before turning himself in to the police feigning amnesia. The bizarre tale is retold from the perspective of the long-suffering Anne, who reluctantly goes along with the loopy scheme to avoid bankruptcy, but does not let her two sons in on the deception. Stars Eddie Marsan and Monica Dolan are as good as ever in this well-crafted take on the tragicomic scam. Continues until Wednesday.
★★★★★ IM
Doctor Who, 7.10pm, BBC One
Prepare to have your swashes buckled and your timbers shivered as the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill) and Dan (John Bishop) hit the high seas of 19th-century China in this Easter special. The TARDIS trio encounter pirates led by the fearsome Madame Ching (former Casualty star Crystal Yu) as well as the Doctor’s old aquatic nemeses the Sea Devils – making their first appearance in the flesh (or the scales, perhaps) since the 1984 serial Warriors of the Deep. But what we really want to know is: will the Doctor and Yasmin finally open up about their feelings for each other? One of the Doctor Who 2022 specials.
★★★★ SP
Idris Elba's Fight School, 9pm, BBC Two
When Idris Elba was a young man growing up in London, he could easily have fallen into a life of crime, but says boxing helped to keep him on the straight and narrow. Now, the Luther star is setting up a fight school to give eight British youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to transform their lives in a similar way, while he watches from ringside. It’s an opportunity that most of the recruits are determined to grab with both hands, and it’s clear Idris sees something of his younger self in each of them.
★★★★ SMA
Gentleman Jack season 2, 9pm, BBC One
We’ve previously seen tantalising glimpses of Anne Lister’s colourful past with her former lovers, including intense Mariana Lawton, and this week The Larkins’ Joanna Scanlan gives a delicious, scene-stealing performance as another of her exes, Isabella ‘Tib’ Norcliffe. Flamboyant, fun-loving Tib runs into Anne and new partner Ann Walker (Sophie Rundle) when they visit Paris, where Tib’s remarks about Mariana set Ann’s mind whirring. As Anne and Ann return to Yorkshire, their welcome from Ms Walker’s meddling family is not a warm one. Meanwhile more trouble brews for Anne’s tenants, the Sowdens.
★★★★ CC
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 Lion King, 5.45pm, BBC One (not Wales)
This superb piece of classic 2D Disney animation tells the story of lion cub Simba, whose rightful place on the throne is taken by his evil uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), after Simba’s father is killed by stampeding wildebeest — arranged by the jealous Scar. There is a clever balancing act going on here, between the usual Disney cuteness and the fact that the jungle is a deadly environment. Engaging and exciting (and not just for kids), this original 1994 version of The Lion King is a spectacular feast for the eyes as well as being a real heart-tugger.
Live Sport
- Women's FA Cup Semi-Final, Arsenal vs Chelsea, 12.15pm (k-o 12.30pm), BBC Two
- Premier League, Newcastle United vs Leicester City, 1.30pm (k-o 2.15pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
- The FA Cup, Chelsea vs Crystal Palace, 3.45pm (k-o 4.30pm), ITV
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe on TV tonight – a brilliant cast brings this stranger than fiction story to life.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
