TV Tonight: our highlights for Sunday, August 7

TV Tonight Marc Warren returns as the Dutch detective in Van Der Valk Season 2.
Van Der Valk is finally back on our screens tonight! (Image credit: ITV)

On TV tonight, Van Der Valk returns for its long-awaited second season on ITV, dark comedy-drama The Resort continues on Peacock on Sky and NOW, plus take a look at the future of the British monarchy as The Real Windsors begins on Channel 4. 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

Van Der Valk season 2, 8 pm, ITV

TV Tonight Van Der Valk season two

Marc Warren's Dutch detective returns for another series. (Image credit: ITV)

The moody Dutch detective is back for some quite literally explosive drama! After a two-year gap since series one, Marc Warren (Hustle, Beecham House) reprises his role as blunt-speaking Commisaris Piet Van Der Valk who is solving more killings amind the canal-lined streets of Amsterdam. Tonight's opener sees Piet and Inspector Lucienne Hassell (All Creatures Great and Small's Maimie McCoy) investigate the murder of a woman found strung up on a wind farm. Plenty of intrigue, stunning scenery and an enigmatic new love interest for Van Der Valk called Lena (Dutch star Loes Haverkort) all add to the viewing pleasure!

★★★★ TL

The Resort, Peacock on Sky/NOW

TV Tonight Emma (Cristin Miloti) and Noah (William Jackson Harper) in The Resort

Cristin Miloti and William Jackson Harper in The Resort. (Image credit: Peacock/Sky)

There's trouble in paradise in Peacock's fast-paced holiday myster, The Resort. The eight-part dark comedy thriller centres on married couple Noah (The Good Place's William Jackson Harper) and Emma (Cristin Miloti), who decide to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary with a trip to a stunning Mexican resort. It should be a relaxing chance to reconnect, but the getaway takes a sinister turn that puts their marriage to the test when the couple finds themselves embroiled in an unsolved mystery that took place 15 years before their arrival.

★★★ HD

The Real Windsors, 8 pm, Channel 4

As succession in the Royal House of Windsor draws ever nearer, this three-part documentary looks at the future of the British monarchy. Episode one, Queen of Steel, reflects on how Queen Elizabeth II has protected the Windsor brand with steely determination for 70 years - and 84 per cent of Britons agree she has done a good job. But with the prospect of three elderly or middle-aged male monarchs across the century to come, will the dynasty be able to adapt and appeal to future generations? ★★★★ MC

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

The Sandman, Netflix

TV Tonight Tom Sturridge in The Sandman

Tom Sturridge stars as Dream in Netflix's take on The Sandman. (Image credit: Netflix)

Neil Gaiman's sprawling comic book series has been described as "unfilmable" in the past, but Netflix has taken on the task by transforming his universe into this 10-part adaptation which is based on the first two arcs from the books. The Sandman tells the story of Morpheus — aka Dream — who rules over a realm known as The Dreaming, the fantasy world that awaits every single one of us as we dream. 

Tom Sturridge leads the cast alongside a whole host of exciting British stars including Charles Dance, Gwendoline Christie, David Thewlis, Stephen Fry, Jenna Coleman and Sanjeev Bhaskar. 

Best film to watch on TV tonight 

Star Trek Beyond, Channel 4

Beyond is the 13th movie in the Star Trek franchise, and the third since JJ Abrams' 2009 reboot. In this latest installment (helmed by Fast and Furious director Justin Lin and co-written by Simon Pegg, who returns as Scotty) the USS Enterprise is subject to a surprise attack in deep space from lizard-like alien, Krall (Idris Elba) and crash-lands on a mysterious alien planet. There, Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the crew must take on the deadly alien menace who hates the Federation.

Live Sport

  • Commonwealth Games 2022, from 7.45 am, BBC One/Two/Three/iPlayer/Red Button
  • Premier League, Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion, 1 pm (2 pm k-o), Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League/NOW
  • Premier League, West Ham vs Manchester City, 4 pm (k-o 4.30 pm). Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League/NOW

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight...

Don't miss the return of Van Der Valk as the Dutch detective takes on a gruesome new case on ITV.

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

Happy viewing!

Martin Shore
Staff Writer at WhatToWatch.com

Martin is a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produces a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. 

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows, Bridgerton, Gangs of London, The Witcher, Doctor Who, and Ghosts. When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.