TV Tonight: our highlights for Sunday, September 19

By Joanne Lowles
published

Vigil is just one of the gems on TV tonight.

Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva.
Suranne Jones as Amy Silva. (Image credit: BBC)

On TV tonight, just when you thought Vigil on BBC1 couldn't get any more tense, it does! Bob and Paul are on the Norfolk Broads in Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing on BBC2 and the brilliant Endeavour continues on ITV. 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

Vigil, 9pm, BBC1

TV tonight Paterson Joseph as Captain Newsome.

Paterson Joseph as Captain Newsome. (Image credit: BBC)

It’s a nerve-shredding episode tonight, when a deadly nerve agent is leaked aboard HMS Vigil and the crew face a fight for survival. DCI Amy Silva suspects the lethal gas that killed chef Jackie Hamilton could also be responsible for the death of Craig Burke. But Captain Newsome (Paterson Joseph) is more concerned with it flooding the missile compartment and leaving Britain vulnerable to nuclear attack. Back on dry land, Kirsten blows this national- security thriller wide open with a discovery about Russian spy Peter Ingles. Roll on next week’s final episode! 

★★★★★ SMA 

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, 8pm, BBC2

TV tonight Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer in Wales.

Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer visit the Norfolk Broads.  (Image credit: BBC)

'Well, Bob, we have left our cars and cares behind,’ says Paul as the pair embark on their next fishing trip to the Norfolk Broads. Day one is spent under a beautiful weeping willow tree as the old friends chew the fat about growing up and growing old. They might even catch a fish or two, but it really doesn’t matter. Bed for the night is a James Bond-themed windmill – they’ve been expecting them – followed by another relaxing day on the river, this time with expert local angler Robbie, who knows where to find a rudd or two. 

★★★★★ JL

Endeavour, 8pm, ITV

TV tonight Shaun Evans as Endeavour.

 Shaun Evans as Endeavour. (Image credit: ITV)

It never rains but it pours for Endeavour (Shaun Evans), and this week the downbeat, increasingly drink-sodden detective receives a very unwelcome visit from his awful stepmother, Gwen. And even though his sleuthing skills still seem up to scratch as he investigates the murder of a cabbie and uncovers links to the blue movie industry, the detective’s erratic behaviour grows more concerning. Meanwhile, we’re still hoping that he and Joan will get together, but we sense he’s missed the boat yet again. 

★★★★ CC

Best box set to watch on TV tonight

Sex Education, season 3, Netflix

TV tonight Asa Butterfield as Otis and Emma Mackey as Maeve.

Asa Butterfield as Otis and Emma Mackey as Maeve. (Image credit: Netflix)

Few shows have captured the pleasure, pain and passionate intensity of teenage life as exquisitely as Netflix’s comedy drama Sex Education. And as the third run begins from Moordale Secondary School, there are twists and turns aplenty as the fallout from last series’ shocking STD outbreak continues. Moordale's nerdy but loveable resident sex guru Otis, played by Asa Butterfield, would usually be eager to steer his fellow students through any sexual crises, but he has vowed to stop doling out advice, and is involved in a surprising romance of his own. Joining the cast are Jason Isaacs as ex-headteacher Mr Groff’s brother and Girls’ Jemima Kirke, who plays Moordale’s cool new head Hope Haddon.

Best film to watch on TV tonight

The Greatest Showman, 7pm, Film4

TV tonight Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum.

Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum. (Image credit: Film4)

Here, Hugh Jackman does what he really loves: belting out tunes and hot-hoofing around in musicals. This gloriously entertaining and colourful take on Victorian circus impresario PT Barnum’s early days is a perfect vehicle – full of big dance routines and now-familiar songs. Joining Jackman is Michelle Williams as his wife and Zac Efron as his business partner. 

Live Sport

  • Premier League, West Ham United v Manchester United, 2pm (k-o 2pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
  • Premier League, Tottenham Hotspurs v Chelsea, 4pm (k-o 4.30pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
  • Premiership Rugby, Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins, 2pm (k-o 3pm), BT Sport 1

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss Vigil on TV tonight – the crew fight for their lives in another brilliant 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.