TV Tonight: Our highlights for Thursday, January 19

Marie Antoinette (Emilie Schule)
Marie Antoinette continues on TV Tonight. (Image credit: BBC / Capa Drama / Banijay Studios France / Les Gens / Canal+ / Caroline Dubois)

On TV tonight, Marie Antoinette continues, there's a new series of Murdoch Mysteries, plus more from The Madame Blanc Mysteries and The Apprentice hopefuls are put to the test with a new challenge. 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

Marie Antoinette, 9.05pm, BBC Two

There’s concern around the court this week when the King (James Purefoy) collapses. Then, when he’s made a recovery, he asks Madame du Barry (Gaia Weiss) to marry him, which sends shock waves around Versailles. Meanwhile, as Marie Antoinette (Emilia Schüle) and her husband Louis (Louis Cunningham) get closer, they are sent on a royal visit to Paris. 

But the tension increases when Provence (Jack Archer) announces he and his wife are expecting an heir, before Louis and Marie Antoinette have even consummated their marriage. Then, as the King’s health declines, the young Dauphin and Dauphine must prepare to take over the throne. 

★★★★★ NH

Murdoch Mysteries, 9 pm, Alibi

The Canadian period drama returns for a 16th season and you may wonder how this gentle series set at the turn of the 20th century has survived a demanding modern audience. Its secret has to be in its likeable characters and witty script. This week there’s some spooky interference by guest star Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) as Crabtree’s (Jonny Harris) clairvoyant aunt. 

But what is really going on when she interrupts his wedding with a prophecy that a dire fate is about to befall his fiancée? Elsewhere, Murdoch (Yannick Bisson) and Julia (Helene Joy) settle into life with baby Susannah. A mystery as light and warming as a toasted crumpet. 

★★★ MC

The Madame Blanc Mysteries, 9 pm, Channel 5

Jean (Sally Lindsay) examines the crashed van that husband Rory was driving when he died

(Image credit: Channel 5)

Wouldn’t we all like to be in Sainte Victoire right now? It’s sunny and laid-back and full of quirky characters – never mind that the murder count is starting to rival that of Cabot Cove or Midsomer. When another mysterious murder takes place, antiques dealer Jean (Sally Lindsay) is called in by the gendarme because the victim was clutching a pendant and a key. 

Jean dismisses the pendant, but thinks the key could be vital to finding the deceased’s missing will. It’s a bit like Cash in the Attic crossed with Death in Paradise as Jean casts an expert eye over various cabinets – ‘too much parquetry, not enough marquetry, and no dovetail joints’ – but will she be unable to unlock this particular mystery? 

★★★ JP

The Apprentice, 9 pm, BBC One

Lord Sugar stands in front of The Apprentice 2023 contestants gathered in two groups.

(Image credit: BBC/Fremantle Media/Ray Burmiston)

This week, Lord Sugar arranges a rendezvous with the candidates at London’s Regent Street Cinema, which was the first place in Britain to show moving pictures back in the 1890s. The candidates’ task is to create a brand new cartoon aimed at two- to four-year-olds, before giving the inevitable pitch to industry experts. But which team will prompt Lord Sugar to say ‘That’s all folks’ and send someone home? 

★★★ JP

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!

LB

Best film on TV tonight

Bombshell, 9 pm, Film4

Bombshell cast

(Image credit: Annapurna Pictures)

A finely honed coruscating delve into the downfall of Fox News chief Roger Ailes (brilliantly played by John Lithgow), following the women who lead the charge. When news anchor Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) is fired, she states she had been sexually harassed by Ailes on a continual basis, and hopes other women will come forward to strengthen her story, and all eyes are on Fox leading light Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and what she will say. 

Margot Robbie also stars as Kayla, a fictional character used as a composite for the many women subjugated to Ailes’ unwanted attention. It’s a sharp, pinpoint attack from director Jay Roach and writer Charles Randolph, bolstered by superb performances throughout.

★★★★ NP

Soaps

Live Sport

  • Snooker: World Grand Prix, 6:45 pm, ITV4

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss the truly gripping Marie Antoinette on TV tonight.

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

Happy viewing!

CATEGORIES
Lucy Buglass
Senior Staff Writer

Lucy joined the WhatToWatch.com team in 2021, where she writes series guides for must-watch programmes, reviews and the latest TV news. Now she works for our sister site TechRadar in the same role. Originally from Northumberland, she graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Film Studies and moved to London to begin a career writing about entertainment.

She is a Rotten Tomatoes approved film critic and has a huge passion for cinema. She especially loves horror, thriller and anything crime-related. Her favourite TV programmes include Inside No 9, American Horror Story, Stranger Things and Black Mirror but she is also partial to a quiz show or a bit of Say Yes to the Dress

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