TV Tonight: Our highlights for Thursday, January 26

Saint-Georges ( YOLI FULLER), Marie Antoinette (EMILIA SCHULE) play music together
(Image credit: BBC / Capa Drama / Banijay Studios France / Les Gens / Canal+ / Caroline Dubois)

On TV tonight, Marie Antoniette sees the newly-crowned Queen of France marking her coronation with a new ball, Deep Fake Neighbour Wars takes impressionist comedy to a new level, Jean tackles a new case in The Madame Blanc Mysteries and Prime Video has KSI: In Real Life, a frank look at the YouTube star turned boxer and rapper. 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, 9.05 pm, BBC Two, iPlayer (box set)

Victoire ( CAROLINE PIETTE), Adelaide ( CRYSTAL SHEPHERD- CROSS)

(Image credit: BBC / Capa Drama / Banijay Studios France / Les Gens / Canal+ / Caroline Dubois)

As the newly crowned Queen of France, Marie Antoinette (Emilia Schüle) begins stamping her authority on the court of Versailles, dispensing with protocol and staging a lavish ball. But as his wife throws herself into partying, Louis is struggling to make decisions, not least whom to appoint as Prime Minister. Already feeling overshadowed by his wife, the King is horrified when paper ‘doves’ appear all over the palace containing crude gossip about her, and when Marie Antoinette begins to interfere in politics, their marriage reaches breaking point. Can Marie Antoinette win back the support of her husband? ★★★★★ NH 

Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, ITVX (box set)

actors playing Ariana Grande and Cono McGregor in Deep Fake Neighbour Wars.

(Image credit: Tiger Aspect Productions / ITV)

Filmed using CCTV footage and direct-to-camera interviews, this six-part comedy sees ordinary people with petty disputes turned into famous faces via clever AI technology. In the first episode, handyman Idris Elba has fallen out with bus driver Kim Kardashian over the use of their communal garden in Catford. In Southend-on-Sea, single-mum Greta Thunberg is at her wits’ end with Conor McGregor and his scaffolder partner Ariana Grande’s all-year-round Christmas decorations. Will the council intervene by August or is it only a matter of time before the flashing reindeers are popped? This series takes impression shows to the next level. ★★★ MC

The Madame Blanc Mysteries, 9 pm, Channel 5

Jean (Sally Lindsay) is excited to catch up with old friend and fellow antiques dealer David (Les Dennis) this week – he’s stopping by Sainte Victoire on honeymoon with husband George (Holby City’s David Ames). However, from the moment of their arrival, the newlyweds are struck by a run of bad luck, including damaged luggage and an attempted mugging. Then, when Charlie (Sanchia McCormack) identifies one of their wedding presents as a rare pack of playing cards that is rumoured to carry a terrible curse, David and George are, naturally, spooked. Jean, though, is convinced there’s a more down-to-earth explanation… ★★★★ SP 

KSI: In Real Life, Prime Video

KSI looks out before his boxing match in London on January 14, 2023.

KSI. (Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

You’d be forgiven for thinking that KSI, aka JJ Olatunji, leads something of a charmed life, having made millions as a successful YouTuber, boxer and musician. But at the start of this candid documentary, he admits to feeling lost, having fallen out with his parents and brother, Deji, and split with his long-term girlfriend. But the film, produced by Louis Theroux, proves to be something of a catharsis, as JJ opens up about family tensions, fame and self-discovery, while cameras follow him as he records his third album and embarks on a solo tour. There’s resolution, too, as JJ strips back his KSI alter ego and makes amends with his family. Such a brave and honest portrayal of fame is a rare thing. ★★★★★ HD

Best box set on TV tonight

Crossroads, ITVX

Crossroads cast

The Crossroads cast. (Image credit: ITV)

Ahead of ITVX’s much-anticipated drama Nolly, written by Russell T Davies and featuring Helena Bonham Carter as Crossroads star Noele Gordon, catch up with selected highlights from the famous long-running Midlands soap on ITVX and Britbox. These include various Christmas episodes, the Crossroads motel fire and its aftermath, and Meg’s wedding to Hugh Mortimer, which aired in 1975.

 ★★★ JP

Best film on TV tonight

The Talented Mr Ripley, 5.40 pm, Sky Thriller, NOW

If you’re looking forward to seeing Andrew Scott in Ripley, Sky’s new adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, later this year, here’s a chance to revisit Anthony Minghella’s lush big-screen version from 1999. Matt Damon stars as the chameleon-like Tom Ripley, whose trip to Italy to find wealthy Dickie Greenleaf is built on a throwaway lie which merely provides a base for the many layers of lies to follow.Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow play golden couple Dickie and Marge, but they face stiff competition in the beauty stakes from the shimmering Italian locations of Positano, Procida and Ischia, where much of the filming took place. ★★★★ JP 

Soaps

Live Sport

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss Marie Antoinette on TV tonight.

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.