On TV tonight, Richard Osman is the next celeb exploring his family tree as he takes part in Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC One, go Backstage with Katherine Ryan, a new comedy series on Prime Video and meet home owners looking to upsize in Sarah Beeny's Little House, Big Plans on C4. Catch a young Jodie Comer in BBC Three drama Thirteen, meet the pawnbrokers making a mint in Million Pound Pawn on ITV and finally, BBC Four dedicate its schedule to Judy Garland, including the 2019 biopic Judy. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include six 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
Who Do You Think You Are? 9pm, BBC One
There are some uncanny coincidences for Richard Osman when he delves
into his family history – two of his ancestors were amateur sleuths and could easily have been the subject of his best-selling murder-mystery books. In 1831, his great-great-great-great-grandfather Gabriel and Gabriel’s mother, Elizabeth, discovered the decaying corpse of a servant and later gave evidence at the notorious murder trial, even featuring in newspapers of the day. Richard also delves into the military history of his grandfather, Fred, who left school at 14, before rising through the ranks to become a Regimental Sergeant Major.
★★★★ HD
Backstage with Katherine Ryan, Prime Video
Get all the behind-the-scenes gossip as Katherine invites top comedy stars to perform and hang out backstage with her at London’s Roundhouse theatre. And there are cameras literally everywhere, which reveal all the nerves, the camaraderie… and the clashes. The first episode sees Seann Walsh opening up about his Strictly scandal and Ted Lasso’s Nick Mohammed amazing everyone with his magic touch! Later in the uncensored and unscripted series, we also get to see comedians Judi Love, Sue Perkins, Rob Beckett, Tom Allen, Sara Pascoe and Sarah Millican as we’ve never seen them before.
★★★★ HD
Sarah Beeny's Little House, Big Plans, 8pm, C4
This new property show pretty much does what it says on the tin – folk find clever (and usually expensive) ways to increase their square footage. But there are some interesting builds and plenty of space-saving ideas that will please property makeover fans. Sarah is with Leah and Sam, who inherited a pretty two-bed cottage, but with four children, two dogs, four cats and three tortoises they need an ambitious extension. Also, architect Damion Burrows views a very modern extension in Cheadle Hulme and a self-build eco-house in Bristol.
★★★ JL
Million Pound Pawn, 9pm, ITV
Spain’s swanky resort of Marbella is a magnet for millionaires, so it’s no surprise pawnbrokers are flocking there to try to make extra cash. This new series follows several of them on the hunt for deals, including Anthony, who opened the area’s first pawn shop in the 1980s. Tonight, broker Dan hopes to sell on a rare 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.
★★★ HD
Judy Garland Night, from 8pm, BBC Four
Because she died at the relatively young age of 47, it’s hard to believe that Judy Garland was born a century ago, but it’s true – tomorrow, 10 June, she would have turned 100. Tonight, BBC4 pays tribute to the iconic actor, beginning with a 2001 profile from Jonathan Ross in Hollywood Greats. At 9pm it’s the 2019 biopic Judy, in which Renée Zellweger gives a terrific — and Oscar-winning — performance as the troubled star in the months before her death. Finally, at 10.50pm, you can see Judy herself in the acclaimed 1954 version of A Star Is Born, which co-stars James Mason and includes The Man That Got Away among the musical numbers.
★★★★ JP
Thirteen, 9pm, BBC Three
Jodie Comer has won a clutch of awards in the past few years, including two BAFTAs and an Emmy. But she had already appeared in several series before making her name as Killing Eve’s Villanelle, including Doctor Foster, The White Princess and this 2016 drama about a young woman who escapes after being held captive for 13 years. It’s currently being rerun on BBC3, with all episodes on iPlayer.
★★★★ JP
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
The Midwich Cuckoos, season 1, Sky Box Sets/NOW
The man behind BBC One’s espionage hit The Night Manager turns his hand to sci-fi as he brings John Wyndham’s iconic 1957 sci-fi novel to the small screen. Writer David Farr has brought the tale, which sees all the women of childbearing age in a small town fall pregnant by aliens, into the modern age. The setting is now an affluent commuter town just outside of London, rather than a rural village as in the original novel and Keeley Hawes drives the story forward as Dr Susannah Zellaby, a character reimagined as a woman, which is an excellent way to tell this sinister and uniquely female horror story. Also watch out for Max Beesley as DCI Paul Kirby and Aisling Loftus as expectant mum Zoe Moran.
Best film to watch on TV tonight
Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, 9pm, Talking Pictures
A splendidly macabre film thriller (the same director’s follow-up to What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?) starring Bette Davis as a recluse who, haunted by macabre memories of the past, is suspected of murdering her lover. Olivia de Havilland co-stars and watch for Bruce Dern (as the murder victim at the start) in an early film role.
Live Sport
- T20 Blast Cricket, Middlesex vs Surrey, 6pm, Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
Soaps on TV tonight
- EastEnders, 7.30pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30pm, ITV
- Hollyoaks, 6.30pm, C4
- Neighbours, 6pm, Channel 5
- Home and Away, 6pm & 6.30pm, 5Star
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Who Do You Think You Are? on TV tonight – Richard discovers his roots with some surprising links between the past and present day.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
