On TV tonight, it's the turn of Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean to go on a DNA Journey on ITV, the second season of Noughts + Crosses begins on BBC One, drama Life After Life continues on BBC Two, The Yorkshire Vet returns to Channel 5 and MasterChef reaches the semi-finals week on BBC One. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on TV tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV Tonight include five 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
DNA Journey, season 2, 9pm, ITV
We’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series, which sees many much-loved TV faces delve into their past to find out more about their ancestors and, in this final part, Olympic gold medallists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean go on their own family-finding mission. Jayne and Chris’ journey takes them back to their home town of Nottingham – which holds both happy and sad memories for Chris – and on to Bristol and East London, where Jayne learns she’s not the only one in her family to have achieved sporting glory. An uplifting and poignant documentary celebrating two national treasures makes a fitting end to a fascinating series.
★★★ VW
Noughts + Crosses, season 2, 10.40pm (times vary), BBC One
The dystopian tale of love across the racial divide, based on Malorie Blackman’s books, returns. When we last saw Callum and his pregnant girlfriend Sephy, they had gone on the run to escape her father Kamal (Paterson Joseph), who presides over an alternative Britain riven by racial tension between a white ‘nought’ underclass and a black ‘cross’ ruling class. As we rejoin, the couple must decide what the future holds, A welcome return for this well-made and ingenious take on prejudice and discrimination, with season 1 on iPlayer if you need to catch up.
★★★★ IM
Life After Life, 9pm, BBC Two
As this beautifully filmed adaptation of Kate Atkinson’s best-selling novel continues, young Ursula is starting to realise that she may be a little different to the rest of her family. That’s putting it mildly, as she’s already died several times in her short life but each time she’s been given the chance to start over again. Following her 16th birthday, life changes dramatically – and traumatically – and Ursula (now played by Thomasin McKenzie) is forced to grow up very quickly. Jessica Brown Findlay joins the excellent cast in this episode as Ursula’s "mad, bad and dangerous to know" Aunt Izzie.
★★★★ JP
The Yorkshire Vet, season 14, 8pm, Channel 5
The popular series is back, so prepare for laughter, drama and tears as a group
of town and country vets tend to animals in need across the county of Yorkshire. With everything from wildlife and farm creatures to domestic pets and more exotic species lining up to be seen, the professionals are certainly kept on their toes. In the first episode, sheep farmer Abbie rushes in with a late-night emergency for Peter Wright, a pregnant sheep in a lot of distress. Meanwhile, vets Julian and Anne prepare to open their new practice in Thirsk, but not everything is going to plan…
★★★★ SO
MasterChef, season 18, 8pm, BBC One
We’ve reached semi-finals week, and the 10 remaining hopefuls are put to the test tonight when the MasterChef studio becomes a restaurant. With judge John Torode running the pass, the contestants are split into three groups – covering starters, mains and desserts – while their ‘customers’ comprise 20 past contestants. Who will be pleasing palates and who will be hanging up their apron? Continues Thursday.
★★★ SO
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Idris Elba's Fight School, season 1, BBC iPlayer
When Idris Elba was a young man growing up in London, he could easily have fallen into a life of crime, but says boxing helped to keep him on the straight and narrow. Now, the Luther star is setting up a fight school to give eight British youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to transform their lives in a similar way, while he watches from ringside. It’s an opportunity that most of the recruits are determined to grab with both hands, and it’s clear Idris sees something of his younger self in each of them. All five episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer.
Best film to watch on TV today
The Old Man & the Gun, 11.10pm, Film4
A classy, hugely engaging tale based almost entirely on fact, about elderly gentleman bank robber Forrest Tucker, played with quiet panache here by Robert Redford. Set in 1981, it’s the story of how detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck) attempted to bring Tucker to justice, although it’s not really a crime thriller, more a gentle but entertaining romp. Sissy Spacek, Danny Glover and Tom Waits also fill out the impressive cast in this elegant elegy from writer-director David Lowery.
Live Sport
- Snooker: The World Championship, 7pm, BBC Two
- EFL, Fulham v Nottingham Forest, 7.30 (k-o 7.45pm), 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 DNA Journey on TV tonight – a fascinating end to this enjoyable series.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
