On TV tonight, the Baker's embark on their final day out in Matt Baker: Travels with Mum & Dad on More4, the eighth and final series of Brooklyn Nine–Nine begins on E4, comedy Inside No 9 returns to BBC Two, get ready to go "aw" for The Miracle Panda on Smithsonian and Russian Doll, season 2, arrives on Netflix. 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
Matt Baker: Travels with Mum & Dad, 9pm, More4
This joyous series comes to a close as Matt Baker and his folks enjoy a day out at the races. Hexham Racecourse is the only track in Northumberland and a real beauty it is, too, with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. However, there’s not much time for looking out wistfully to the horizon, as Matt, Janice and Mike get stuck in to stable life. As Matt has a ride on the back of a winner, animal-mad Janice helps train some very clever emergency dogs. On race-day itself, the Bakers have a grand day out before returning home, where there’s a very special surprise waiting for ‘stony-faced’ dad Mike.
★★★★ JL
Brooklyn Nine–Nine, season 8, 10pm, E4
The good news for UK fans of this much-loved comedy about a New York Police precinct is that they can finally get to watch the eighth series. The bad news? It’s the last series and, at just 10 episodes, the end is in sight for the Nine-Nine… One of the reasons for this final series’ long delay was Covid, and the pandemic is addressed in the first episode of tonight’s double bill, as is the subject of police brutality (protests over George Floyd’s death dominated the news during the show’s hiatus).
★★★★ JP
Inside No 9, season 7, 10pm, BBC Two
Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s black comedy received a BAFTA last year, but the pair show no sign of letting up any time soon! The seventh series opens with a tale of three old university pals sharing a reunion at a boating lake and, in a case of art imitating life, Reece and Steve’s old collaborator Mark Gatiss makes a fitting cameo alongside fellow guest star Diane Morgan. It’s a story that examines time and friendship, and also features some great one-liners and a knowing nod to Game of Thrones.
★★★★ SMA
The Miracle Panda, 8pm, Smithsonian
Meet adorable one-year-old Xiao Qi Ji, born at Washington DC’s Smithsonian’s National Zoo, who is providing pandas with a rosy future. As the zoo prepares for his first birthday, it’s revealed that little Xiao Qi Ji (which translates as "little miracle") is the newest hope in the fight to save the animal from extinction. With just 1,800 pandas left in the world, Xiao Qi Ji won’t stay in America, but will go to China to join a breeding programme to sire a new generation for release back into the wild.
★★★ NH
Russian Doll, season 2, Netflix
Schitt’s Creek star Annie Murphy joins the cast for season two of the sci-fi comedy-drama, which sees Natasha Lyonne’s time-looper Nadia, a video game developer who kept dying and reliving her 36th birthday in season 1, confront her past in a Manhattan portal. The new season begins four years after the first ended as Nadia and boyfriend Alan (Charlie Barnett) dive into their own personal pasts in a different sort of loop, but one that could be just as dangerous. A complicated plot but keep up and it's fresh and funny with a great cast.
★★★ JL
Best box set to watch on TV tonight
Anatomy of a Scandal, season 1, Netflix
Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley swaps the sunshine of California for the shadowy corners of Westminster in this captivating new six-part thriller adapted from Sarah Vaughan’s bestselling novel. The drama is seen through the eyes of Sophie Whitehouse (Sienna Miller) whose perfect world is turned upside down when her politician husband (Rupert Friend) is accused of sexual assault, in a tale examining power, privilege and consent. It’s a captivating story with plenty of twists – some more believable than others – which sees Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery on fine form as prosecution barrister Kate Woodcroft.
Best film to watch on TV today
Fantastic Mr Fox, 3.20pm, Film4
Director Wes Anderson (whose BAFTA-nominated The French Dispatch is now on Disney+) displays a deft touch with this family-friendly stop-motion animated version of Roald Dahl’s children’s novel about a farmer who tries to put an end to Mr Fox’s days as a chicken stealer. Lovingly crafted and featuring a stellar voice cast – George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray et al – it is a wonderfully eccentric, humorous and bittersweet tale.
Live Sport
- Premier League, Chelsea vs Arsenal, 7pm (k-o 7.45pm), Sky Sports Main Event/NOW
Soaps on TV tonight
- EastEnders, 7.30pm, BBC One
- Emmerdale, 7.30pm, ITV
- Coronation Street, 8pm, 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 Matt Baker: Travel with Mum & Dad on TV tonight – the last Baker grand day out is real winner.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
