On TV tonight, Vicky McClure's Without Sin arrives, Chris Packham narrates a new documentary about wild dogs, and the new two-part BBC drama Mayflies starring Martin Compston is sure to be a gripping watch. 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
Without Sin, 9 pm, ITVX
Vicky McClure is as impressive as ever in this clever and powerful four-part thriller, which sees her play tortured mum Stella, whose only child, Maisy, was murdered three years previously. Stella, now working as a cab driver, is finding it tough to handle her overwhelming grief, but when she is contacted by Charles Stone (Vicky’s This Is England co-star Johnny Harris), the man who is serving time for killing Maisy, she makes the courageous decision to visit him in prison to get some answers. But Charles delivers a bombshell that turns her world upside down…
★★★★★ CC
Jon and Lucy's Party of the Year, 9pm, Channel 4
Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont host one of their post-Christmas-slump parties, with guests Tom Allen, Judi Love and Romesh Ranganathan, to play games and reflect on the year’s events. From Lucy’s scavenger hunt to Jon’s turn on the Wheel of Misfortune, based on This Morning’s Spin to Win, it’s all enjoyably daft.
★★★★ NT
Dogs in the Wild: Meet the Family, 8 pm, BBC One
From tiny fennec foxes to formidable Arctic wolves, the wild dog family is certainly diverse. This three-part series, narrated by Chris Packham, introduces us to many of its 37 different members, each of whom has its own unique skills to help it survive. There’s the maned wolf, whose diet is 50 per cent fruit, and the dholes in South India that constantly talk to each other. We also hear the howls of the Arctic wolves, which can carry for 16km, and follow the wily red foxes thriving in the busy streets of London.
★★★★ NH
Mayflies, 9 pm, BBC One
Andrew O’Hagan’s acclaimed novel about friendship and terminal illness was revered for its poignant nostalgia and searing humanity when it hit shelves in 2020 and this two-part adaptation brings his bittersweet tale to life with gusto. Martin Compston and Tony Curran take the lead as two old friends, Jimmy and Tully, who embark on a moving journey together, in a portrait of love and loss which is leavened by the uplifting tale of the summer that defined their friendship as 16-year-olds.
It might not be traditional Christmassy fare, but the tragi-comic tale does boast a banging 1980s soundtrack. Concludes tomorrow.
★★★★ SMA
Best box set on TV tonight
Emily in Paris season 3, Netflix
Emily in Paris is back, and fans are no doubt dying to see more drama, laughter and love in the highly anticipated third season of the hit Netflix series. A lot of the plot has been kept under wraps until it's released, but we do know a little bit.
In season 3, Emily seems to have a massively chaotic work life with her new job with Sylvie causing her drama, and she also seems to have an equally complicated love life. Will she finally be able to settle down and balance things? We'll have to wait and see!
LB
Best film on TV tonight
Moana, 3.50pm, BBC One
The House of Mouse once again delivers a princess-themed animated musical that will delight adults as well as youngsters. This time the setting is ancient Polynesia, where sparky leader-to-be Moana (voiced by Hawaiian teenager Auli’i Cravalho) sets off on an oceanic quest to save her people with the help of reluctant demi-god Maui (a wonderful Dwayne Johnson). The songs are catchy – especially Jemaine Clement’s giant bedazzled hermit crab channeling David Bowie with Shiny – while the visuals are imaginative and striking. And with characters to care and root for, this is rollicking good fun.
★★★★ NP
Soaps
- EastEnders, 7:30 pm, BBC One
- Coronation Street, 7 pm, ITV
Live Sport
Premier League: Leeds United vs Manchester City, 8 pm, BT Sport 1
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Vicky McClure's new drama Without Sin on TV tonight.
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
