Best TV Tonight: What to watch on Sunday 17 August
From The Greatest Showman to crime drama and real life criminal cases, there’s plenty of great tv to enjoy in the UK tonight.
From The Greatest Showman to crime drama and real life criminal cases, there’s plenty of great tv to enjoy in the UK tonight.
BBC One
21:00 – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
The critically acclaimed drama continues as Dorrigo returns from the war, trying to rebuild his life. Married to Ella but still haunted by the absence of Amy and the men he left behind in the jungle, Dorrigo faces the day of his book launch as an older man. Reflecting on his past and Rabbit’s sketches of their wartime experiences, the series delivers a moving exploration of memory, loss, and survival. Catch up on iPlayer if you’ve missed any episodes.
BBC Two
21:00 – Murder Case: The Vanishing Cyclist (Part One)
Part one of this two-part investigation focuses on the mysterious disappearance of 63-year-old former naval officer Tony Parsons, who vanished during a solo charity cycle ride in 2017. Three years passed with no leads until a shocking 999 call claimed to hold the key to what happened. A gripping start to a true-crime series that promises intrigue and unexpected revelations.
ITV1
19:00 – Cooking with the Stars
Emma Willis and Tom Allen host the show’s first-ever six-way cooking battle. Contestants Natalie Cassidy, Jack Osbourne, Jordan North, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Hugh Dennis, and Kelly Hoppen must create a British classic using only air fryers in just 30 minutes. The bottom two face a high-pressure cook-off to secure their place in the quarter-final, making for a tense and tasty competition.
21:00 – Ridley, Episode 2: The Hollow Tree
A decomposed body is discovered deep in Hawsley Wood, identified as a woman who vanished six years ago. Detective Ridley teams up with Carol and Goodwin to investigate, enlisting the help of a disgraced ex-copper who originally oversaw the case. Expect twists, dark secrets, and intense investigative drama as the story unfolds.
Channel 4
21:00 – Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins
Tonight’s recruits face a terrifying drop from a 130-foot viaduct, pushing them to their limits. Emotional challenges follow, including writing death letters to loved ones, before they must channel anger and aggression in physically demanding tasks. The release of pent-up emotion proves overwhelming for one participant, highlighting the psychological as well as physical trials of the SAS experience.
Channel 5
19:00 – Tesco: How Do They Really Do It?
Cameras spend 24 hours inside one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, uncovering the secrets behind Tesco’s success. From innovative money-making strategies to consumer-friendly shopping hacks, the show reveals how the retail giant keeps customers coming back.
Film4
19:00 – The Greatest Showman
This musical spectacle tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the visionary who created the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. Featuring dazzling performances, show-stopping numbers, and themes of ambition, inclusion, and showmanship, the film follows Barnum as he pursues his dream of creating a spectacular entertainment empire, facing personal and professional challenges along the way.