TV tonight: Graham Norton pens an unusually jolly and thoughtful crime story

The Cork police procedural boasts Kathy Burke in the director’s chair and stars of Father Ted and Derry Girls. Plus: new gameshows based on genealogy and, erm, not stepping on facts. Here’s what to watch this evening

Holding

9pm, ITV

Adapted from Graham Norton’s bestselling novel of the same name, his cracking Irish humour courses through this four-part drama (“We’re meant to be colourful Cork!” an outraged shopkeeper complains to downbeat Sgt PJ Collins about a shop over the road that’s been painted “shite brown”). But Collins (Conleth Hill) finally gets a serious case to solve when human remains are dug up, sending ripples through the small town. With Kathy Burke holding the director’s reins, and beautifully written characters played by a cast boasting Father Ted’s Pauline McLynn and Derry Girls’s Siobhán McSweeney, it’s a somewhat slow but surprisingly jolly and thoughtful crime story. Hollie Richardson

Bridge of Lies

4.30pm, BBC One

It’s finally happened: Ross Kemp has his own teatime gameshow. “All our teams have to do is follow one rule: step on the truths and steer clear of the lies,” he instructs, pointing to a studio “bridge”. If they get questions wrong, there are no Squid Game-style consequences here – just a walk of shame. HR

Fame in the Family

5.30pm, Channel 4

Another new gameshow in which, week by week, celebrities including Shaun Ryder, Kerry Katona and Neil “Razor” Ruddock host dinner parties for invited strangers they’ve never met – and guess which of the four guests is distantly related to them. First up, Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood must work out who his own cousin is. Ali Catterall

Tom Daley’s Hell of a Homecoming

9pm, BBC One

Tom Daley has swapped Speedos for hardier gear in the name of Comic Relief this year. The Olympian turned poolside knitter is running, cycling, rowing and swimming 290 miles from London to his home town of Plymouth. It’s clearly tough work – even for a gold medallist – but Daley is unfailingly good company. Henry Wong

Curse of the Ancients

9pm, Sky History

Prof Alice Roberts embarks on a five-part history of the years 6200BC to AD1486, noting the cataclysms that derailed or obliterated ancient societies. It all starts with global Neolithic migrations prompted by rising sea levels; from there, tonight’s show takes in floods, volcanoes and Europe’s oldest battlefield. Jack Seale

Starstruck

10pm, BBC Three

Season finale time: it’s three months after Jessie and Tom’s breakup, and they’ve both been invited to a stag/hen party (the one for “high liability” guests). Jessie’s ex, Ben, is also there. Cue laser tag, booze and jumping in a pond. HR

Contributors

Ali Catterall, Hollie Richardson, Jack Seale, Henry Wong

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
TV tonight: twisty Michael Sheen crime drama Prodigal Son returns
The father-son duo of serial killer and criminal profiler probe a double death. Plus: it’s semi-final week for The Great British Sewing Bee. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Ellen E Jones, Hannah J Davies, Graeme Virtue and Paul Howlett

09, Jun, 2021 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Golden Globe-winning comedy Ramy is back
An American Muslim continues to explore his identity in the second season of Ramy Youssef’s series. Plus, Who Needs Banksy? Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Ellen E Jones and Henry Wong

12, Aug, 2022 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: the civil rights lawyer elected Philadelphia’s top lawman
Storyville’s eight-part series examines the US’s devastating incarceration rates. Plus: Bake Off: The Professionals sets the teams a carrot-shaped test. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Hannah Verdier, Phil Harrison, Ali Catterall and Paul Howlett

22, Jun, 2021 @5:10 AM

Article image
TV tonight: reopening a 54-year-old murder cold case
Emilia Fox and criminologist David Wilson investigate the killing of a teenage member of the RAF. Plus, chasing the drugs in Before We Die. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Hannah Verdier, Ali Catterall, Hannah J Davies and Paul Howlett

23, Jun, 2021 @5:10 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Douglas Henshall’s final turn as DI Perez in Shetland
The truth about why a missing man’s family came to the island causes the detective some additional worries. Plus: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is back to his Changing Rooms tricks. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Alexi Duggins and Simon Wardell

10, Aug, 2022 @5:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Freudian sleuths dive into another bizarre Viennese murder mystery
Vienna Blood is back for another head-scratching season. Plus: Dispatches probes Pfizer, Grayson Perry puts pandemic art on show and Nick Cave goes to Ally Pally. Here’s watch to watch tonight

Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Graeme Virtue and Simon Wardell

10, Dec, 2021 @6:10 AM

Article image
TV tonight: a magnetic Colin Firth gears up for the finale of The Staircase
The actor’s hypnotic turn as Michael Peterson continues to thrill, as the family endures unbearable scrutiny. Plus, Big Boys concludes. Here’s what to watch this evening

Henry Wong, Danielle De Wolfe, Hollie Richardson and Jack Seale

09, Jun, 2022 @5:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: a return from the dead in medical crime drama Temple
Police are quizzical as Catherine McCormack and Mark Strong return for series two. Plus: England’s polluted rivers and a fresh serving of Guilt. Here’s what to watch tonight

Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Graeme Virtue, Hannah Verdier and Simon Wardell

28, Oct, 2021 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: David Attenborough explores a mammoth graveyard
The national treasure takes on an excavation of a mammoth graveyard in the prehistoric riverbed of the Thames. Plus: Judy Garland in London. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Hannah Verdier, Simon Wardell

30, Dec, 2021 @6:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: a tale of two cities in riveting new crime drama Giri/Haji
Tokyo detective Takehiro Hira sets out to find his missing brother in the depths of London’s criminal underbelly. Plus: Charlotte Church revisits her early fame. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Phil Harrison, Ali Catterall, Hannah J Davies and Paul Howlett

17, Oct, 2019 @5:20 AM