Richard E Grant embarks on a personal Mediterranean pilgrimage in Richard E Grant's Very Modern Odyssey, airing on Channel 4 at 8pm. The actor, who has been captivated by Homer's epic since he first read it at 18, visits Malta, the first stop on his journey through locations said to have inspired the ancient Greek tale.
Grant's Charismatic Tour of Mythic Lands
Grant, known for his effusive personality, is "utterly bewitched" by the island's beauty and history, according to previews. The series promises a blend of travelogue and personal reflection as Grant explores the connections between the mythic world of Odysseus and the real places that may have influenced Homer's imagination.
The show is part of a wave of celebrity travel documentaries inspired by Christopher Nolan's recent blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey, but Grant's genuine enthusiasm sets it apart. His lifelong obsession with the text provides a unique lens, making the journey both educational and deeply personal.
Other TV Highlights Tonight
Elsewhere, ITV1 offers Force of Nature at 7pm, a nature series narrated by Andrew Lincoln. This episode focuses on the platypus, detailing its bizarre mating rituals and the female's race against time to protect her eggs from an impending flash flood.
At 8pm on ITV1, Marc Warren returns as the irascible Amsterdam detective in Van Der Valk. In this episode, a professional hit on a crime gang whistleblower forces him to reunite with an old flame who is part of the protection detail. The pair must set aside their history to protect a second informant.
Music and Drama Across Channels
Channel 4's The Piano at 9pm sees contestants performing at London Bridge station, hoping to impress guest judge Jools Holland. Highlights include an 84-year-old's boogie-woogie rendition of "Roll Out the Barrel" and a child who sparks a mass singalong.
BBC Four celebrates the Proms with Great Violinists at the Proms at 9pm, featuring performances from Sueye Park, Liya Petrova, Nicola Benedetti, and Nigel Kennedy, curated by Katie Derham to mark Park's "dazzling" debut.
Sky Documentaries airs Groomed: The Truth Behind the Lie at 9pm, a three-part investigation into the case of Ellie Williams, who was convicted for lying about an Asian grooming gang. The series examines how far-right groups exploited the case and why other women's abuse allegations were ignored, with Williams's family speaking publicly for the first time.
Film Choice and Live Sport
For film fans, Singin' in the Rain (1952) is on Sky Cinema Greats at 8pm, a foundational Hollywood musical starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, offering a timeless dose of exuberance.
Sports coverage includes The Hundred cricket: London Women v Manchester Super Giants Women at 2.15pm on BBC Two, followed by London Men v Manchester Super Giants Men at 6pm.
