TV Tonight: Dawn French's Insurance Scam Comedy & Anglo-Saxon Cemetery Discovery
TV Tonight: Dawn French Comedy & Anglo-Saxon Dig

Tonight's television schedule offers a delightful mix of comedy, archaeology, and drama, with standout performances and intriguing discoveries. From insurance scams to ancient cemeteries, there's something for every viewer to enjoy this evening.

Can You Keep a Secret? – 9.30pm, BBC One

Dawn French continues to deliver a hilarious performance as Debbie, a woman embroiled in a daring insurance scam. In this latest episode, the secret is out: her police officer daughter-in-law Neha, played by Mandip Gill, has discovered that Debbie's husband William, portrayed by Mark Heap, is very much alive. Neha demands they return the insurance money, but Debbie remains defiant, refusing to bow to threats. Adding to the chaos, an anonymous blackmailer has uncovered the scam, though their uninspiring font choice fails to intimidate. This comedy promises great fun and plenty of laughs, with French's comedic timing shining through.

Landscape Artist of the Year 2026 – 8pm, Sky Arts

St James's Park provides a picturesque backdrop for eight artists competing in this creative challenge. They must capture water, trees, and a distant view of Buckingham Palace. Expect diverse artistic approaches, including a surreal AI-inspired interpretation, a psychologist's vibes-based painting, and a unique morass of greyish brown tones. The competition highlights the varied techniques and perspectives that artists bring to landscape painting.

Digging for Britain – 9pm, BBC Two

This episode takes viewers to southern Britain, where archaeological sites reveal fascinating history. Highlights include an Anglo-Saxon cemetery in Kent, an 18th-century slipway on the New Forest coast, and excavations beneath Trinity College, Oxford. Additionally, delicate iron age objects unearthed in Herne Bay are block-lifted and X-rayed, raising questions about what secrets they might hold. It's a must-watch for history enthusiasts.

Grantchester – 9pm, ITV1

In this cosy crime drama, Alphy and Geordie investigate a foundling home where suspicions of witchcraft arise. Geordie faces a personal struggle as he grapples with the possibility of his partner's guilt, adding emotional depth to the mystery. The episode blends suspense with character-driven storytelling.

Patience – 9pm, Channel 4

"Rock star archaeologist" Samuel Henry is about to reveal a shocking discovery about a Viking runestone when he suddenly dies during a symposium. As Patience and Frankie investigate, his colleague meets a similar fate. Meanwhile, Patience presents Elliot with a detailed contract outlining her relationship needs, adding a quirky twist to the procedural drama.

Surgeons: A Matter of Life Or Death – 9pm, Channel 5

This fly-on-the-wall hospital series features nerve-racking operations, including the removal of kidneys that have grown to the size of watermelons and a rare, fast-growing tumour in a patient's nose and cheek. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as surgeons tackle these complex medical challenges.

Film Choice: Polite Society – 9pm, Film4

Directed by Nida Manzoor, creator of We Are Lady Parts, this punchy comic thriller stars Priya Kansara as Ria, a teenage British Muslim martial arts fanatic with dreams of becoming a stunt performer. When her older sister Lena, played by Ritu Arya, considers abandoning her artistic dreams for an arranged marriage with wealthy geneticist Salim, Ria plots to sabotage the union. The film explores themes of sibling rivalry and cultural expectations with vibrant energy.

Live Sport

Football fans can tune in for Champions League action, including Newcastle v PSV Eindhoven at 7pm on TNT Sports 2, Marseille v Liverpool on TNT Sports 1, and Chelsea v Pafos on TNT Sports 3, both also at 7pm.