Tonight, BBC Two unveils a poignant and celebratory documentary marking the centenary of one of Wales's most formidable acting talents, Richard Burton. Richard Burton: Wild Genius promises an intimate portrait of the man who rose from a miner's son in Pontrhydyfen to captivate global audiences and secure seven Oscar nominations.
A Star-Studded Tribute
The film features contributions from a host of acclaimed Welsh actors, including Matthew Rhys, Michael Sheen, and Iwan Rheon, who reflect on Burton's enduring legacy. The documentary charts his meteoric rise in Hollywood, exploring both his professional triumphs and his tumultuous personal life, most notably his two marriages and divorces from screen legend Elizabeth Taylor.
Adding profound personal depth are interviews with his widow, Sally Burton, and his daughter, Kate Burton. Furthermore, his former co-star and lover, Claire Bloom, shares her own memories, offering a multifaceted view of the complex icon.
Tonight's Television Highlights
Beyond the Burton celebration, Tuesday evening offers a diverse lineup of programming across British channels. On Channel 4, Grand Designs follows Greg and Georgie's ambitious Sevenoaks conversion, a project tested by dodgy foundations, a cancer diagnosis, and a global pandemic, with Kevin McCloud discovering how they endured.
Over on BBC One, the Scottish crime drama Shetland continues. A murder in the isolated hamlet of Lunniswick presents a short list of suspects, demanding all the ingenuity of detectives Calder (Ashley Jensen) and Tosh (Alison O'Donnell) to uncover the truth.
Sky Max bids a fond farewell to the final series of A League of Their Own, with guests Wayne Rooney and Maya Jama joining team regulars for one last sports quiz hurrah. Meanwhile, Sky Arts presents the intense competition series Battle of the Irish Dancers, following hopefuls like 26-year-old Owen at the World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin.
Film and Drama Picks
For film fans, Disney+ offers the sequel Freakier Friday, where the body-swap chaos multiplies with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan returning, now joined by Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons. On Netflix, the festive film A Merry Little Ex-Mas provides seasonal cosiness, starring Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson as divorced parents navigating a complicated Christmas.
U&Alibi's The Hunting Party delivers a new serial killer thriller, with Melissa Roxburgh's profiler Bex hunting an arrogant psychiatrist, played by Kevin Corrigan, who ruins her birthday in the process.
Sports enthusiasts can tune into BBC Three for Women's Champions League football, as Manchester United take on PSG at Old Trafford in a crucial matchday three league phase fixture.
