Virdee
9pm, BBC One
A full-throttle opening sequence throws you into the high-octane world of detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair) in this crime thriller based on Amit Dhand’s novels. But it’s not just Bradford’s turf war that is keeping him on his toes; there’s plenty of drama in his private life, with his estranged family disapproving of his interfaith marriage. Virdee is not exactly subtle in leaning into its genre, but there’s fun to be had with it, and deeper issues are explored. Hollie Richardson
Jamie’s £1 Wonders & Money-Saving Meals
8pm, Channel 4
God bless the air fryer, which this time is used to make a tomato sauce perfect for pastas. Other foodie miracles performed in the last episode of Jamie Oliver’s easy-to-follow series are carrot cake, chicken curry, welsh rarebit and a whole Chinese feast. HR
The Balkans: Europe’s Forgotten Frontier
9pm, BBC Two
Thoughts of Russia dominate the second half of Katya Adler’s tour of eastern Europe. In Romania, she joins Nato forces on an aerial drill designed to send a “clear and loud message to Moscow”. In Serbia, the country’s coal power is of interest to Russia and China. Plus, visiting Kosovo means walking down Tony Blair street. Jack Seale
Go Back to Where You Came From
9pm, Channel 4
More from the series where six outspoken Britons experience life on the ground for refugees. An encounter in northern Syria with victims of a recent drone strike sparks emotive debate between Dave, Bushra and Chloe. Meanwhile, Jess, Nathan and Mathilda seem overwhelmed by what they see in Kenya’s sprawling Dadaab camp. Graeme Virtue
Boarders
9pm, BBC Three
The pressure mounts in this witty swipe at boarding schools, as the five scholarship students fight to keep their places at St Gilbert’s. The insufferable new headteacher, Carol, puts on the school open day, which causes all sorts of problems – from Femi’s spoken-word performance to head boy Jaheim going missing. HR
Bump
11.10pm, BBC One
“Set a place for death at the table.” While this isn’t the most cheerful message for a counsellor to deliver, it seems realistic in the face of Angie’s struggles to prepare for her passing. This warm Aussie comedy is good at addressing life’s most serious moments, and as Angie readies to let go in this season finale double bill, it’s as sweet, sour and convincingly human as ever. Phil Harrison
Film choice
Things to Come (William Cameron Menzies, 1936), 3.15am, Talking Pictures TV
A landmark in British sci-fi cinema, this stunningly designed 1936 drama, written by HG Wells and directed by William Cameron Menzies, mingles despair at our warlike nature with dreams of a technocratic utopia of unstoppable progress. Spanning 1940 to 2036, it follows the fortunes of Everytown, assailed by conflict and descending into feudalism, until hope arrives in the form of an advanced, aerial global power. A prescient, futurist classic. Simon Wardell
Article by:Source: Hollie Richardson, Jack Seale, Graeme Virtue, Phil Harrison and Simon Wardell
