A disgraced detective starts again on a remote island in a slick new procedural. Plus, a rare look at orchestral conductors under pressure and Grayson Perry explores the future of AI. Here’s what to watch this evening.
There is something quietly reassuring about the rhythm of midweek television. A mix of dependable formats, a few ambitious swings, and the occasional surprise. Tonight leans into that balance, with a glossy new crime drama leading the charge.
Saint-Pierre
9pm, U&Alibi
There is a familiar shape to Saint-Pierre, but it wears it well. Allan Hawco plays Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick, a disgraced cop whose career has unravelled in public. His punishment is reassignment to a small, windswept island, far removed from the noise that brought him down.
The appeal lies in contrast. Fitz is all rough edges and instinct, while his new partner, Geneviève “Arch” Archambaul, is precise and quietly unimpressed. Around them sits a setting that feels both remote and watchful, where everyone notices everything.
It is polished, bilingual, and visually confident. Whether it evolves beyond its procedural roots will depend on how deeply it explores its central character, but the early signs are promising.
Making a Maestro
8pm, Sky Arts
Conductors rarely get this kind of attention. Making a Maestro offers a rare window into a role that is often misunderstood, even by regular concertgoers.
Following the Donatella Flick LSO Conducting Competition, the series captures young musicians at a pivotal moment. The stakes are high, but the tension is subtle. A raised eyebrow, a mistimed cue, a moment of hesitation, all carry weight.
There is something compelling in watching expertise being formed in real time. It is less about spectacle, more about precision and discipline.
Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy
9pm, BBC Two
The final episode of this series turns its focus to the most turbulent period of Michael Jackson’s life. Legal battles, financial strain, and public scrutiny dominate the narrative.
It is not an easy watch. The tone is sober, at times bleak, and deliberately avoids sentimentality. What emerges is a portrait of a figure whose later years were defined as much by controversy as by cultural impact.
Grayson Perry Has Seen the Future
9pm, Channel 4
Grayson Perry’s exploration of technology concludes in San Francisco, where he meets those shaping the next wave of digital life.
From AI developers to robotics specialists, the programme touches on familiar anxieties about automation and identity. What sets it apart is Perry’s approach. He is curious rather than alarmist, probing without trying to resolve everything neatly.
There is an undercurrent here that will feel familiar to anyone following privacy and digital autonomy debates. Technology is advancing quickly, but the human response remains uneven.
The ’Burbs
9pm, Sky One
This reboot continues to find its footing. There are hints of something sharper beneath the surface, but it still feels slightly unsure of its tone.
Suspicion hangs over the neighbourhood, though whether it leads to something genuinely unsettling remains to be seen.
Twenty Twenty Six
10pm, BBC Two
Ian Fletcher returns, still overwhelmed, still well meaning. The satire has shifted slightly, reflecting a world now shaped by remote meetings, online discourse and constant scrutiny.
It remains a familiar formula, but one that still lands, largely because the chaos feels recognisable.
Film choice: The Man with Two Brains
4.25am, Sky Cinema Greats
A reminder of Steve Martin at his most inventive. Absurd, relentless, and packed with visual gags, it plays like a time capsule from a different comedic era.
Tonight’s UK TV roundup
Programmes like Grayson Perry Has Seen the Future highlight a growing tension. As technology becomes more embedded in everyday life, the questions around control, privacy and trust become harder to ignore.
Whether it is AI development in Silicon Valley or the quieter data collection happening in the background of daily life, viewers are increasingly aware that convenience often comes with trade-offs.
It is not always dramatic, but it is constant. And that is where awareness matters.
A note on access and streaming
Much of tonight’s TV is spread across different broadcasters and platforms, which can make access less straightforward, particularly when travelling.
Services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Sky are often restricted outside the UK, meaning viewers can suddenly lose access to programmes they would normally watch without thinking.
For those wanting to keep up while abroad, using a service like LibertyShield VPN can help maintain access, allowing you to watch from anywhere without changing how you use your usual apps.