Some evenings lean into spectacle, others into curiosity. Tonight manages both. From a scholarly search for the holy grail to the realities lurking behind Las Vegas neon, this is television that asks questions rather than offering easy answers, with a few comforting constants along the way.
Lost Grail With Alice Roberts
9pm, Sky History
Alice Roberts has made a career out of turning academic curiosity into compelling television, and this new series begins with an irresistible hook. The holy grail is one of history’s most overworked myths, yet Roberts approaches it with restraint rather than reverence.
Her journey starts on the Isle of Wight before stretching north to Rosslyn Chapel, a location already weighted with pop culture baggage thanks to The Da Vinci Code. Rather than leaning into conspiracy, Roberts traces how legend, faith and historical fragments have tangled over centuries. The result feels grounded, curious and refreshingly sceptical, even when dealing with knights, relics and whispered traditions.
This is television for viewers who enjoy the process of investigation as much as the conclusion.
Inside the Factory
8pm, BBC One
There is something quietly reassuring about Inside the Factory, and this final episode of the series sticks closely to the formula. Lawn mowers take centre stage, with Paddy McGuinness heading to Hertfordshire to see how Hayter has been building machines since the 1940s.
Cherry Healey, meanwhile, is preparing Wembley’s pitch for the FA Cup final, a reminder that even the most iconic sporting moments rest on precise, unseen work. It is gentle, practical television that fills an hour without demanding too much, and sometimes that is exactly what an evening needs.
Bargain Holiday Secrets
8pm, Channel 4
The idea of a cheap holiday now feels almost nostalgic, but this new series sets out to challenge that assumption. A group of travel insiders promises practical advice rather than fantasy, beginning with cruises.
The focus is on timing, destinations and the less obvious ways prices can be nudged down. It avoids glamour in favour of spreadsheets and strategy, which may not sound thrilling, but feels oddly empowering. For viewers already thinking about summer escapes, this lands at the right moment.
The Good Ship Murder
9pm, Channel 5
Murder mysteries and sun drenched backdrops remain a reliable pairing, and this week’s episode delivers both. When a domineering passenger is found dead in Valletta, suspicion spreads quickly, touching family tensions and long simmering resentments.
Back on board, the drama shifts inward as personal secrets threaten to derail relationships. It is not subtle, but it knows exactly what it is, and leans into that confidence.
Sin City: The Real Las Vegas
10.15pm, BBC Three
Las Vegas has always sold itself as excess made permanent, but this two part documentary looks past the spectacle. Tir Dhondy meets residents living alongside the city’s transformation, where casinos now share space with live sports betting, influencer culture and relentless parties.
What emerges is a portrait of a place wrestling with its own image. Promoters thrive, paramedics burn out, and the gap between fantasy and reality widens. It is unsettling in places, but compelling throughout.
Trying
10.40pm, BBC One
Trying returns for its second series with warmth rather than fanfare. Nikki and Jason are closer to adoption but stumble over conversations they should probably have had earlier. The writing remains gentle, leaning into awkward pauses and small emotional shifts rather than punchlines.
It is television that understands how relationships fray quietly, not explosively, and that makes it feel honest.
Film choice: The Night of the 12th
1.35am, Film4
This French true crime drama makes no promises of closure. Based on an unsolved murder, it follows a detective trapped in a loop of interviews, false leads and unanswered questions.
The tone is patient and sombre, closer to Zodiac than a conventional procedural. It rewards attention rather than adrenaline, and lingers long after it ends.
Live Sport on UK TV Tonight
EFL Cup semi final second leg
Arsenal v Chelsea, 7.30pm, ITV1
A London derby under lights, with a place in the final at stake. Manchester City v Newcastle follows on Wednesday evening.
Watching from anywhere
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