A new BBC drama takes a measured look at relationships under strain, while a major geopolitical documentary reaches its conclusion. Here’s what to watch on UK TV tonight.
Babies BBC One 9pm
There is a particular difficulty in depicting ordinary lives without reducing them to cliché.
At 9pm on BBC One, Babies approaches that challenge with restraint. The six-part series follows a London couple navigating the uncertainty of trying to have a child, and the emotional consequences when things do not go to plan.
What stands out is its refusal to dramatise beyond what is necessary. The performances carry much of the weight, allowing smaller moments to accumulate rather than relying on obvious turning points. It is not always comfortable viewing, but it feels considered and grounded.
The series is less about narrative progression and more about endurance, how people continue through disruption rather than move past it.
Clash of the Superpowers America vs China BBC Two 9pm
At 9pm on BBC Two, the concluding part of this documentary brings a contemporary edge to a longer geopolitical story.
Focusing on recent tensions, including trade disputes, technological competition and the pandemic, it presents a layered account of how relations have shifted over time. Contributors from both sides offer perspective, though the tone remains analytical rather than confrontational.
It is dense in places, but that density reflects the subject. There are no simple conclusions here, only a clearer sense of how complex the relationship has become.
The Teacher Channel 5 9pm
Also at 9pm on Channel 5, the anthology drama continues with a story rooted in cultural conflict.
The episode centres on a teacher whose classroom disagreement escalates beyond expectation. What begins as a debate about literature develops into something more serious, raising questions about authority, responsibility and the limits of expression.
It follows a familiar framework, but builds tension effectively as consequences begin to surface.
Hunting the Silver Killer ITV1 9pm
At 9pm on ITV1, true crime returns to unresolved cases from the late 1990s.
The programme revisits two deaths previously ruled as murder suicides, presenting an alternative interpretation. As with many modern true crime documentaries, it is as much about re-examining institutional decisions as it is about the crimes themselves.
There is an underlying suggestion that certainty can be misleading, particularly when early conclusions go unchallenged.
DTF St Louis Sky Atlantic 9pm
At 9pm on Sky Atlantic, the drama continues to unfold at its own pace.
The narrative resists clarity, favouring implication over explanation. Relationships remain unstable, motivations unclear, and each development adds further ambiguity rather than resolution.
It demands attention, but rewards it with a lingering sense of unease.
Rooster Sky One 10pm
At 10pm on Sky One, a lighter tone emerges.
Rooster blends awkward comedy with more reflective moments, following a writer adjusting to an academic setting. The contrast between generational perspectives provides much of the humour, though there is an underlying seriousness that prevents it from becoming purely comedic.
It is understated, but effective.
Watching UK TV while abroad
Access to UK television services can vary significantly outside the country.
Platforms such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX apply regional restrictions, particularly for live broadcasts and newly released programmes. This can disrupt viewing, especially for ongoing series.
Services such as LibertyShield are often used to maintain access to UK platforms while travelling, allowing continuity across locations without altering the viewing experience.
Conclusion
Monday’s schedule is defined by contrast.
A grounded domestic drama sits alongside global political analysis and familiar formats. There is no single dominant programme, but a range of options that reflect different viewing preferences.