Monday night television leans into tension, with espionage, fractured relationships and uncomfortable truths running through much of the schedule. There is variety on offer, but a noticeable thread of unease connects much of what is on screen.
Pick of the day
Secret Service, 9pm, ITV1
There is a familiar shape to espionage drama, but Secret Service adds just enough pressure to make it feel fresh.
Gemma Arterton plays Kate Henderson, an MI6 officer working on the Russia desk who begins to suspect a mole within government. It is a premise that invites complexity, and the series appears willing to follow through. As suspicions grow, the line between professional duty and personal life starts to blur, with consequences that feel less theatrical and more grounded.
What stands out early is the tone. Rather than leaning on spectacle, the series builds tension through uncertainty. Henderson is not positioned as infallible, and that vulnerability gives the story weight. If it maintains that balance, this could become one of the more compelling dramas of the week.
Across the channels
Mint, 9pm, BBC One
Charlotte Regan’s reworking of Romeo and Juliet continues to find its footing in a modern Scottish setting. The story of rival families is familiar, but the execution feels immediate. There is a rawness to the performances, particularly in moments where romance and violence overlap. It does not always hold back, but that is part of its appeal.
Virgin Island, 9pm, Channel 4
A more divisive proposition. The series presents itself as a form of therapy, exploring intimacy issues among young adults, but the format raises questions as much as it answers them. There are moments of sincerity, though they sit alongside a sense that the line between support and spectacle is not always clear.
Euphoria, 9pm, Sky Atlantic
The third season continues its shift in tone, moving further away from school corridors into more adult territory. A wedding provides the setting for conflict, bringing characters back together in ways that feel both inevitable and volatile. It remains stylised, sometimes excessively so, but still capable of sharp emotional beats.
Earlier viewing
Great Japanese Railway Journeys, 6.30pm, BBC Two
A calmer alternative. Michael Portillo’s travels through Japan continue, offering a mix of cultural detail and gentle observation. It is not demanding viewing, but it rarely needs to be.
Later viewing
Rooster, 10pm, Sky One
A quieter comedy to close the evening. Steve Carell’s struggling writer continues to navigate academic life, with a tone that leans more towards introspection than outright humour. It is understated, occasionally uneven, but watchable.
Watching from anywhere
Programmes like Secret Service and Mint highlight a broader issue for viewers outside the UK. Access to live broadcasts and on demand platforms remains restricted by region, often making it difficult to follow series in real time.
For those travelling or based abroad, services such as LibertyShield are often used to maintain access to UK platforms. It is a practical workaround rather than a novelty, allowing continuity across BBC iPlayer, ITVX and other services without interruption.
Final thought
Secret Service leads the night with a steady, controlled sense of tension, while the rest of the schedule offers a mix of familiarity and risk. There is no single dominant theme, but much of tonight’s viewing is concerned with what sits beneath the surface, whether in relationships, institutions or identity.
It makes for an evening that is less about easy comfort, and more about quiet unease.