Monday night television has a habit of sneaking up on you. One minute it feels like a holding pattern between weekends, the next it delivers a run of programmes that are heavy, strange, quietly brilliant and occasionally unhinged. Tonight is very much one of those evenings.
From a sobering documentary about collective courage, to the return of a forensic drama that refuses to die quietly, there is plenty worth clearing an evening for.
Survivor voices take centre stage
The most important programme on tonight’s schedule is Lover, Liar, Predator on BBC Two. It is a restrained, carefully handled documentary that follows four women who independently suffered physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the same man. Rather than leaning on shock, it focuses on what happens when survivors compare notes, support each other and decide to act.
The power here lies in its clarity. The women speak plainly, without melodrama, about how manipulation works and how easily it hides in plain sight. It is uncomfortable viewing, but essential, and a reminder that accountability often begins with people believing one another.
Familiar crime, fresh setting
Over on BBC One, Silent Witness returns for its 29th series, now relocated to Birmingham. The move feels more than cosmetic. The first episode of a two part story drops Nikki and Jack into a case involving an unexpected hitman, but the real intrigue is how the show is recalibrating after so many years.
The formula is intact, forensic puzzles, personal stakes, clipped dialogue, but there is a renewed sense of energy. It helps that the cast are comfortable enough to let the story breathe, and yes, the haircut will be discussed at length tomorrow.
Escapism, budgets and controlled chaos
If you want something lighter before the serious stuff begins, Jamie’s Feasts for a Fiver offers comfort television done properly. The recipes are practical rather than aspirational, and the show understands that cooking on a budget does not need to feel like a punishment.
Later in the evening, Industry continues its habit of spiralling elegantly out of control. Tonight’s episode is one of the most frantic of the season, as egos, substances and professional ambition collide in increasingly poor decisions. It is exhausting in a way that feels deliberate, a portrait of people who mistake motion for progress.
Fantasy, soldiers and pressure points
Sky Atlantic’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms leans further into brutality as its tourney storyline ramps up. The series remains more intimate than its predecessor, but it still knows how to land a cliffhanger with precision.
On Channel 5, Platoon 24/7: Preparing for War follows a newly formed infantry platoon as they train ahead of deployment. It is observational rather than bombastic, focusing on routine, pressure and how strangers are turned into units. The tone is calm, which makes the stakes feel heavier.
Film choice worth staying up for
The standout late night option is Chevalier on Film4. It tells the story of Joseph Bologne, a composer and fencer navigating late 18th century Paris while confronting racism, class and politics head on. It is stylish without being glossy, and genuinely interesting in the questions it raises about talent and acceptance.
Watching on your terms
With so much spread across live channels and on demand platforms, flexibility matters. Catch up services make it easy to shape your own schedule, whether you are watching live or later in the week. For those travelling, or simply moving between devices, maintaining consistent access can be frustrating. Using a trusted VPN such as LibertyShield can help keep streaming reliable across phones, tablets and laptops, with a 48 hour free trial offering a useful window to get through a packed couple of evenings without technical distractions.
Tonight’s schedule does not offer easy viewing, but it does offer meaningful television. Sometimes that is exactly what a Monday needs.