Midweek television leans into contrast. Stylised fiction sits alongside recent history, while lighter fare continues to fill the edges. At its centre is a period drama that takes a knowingly odd approach to crime storytelling.
Pick of the day
This Is Not a Murder Mystery, 8pm, U&Drama
There is a risk with concept-driven dramas that the idea overwhelms everything else. Here, it largely holds together. Set in 1936, the story unfolds inside a West Sussex stately home hosting a gathering of avant garde artists. When a body is discovered, posed with deliberate theatricality, the tone is immediately clear.
The appeal lies in its visual confidence. References to surrealist art are not subtle, but they are handled with enough care to feel playful rather than forced. The script leans into that same sensibility, favouring sharp, self aware dialogue over traditional detective drama seriousness.
Stephen Tompkinson’s arrival as DCI John Thistlethwaite provides a useful anchor. His performance grounds the story just enough to stop it drifting into parody. It is unusual, occasionally indulgent, but consistently engaging.
Across the channels
A Taste for Murder, 9pm, ITV1
A more familiar formula, albeit with a polished setting. The combination of Italian scenery, food and crime gives the show an easy appeal, even if the structure feels well worn. It is the sort of drama that is unlikely to surprise, but rarely offends.
Salisbury Poisonings: The Untold Story, 9pm, Channel 4
A sobering shift in tone. This three part series revisits the 2018 Salisbury attack through the perspective of those closest to the immediate response. The strength here is in the detail. It focuses less on spectacle and more on uncertainty, particularly among those dealing with a situation they did not yet fully understand.
It also raises broader questions about state response, information control and public communication. The events themselves remain well documented, but the human perspective adds a layer that is often missing.
The Betrayal of Anne Boleyn: Inside the Tower of London Special, 9pm, Channel 5
Historical retelling remains a dependable format. This one stands out for its clarity rather than novelty. By tracing Anne Boleyn’s downfall through locations and archival detail, it offers a measured account of a story that is often dramatised beyond recognition.
Lighter viewing
The ’Burbs, 9pm, Sky One
The tone remains intentionally uneven, shifting between comedy and mild suspense. It does not always land, but there is enough energy in the performances to keep it moving.
Twenty Twenty Six, 10pm, BBC Two
A quieter kind of satire. Its humour comes from language and tone rather than set pieces. At times it feels understated to a fault, but there is a sharpness beneath it that rewards attention.
Watching from anywhere
The spread of tonight’s schedule reflects a broader shift in how UK television is consumed. Drama premieres sit on traditional channels, while sport and international content are increasingly fragmented across platforms.
For viewers outside the UK, that fragmentation becomes a barrier. Services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX remain restricted by region, while rights for documentaries and drama vary between territories. Tools like LibertyShield are often used to maintain access, particularly for those travelling or living abroad. It is a practical response to a system that is still largely built around national boundaries.
Final thought
This Is Not a Murder Mystery sets the tone for an evening that feels slightly off centre. It is confident in its strangeness, and that alone makes it stand out.
Around it sits a schedule that balances comfort with reflection. Whether that is revisiting recent history or leaning into familiar drama structures, there is enough range here to suit most moods. The challenge, as ever, is deciding where to start.