Natalie Dormer leads a four-part ITV drama about Jane Andrews, while the Baftas, the Winter Olympics closing ceremony and a packed football schedule compete for Sunday night attention.
Sunday night television offers a striking mix of glamour, controversy and live sport. At its centre is a drama that revisits a case which once dominated headlines.
The Lady, 9pm, ITV1
Natalie Dormer steps into the role of Sarah Ferguson in this four part drama about Jane Andrews, the Duchess of York’s former dresser who was convicted of murdering her boyfriend. The Lady opens not with crime but with aspiration. Working class Jane attempts to navigate royal circles, ambition colliding with insecurity as her mental health deteriorates.
Mia McKenna‑Bruce plays Andrews with intensity and vulnerability. The drama appears less interested in spectacle than in the slow erosion of stability. Timing, given renewed interest in royal narratives, will not go unnoticed. Whether viewers consider it uncomfortable or compelling may depend on how much sympathy they are prepared to extend.
Bafta Film Awards 2026, 7pm, BBC One
If scandal feels heavy, the Baftas provide a lighter counterpoint. Alan Cumming hosts an evening that blends prestige and unpredictability. With major contenders including One Battle After Another and Hamnet, and strong British representation, the ceremony carries more domestic interest than usual. Awards shows always oscillate between reverence and awkwardness. That tension is part of their appeal.
Winter Olympics 2026: Closing Ceremony, 7pm, BBC Two
The Winter Olympics concludes at the Verona Arena with the traditional handover to the French Alps for 2030. These Games have offered drama beyond medal tables, from biathlon controversy to emotional figure skating routines. The closing ceremony tends to be both theatrical and reflective, a reminder that for many athletes this is the pinnacle.
Lord of the Flies, 9pm, BBC One
Jack Thorne’s adaptation moves towards its climax. Tensions fracture further as Jack’s faction embraces violence with disturbing conviction. The atmosphere is heavy, the symbolism obvious yet effective. A storm is coming in more ways than one.
Secret Genius, 9pm, Channel 4
Alan Carr and Susie Dent preside over brain bending challenges as the competition narrows. It remains an odd but appealing format, part quiz, part character study.
Film choice: Breathless, 12.35am, Talking Pictures TV
Jean‑Luc Godard’s 1960 classic remains bracingly modern. Jump cuts, loose plotting and handheld camerawork still feel rebellious. For those curious about cinema history, it rewards patience.
Live sport highlights
Sport again crowds the schedule.
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool kicks off at 1pm on Sky Sports Main Event, followed by Tottenham v Arsenal at 4.25pm. North London derbies rarely require additional narrative.
In the Women’s FA Cup, Chelsea host Manchester United at 1pm on TNT Sports 1, while Liverpool meet Everton at 4pm on Channel 4.
Six Nations rugby continues with France v Italy at 2.20pm on ITV1 from Lille. France’s tactical precision contrasts with Italy’s recent improvements. It may be closer than reputation suggests.
Watching from abroad
Sunday’s listings underline how fragmented modern viewing has become. Drama on ITV, awards on BBC, Premier League football across Sky and TNT Sports, rugby on ITV. Even one evening can require multiple platforms.
For viewers travelling outside the UK, regional restrictions can interrupt access to subscriptions they already pay for. A secure UK VPN connection allows access through a UK server, helping maintain continuity across devices when abroad.
LibertyShield provides UK based servers designed for stable streaming, and offers a 48 hour free trial for those who wish to test performance before committing. With live sport and event television often tied to specific territories, reliable access increasingly forms part of the experience itself.
Sunday offers spectacle in many forms. Royal scandal, red carpet ceremony, Olympic pageantry and derby tension. The only real difficulty may be choosing where to start.