TODAY'S TV WITH SARA WALLIS: BBC's Marie Antoinette is a lavish, feminist take on a scandalous slice of history
From thrilling new dramas and gritty documentaries through to glossy entertainment shows, reality binge-watches, returning series and all the best soaps, there's always something to keep us glued to the small screen. If you're wondering what to watch tonight, I've handpicked the best of the box, selected from all the traditional networks like BBC and ITV, as well as streamers like Netflix, Prime, Disney+ and Apple TV.
Tonight, there's a VE Day celebration to remember, something terrible is about to happen in Emmerdale and an iconic Judy Blume novel is adapted for the small screen. See below for my top telly picks.
Pick Of The Day...
MARIE ANTOINETTE, BBC2, 9pm
With plenty of plotting and pomp - and excellent corsets and wigs, this period drama returns for another round of French scandal. Emilia Schule plays the titular Marie Antoinette, a woman who was sent off from Austria to be married off to the future King of France. In the first season, she emerged as a strong-willed force to be reckoned with in the oppressive royal court of Versaille. Rising from naive teenage bride to Queen, after her husband became Louis XVI, she has now been on the throne for ten years.
She's done her duty and provided a male heir. She's won the hearts of the nation. Everything should be smooth sailing now. But powerful enemies are gathering in Versailles and Paris and Marie Antoinette is about to enter a deadly battle for her reputation. Plenty of people want to oust Louis, either replacing him or banishing the monarchy all together, so now she is a target. The scandalous 'Affair of the Necklace' becomes another chance to discredit her.
Meanwhile Louis is keeping everyone in the dark about the dire state of the nation's finances. The nobility and clergy are alarmed at rumours they will be taxed. But it is the effect of some extreme weather that adversely affects the French people in general. Discontent is brewing… and a revolt rumbles. It's a lavish series, told from a feminist perspective, with plenty of comedy and caricature to keep it from being a stuffy serious period drama.
Best Of The Rest...
VE DAY 80: A CELEBRATION TO REMEMBER, BBC1, 8pm
After a week of VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations, everything culminates with this spectacular live concert from Horse Guards Parade in London. Presented by Zoe Ball, a star-studded lineup features performances from celebs including Samantha Barks, Fleur East, John Newman, Victor Ray, Freya Ridings, Keala Settle, alongside renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Calum Scott, The Darkness, Toploader, Tom Walker and classical singer Sir Willard White.
Dazzling Strictly Come Dancing professionals Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Lauren Oakley, and Kai Widdrington bring the stage to life with breathtaking choreography to accompany Fleur's opening. Dames Joan Collins, Mary Berry, and Sheila Hancock will also lend their voices to the commemoration, while actor Brian Cox delivers a powerful reenactment of Winston Churchill's iconic wartime speech. Veterans also tell their stories of love, loss and resilience, and no VE Day concert would be complete without special performances of The White Cliffs of Dover and We'll Meet Again.
VE Day saw millions celebrate while this British Paratrooper unearthed Nazi Germany's darkest horrors
FOREVER, NETFLIX
If you're a certain age, you will remember giggling and passing around a copy of Judy Blume's iconic novel. Or maybe you were reading it secretly late at night, or just heard the rumours… Controversial at the time, the coming-of-age story, first published in 1975, featured a detailed sex scene, and told teens everything they needed to know about first love.
Now adapted for this 12-part series, Lovie Simone and Michael Cooper Jr star as Keisha and Justin, the couple grappling with all the big firsts. Keisha is a driven track star with dreams of going pro and he's an academic hiding behind a front. When they meet, sparks fly. The chemistry sizzles as the pair move from crush to relationship as they deal with messy lives and big, confusing feelings. It's not just a series for teens, it appeals as a nostalgia hit for everyone… especially if you read that Judy Blume book cover to cover.
EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm
Charity is clearly up to something and Noah is blindsided after she outlines her revenge plot and the dark motivation for it. Noah struggles to process the implications of Joe being the person who drugged him and left the deaths of three people on his conscience. A glamorous surprise birthday party for Lydia is staged up at Home Farm, but is it the right time for the village to be celebrating? As the party guests gather, something bad is looming…
EASTENDERS, BBC1, 7.30pm
It's the 80th anniversary of VE Day and Nigel is excited to celebrate the historic day - but it soon becomes apparent that he believes it's 1995. Jean and Phil prepare to talk to Nigel, but Jean bottles it. Linda remains firm that The Vic is closed, until she hears the market traders buzzing about VE Day. She decides to open the pub doors to honour those who have fallen - including their very own Martin. Ross tries to make amends with Vicki.
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