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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
29 minutes ago
- Metro
Romeo Beckham leaves party with German influencer after break-up
Romeo Beckham has been spotted on a night out with a German influencer days after his break-up with Kim Turnbull was revealed. The middle son of David and Victoria Beckham, Romeo initially followed in his dad's footsteps and pursued a career in football. However last year he turned down a contract with Brentford FC to stay on with their B team and instead pursue a career in fashion. After breaking up with long-term girlfriend Mia Regan in February last year, the 22-year-old went on to date model and DJ Kim Turnbull, 26. But after a seven-month romance, and amid rumours of a Beckham family feud, last week it was revealed Romeo and Kim had split. A few days on, Romeo has been photographed on a night out with Caroline Daur, a model and influencer who boasts 4.6 million followers on Instagram. Late on Saturday night the pair were spotted leaving the same party at the Hotel Costes in Paris. Although she arrived alone around 11.30pm, Caroline and Romeo later slipped into the same car despite leaving the venue separately. They then headed to the French capital's trendy Julia nightclub, where they partied until 2:30am. However, security was reportedly on high alert, doing everything to shield her from the cameras including swearing at photographers. Despite initially travelling together, Romeo and Caroline then left the club separately. However, a source went on to tell MailOnline: 'Romeo was in town for work meetings, Roland Garros and also caught up with friends. He had dinner with his three friends one of whom is great friends with Caro, so she joined the group. It was a casual dinner in a group setting throughout the evening.' Caroline, 30, was born and raised in Hamburg, and started fashion blogging in 2014. Over the years she's worked with companies including Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and Valentino and has founded her own brand and fitness program. The influencer has also starred in the Amazon Prime production Dinner Club and Netflix's She Said Yes. Overnight she shared a series of photos and videos from the French Open, where Romeo was seen on Friday attending the semi-final match between Italy's Lorenzo Musetti and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros. Dressed in a navy suit and black t-shirt, Romeo appeared somewhat downcast in some of the images taken at the game. It came after a source said Romeo and Kim had an 'amicable' split that has 'nothing to do' with the Beckham rift after her name was drawn into the drama after it was claimed she'd previously dated her boyfriend's brother Brooklyn, 26. 'Romeo and Kim are both young and they had a lovely time together but at that age things don't always last forever and they decided to split up,' a friend told the Daily Mail. 'They have been friendly since and have even been at the same venues. It's a huge shame, particularly as David and Victoria really adored her and thought she made Romeo happy but it wasn't to be. 'It happened a couple of weeks ago and relations have remained friendly between them.' The source went on to say each had a 'busy careers' and their travel schedules meant that 'having a relationship at this time isn't all that conducive to their lives'. More Trending Romeo previously dated model and content creator Mia, 22, for five years. When announcing their split in February last year, he wrote on Instagram: 'Mooch and I have parted ways after 5 years of love. We still have a lot of love and respect for each other and still hold a strong friendship and always will.' After featuring in a Burberry campaign when he was just 10, last year Romeo signed with fashion agency Paris Safe management and has since modelled for Versace at Milan Fashion Week. Metro has contacted representatives for Romeo Beckham and Caroline Daur for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Victoria and David Beckham 'heartbroken' after Brooklyn makes feelings clear on family feud MORE: What is the Beckham feud actually all about – Brooklyn's family rift explained MORE: Fans think they've spotted Cruz and Romeo Beckham's 'dig' at sister-in-law Nicola Peltz
Metro
29 minutes ago
- Metro
Benidorm's Crissy Rock sets record straight on claim she's 'living like a nomad'
Benidorm star Crissy Rock has set the record straight on reports that she is 'living like a nomad' and couch-surfing with friends. The Liverpudlian, 66, is best known as Janey Yorke from the ITV sitcom, but is now touring the country talking about her transition from acting to stand-up in the show An Evening with Crissy Rock: From Bedlam to Benidorm. Crissy made headlines over the weekend that she is 'living from couch to couch' and that her wardrobe is the boot of her car – which she has told the Metro she said in jest during an interview. Crissy has now clarified that she does have a permanent home in Norfolk, which she shares with her husband Julian Buck, who she married the same year Benidorm ended in 2018. Crissy went on to explain that the nomadic lifestyle she referred to in an interview with The Express was only temporary while she's on tour, driving herself from city to city to perform her one-woman show, which she said is 'part and parcel' of being a jobbing comedian. The performer explained that while at first she found the reaction funny, she then realised that it 'could have an impact on her tour' if people make the wrong assumption about her living situation. 'I did say that my boot of my car is like a wardrobe, because when you're on tour, you have to take suitcases with you. I am like a nomad because I'm on tour. I'm up and down the country, all over the place. 'That's what you do when you're on tour, you live in the suitcase. We don't live in a cardboard box.' She continued: 'You have to go where the work is, so it's not like you just sit there and go, 'Oh, I can't be bothered going there'.' Crissy has her next show on Thursday, in which she talks about her life since Benidorm ended. The sitcom ran for 10 seasons and 74 episodes before its finale in 2018. Benidorm focused on the Solana Resort, following various holidaymakers as they decamped to the Spanish city, and has since found a second life on Netflix. Benidorm boss Derren Litten confirmed earlier this year that he is in talks with ITV over a possible show reboot, which Crissy said would be 'fabulous' if it went ahead. 'That would be wonderful for the people who watch it as well,' she said. 'It'd be wonderful if they asked me to come back into it. Maybe me and Sherrie (Hewson, who played Joyce Temple-Savage on the sitcom) could lock horns and become rival manageresses of different parts of the venue.' More Trending Crissy went on to acknowledge that certain elements of the show would have to change, after it featured outdated stereotypes and crude jokes. 'You couldn't say certain things that they said years ago,' said Crissy. 'I'm not the writer, so I wouldn't know how they would go about it. 'People spoke like that years ago, but you wouldn't do it now.' View More » Benidorm is available to stream on Netflix and ITVX. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Gripping ITV thriller that scored 8,000,000 viewers confirms future a year after final episode MORE: You can finally binge all 4 episodes of 'fantastic' historical drama for free MORE: Stephen Mulhern makes major TV mistake for first time in 10 years
Powys County Times
35 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Mid Wales railway to feature in BBC show with Ruth Jones
Gavin & Stacey's Ruth Jones visited a Mid Wales railway as part of an upcoming BBC documentary. Writer and actor Ruth Jones, best known for starring in and co-creating Gavin & Stacey, and comedian Steve Spiers took a trip on Brecon Mountain Railway, which will feature in a BBC One Wales documentary Ruth and Steve: From Merthyr with Love. The one-hour documentary will showcase the Welsh town's past and present, as well as a standout visit to the nearby railway through Mid Wales. As part of the documentary, Jones and Speirs spent a day immersed in the operations of the railway. They met volunteers and staff, examined restored steam locomotives, and gained an insight into the effort taken to run and operate the Brecon Mountain Railway. The segment underlines the line's role not just as a tourist attraction, but as a tribute and reminder of the region's industrial roots and community spirit. The programme forms part of a broader season on BBC Cymru Wales marking the bicentenary of Cyfarthfa Castle, exploring Merthyr's significance as the world's first industrial town and celebrating its ongoing cultural rejuvenation. Broadcast across four new shows on BBC One Wales, the series aims to challenge outdated perceptions and highlight the county borough's evolving identity. The railway was originally built in 1859 and constructed on part of the abandoned Brecon & Merthyr Railway, the 10-mile round journey takes travellers in all-weather observation coaches to let them admire the mountain views as the railway climbs to Torpantau before returning via Pontsticill Station. The Brecon Mountain Railway offers a stunning journey through the breath-taking Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park aboard meticulously restored steam locomotives.
