Louis Theroux’s Altered States
9pm, BBC Two
The first in a new three-part series on the United States’s shifting attitude to social norms focuses on the growing belief among a subset of society that marriage does not necessarily have to be a monogamous enterprise. Theroux heads to the liberal bastion of Portland to meet polyamorous couples and take part in a “sensual eating” event. Tonally it’s closer to his earlier, offbeat work than his heavy recent documentaries, but one with insightful observations on love and loneliness. Gwilym Mumford
The Little Drummer Girl
9pm, BBC One
“We love your crazy politics,” says Kurtz (Michael Shannon) to Charlie (Florence Pugh), which is a novel way to tempt someone with secret work. It’s then a case of stories within stories as, in a brilliantly plotted episode, the spymaster tempts the actor with a role in the “theatre of the real”. Terrific. Jonathan Wright
Sheridan Smith: Coming Home
9.30pm, ITV
Smith has such clout at ITV that her every musical project now gets a puff programme. Following last year’s cheesy stage showcase Sheridan, her new LP A Northern Soul receives a leg-up from this doc. Confessional chat about loss and personal crises is reinforced by an emotional one-off gig. Jack Seale
Guy Martin: The World’s Fastest Van
9pm, Channel 4
Having written off his beloved Transit van three years ago, ex-motorcyclist Martin decided to rebuild it, Six Million Dollar Man-style. Having already got 164 mph out of it, he’s on a quest to break two records at Germany’s Nürburgring circuit: the lap record and speed record (for vans). David Stubbs
Maid in Hell
10pm, BBC Two
The BBC’s Why Slavery? season continues with this film exploring the kafala system, under which girls from Africa and Asia work as domestic serfs in Saudi Arabia. Upon arrival, their passports are confiscated and, with them, their autonomy. “These are the politics of the world,” says one agency owner. Phil Harrison
Arena: Make Me Up!
10pm, BBC Four
There’s a candy-coloured aesthetic to Rachel Maclean’s fabulous film, which calls to mind the work of Cindy Sherman and Terry Gilliam, and features the ironically repurposed voice of Civilisation’s Kenneth Clark. But the subject matter – a critique on social media and female body image – is far from sweet … Ali Catterall
Film choice
War Horse, 2.20pm, BBC One
Or Black Beauty in the trenches: Spielberg’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, by way of the marvellous National Theatre puppet play, is a tour de force of epic emotion, aired as the first world war’s centenary approaches. It follows the headstrong horse Joey from Devon to the carnage of the western front. Paul Howlett
Today’s best live sport
Snooker: International Championship, 11.25am, Eurosport 1
The second session of the final.
International Rugby League : England v New Zealand, 2pm, BBC Two
Anfield hosts the second of a three-Test series.
Premier League Football: Chelsea v Crystal Palace, 3.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event
Title-chasers host strugglers
