Spying on the Royals
8pm, Channel 4
The abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 is one of the most examined events in modern British history – but this documentary thinks it has a new angle, in National Archive material confirming that intelligence agencies were running surveillance on him. This is presented as scandalous, and indeed it might be – but with war looming, and an erratic character with Nazi sympathies on the throne, it might have been more so if they hadn’t. Andrew Mueller
Vera
8pm, ITV
Brenda Blethyn stars in the affable crime drama in which she calls everyone – be they colleague, victim’s family member, or suspect – the same thing: “love”. Another enjoyable feature-length episode here, as Vera investigates a death on a university campus, an inquiry that quickly expands. If our rainhatted DI seems a bit unsure about the story’s vlogging element, she’s in her element with all the drunk-driving, fraud and serious assault. John Robinson
Giselle: Belle of the Ballet
8pm, BBC4
The notion of “radical ballet” might seem new, but that’s precisely what Giselle was – 175 years ago. Tamara Rojo, artistic director of the English National Ballet, explains its historical and cultural significance, comparing a traditional production with that by choreographer Akram Khan, who’s reimagined the titular 15th-century German peasant girl as a 21st-century immigrant factory worker. A lively and absorbing explication. Sharon O’Connell
Line of Duty
9pm, BBC1
Initially, there’s a notable absence at the heart of this second episode. But not necessarily the one you might have expected. Still, after Huntley and Ifield’s get-together last week, there’s plenty of explaining to do. Elsewhere, expect one of the show’s trademark interview scenes – during which Hastings is in sombre yet gloriously sardonic form – and plenty of internal politics, including an intriguing subplot hinting at professional tension between Fleming and Arnott. Phil Harrison
Homeland
9pm, Channel 4
It’s hardly the programme-makers’ fault, but American political reality has now deviated so far from Homeland’s parallel version that they might as well throw in some zombies and have done with it. Following the daftness of last week’s secret army of online trolls, this week focuses on Quinn and Dar, who last week confessed his love for the former – so much so that he didn’t order a hit on him. This week, Dar makes a further move as Quinn revisits his past. David Stubbs
The Story of God with Morgan Freeman
9pm, Nat Geo
Is heaven a place on Earth or somewhere beyond our reach? Morgan Freeman returns with season two of this series, lending his dulcet tones to a show that asks the big questions. This week we visit a cave sacred to the Cherokee in Tennessee, see the sprawling temple complex of Angkor Wat, and hear about a woman’s near-death experience. Freeman explores different cultural attitudes to the afterlife with open-hearted geniality. Arenike Adebajo
Blowing Up History
8pm, Discovery
Combining CGI animation with history, this new series looks at the secrets behind humankind’s most complex megastructures. We’re talking about the Egyptian pyramids and their labyrinthine chambers, the Parthenon and its ability to withstand earthquakes, and the Acropolis in Athens. The myths surrounding these structures, how they were used – and sometimes lost completely, then rediscovered – are explored in detail. Ben Arnold
Film choice
From Russia With Love, (Terence Young, 1963), 11.45am, ITV
The third (and one of the best) of the Bond adventures. A pared-down spy thriller with Sean Connery’s smooth, sardonic 007 chased by helicopter, fought over by Gypsy women in Istanbul and stalked by Robert Shaw’s implacable Soviet assassin Red Grant, with a bruising final confrontation on the Orient Express. Daniela Bianchi is affecting as Russian intelligence clerk Tatiana, hoping to escape Lotte Lenya’s evil Colonel Klebb to start a new life in the west. Paul Howlett
The Four Feathers, (Shekhar Kapur, 2002), 3.50pm, Channel 5
This may lack the elan of Zoltan Korda’s 1939 adaptation of the AEW Mason novel, but it’s a lively British imperialist adventure nevertheless. Heath Ledger leads impressively as the young officer trying to clear his name of cowardice, while the support – including Kate Hudson, Wes Bentley and Rupert Penry-Jones – is a little stilted by comparison, but it’s all about the do-or-die desert battles. Paul Howlett
Weekend, (Andrew Haigh, 2011), 1.45am, Film4
Twentysomething lifeguard Russell (Tom Cullen) meets artist Glen (Chris New) in a Nottingham bar. Haigh’s refreshing, low-key and thoroughly convincing romance then follows the pair through a languid weekend of drink, drugs, conversation, sex and – given Glen’s imminent departure to the US – a rather poignant love. Paul Howlett
Live sport
Cycling: Tour of Flanders Coverage of the 2017 Spring Classic race. 12.30pm, Eurosport 1
European Challenge Cup Rugby: Clermont Auvergne v Toulon A quarter-final from Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin. 2.45pm, BT Sport 2
Premier League Football: Arsenal v Manchester City The battle for Champions League spots continues. 3.30pm, Sky Sports 1
