Theresa v Boris: The Battle to Be PM
9pm, BBC2
It is testimony to the perma-chaos of British politics that the days following David Cameron’s post-Referendum resignation now don’t seem so outlandish. At the time, though, the machinations inside the Tory party were almost Shakespearean. The whole charade is given the docudrama treatment here, from Tim Loughton’s risible march in support of Andrea Leadsom to Michael Gove’s bursting of the Boris balloon. Just in time for the next round… Phil Harrison
Poldark
9pm, BBC1
The adventures of the brooding one continue in action-packed style. Verity’s husband Andrew is on a slow boat to Lisbon, so she’s distraught when she hears news of a skirmish at sea. It’s time for baby Valentine’s christening, but Elizabeth doesn’t seem to be massively impressed at the thought of looking after him. In more important news, keen-eyed viewers will note that since the arrival of Demelza’s brothers, Ross isn’t the only one getting his top off. Hannah Verdier
The Loch
9pm, ITV
It tends towards ITV-does-Hinterland-cum-Scandi-noir, but The Loch still has plenty going for it, if your taste runs to tales of murder in isolated locales where everyone, frankly, seems a bit iffy. Tonight, plot-thickening developments include college principal Craig chucking away the phone he took from Niall Swift’s dead body; abattoir owner Ken clashing with his son Jonjo over the monster stunt; and Annie disappointed to be off the case; except, of course, is she? Jonathan Wright
The Handmaid’s Tale
9pm, Channel 4
The sumptuous but harrowing adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel continues, set in a regressive US theocracy drowning in Bo Peep bonnets and state-imposed misogyny. While locked up for a perceived betrayal, suffering surrogate Offred (Elisabeth Moss) seeks solace in past memories and – while anticipating the horrific, ritualised violation of the Ceremony – finds a scratched symbol of rebellion in an unexpected place. Graeme Virtue
Merciless
10.15pm, Channel 4
This 13-part thriller arrives with the hype of being the first Brazilian series to air on terrestrial UK TV, following Eduardo, an ambitious, handsome lawyer and political ladder-climber who’s a murderer with a god complex in his spare time. In fact, his MO is precisely that of Paul Spector in The Fall. Those expecting Scandi noir in Rio will be grossly disappointed: it’s a cheap, crappy soap masquerading as drama, each line of expositionary dialogue more clumsy than the last. Ben Arnold
Shots Fired
9pm, Fox
Three episodes in and TV’s most pertinent police drama has settled into a groove. Ashe (Sanaa Lathan) is still heartbroken over losing custody of her daughter, and frat boy-turned-lawyer Preston (Stephan James) is still parlaying his privilege into new investigative leads. But this dramatic take on police shootings and the Black Lives Matter movement also retains its ability to subvert stereotypes and ask awkward questions. Such as how do you tell a “racist”, anyway? Ellen E Jones
Twin Peaks: The Return
12.50am, Sky Atlantic
The third season of Twin Peaks has so far been less about a place, more about states of mind. It’s a trip that has taken us from New York and Las Vegas to Buenos Aires, along a tightrope between suspense and delight – often at the same time. You wouldn’t remotely say that the pieces are coming together, but the cumulative traces of Garland Briggs, Phillip Jeffries and Agent Cooper are gradually coalescing into something. John Robinson
Film choice
The Book of Life, (Jorge R Gutiérrez, 2014), 2.30pm, Channel 4
Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival seems an unlikely setting for a children’s animated adventure, but Gutiérrez’s story of a puppet love-triangle is a real treat. Produced by the magical Guillermo del Toro, it’s a vivid tale of the rivalry between musician-turned-matador Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna) and warrior Joaquin (Channing Tatum) for the love of the free-spirited Maria (Zoe Saldana). A delightful firecracker of a film. Paul Howlett
Thor: The Dark World, (Alan Taylor, 2013), 10.30pm, BBC1
Marvel’s god of thunder returns for a rather less mighty sequel, in which Chris Hemsworth’s Thor wields his hammer against Christopher Eccleston’s dreary leader of the dark elves, Malekith, while wooing toothsome earthling Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Sadly, all this leaves little room for Tom Hiddleston’s mischievous Loki, the out-and-out star of the first film. Paul Howlett
End of Watch, (David Ayer, 2012), 11.10pm, Channel 4
A fast-paced and high-powered action drama that’s out on patrol with a pair of cops in south central LA: Jake Gyllenhaal’s joker Taylor and Michael Peña’s feisty fighter Zavala. They make a convincing pair as they tackle everything from domestics to Mexican drug gangsters, but it’s a pity that much of the action is shot through Taylor’s camcorder; the “found footage” only serves to distract. Paul Howlett
Live sport
Champions Trophy Cricket: The Final The climax of the 50-overs-a-side tournament at the Oval. 10am, Sky Sports 2
Challenge Cup Rugby League: Hull FC v Castleford Tigers The concluding quarter-final, from the KCOM Stadium. 2.30pm, BBC2
Confederations Cup Football: Portugal v Mexico The champions of Euro 2016 are pitted against the 2015 Concacaf Cup winners. 3.30pm, ITV
