Victoria
9pm, ITV
In terms of dignified, cinematic values, there’s never a better time to be a member of the royal family on TV. The second series of ITV’s Victoria duly applies The Crown formula (basically a narrative of female self-determination v stuck-in-a-rut patriarchy) to the 19th-century monarch to impressive avail, albeit with a slightly soapier, Downton quality. Tonight’s final episode puts a droop in Albert’s moustache, when politics create tension between him and the queen. John Robinson
The Last Post
9pm, BBC1
It’s Christmas in Aden, but it’s not all mulled wine, eggnog and chunky sweaters. Particularly the sweaters – it’s roasting. Markham is perturbed by some of the pictures wily photojournalist Martha took while on patrol with them, and fears any ensuing scandal could play into the insurgents’ hands. Off he sends Joe to retrieve them, but that just ends up getting steamy. Talking of which, Armstrong continues his possibly dangerous dalliance with Yusra. Ben Arnold
Louis Theroux: Dark States – Trafficking Sex
9pm, BBC2
In the second of his grim but wholly watchable series, Theroux looks at sex trafficking. He travels to Houston, Texas, where prostitution is especially rife. He interviews, among others, Nikki, a sex worker who refers to her pimp as “Daddy” but is terrified when she realises she has mislaid her previous night’s takings. He also talks to an unrepentant pimp imprisoned for trafficking a 15-year-old. Theroux’s avuncular manner is sorely tested. David Stubbs
Electric Dreams: Real Life
9pm, Channel 4
Is futuristic policewoman “Sarah” (Anna Paquin) actually grieving widower George (Terrence Howard), escaping into a character via a VR headset? (Who wouldn’t want to be “a lesbian supercop with a flying car”?) Or is “George” just a masochistic fantasy for Sarah – who unconsciously wants to be punished? Loosely adapted from Philip K Dick’s short Exhibit Piece, another woozy, Borgesian investigation into the nature of reality and identity. Ali Catterall
Snowfall
10pm, BBC2
London-born Damson Idris is the latest I-can’t-believe-he’s-a-Brit actor in American television. He plays up-and-coming South Central dealer Franklin Saint in this crack-cocaine origin story from Boyz N the Hood’s John Singleton. What gets high must come down, and this week Franklin sees the darker side of his lucrative new venture. Snowfall is an undeniable flurry of historical detail, but character development can get lost in the storm. Ellen E Jones
The Gifted
9pm, Fox
The X-Men spinoff about a family on the run from a sinister anti-mutant agency barrels onwards. With straight-arrow dad Reed in the hands of Sentinel Services and trouble-magnet Lorna in prison, stressed mom Caitlin (the plausibly plucky Amy Acker) has to team up with bright spark Marcos for a perilous mercy mission. Likable performances, the quicksilver pace and inventive special effects all help offset some occasionally clunky scripting. Graeme Virtue
The Secret Life of the Ballroom
8pm, W
With the figurative last waltz an episode away, this penultimate instalment follows preparations for the competition’s first waltz. After two wins from four competitions thus far, Mike and Donna can afford to feel bullish, but as the fifth approaches circumstances separate them, affecting preparations. Laura is also facing a struggle towards competitive action, a foot injury hobbling chances for her and Ben as they seek their first win. Mark Gibbings-Jones
Film choices
Antz, (Eric Darnell, Tim Johnson, 1998), 2.30pm, Channel 4
This DreamWorks animated blockbuster starts hilariously, with the Woody Allen-voiced Z-4195 on the psychiatrist’s leaf wandering if there’s more to life than being a worker ant. There is: romance with Princess Bala (Sharon Stone), while war with the termites is just around the corner. The subterranean colouring is a little grungy, but with Sly Stallone as a soldier ant, it’s inspired fun. Paul Howlett
Cuban Fury, (James Griffiths, 2014), 11.15pm, Film4
Nick Frost is office worker Bruce Garrett, seeking redemption on the dancefloor. He tucked away his sequins years ago after being bullied at school, but dusts them down when the new boss (Rashida Jones) he’s fallen for turns out to be a salsa fan. Frost doesn’t quite convince as a dancer but he’s a nimble comedian, and there’s plenty of support from a vibrant cast. Paul Howlett
Possession, (Neil LaBute, 2002), 11.30pm, BBC1
Like The French Lieutenant’s Woman this is a time-travelling romance, with two modern-day academics. Gung-ho American Aaron Eckhart and cool Brit Gwyneth Paltrow delve into the secret lives of a Victorian poet (Jennifer Ehle) and her married lover (Jeremy Northam). The modern tale is a flimsy thing compared to the beautifully performed period piece in a flawed but interesting adaptation of AS Byatt’s 1990 Booker prize-winning novel. Paul Howlett
Live sport
ODI Cricket: South Africa v Bangladesh The opening contest in the three-match series from Kimberley. 8.55am, Sky Sports Cricket
Premier League Football: Southampton v Newcastle United Rafa Benitez’s Toon team visit the south coast. 3.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event
European Champions Cup Rugby Union: Northampton Saints v Saracens Action from Franklin’s Gardens. 5pm, BT Sport 2
