Inspector Montalbano
9pm, BBC Four
Here to replace Cardinal in Saturday’s foreign crime slot is a new series of investigations conducted by unflappable commissario Salvatore Montalbano in the sun-kissed Italian stronghold of Vigàta – Sicily’s answer to Midsomer when it comes to baffling murder counts. A topical opener sees Salvo on the quayside, awaiting the arrival of a boatload of migrants from Africa and ready to investigate a rape alleged to have occurred en route. As if that wasn’t enough, a report soon arrives of the brutal murder of the town’s new dressmaker … Mike Bradley
The Yorkshire Dales
7pm, BBC Two
Despite the chipper tones of presenter Paul Rose, there is no denying the sheer, rolling, Wordsworthian grandeur of the Dales, a boon for flatscreen TV. Tonight, Rose concludes his journey in Wharfedale, talking to some of the women who inspired Calendar Girls and families from Bradford on their first trip to the Dales. David Stubbs
The British Soap Awards
8pm, ITV
It’s been a fine year for soaps and Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors’ finest gather to get their gongs in a live ceremony. Last year, Corrie picked up the top award, but with EastEnders returning to form and Emmerdale and Hollyoaks rolling out the drama, it is wide open. Phillip Schofield hosts. Hannah Verdier
Britain’s Most Historic Towns
8pm, Channel 4
Alice Roberts’s glee is palpable as she presents a portrait of the Edwardian aspects of Cardiff, a city she knows well, having studied medicine there. Really, though, she begins 300m years ago when Wales sat on the equator, trees fell in swampland and became the precious coal on which Cardiff’s fortunes were built. MB
Holst: The Planets With Professor Brian Cox
9pm, BBC Two
As a companion piece to new series The Planets (see p51), Brian Cox complements this performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets suite by the BBC Symphony Orchestra with prefaces to each of the seven movements. A magnificently illustrated musical spectacular. MB
Deadwood: The Movie
9pm, Sky Atlantic
David Milch saddles up for the return of his superb TV western, a show that at its peak was held alongside The Wire and The Sopranos as one of prestige TV’s holy trinity. This extended finale moves things along a decade as Deadwood’s citizens gather to celebrate South Dakota’s statehood (and swear a lot, of course). Gwilym Mumford
Film choice
The BFG, 5.20pm, BBC One
Spielberg’s enchanting screening of the Dahl family favourite glows with a childlike sense of wonder. Orphan Sophie sets off to the fantastical Giant Country with new friend the BFG – a rather small and sad giant, it turns out. Mark Rylance’s performance shines through the superb motion-capture magic. Paul Howlett
Sport choice
Women’s International Football: England v New Zealand, 12.45pm, BBC One
World Cup warm-up fixture.
Challenge Cup Rugby Union: St Helens v Wakefield, 3pm, BBC One
Quarter-final clash.
Champions League Football: Tottenham v Liverpool, 6pm, BT Sport 2
All-English final. Available for free on the BT Sport website.
