The English
9pm, BBC Two
Television has officially usurped cinema, with Hugo Blick’s sweeping western drama the kind of show that feels criminally wasted on a laptop screen. Set in 1890s America, it stars Emily Blunt (who is also an executive producer) as Lady Cornelia Locke, a vengeful English aristocrat hunting down her son’s killer. Chaske Spencer is conflicted Pawnee scout Eli Whipp, returning home to claim his rightful land. In the first of six episodes, their paths cross and they team up to head to Wyoming, but little do they know that along the way they will discover how their destinies are entwined … It’s tense, brooding, beautiful, frequently bloody – and at times even funny. Hollie Richardson
The Secret Genius of Modern Life
8pm, BBC Two
As contactless bank cards become more prevalent and technologically complex, developments to ensure our safety and convenience are always in progress. Prof Hannah Fry visits Visa’s European bank card datacentre where we get a first-hand look at the monetary magic happening. We also learn the fascinating part Russian and US secret agencies played in their development. Sammy Gecsoyler
Taskmaster
9pm, Channel 4
Munya Chawawa, John Kearns, Sarah Millican, Dara Ó Briain and Fern Brady battle it out for the title of 14th Taskmaster champion. While Fern encounters a spiky plant, Munya shows off his prowess with a billiards cue and Sarah flails around with a frying pan. Ali Catterall
Lost Worlds With Ben Fogle
9pm, Channel 5
“If you’re going to buy an island, buy one in a warmer climate,” says William, a Scottish sheep farmer on the island of Stroma, which was first conquered by the Vikings. Ben Fogle discovers how it became a prize in an American TV quizshow. Then, detouring via the prehistoric cliffs of St Kilda, the true power of nature is revealed. Danielle De Wolfe
Sing When You’re Winning
8pm, Sky Arts
As the World Cup looms and every channel searches for a football angle, this series sees opera tenor Nicky Spence and theatre director Kwame Kwei-Armah forming a crew of terrace singers into a choir. Expect a level of boisterousness unlikely to be detected in Qatar. Phil Harrison
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
10pm, BBC Three
Drag Race UK has proved it: British daytime TV is a world centre for camp. This week, model and celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale joins the illustrious guest judge lineup, while (over)acting skills are tested by The Squirrel Games. Always a pleasure to watch these contestants give it their all, for queens and country. Ellen E Jones
Film choice
The Lady in the Van (Nicholas Hytner, 2015), 9pm, BBC Four
A Maggie Smith double bill kicks off with Nicholas Hytner’s glorious 2015 version of Alan Bennett’s fact-based yarn. She stars as Mary Shepherd, an eccentric homeless woman who took up residence in her Bedford van in the writer’s driveway – and never left. Alex Jennings plays Bennett, amused and bemused by the force of nature that is Mary – whose fascinating history and fanciful stories provide most of the film’s comedy and pathos. Smith, of course, is perfectly cast, cowing all before her with a dismissive glare or haughty retort. Her 2014 comedy-drama My Old Lady follows at 10.40pm. Simon Wardell
