Catherine the Great
9pm, Sky Atlantic
Helen Mirren has played the Queen, replete with regal grace and corgis in tow. Now it is time for a historical dive into the reign of the 18th-century empress of Russia, Catherine the Great, and her steamy affair with Lieutenant Grigory Potemkin. In this four-part series, Mirren plays Catherine with an austere grandeur, navigating her ascendancy to power through the deposing of her husband Peter III and fending off challenges from rivals, including her own son. Opulent, enticing period-drama escapism. Ammar Kalia
The Wonderful World of Crafting
8pm, Channel 5
This new series – which surely should have been titled World of Wow Craft – follows amateur artisans as they sell their wares at a craft fair and are mentored by the creator of Tatty Devine jewellery, Rosie Wolfenden. It is very gentle stuff – especially the race to get a quilt finished. Hannah J Davies
The Met: Policing London
9pm, BBC One
Filmed in 2018, the third series of this fly-on-the-wall documentary on Britain’s largest police force tackles a surge in the effects of crime for street-level bobbies to top-desk commissioners. Tonight: detectives rush to find the man responsible for a rape, and a £130,000 watch-theft culprit. AK
Eugenics: Science’s Greatest Scandal
9pm, BBC Four
This chilling medical history series explores the scientific theory that curdled into societal and racial cleansing. It is thoughtfully presented by Angela Saini and Adam Pearson, who examine the science in the context of its era and register horror at its implications and genocidal results. Phil Harrison
Frayed
10pm, Sky One
A wealthy housewife is forced to leave her lavish London life and return to her small Australian home town after her husband suddenly dies. Written and played with caustic humour by Sarah Kendall, this Aussie series is hilarious and often tender, exploring a family’s complicated relationship with their forgotten home. AK
American Horror Story: 1984
10pm, Fox
After eight years of genre-riffing on everything from circus freaks to Salem witches, the gleeful horror series has landed in the decade when slasher films came into their own. The name of tonight’s episode? Slashdance. Expect legwarmers, permed hair and gore galore. Ali Catterall
Film choice
The Martian (Ridley Scott, 2015), 9pm, Film4
Ridley Scott’s screening of Andy Weir’s bestselling novel has the astronaut Matt Damon marooned on Mars with air and food running out and no apparent means of communication. Does this daunt him? Not a bit, as he decides to “science the shit out of this” in a hugely enjoyable, suspenseful piece of sci-fi. Paul Howlett
Live sport
International football: Besiktas v Wolverhampton Wanderers 5.30pm, BT Sport ESPN. Europa League clash.
International football: AZ Alkmaar v Manchester United 5.30pm, BT Sport 2. United’s away showdown.
Caribbean Premier League cricket: Guyana Amazon Warriors v Jamaica Tallawahs 10.30pm, Sky Sports Cricket. T20 live coverage.
