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WhatToWatch
WhatToWatch
Entertainment
Martin Shore

TV tonight: Our highlights for Sunday, August 13

Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis) and Kim Philby (Guy Pearce) in A Spy Among Friends

On TV tonight, Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.

  • Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set 
  • Keep up to date with the latest soap spoiler storylines on TV tonight with our daily soap synopsis 
  • For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide

What's on TV tonight

Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight... 

Best TV shows on TV tonight

A Spy Among Friends, 9 pm, ITV1/ITVX (box set)

(Image credit: ITVX)

This classy, beautifully acted look at how the defection of double agent Kim Philby (Guy Pearce) caused a destructive, widespread ripple effect has been nothing less than spellbinding. Now, as it concludes, MI5 boss Sir Roger Hollis (Adrian Edmondson) looks distinctly shifty and is keen to finally get to the nub of what Philby told his old pal Nick Elliott (Damian Lewis) during their fateful encounter in Beirut before fleeing to the USSR. Meanwhile, Philby, who is struggling in Moscow, reaches out to Elliott and asks for a last meeting. And what will the future hold for plucky MI5 operative Lily Thomas (Anna Maxwell Martin)? You can see The Real Spies Among Friends earlier (8pm). 

★★★★★ CC  

Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, 8 pm, BBC Two

Look away now! Monica Galetti and Rob Rinder are at the stunning five-star resort of Joali in the Maldives for tonight’s envy-inducing episode of Amazing Hotels. The luxury island getaway has five restaurants, a spa, yoga pavilion and dive centre, as well as secluded villas costing an average of £2,500 a night! But, as usual, it’s not all about sunbathing and sipping cocktails, and while Monica helps the head chef with a delivery of lobsters, Rob reports for duty in flippers and snorkel to scrub algae from the ladders that lead from the overwater villas to the sea below. 

★★★ HD 

World on Fire season 2, 9 pm, BBC One/iPlayer (box set)

(Image credit: BBC/Mammoth Screen)

Kasia (Zofia Wichłacz) spent the first year of the war resolutely picking off German soldiers on the streets of Warsaw, so it’s fair to say her military capabilities have been a bit wasted during this latest series. Luckily, Sir James Danemere (Mark Bonnar) quickly spotted her potential and recruited her to MI5. In tonight’s penultimate episode, Kasia faces her first real test when she’s asked to confront Irena (Agnieszka Podsiadlik), a Polish woman who’s been spying for the Germans. However, as she tries to turn her fellow Pole, Kasia finds her new role is a little more complicated than life on the battlefield. 

★★★★ SMA

Levison Wood: Walking with Lions, 8 pm, Channel 4

Explorer Levison heads to Namibia to come face to face with some of the world’s last remaining desert lions. Recent drought, caused by global warming, has decimated their environment and now there’s thought to be less than 100 of
the incredible creatures left in the wild. On his search, Levison has a close shave with an aggressive elephant, which charges him, and he’s forced to eat a revolting desert melon. Finally, he tracks down the elusive lions but soon ends
up dangerously close to being on their menu… 

★★★★ NH 

Best box set on TV tonight

The Witcher season 3, Netflix

(Image credit: Susie Allnutt/Netflix)

All eight episodes of The Witcher season 3 are now available to stream on Netflix, so you can see Henry Cavill's last adventure (before he hands his swords over to Liam Hemsworth) all in one go. This latest installment sees Geralt and Yennefer attempting to prep Ciri as forces from all across The Continent compete to try and capture her. Travelling to the magical academy at Aretuza seems like a safe place to start with, but its not long before danger arrives in this action-packed third adventure. 

MS

Best film on TV tonight

Ammonite, 10 pm, BBC Two/iPlayer

(Image credit: Neon)

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan star in this period drama based on real-life 19th-century palaeontologist Mary Anning. When a geologist (James McArdle) thinks his depressed young wife (Ronan) would benefit from a change of scenery, he arranges for her to stay with Mary (Winslet) in Lyme Regis, only for the two women to begin a sensual affair. Although the film – which takes some fictional liberties – never really sparks into life, Winslet and Ronan are on fine form, and the stellar cast also includes Gemma Jones and Fiona Shaw. 

★★★ JB

Live Sport

  • Cycling World Championships, 1 pm, BBC Two
  • Premier League: Brentford v Tottenham Hotspur, 1 pm (k-o 2 pm), Sky Sports Main Event
  • Premier League: Chelsea v Liverpool, 4 pm (k-o 4.30 pm), Sky Sports Main Event
  • The Hundred 2023, 2 pm, Sky Sports Showcase / 7.30 pm, Sky Sports Main Event

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss A Spy Among Friends on TV tonight.

Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide

Happy viewing!

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