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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Hollie Richardson, Graeme Virtue, Jack Seale, Ellen E Jones and Simon Wardell

TV tonight: paranoia and perils in an intense cold war drama

Spy/Master on BBC Four
Spy/Master on BBC Four Photograph: Spy/BBC/Master © 2024 HBO EUROPE S.R.O. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Spy/Master

9pm, BBC Four

This complex cold war drama follows (the fictional) Victor Godeanu (Alec Secăreanu) – the right-hand man to Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu – over a perilous week. Ceaușescu grows paranoid and is poised to uncover Victor as a Soviet spy, so Victor uses a diplomatic trip to Germany to take the chance of defecting to the US with the help of undercover Stasi agent Ingrid von Weizendorff (Svenja Jung) and CIA agent Frank Jackson (Parker Sawyers). Hollie Richardson

In With a Shout

6.30pm, ITV1

With the only mental requirement being blurting out whatever appears on screen in front of you, this frothy quiz is like the anti-Only Connect. But urbane host Joel Dommett keeps things moving and there is family-friendly fun to be had if everyone joins in. This week’s trios competing to win up to £20,000 hail from Bradford and Rugby. Graeme Virtue

Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World

7pm, Channel 4

The intrepid historian returns to Azerbaijan, starting with a stay in the highest mountain village in the Greater Caucasus. Then she explores the area’s literary heritage, specifically “the Shakespeare of the East”, 12th-century writer Nizami Ganjavi. HR

Our Dream Farm With Matt Baker

8pm, Channel 4

The wannabe tenants of Wallington Estate go to market this week, where they must buy cattle for a buyer who can’t be there – despite some having never bought livestock. Back on the farm, they need to restore wetland habitats before heading to a business plan meeting. HR

The 1% Club

8.55pm, ITV1

This quiz is a hit for good reason: although it becomes easier as you get used to the sort of tricks the lateral-thinking questions like to pull, reaching the last round at home is a real challenge. It’s even harder for the contestants, who have to deal with host Lee Mack jovially distracting them as the clock ticks quickly down. Jack Seale

Traces

9.20pm, BBC One

The second series of the Dundee-set forensics thriller concludes with Sarah (Laura Fraser) and McKinven (Michael Nardone) forced to put aside personal feelings and work together to prevent another bombing – all under the watchful gaze of McKinven’s wife Azra (Laila Rouass). Ellen E Jones

Film choice

Unfrosted, out now, Netflix

Based on a true story in the same way that Froot Loops are based on fruit, Jerry Seinfeld’s feature directorial debut is another of that new movie genre, the product origin tale – but his take on the birth of Pop-Tarts favours comedy over accuracy. It’s 1963, and Kellogg’s head of development, Bob Cabana (Seinfeld), is vying with rival cereal firm Post – run by Amy Schumer’s Marjorie Post – to create a toastable breakfast snack. He’s aided by ex-Nasa food boffin Donna Stankowski (Melissa McCarthy) but obstacles abound, including that inveterate scene-stealer Hugh Grant as a thwarted thesp stuck playing Tony the Tiger. A film of constant one-liners and cherishable big-name cameos. Simon Wardell

City Lights, 1pm, Sky Arts

The channel’s season of Charlie Chaplin films continues with this delightful 1931 work. Released after the advent of the talkies, it has the odd sound effect (gunshots, pianos, whistles) but largely sticks with Chaplin’s tried and trusted silent comedy shtick. This time, his ever-optimistic Tramp falls for a poor, blind flower-seller (Virginia Cherrill) but can’t reveal his own downtrodden life. The pathos overload of that is mitigated by inventive scenes of him in the company of Harry Myers’s drunk millionaire and a slapstick boxing match that is pure genius. SW

Old, 9pm, Channel 4

M Night Shyamalan’s 2021 thriller has the twists you expect from the Sixth Sense film-maker but there’s also a meditative undercurrent that lasts longer in the memory. Gael García Bernal and Vicky Krieps play a married couple on holiday with their two kids who are taken to a secret beach by the hotel staff. However, they soon realise that, mysteriously, they can’t leave – and that they and the other guests are ageing rapidly. This is body horror, but it’s the existential fear of getting old – from growing up to losing your faculties – that gives the story its emotional kick. SW

Highlander, 11.50pm, BBC One

“There can be only one,” vowed its main character. That Russell Mulcahy’s 1986 fantasy adventure was followed by five films and three TV series rather belies that claim – but stick with the original and you’ll be fine. So, a Frenchman (Christopher Lambert) playing a Scotsman is told by a Scotsman (Sean Connery) playing a Spaniard that he is an Immortal, a race of people destined to fight each other through time. It’s all good fun and never takes itself too seriously, with spirited sword fights, bombastic Queen songs and picturesque Scottish locations. SW

We Need to Talk About Kevin, midnight, BBC Two

Lynne Ramsay has made only four films in a career that started with Ratcatcher in 1999, but every one is a treasure. This take on Lionel Shriver’s novel flips back and forth in time, like a repeated nightmare, to tell the story of Eva (Tilda Swinton) and her psychotic/evil son Kevin (played as a teenager by Ezra Miller). There’s a tragedy involving him that we fit together piecemeal from ominous incidents and Swinton’s emotionally drained performance in an arresting, intense drama. SW

Live sport

The World Championship, 10am, BBC Two Session three of the second semi-final from the Crucible. Coverage continues until Monday.

Premier League Football: Arsenal v Bournemouth, 11am, TNT Sports 1 At Emirates Stadium. Man City v Wolves is at 5pm on Sky Sports Main Event.

Champions Cup Rugby Union: Leinster v Northampton, 5.15pm, TNT Sports 2 The first semi-final from Dublin.

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