Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks
9pm, BBC One
It’s not an easy pitch for deaf actor and Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis to teach sign language to a retirement community. But she finds a group of enthusiastic 65-95-year-olds, some of whom are experiencing hearing loss. Along with charismatic teacher Marios Costi, she determinedly starts a two-part experiment to highlight the increasing need for signing. This is moving, inspirational television – with added bingo and karaoke. As one of the students says: “We’re not old people; we’re recycled teenagers.” Hollie Richardson
Surgeons: At the Edge of Life
9pm, BBC Two
Heart and brain surgeries are particularly engrossing in this staggering documentary series. This week, NHS Lothian’s Royal Infirmary has one of each – both complex, both mind-blowing. The heart operation – on a beating heart! – is particularly unreal. Jack Seale
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
9pm, ITV1
The sombre but empathetic factual drama about a 1955 murder case with far-reaching effects concludes. Having been found guilty of gunning down her abusive lover, Ruth (the excellent Lucy Boynton) is due to be hanged at Holloway prison. With only 24 hours to go, a ragtag group of allies scramble to find sufficient cause for a last-minute reprieve. Graeme Virtue
The Righteous Gemstones
9pm, Sky Comedy
For all of their much-proclaimed piety, the Gemstones are essentially a crime family. And you wouldn’t like them when they’re angry. This week, rivals emerge on their territory, which leads Jesse to plan dramatic retaliation. Elsewhere, Kelvin is finally beginning to gain a reputation. Phil Harrison
What We Do in the Shadows
10pm, BBC Two
More bloody shenanigans in the vampire mockumentary. Doll Nadja reveals she is a virgin, and swaps bodies with vampire Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) to go speed dating. Plus, Laszlo (Matt Berry) organises a pride parade and Nandor (Kayvan Novak) goes into space. HR
Building Britain’s Superhomes
10pm, Channel 4
Megabucks property developer Guy Phoenix returns to show off his latest creation, two years in the making – a “glass castle” in Nottinghamshire, if you care. But, before building his castle, he needs to buy the plot and demolish the house already sitting on it. HR
Film choice
Mufasa: The Lion King (Barry Jenkins, 2024) Disney+
The idea of photorealistic lions speaking English is a bit weird, but Disney’s remake juggernaut rolls on with a prequel to the reboot of the animated musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda takes over in the song department, while Barry Jenkins, creator of Oscar-winning arthouse gem Moonlight, is an intriguing choice to direct this child-friendly origin story for Simba’s dad and evil uncle Scar – AKA Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr). Young orphan Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) is adopted by Taka’s pride but when a gang of white lions attack, the brothers flee. They encounter a lioness, Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), and her possibly familiar mandrill and hornbill pals, with danger and betrayal on the cards. Simon Wardell
Live sport
Women’s Champions League football: Arsenal v Real Madrid 7.30pm, TNT Sports 1. The quarter-final, second-leg tie at Emirates Stadium.
