Simon Schama’s History of Now
9.15pm, BBC Two
“If there was ever a time when we needed to understand what great art can do for the future of humanity, surely that time is now?” In this very personal project, historian Simon Schama explores the artists, musicians and writers who are “the true agents of change” in history – and the future. In this first part of three, he meets Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova and George Orwell’s son, Richard. Hollie Richardson
Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy
7.35pm, BBC Two
The last leg of Tucci’s tour takes him to the home of Genoese pesto and personalised stamped pasta: Liguria, on Italy’s northwestern crescent, sandwiched between the Alps and the Apennines. Enjoy the last of this charming Italian foodie sojourn – his next series is going to focus solely on British food. HR
The Handmaid’s Tale
9pm, Channel 4
“My Martha makes an incredible Caesar salad ... ” It’s not every day your obstetrician invites you to dinner. Serena, however, looks set to embrace this solitary slice of freedom with open arms. Meanwhile, it’s a case of deja vu for June as she and Luke find themselves apprehended by militia in no-man’s land. Danielle De Wolfe
Italia 90: Four Weeks That Changed The World
9pm, Sky Documentaries
You might cry for Gazza all over again in the concluding part of this documentary about what was, in terms of individual narratives and cultural impact, one of the great World Cups. England’s semi-final defeat is examined from every angle, with not just Paul Gascoigne but right-back Paul Parker giving an emotional interview. Jack Seale
SAS Rogue Heroes
9.15pm, BBC One
Anglo-French relations are strained in tonight’s penultimate episode, with Paddy aiming his trusty sniper rifle at the Free French soldiers in a very unorthodox training session. Stirling, meanwhile, is joined by the prime minister’s son, Randolph Churchill, on a raid on Benghazi. Sammy Gecsoyler
Film Noir
8pm, Sky Arts
“It’s not just a genre - it’s a style, it’s a sensibility, it’s a way of reading the world!” Empire magazine’s Ian Nathan is one cinephile celebrating film noir in this three-parter. In this first episode, he is joined by critic Neil Norman to trace its roots in German expressionist silent films. HR
Film choice
Last Christmas, 10pm, BBC Three
We find ourselves at the time of year when it is almost impossible to avoid the rush of Christmas movies, and you might as well kick things off with one of the best. Paul Feig’s Last Christmas has a slightly hokey premise – if you know the lyrics to the Wham! song of the same name, you basically know the entire plot – but the whole thing is carried along by a sparkly Emma Thompson script and an endearingly grinchy lead performance by Emilia Clarke. The film does exactly what you want it to, including making you cry at the end. Isn’t that what Christmas films are for? Stuart Heritage
Live sport
Rugby Union: Leicester v London Irish, 2pm, BT Sport 1 Hanro Liebenberg will lead out champions Leicester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium.
