Tonight's television schedule is packed with must-see entertainment, from scheming royals to dazzling dance floors. Get ready for a night of gripping drama and spectacular performances.
Drama and Deceit: The Serpent Queen Arrives on Channel 4
Leading the evening's lineup is the highly anticipated UK television premiere of The Serpent Queen on Channel 4 at 10.05pm. This very modern period drama brings a rompy, irreverent style reminiscent of hits like The Great and Mary & George.
The story transports viewers to 16th-century France, charting the astonishing rise of Italian noblewoman Catherine de Medici. The narrative begins with her marriage to Henry II at the tender age of 14, portrayed by Liv Hill in her younger years. The formidable Samantha Morton takes over the role of the older Catherine, depicting her ruthless climb to power and the cunning political manoeuvres that earned her the infamous, scaly reputation the title suggests.
Strictly's Glittering Blackpool Spectacle
Over on BBC One at 6.35pm, the magic of Strictly Come Dancing reaches its dazzling peak with the annual Blackpool bonanza. The iconic Tower Ballroom welcomes the six remaining couples, though the celebration is tinged with disappointment as the wonderful La Voix has been forced to withdraw due to injury.
Viewers can expect show-stopping routines, including Lewis and Katya's charleston set to an Arctic Monkeys hit. Meanwhile, George and Alexis will be heating up the floor with a salsa performed to a classic 90s club anthem. The weekend's entertainment continues on the results show, where Lewis Capaldi is scheduled to perform.
More Unmissable Evening Viewing
The final episode of Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World airs on Channel 4 at 7pm, taking an armchair travel adventure to Estonia. The historian uncovers a 10,000-year-old piece of chewed tar that reveals the portrait of a prehistoric teenager and explores a 16th-century shipwreck.
Music lovers are in for a treat with Kim Wilde at the BBC on BBC Two at 8.05pm. The 80s icon, one of the decade's most-charted female solo artists, presents a retrospective of her BBC appearances, featuring her smash hit Kids in America and a rare duet with Steve Coogan's alter ego, Tony Ferrino.
For thriller fans, Wild Cherry continues on BBC One at 9.05pm. The mystery deepens as teenager Iris remains missing, and the privileged mothers of Richford Lake prove to be a formidable obstacle for detectives. Lorna, however, is determined to hack the secret app on her daughter Grace's phone to find the truth.
Channel 4 also offers the concluding part of its speculative series, Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator at 9.05pm, which hypothesises about the genetic background of the German dictator.
Film choices for the evening include Julia Roberts in the murky academic drama After the Hunt on Prime Video, the single-take concert film One Shot With Ed Sheeran on Netflix, and Federico Fellini's classic 1957 comedy-drama Nights of Cabiria on Talking Pictures TV at 9.05pm.
Sports fans have a full day of action, with Premier League football, international rugby union featuring Wales v New Zealand on TNT Sports 1, and day three of the first Ashes Test between Australia and England.
