Pick of the Day: A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story
9pm, ITV1
In a poignant exploration of history and justice, Stephen Beard, the grandson of Ruth Ellis—the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom—embarks on a campaign for posthumous pardon for his grandmother. He hopes this dramatic retelling will echo the sentiment of Mr Bates vs The Post Office and ultimately exonerate her name. While it’s undeniable that Ellis took the life of her lover, racing driver David Blakely, in 1955, Beard argues that she did so under the harrowing influence of battered woman syndrome and diminished responsibility, having endured significant abuse from her partner. The opening episode features Lucy Boynton in the role of Ellis, a nightclub singer, and Toby Jones as her solicitor, John Bickford, diving into a complex narrative of love, betrayal, and the quest for justice.
Landscape Artist of the Year
8pm, Sky Arts
The semi-final of this artistic competition sees the six heat winners and one wildcard contestant setting up their easels against the stunning backdrop of Portsmouth’s historic dockyard. At the forefront of their canvas is the majestic HMS Warrior, presenting a challenging subject with its intricate rigging. As the tide rises and alters their view, the artists face the added difficulty of capturing the ever-changing scene. Stephen Mangan injects humor into the proceedings, jokingly asking, “Does anyone have a phone number for King Canute?”
Amandaland
9pm, BBC One
Fans of the beloved show Motherland will find a familiar vibe in this spin-off, where the characters embark on a chaotic camping weekend in the picturesque New Forest. Amanda’s obnoxious new boyfriend, Johannes, takes the reins of the trip, while her daughter, Georgie, expresses her disappointment, exclaiming, “Why can’t we go to Florida or something?” Although Amandaland may not quite capture the magic of its predecessor, it offers a wealth of humorous moments, including Lucy Punch’s portrayal of Amanda, who hilariously grapples with a bursting bladder, and Anne’s comical blunder of addressing Johannes as “Your highness.”
Surgeons: At the Edge of Life
9pm, BBC Two
Prepare to be awe-inspired by the skilled surgeons at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital as they tackle life-saving procedures. In this episode, consultant colorectal surgeon Danielle Collins confronts a patient with an aggressive tumor that has alarmingly doubled in size within just two months. Meanwhile, consultant vascular surgeon Orwa Falah faces a daunting task as he undertakes the replacement of his patient’s aorta, which is perilously close to rupturing.
Get Millie Black
9pm, Channel 4
In a groundbreaking television drama penned by Jamaican author Marlon James, who won the 2015 Man Booker Prize for A Brief History of Seven Killings, the captivating Tamara Lawrance stars as Millie-Jean Black. After being ousted from Scotland Yard, Millie returns to her Jamaican roots to join the local police force. Her inaugural case centers around a missing schoolgirl from Kingston, leading her into a tense confrontation with UK detective Luke Holborn, played by Game of Thrones’ Joe Dempsie, who is entangled in a gang investigation. While the premise may evoke comparisons to Death in Paradise, this series delves into a grittier, more literary narrative.
Am I Being Unreasonable?
9.30pm, BBC One
As tensions mount, the truth begins to unravel when Jen’s son Harry inadvertently reveals to Ollie that Jen had purposefully played a controversial phone video during the memorial service. With Jen staunchly denying the accusations, Nic is left to grapple with a difficult decision: whom should she believe—her best friend or her son? After a gradual buildup, Daisy May Cooper and Selin Hizli’s uniquely quirky creation has finally taken shape, delivering a blend of humor and drama that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
