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WhatToWatch
WhatToWatch
Entertainment
Lucy Buglass

TV tonight: Our highlights for Sunday, July 9

Damian Lewis as Nicholas Elliott talking to Kim Philby (Guy Pearce)..

On TV tonight, new drama A Spy Among Friends begins, The Traitors Australia sees the game show going down under, and two-part travelogue Exploring India's Treasures begins. Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.

  • Our hand-selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set 
  • Keep up to date with the latest soap spoiler storylines on TV tonight with our daily soap synopsis 
  • For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide

What's on TV tonight

Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight... 

Best TV shows on TV tonight

A Spy Among Friends, 9 pm, ITV1

The reasons behind suave spy Kim Philby’s shock defection from Britain to the USSR in 1963 have captured the imagination for 60 years. Now, this compelling six-part drama – first available on ITVX last December – offers a fresh take on the intriguing story, by exploring the aftermath of Philby’s actions and the long-lasting fallout for his dearest friend, MI6 agent Nicholas Elliott. 

Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis are both excellent as Philby and Elliott respectively, while Anna Maxwell Martin gives another typically fabulous turn as (fictional) MI5 agent Lily Thomas, who is tasked with trying to discover how much Elliott knew about his buddy’s treacherous work… 

★★★★ CC

The Traitors Australia, 8 pm, BBC Three

(Image credit: BBC)

If you’re in need of another fix of The Traitors and all its intrigues, then this 12-part Australian version of the hit show will give you just what you need over the summer. Set in a luxury hotel in the Southern Highlands, the famous contest of skulduggery is hosted by Queen of Oz actor Rodger Corser, who chooses four Traitors to start eliminating the Faithfuls on a daily basis without being detected. 

Will it be as tense as the UK version? We do hope so... Continues daily until Tuesday. 

★★★★ NC

Exploring India's Treasures with Bettany Hughes, 8 pm, Channel 4

(Image credit: Channel 4)

In this fascinating two-part travelogue, historian Bettany connects the archaeological, architectural and cultural treasures of India, including the iconic Taj Mahal, to its people’s ideas, beliefs and emotions. Tonight’s first stop, in the holy city of Varanasi, is an emotional experience, because it’s an opportunity to honour her late mother in a ceremony of remembrance. 

The ritual sees Bettany receive offerings that have been blessed. She then takes them to the River Ganges, which has huge spiritual significance in Indian culture. It’s a moving moment that is sure to inspire many people to plan their own trip. 

★★★★ IM

Best box set on TV tonight

The Witcher season 3Netflix

(Image credit: Netflix)

Season three – split into two, with five episodes released today, and three on 27 July – finds monster-hunting hero Geralt (Henry Cavill) joining forces with Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) to protect Princess Ciri (Freya Allan) from the monsters, mages and monarchs plotting to capture her. But when Yennefer shows Ciri how to harness her powers and leads her and Geralt to the fortress of Aretuza, the trio become cornered by dark magic… Hugh Skinner joins the cast as King Vizimir’s playboy brother Prince Radovid, while Cavill bows out this season, leaving Liam Hemsworth to take over as Geralt.

RM

Best film on TV tonight

A Quiet Place Part II, 9 pm, Channel 4

(Image credit: Paramount)

After a harrowing, adrenaline-pumping ‘how we got here’ introduction, writer-director John Krasinski’s sci-fi horror sequel takes us to where his original film left off. Emily Blunt’s Evelyn, along with her kids, ends up taking shelter with an unwilling recluse (Cillian Murphy) from the alien monsters who hunt by sound. Armed with a noise weapon to tackle the beasts, daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds) attempts to carry out her late dad’s plan to find somewhere to broadcast the sound and sets off alone… A movie masterful in its creation of tension and fear, it also proves Krasinski is no one-trick pony. 

★★★★ NP

Live Sport

  • British Grand Prix: 1.30pm, Channel 4 and Sky Sports F1

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss A Spy Among Friends on TV tonight.

Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide

Happy viewing!

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