Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
WhatToWatch
WhatToWatch
Entertainment
Lucy Buglass

TV tonight: Our highlights for Thursday, August 31

TV tonight Chris and Becca begin another day.

On TV tonight, Ambulance continues, Netflix's One Piece adaptation drops, and there's another chance to watch True Detective. 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

Ambulance, 9 pm, BBC One

As the shift starts on tonight’s episode, North West Ambulance Service is answering a 999 call every 16 seconds. Nathan leads a dispatch team allocating ambulance crews including Aaron and Emily, who are called to help a woman on the street who has self-harmed. After finding that she took an overdose yesterday, it’s unclear whether she absconded from a mental health unit, but Nathan – the calm centre back at control – manages to piece everything together. 

Tom and Jodie attend a very different call and unexpectedly end up caring for a newborn baby. ‘That’s a little energy boost!’ beams Jodie, before they head to the next job, which comes with a ‘history of violence’ warning… 

★★★★ JP

One Piece, Netflix

(Image credit: Netflix)

All aboard for Netflix’s live-action and action-packed seafaring show, based on Eiichiro Oda’s acclaimed manga series. The eight-part comedy adventure stars Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, an unflappable dreamer with supernatural rubber-like properties, who is determined to find the fabled piece of treasure and become king of the pirates. 

As leader of a ragtag band of misfits known as The Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy and his shipmates on the Going Merry use their distinct skills to defend themselves against unpredictable villains such as deranged clown pirate Buggy. Starring Jeff Ward, Emily Rudd and Craig Fairbrass. Narrated by Ian McShane. 

ER

True Detective, NOW

(Image credit: Warner Media Discovery)

Ahead of a fourth series of the crime drama, which will star Jodie Foster, Christopher Eccleston and Fiona Shaw, the previous series are available to watch on NOW. Series two and three are fine, but series one is by far the best (as an anthology, each season is standalone) and well worth checking out if you’ve never seen it. 

Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey are a pair of mismatched detectives, but don’t let that overused trope put you off. Set in a deeply atmospheric Louisiana, the story follows the investigation of a disturbing homicide which seems to have links with other cases. Utterly compelling, the series won a clutch of awards, including a BAFTA for best international drama. 

★★★★ JP

Best box set on TV tonight

Who is Erin Carter?Netflix

(Image credit: Netflix/Left Bank)

Who Is Erin Carter? is an excellent question – and you’ll want to stick with this action-packed thriller to find out the answer! Erin (Evin Ahmad) is a Brit abroad, working as a teacher in Barcelona. But after Erin and her daughter Harper (Indica Watson) get caught up in a robbery in the supermarket and Erin expertly disarms one of the robbers with just the groceries she can lay her hands on, it’s clear she’s more than just a teacher. 

As word of her heroism spreads, people start asking awkward questions – and Erin gets deeper into trouble. The star-spangled cast also includes Douglas Henshall, Denise Gough, Susannah Fielding and Jamie Bamber. 

★★★★★ SP 

Best film on TV tonight

Green Book, 10:40 pm, BBC One

(Image credit: BBC)

Winner of three Oscars, including best film, this 1960s-set road movie sees Viggo Mortensen as an Italian-American bouncer, ‘Tony Lip’, who steps in when a chauffeur with muscle is needed to drive classical pianist Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) on a concert tour through America’s Deep South. 

It makes for a funny and poignant journey, dealing with some complex issues along the way. The ‘Green Book’ of the title refers to a guide to the places in the Deep South which were safe for Black people to frequent. 

★★★★ JB

Soaps

Live Sport

  • Athletics: Diamond League Zurich, 7 pm, BBC Two

If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…

Don't miss Ambulance on TV tonight.

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

Happy viewing!

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.