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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Hollie Richardson, Hannah Verdier, Phil Harrison and Ali Catterall

TV tonight: the biggest television event of 2023 is finally here

Sarah Snook as Shiv in the final episode of Succession
Sarah Snook (left) as Shiv in the final episode of Succession. Photograph: HBO

Succession

9pm, Sky Atlantic

“Buckle up, fuckleheads” – it’s the last ever episode of Jesse Armstrong’s ruthless media dynasty drama. With the action taking place over just 10 days, this brutal season has seen an excruciating trip to Norway, a shock pregnancy, a damning election night, an eye-watering takeover deal and a ludicrously capacious bag. But Logan’s funeral last week was a cold reminder of what this whole series of backstabbing and buffoonery was always going to come down to: L to the OG of Waystar Royco is dead and it’s time to find out who comes out on top. Will Shiv have the last laugh? Will Kendall go rogue? Will Roman break? And will Connor, erm … It’s set to be the TV event of the year. Hollie Richardson

Barry

9pm, Sky Comedy

The massively overlooked treacle-black hitman comedy reaches its finale, and no – sadly there won’t be a film version with Mark Wahlberg as Barry Berkman and Daniel Day-Lewis as Gene Cousineau. Will the assassin turned actor and his weathered mentor even make it to the final scene alive? With this series being its bleakest yet, it should be a killer ending. HR

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

8pm, BBC One

It has been a year of firsts for the 2023 flora and fauna bonanza. It hosted its first wedding in its 110 years, the Princess of Wales attended its inaugural children’s picnic, and all the gardens are now required to have a plan for life after the show. Our hosts Sophie Raworth and Joe Swift look back at this year’s highlights. HR

Last call … Jeremy Paxman bows out of University Challenge in the last of the series.
Last call … Jeremy Paxman bows out of University Challenge in the last of the series. Photograph: Rachel Joseph/BBC/ITV Studios

University Challenge

8.30pm, BBC Two

Fingers on buzzers for Jeremy Paxman’s last show. He’ll no doubt be hurrying the brainboxes of Durham and Bristol for their answers. Who can identify orchestral pieces that are heavy on the organ, paintings of rowers, or world events in the decade of the Norman conquest of England? The questions are suitably tough for Paxman’s final hurrah. Hannah Verdier

Steeltown Murders

9pm, BBC One

The penultimate episode of this unsparing real crime drama: it’s 2002 and DNA technology has dramatically thinned out the field of suspects. But this new paradigm still presents a series of familiar problems for the police. An impeccably constructed series boasting a convincing lead performance from Philip Glenister as dogged DCI Paul Bethell. Phil Harrison

Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland

9pm, BBC Two

By 1972, the gulf between Catholic and Protestant communities had deepened like a bloody trench, as recalled here by haunted former sectarian footsoldiers. Yet, amid near-surreal archive footage of paramilitaries resembling Clockwork Orange droogs, along with young women tarred and feathered for fraternising with British soldiers, there are shards of optimism, ironically from the growing punk scene. Ali Catterall

Live sport

League One football: Barnsley v Sheffield From 2pm, Sky Sports Main Event The play-off final at Wembley.

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