Timothy Spall heads the cast in new BBC One comic crime drama Death Valley, Bertie Carvel narrates Walking with Dinosaurs, there's a musical treat with An Evening with Ethel Merman, and Joanne Cantwell presents a hurling double-header . . .
Pick of the Day
Death Valley, 8.15pm, BBC One
Here’s a brand-new comic crime drama starring Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth. Looks like fun.
Disarming Welsh DS Janie Mallowan is desperate to solve some big cases and progress her career.
While investigating the death by apparent suicide of wealthy property developer Carwyn Rees, she meets none other than John Chapel, the retired actor who played her TV detective idol, Inspector Charles Caesar.
Eccentric and reclusive John uses his insight into character to deduce that Carwyn was murdered, though Janie is initially sceptical of his conclusions.
When forensics prove his theory right, Janie quietly asks him to help with the case. Deliberately shut away from the world for years, John is initially reluctant to help.
But together they work to solve a mystery involving an environmental activist, a grieving widow and a bitter business rival, painting the portrait of a man who kept a lot of secrets from those closest to him.
And although John and Janie are not ready to admit it, this first case is the start of an iconic crime-solving partnership - and a friendship, too.
New or Returning Shows
Walking with Dinosaurs, 6.25pm, BBC One
Narrated by Bertie Carvel, this brand-new, six-part series does exactly what its title suggests. Dinosaur lovers will lap this up.
Sixty-six million years ago, an orphaned baby triceratops roamed the lush world of Laramidia, alone and vulnerable.
Stalked by the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex, the youngster relied on her wits and diminutive size to survive.
Today, paleontologists in Montana are uncovering her fossils, allowing us to imagine her life and the dangers she faced.
Stunning VFX recreates her encounters, from escaping a giant pterosaur to a heart-stopping face-off with T rex, bringing her story vividly to life.
An Evening with Ethel Merman, 8.40pm, BBC Four
Tonight’s entire BBC Four schedule is dedicated to music, but this is the centrepiece.
Legendary American singer and actress Ethel Merman (above) – whose singing voice could shatter concrete - performs a selection of hit songs from her musicals and films in a 1964 concert from London.
Including performances of songs such as I Got Rhythm, Anything Goes, Everything's Coming Up Roses and There's No Business Like Show Business, she is supported on stage by musicians Jack Chivers, Ronnie Price and Bob Carson.
New to Stream
Escape from the 21st Century, Sky Cinema Premiere & NOW
Three 18-year-old boys, Wang Zha, Chengyong and Paopao, accidentally fall into a lake of many colours. When they get out, they realise that they can travel 20 years into the future - and back - with just a sneeze.
But the future they experience is not what they expected as a crime organization runs rampant in their city. As a journalist, Wang Zha exposes the crime gang and discovers that Chengyong is part of it.
Meanwhile, Paopao finds himself dating Chengyong’s girlfriend, and an evil scientist plans to take over the world.
In order to make things right, the trio return to the present and train themselves relentlessly for 20 years to defeat the evil forces at play.
Don’t Miss
Legacy, 6.30pm, RTÉ One
Streaming on RTÉ Player
This week’s episode focuses on three sites - the Arbour Hill Cemetery, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens and the Garden of Remembrance.
They are all dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives fighting for different, sometimes opposing causes.
Plus, a fourth, the JFK Arboretum, which was created to commemorate US President John F Kennedy, who was killed by an assassin's bullets.
Scandinavia with Simon Reeve, 9.00pm, BBC Two
The second leg of Simon Reeve's journey takes him from the fjords of Norway across the North Atlantic to Iceland, known as the land of fire and ice.
It's a world of extremes and contradictions, from a country that's been described as the Kuwait of Europe to an island that lives under the constant threat of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Later... with Jools Holland, 10.00pm, BBC Two
Jools chats to powerhouse vocalist and theatre star Beverley Knight (below) about her role as Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the tour of Marie & Rosetta.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson is also present, to talk about celebrating 40 years since the release of their debut album Welcome to the Pleasuredome.
Plus, there are performances by Franz Ferdinand, Joy Crookes, Billy Nomates, Alt Blk Era, Cameron Winter and Jackson Dean.
Sunday Cinema
Little Women, 9.30pm, RTÉ One
Writer/director Greta Gerwig's hugely enjoyable adaptation of the Louisa May Alcott novel, starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson and Florence Pugh.
In 1868, New York City teacher Jo March goes to Mr Dashwood, an editor who agrees to publish a story she has written.
She reflects back and forth on her life, telling the story of the March sisters - four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.
Family Flick
Toy Story 4, 2.30pm, BBC One
Director Josh Cooley's Bafta and Oscar-nominated animated sequel, featuring the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Tony Hale.
When a home-made toy called Forky joins Woody and the gang, he begins to experience an existential crisis, thinking he is rubbish rather than a plaything, and wishes to remain in a bin.
Eventually he and Woody embark on a road trip alongside old and new friends.
Though not a patch on the peerless Toy Story trilogy, it’s a pretty decent movie.
Sport
The Sunday Game Live, 1.30pm, RTÉ2
Streaming on RTÉ Player
There's a double-header of hurling action this afternoon.
First up, Joanne Cantwell is joined by Jackie Tyrrell for live coverage from Parnell Park of the Leinster Hurling Championship meeting of Dublin v Galway. Throw-in 2.00pm.
Then at 3.50pm The Sunday Game Live turns its attention to Leeside as Joanne Cantwell and Jackie Tyrrell prepare for for live coverage from Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh of the Munster Championship meeting of Cork v Waterford. Throw-in 4.00pm.
