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This documentary investigates the mercenaries who have made a career out of conflict. Plus: Lucy Beaumont takes to the stage in London. Here’s what to watch this evening **10pm, BBC Four** Up to 100,000 mercenaries are estimated to be operating in conflict zones around the world, as this aggression-filled Storyville documentary tells us, and they have been implicated in global atrocities and blamed for fuelling the illegal arms trade. The programme introduces us to Dave Tomkins, who talks about how he has been fighting other people’s wars for money for 40 years. **Hollie Richardson** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/22/tv-tonight-a-soldier-for-hire-tells-his-shocking-story)
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Himesh Patel, Lolly Adefope and Jessica Hynes are just some of the top names in Armando Iannucci’s The Franchise. Plus: Bernardine Evaristo’s tale of forbidden love. Here’s what to watch this evening **Monday, 10pm**, **Sky Comedy** What happens on the set of a ridiculous, big-budget superhero movie? This new spoof comedy from Armando Iannucci ([The Thick of It](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/the-thick-of-it), [Veep](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/veep), I’m Alan Partridge), Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes and [Succession](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/30/every-succession-episode-ranked)’s Jon Brown shows us. The series follows first assistant director Daniel (Himesh Patel) and his team, Dag (Lolly Adefope) and Steph (Jessica Hynes), as they work on Tecto: Eye of the Storm. In the first episode of this week’s triple bill, they try to handle the conflicting egos of film stars Peter (Richard E Grant) and Adam (Billy Magnussen). With such cracking talent involved, you know you’re in for something hilarious. **Hollie Richardson** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/21/tv-tonight-monday-the-franchise-lolly-adefope-himesh-patel-armando-iannucci)
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A mindblowing new series starts with the story of Lord Bertie Underwood. Plus: judicial thriller Showtrial gets twisty. Here’s what to watch this evening **10pm, Channel 4** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/20/tv-tonight-real-life-romance-cases-that-prove-love-is-dead)
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Florence Welch beautifully performs hits from Lungs at the Proms. Plus, who will make it through to Halloween week in Strictly? Here’s what to watch this evening **8.20pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/19/tv-tonight-an-exhilarating-night-of-music-with-florence-the-machine)
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A gobsmacking documentary about the mysterious man who bought MGM studios in 1990. Plus: is the Vinted app too good to be true? Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, BBC Two** “One of the most enigmatic deals in Hollywood.” Insiders tell film-maker John Dower the scandalous story of Giancarlo Parretti, one that has all the makings of a juicy movie script. Parretti was a former waiter with a “murky past” who bought the MGM studios for $1.3bn in 1990 – but he couldn’t account for the mysterious money he handed over. He helps tell the full tale himself in a lively documentary. **Hollie Richardson** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/18/tv-tonight-the-truth-about-one-of-hollywoods-most-puzzling-scandals)
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Patsy, Eddy, Saffy, Bubble and their celebrity fans tell all. Plus: David Olusoga returns with his brilliant history series. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, Gold** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/17/tv-tonight-pop-open-the-bolly-for-a-raucous-absolutely-fabulous-reunion)
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The property guru takes a tour of the country’s most spectacular residences. Plus: Cush Jumbo poses for Portrait Artist of the Year. Here’s what to watch this evening **10pm, Channel 4** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/16/tv-tonight-phil-spencer-new-zealand-best-homes)
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The cook shows how to knock up a total treat with potato peelings. Plus, a complex look at the phenomenon of ‘penicide’. Here’s what to watch this evening **7.30pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/15/tv-tonight-nadiya-hussain-food-leftover-tips)
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In this nuanced adaptation, an elderly man tries to keep his gay relationship under wraps. Plus, Mark Strong guest stars in The Penguin. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, BBC One** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/14/tv-tonight-lennie-james-bernadine-evaristo-mr-loverman)
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The people who experienced the Enfield poltergeist retell the terrifying tale. Plus: Sophie Turner’s jewel thief drama nears the end. Here’s what to watch this evening **10.20pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/13/tv-tonight-a-spooky-new-series-investigating-paranormal-cases)
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This musical odyssey promises to be a Top of the Pops-free zone. Plus: the return of Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel. Here’s what to watch this evening **8.20pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/12/tv-tonight-a-special-night-of-rare-music-that-you-havent-heard-before)
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Dispatches reveals the reality of making the world-famous doll. Plus: Gemma Whelan and Steve Pemberton turn up in The Cleaner. Here’s what to watch this evening **8pm, Channel 4** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/11/tv-tonight-a-shocking-investigation-into-the-bleaker-side-of-barbie)
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Sweetpea is a gorefest based on CJ Skuse’s hugely popular novels. Plus: a Question Time election special from the US. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, Sky Atlantic** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/10/tv-tonight-ella-purnell-is-a-bloodthirsty-wallflower-in-this-dark-comedy)
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The scale of the horror inflicted by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023 is shown via camera footage. Plus: Portrait Artist of the Year 2024. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, Channel 4** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/09/tv-tonight-terrifying-accounts-from-survivors-of-the-beeri-kibbutz-attack)
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This fantastic documentary recalls what happened at the 1984 Tory party conference. Plus, more sublime stress in Industry. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, BBC Two**“All I had to know was that it had gone off … and then I slept.” It has been 40 years since the IRA’s Patrick Magee planted a bomb in the Grand hotel, Brighton during the Conservative party conference, killing five people and seriously injuring 34 others. In this fantastic documentary (from the team behind last year’s Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland), we hear from Magee and also from those who were there at the time, along with archive footage, to tell the full story of the tensions that led to this atrocious act (“For a lot of people, it was revenge”).**Hollie Richardson** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/08/tv-tonight-the-brighton-bomb-plot-to-kill-margaret-thatcher)
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Sophie Willan’s brilliant comedy is back for a second season. Plus, Brian Cox on the Solar System. Here’s what to watch this evening **10pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/07/tv-tonight-the-return-of-the-fabulously-funny-almas-not-normal)
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A shocking new series from the filmmaker behind Tiger King. Plus: courtroom thriller Showtrial returns. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, Sky Documentaries** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/06/tv-tonight-the-bizarre-troubling-story-of-the-dolly-parton-of-chimps)
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Watch rousing performances by the singer, who would have turned 65 this year. Plus: it’s movie week on Strictly! Here’s what to watch this evening **8.40pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/05/tv-tonight-a-lovely-night-celebrating-the-brilliant-kirsty-maccoll)
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Watch rousing performances by the singer, who would have turned 65 this year. Plus: it’s movie week on Strictly! Here’s what to watch this evening **8.40pm, BBC Two** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/05/tv-tonight-a-lovely-night-celebrating-the-brilliant-kirsty-maccoll)
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Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride return in the Daryl Dixon spin-off. Plus: Hugh Grant discussing his terrifying role in new film Heretic. Here’s what to watch this evening **9pm, Sky Max** [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2024/oct/04/tv-tonight-the-walking-dead-is-the-zombie-franchise-that-refuses-to-die)