TV Tonight: What Turner’s Sketchbooks Reveal About His Life | television

Turner: Secret Sketchbooks

9pm on BBC Two
JMW Turner is an enigma. But although he left behind no diaries, he did leave 37,000 private sketches that give clues to his character – and they have been made public for the first time. Clinical psychologist Orna Guralnick, actor Timothy Spall (who played the painter in Mr. Turner), artist Tracey Emin, and naturalist Chris Packham are some of the fans searching for insight across these pages — and wondering if he’s neurodivergent. Holly Richardson

Grand Designs: House of the Year

8pm on Channel 4
It’s time for serious property envy once again, as Kevin McCloud and his team tour the homes shortlisted for the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) House of the Year. They started with six houses built against all odds, including one on a crumbling hill on the south coast. Human resources

Portrait Artist of 2025

8 p.m., Sky Arts

Big Boys creator Jack Rock, ballerina Reece Clarke and retired astronaut Tim Peake are the three famous faces posing for their photo this week. Stephen Mangan hosts nine artists trying to portray themselves best, and experts judge their efforts. Human resources

Shetland

9pm, BBC One
Troubled care leaver Stevie (Chloe-Anne Taylor) tops the list of suspects in Eddie’s murder, thanks to a beady-eyed taxi driver. Meanwhile, Chris and Hayley remain the most incompetent drug dealers north of the border, and the fact that Sandy wants to re-interview Chris (Gabriel Akwodike) about his statement doesn’t help. Ellen E. Jones

Battle of the Irish Dancers

9pm, Sky Arts
Young hopefuls prepare for the dance of their lives. In Birmingham, Lauren, 17, hopes to qualify for the world championships. In Dublin, Ella from Niall Holley Academy performs at the Irish Shield Feis. In Newcastle, teacher Kelly Hendry leaves her students in a state of uncertainty about the challenges involved: “At the end of the day, it’s about being perfect.” Ali Catterall

BBC New Comedy Awards 2025: Finalist

10.40pm, on BBC One
Over the course of its thirty-year history, it has served as a launching pad for both Lucy Beaumont and her traitorous rival, national treasure Alan Carr. Now six finalists, including London breakout stars Blank Bing and Sharifa Butterfly, battle it out at Bradford’s Alhambra Theater for the laugh-out-loud crown. Amy Gledhill hosts, judges Fatiha El Ghouri, and there’s a special line-up from 2024 champion, Paul Hilliard. conditioning