Hunting for the oldest DNA
9pm, BBC Four
“We’ll never get dinosaur DNA,” says one scientist in this fascinating documentary. But even allowing for this defeated mindset, the process around DNA is becoming increasingly mind-boggling, as it now appears that the genetic secrets of our deep time may help humanity navigate the future. The story is energetically told, thanks mostly to the charismatic biologist Eske Willerslev for whom this field became a labor of love. Phil Harrison
Swipped: The School That Banned Smartphones
8pm, Channel 4
What happens to developing brains when they are deprived of smartphones? This is the answer many parents love to know. This two-part project sees Emma and Matt Willis join forces with Stanway School in Leicester to observe and participate in a 21-day digital deprivation experiment. PH
Shetland
9pm, BBC One
The ninth season of the grim Scottish cop drama reaches its finale, when Tosh (Alison O’Donnell) and Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) decide to refocus their investigation into a questionable double murder. New evidence suggests that drifter Lisa’s (Tara Lee) cage may shine in the croft that has become. Graeme Virtue
Guy Martin: Arctic Warrior
9pm, Channel 4
Does Guy Martin have what he orders to be done? You may be tempted to try to answer this question, but this two-parter is not entirely without artifice, as Martin tries to do the hard training tasks of the Royal Marines (ice-water dunks, deserted camps) and is explored superficially. geopolitics that make the Arctic Circle so strategically critical. PH
Brilliant my friends
9pm, Atlantic Sky
This week’s double-book is full of heartache, as Lenù finds a man to comfort her after learning more about Nino’s affairs. As life is looking up with his book selling well, he is threatened with legal action so he teams up with Lila to write an exposé on Solaras. Anna Verdier
Spirit of Fire
9pm, Documentary Heaven
The final part of this gripping series exploring the life of the “Kim Kardashian of the yoga world”, Katie Griggs, AKA Guru Jagat. Tonight, the volume of disturbing stories about Griggs increases as his views – which include the laughable QAnon conspiracy theory – become more extreme. PH
film choices
Sugar (Emily Kassie, Julian Brave NoiseCat, 2024) 10pm, National Geographic
The dark, dark history of the abuse – and more – of indigenous children by Catholic priests and nuns at a missionary school in Canada has been shone a sharp light on it in Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie’s devastating documentary. It follows researchers through unmarked records at a former school on First Nation land in British Columbia, and also tells the sad stories of survivors, including Brave NoiseCat’s own father. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Pope are making appearances to ensure that the horrific truth resonates across the world and down the generations. Simon Wardell
Sacrifice (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1986) 1am, Film4
Andrei Tarkovsky’s last film is a typically cryptic, but beautifully shot dive into the human condition, marked by intense dream scenes. Set in rural Sweden, where retired actor Alexander was celebrating his birthday, he encounters nods to Bergman and Chekhov as he, family and friends exchange memories and concerns. But then the news comes about nuclear war, and Alexander desperately offers everything to God to save the lives of others. SW
I play live
Champions League vehicles unless targeted Arsenal v Monaco, 7pm, TNT Sports 1 From the Emirates Stadium.