Call the Midwife
8pm, BBC1
A downbeat return for the East End baby-wranglers, whose work is now – we’re on to 1962 – shadowed darkly by pitiless new top nun Sister Ursula (Harriet Walter). This week’s patient is a woman (Pearl Appleby) whose gangster husband is physically abusing her and their six-year-old son, a problem Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett) is brave enough to try to fix. But it has wider repercussions, as Sister Mary Cynthia (Bryony Hannah) has to relive her own experience of violence. Jack Seale
Dance Dance Dance
6.30pm, ITV
This flashy, hyperactive tweak of the Strictly formula continues. Don’t expect oddities along the lines of the dancefloor stylings of Ed Balls: this is a more ruthless, less quirky beast altogether and the weaker members of the herd can be expected to fall swiftly by the wayside. Tonight, the contestants will be challenged to recreate famous routines by Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson. Imagine a moonwalking Ann Widdecombe and wince fondly. Phil Harrison
Walking the Americas
8pm, Channel 4
Having set out to ramble from Mexico to Colombia along the length of Central America, former army officer Levison Wood has already demonstrated remarkable strength of character by resisting the urge to ask every passer-by if they know the way to San José. Now in Nicaragua, the GoPro-wielding explorer hot-foots it through a range of volatile volcanos before setting his sights on Cerro Chirripó, Costa Rica’s highest mountain. Graeme Virtue
Apple Tree Yard
9pm, BBC1
Emily Watson is Dr Yvonne Carmichael, a high-flying scientist who embarks on an uncharacteristically reckless affair with a kindly but mysterious stranger in this four-part adaptation of Louise Doughty’s 2013 novel. So far, so midlife crisis – until events take a deeply terrifying turn. This, however, is no one-note thriller: via Watson’s masterly performance, this is a drama that has much to say about sexuality, sacrifice, privilege and victimhood. Rachel Aroesti
Homeland
9pm, Channel 4
Among the myriad headaches posed by the election of Donald Trump is what it means for series like Homeland and their parallel realities. The espionage thriller’s producers have faced the situation head-on: for season six, they have returned to New York. Carrie is now working in a Brooklyn law firm, where much of the action takes place; she’s defending a young Muslim man accused of terrorist intent. And the incoming president-elect is female. Ah, if only… David Stubbs
Obama Legacy: President Obama – In His Own Words
9pm, History
A comprehensive reflection upon the career of Barack Obama, centred on extensive new interviews with the 44th president, and including input from many of his senior staff, including Joe Biden – and from a few of his foes. Broadcast just over 48 hours into the presidency of Donald Trump, assuming the republic stands that long, Obama’s thoughtfulness is likely to prompt bafflement at just how far the electoral pendulum can swing. Andrew Mueller
The Big Spell
5.30pm, Sky1
The spelling show featuring bright but reassuringly un-hothoused kids aged between nine and 13 continues as the remaining contestants undertake a jungle-themed challenge. If the idea of ones so young appearing in a contest that gradually whittles down the numbers of those taking part worries you, relax – host Sue Perkins presides with a gentle, kooky auntie kind of presence. Mind you, Moira Stuart, charged with telling the kids when they get things wrong, can be scary. Jonathan Wright
Film choice
Trainspotting
(Danny Boyle, 1996), 10.05pm, Channel 4
Rereleased on the big screen in readiness for the upcoming sequel T2, Boyle’s hyperactive tale of four Edinburgh junkies is still ferociously compulsive viewing. Adapted from Irvine Welsh’s cult novel, it’s shot full of manic invention and wit, with inspired performances from Robert Carlyle as bruiser Begbie, Ewan McGregor’s as half-comatose hero Renton, Jonny Lee Miller as Sick Boy and Ewen Bremner as Spud. Hilarious and harrowing, it shows the highs and lows (to the very bottom of the toilet bowl) of addiction. Paul Howlett
Good
(Vicente Amorim, 2008), 11.45pm, BBC2
The weakness at the heart of this study of Nazi evil mirrors its pliable, self-deluding protagonist. In 1930s Germany, Viggo Mortensen’s Professor Halder is no champion of National Socialism, but finds himself rewarded for his casual compliance: he is flattered by Mark Strong’s high-ranking Bouhler and sexy student Anne (Jodie Whittaker), and betrays his old Jewish friend (Jason Isaacs). An interesting, if flawed, drama. Paul Howlett
Beginners
(Mike Mills, 2010), 1.40am, Film4
This quirky, awkwardly engaging family drama stars Ewan McGregor as graphic artist Oliver, whose art-historian father (Christopher Plummer) comes out as gay at the age of 75. Oliver seems an enigmatic, distracted character, until he meets Anna (Mélanie Laurent). There are fine performances throughout, but then, they do have Arthur the jack russell to contend with. Paul Howlett
Today’s best live sport
One-Day Cricket: India v England 7.30am, Sky Sports 2 The third and final one-day match between the sides.
Masters Snooker 1pm, BBC2 The final of the invitational event, won last year by Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Premier League Football: Southampton v Leicester City 11.30am, Sky Sports 1 The champions travel to St Mary’s. Arsenal v Burnley follows at 2pm; Chelsea v Hull at 4.15pm.