The best of tonight’s television
■ BEST LIFESTYLE Ear to the Ground RTÉ One, 8.30pm
In Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, Helen Carroll listens to the concerns of locals about isolation, the removal of services including post offices, and the rise in rural crime.
■ PROGRAMME OF THE DAY The First Channel 4, 9pm
This new drama from House of Cards creator Beau Willimon is set in the near future and follows a maiden mission to colonise Mars. Sean Penn is Tom Hagerty, the astronaut selected to lead the gruelling mission, which will entail huge risks as the last prototype spacecraft exploded before it left the Earth’s atmosphere. With Natascha McElhone.
BEST DOCUMENTARY Pop Goes Northern Ireland BBC Two, 10pm
In this northern version of Reeling in the Years, the pop music of the 1970s provides a soundtrack to footage of the Troubles, this week includes the Kingsmill Massacre.
■ MOVIE OF THE DAY The Take Film 4, 9pm
Thriller starring Idris Elba as a CIA agent based in Paris who uncovers a plot involving high-ranking French police after arresting a supposed terrorist.
■ WATCH BACK Donal’s Meals in Minutes RTÉ Player
Vegetarianism is on the rise, and Donal demonstrates quick and easy veggie recipes such as dahl, baked gnocchi, and roast cauliflower platter.