PICK OF THE DAY

THE SPLIT 9PM, BBC1

★★★★

Divorce lawyer Hannah (Nicola Walker, second from right) is going through a split of her own as the new series begins – from husband Nathan, played by Stephen Mangan with a nice smile that makes her regret what she’s done. At least, until a twist is revealed that leads Hannah to knock back the wine – over and over again – and into a deliciously well-acted spat with a child psychologist played by a perfectly cast

Lara Pulver. It’s entertaining – particularly in how Hannah’s useless friends react – but Walker makes you feel the sadness of the situation, too.

TRAVEL MAN: 48 HOURS IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY 8.30PM, CH4

★★★

Joe Lycett brings a more joyful air to this comedy travelogue than Richard Ayoade did, and it’s much more fun as a result. Tonight, Lycett is on a mission to ‘Basque’ in the delights of Bilbao and San Sebastian, and is joined in his dizzying endeavour by the playfully odd comedian James Acaster.

HOUSE OF MAXWELL 9PM, BBC2

★★★★★ Prepare to be mesmerised by this three-part documentary about the scandalous fates of Robert Maxwell and some of his children. Part one is about Captain Bob’s media empire – ‘the biggest oneman business you can imagine’ – and has all kinds of previously unrevealed footage up its sleeve.

HOLDING 9PM, ITV ★★★★ Brenda Fricker became familiar to many on Casualty, but she’s also an Oscar-winning actress for My Left Foot. You can see why in the fleeting moments she’s on screen in the last part, as the mum of Tommy Burke. She just draws you in – and the same can be said of the patient scene in which her son’s killer is finally revealed. Full marks for not rushing it.