PICK OF THE DAY

THE GREAT

9PM, CH4 ★★★★

In a similar way to the Oscarwinning film The Favourite, this ten-part drama takes an irreverent, at times surreal and subversively funny approach to history. Before she became one of Russia’s greatest rulers, Catherine the Great (Elle Fanning, right) was a naive Princess from Prussia. Married to Peter, Emperor of Russia (played superbly by Nicholas Hoult as a vainglorious idiot), the optimistic young woman finds that life at court – utterly bereft of culture, and bloated by sex, excess and warmongering – does not live up to her expectations.

A PERFECT PLANET

8PM, BBC1 ★★★★★

David Attenborough presents a new, five-part series that looks at the forces that power planet Earth. It starts with volcanoes, which not only give us our breathable atmosphere and fertile land for flora and fauna, but also helped to shape the Earth’s surface. Expect plenty of stunning footage.

BEAT THE CHASERS

9PM, ITV ★★★★

Bradley Walsh is your host as the supersized version of the hit teatime quiz returns, showing over seven nights. Plucky contestants will take on a team made up of The Beast, The Governess, The Sinnerman, The Vixen and The Dark Destroyer. Who has what it takes to take on the five Chasers and win big money?

A TEACHER

10PM, BBC2 ★★★

This ten-part US drama, showing in double bills over the next five nights, follows a 32year-old teacher’s illicit affair with her 18-year-old student, and dwells on the fallout and consequences. Kate Mara (House Of Cards) and Nick Robinson (Love, Simon) are both excellent as the two damaged protagonists. SA