FIVE OF THE BEST

Inside the Foreign Office

BBC2, 9pm

For the first time in more than 20 years, the BBC has been granted access to one of our most fascinating government departments, yet arguably one of the least understood: – The Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Filming for this three–part documentary series took place during a crucial 12 months when the FCO played a pivotal role responding to global conflicts in Syria, Somalia, Ukraine and Libya, and fighting to maintain the UK’S precious international influence as we exit the EU. Tonight, as world leaders meet for a United Nations session in New York, the UK’S civil servants decide who to sit where at the Prime Minister’s session, while Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is briefed on what to say to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

Robbing Your Relatives

Channel 5, 9pm

Families are supposed to protect and love one another, but family fraud is on the increase, with millions of pounds being stolen from victims by their own flesh and blood. This first in a two–part documentary features several such cases, including the mother who shamelessly plundered more than £500,000 from her son’s insurance payout after he narrowly survived a fatal car crash. Plus, the daughter who stole her mother’s life savings – leaving her to die penniless – and the disabled single mother who faced financial ruin after her son took more than £1,000 from her – when he was only 10 years old.

Dark Heart

STV, 9pm

The prime suspect in the latest murder is found dead in the same location, leaving Wagstaffe at a crossroads. Is this the sad act of a devastated partner, of a cowardly exit by a guilty killer? As the officers delve deeper, they soon find a surprising new line of inquiry, while the DI is forced to confront the fallout from his recent actions. Crime drama, starring Tom Riley and Anjli Mohindra.

The First

Channel 4, 9pm

Sean Penn and Natascha Mcelhone star in the major US drama about a team of astronauts and scientists caught up in the race to become the first to reach Mars on a colonisation mission. A difficult decision puts Kayla and Tom at odds with each other, while a problem arises with the Mars Ascent Vehicle that may jeopardise the safety of the crew. Aiko hosts a dinner party to celebrate Sadie and Ollie’s wedding anniversary.

Live at the Apollo

BBC2, 10pm

New series. The return of the comedy show in which three stand–ups take the stage of the Hammersmith Apollo in west London. The premise is simple: One comic acts as host, warming up the audience before introducing short sets by two others. Tonight the job of compere falls to Ellie Taylor, from BBC Two’s The Mash Report, before she invites rising star Fin Taylor and the provocative Tez Ilyas to the stage.