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Almost makes us feel part of the investigation … The Detectives: The Farmhouse Robbery.
Almost makes us feel part of the investigation … The Detectives: The Farmhouse Robbery.
Almost makes us feel part of the investigation … The Detectives: The Farmhouse Robbery.

Thursday’s best TV: The Detectives; Searching for Mum: Sri Lanka

This article is more than 5 years old

The real-life crime series is a satisfying watch, and two British women who were adopted in Asia seek their birth families

The Detectives: The Farmhouse Robbery

9pm, ITV

What elevates this real-life crime show is the format, which takes us from the first call to the crime scene, then through to charging the suspects. It’s satisfying to watch, and a good editor can almost make us feel part of the investigation. That is the case with tonight’s two stories: the first involves an armed robbery in which a farm owner was tied up and relieved of seven hunting rifles, a car and £5,000; the second covers an incident in which a baby was injured during an act of domestic violence. Mike Bradley

Inventing the Impossible: The Big Life Fix

8pm, BBC Two

This final episode features fixes that make life better for: Malachi, 11, seeking to control his Tourette’s syndrome and ADHD; partially paralysed Jasper, four, who longs to walk; and quadriplegic Greg, 26, who wants to stop having to ask for help. Guaranteed to make you smile. MB

Searching for Mum: Sri Lanka

9pm, BBC Two

TV can’t resist a tearful reunion: Searching for Mum: Sri Lanka. Photograph: William Lorimer/BBC/Raw TV

This two-part film addresses the delicate subject of adoption. Rebecca, 38, and Ria, 27, were both adopted in Sri Lanka and have gone through life feeling like they “don’t properly belong anywhere”. Here they embark on a search for their birth families. At times it feels overly invasive but TV can’t resist a tearful reunion. MB

Meet the Drug Lords: Inside the Real Narcos

9pm, Channel 4

Jason Fox concludes his journey into the heart of the war on drugs with a trip to Peru. In the foothills of the Andes, he meets cocaine chefs, smugglers and cops. What resonates is the futility: the war as it’s currently conducted is a deadly and costly game of whack-a-mole with no end in sight. Phil Harrison

Celebrity Big Brother: Live Launch

9pm, Channel 5

CBB is still a goldmine of celebrity laughs, meltdowns and arguments – and, if the rumours are true, this could be a vintage year. Noel Edmonds, palm-wearing icon Sinitta and Trump-worrier Stormy Daniels are all names in the mix, with Emma Willis revealing the lineup in tonight’s live show. Hannah Verdier

Insecure

10.45pm, Sky Atlantic

The perceptive and raunchy US comedy examining the contemporary black experience returns for a third season with creator-star Issa Rae still sifting through the delayed fallout of a break-up. Crashing on the couch of another ex is not helping, so will a new side-hustle as a part-time driver get her back on track?

Graeme Virtue

Film choice

The Riot Club 11.05pm, Film4

A satisfyingly sharp satire: The Riot Club. Photograph: Allstar/BLUEPRINT PICTURES/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

Directed by Lone Scherfig, Laura Wade’s reworking of her 2010 play Posh is less barbed but still a satisfyingly sharp satire. The Bullingdon toffs’ club of Cameron, Osborne and Johnson becomes the Riot Club – where unrestrained arrogance, wealth and privilege lead to horrendous events at the annual dinner. Paul Howlett

Today’s best live sport

European Tour Golf: The Nordea Masters 10am, Sky Sports Golf. Day one action from the Hills Golf Club in Gothenburg.

League Cup Football: Sunderland v Sheffield Wednesday 7.30pm, Sky Sports Main Event. First round clash.

Rugby League: Wakefield Trinity v St Helens 7.30pm, Sky Sports Action. Super 8s encounter.

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