TV tonight: a furious, startling story of resisting oppression

ear for eye

10:15pm, BBC Two

A startling transfer from stage to screen for debbie tucker green’s articulate and furious piece about the transatlantic Black experience. It’s an incredibly powerful and valuable piece of work, not least because it brilliantly communicates the internal conflicts and dilemmas involved in resisting oppression – how to stand your ground while not escalating situations; how to ask questions without seeming aggressive. Starring Lashana Lynch, Tosin Cole and Carmen Munroe, it spans several generations and finds lessons to learn from all of them. Phil Harrison

Arctic Drift: A Year in the Ice

6:30pm, Channel 4

This urgent and timely documentary shows how tough the task of investigating the melting of ice caps is, following 300 climatologists aboard an icebreaker and spending almost a whole icy year harvesting new scientific data. Jack Seale

Strictly Come Dancing

7pm, BBC One

Here comes another two-hour extravaganza of dance. With so many lovable and hot-hoofed celebrities still in the running, the next departure is tough to call. But one couple will sadly be booted off to the sound of stool-loving crooners Westlife in tomorrow’s results show. Hannah Verdier

Paris Police 1900

9pm, BBC Four

In tonight’s episode of the doom-laden police drama, a little relief for the serious young policeman Jouin. He’s fallen in love with Jeanne, a shrewd lawyer who works in the Jewish quarter and might be able to help with the Berger case. PH

Michael X: Hustler, Revolutionary, Outlaw

9pm, Sky Documentaries

Michael de Freitas was part of the 1960s UK counter-culture and styled himself as a British Malcolm X. But he also had a foot in organised crime, working as an enforcer for a slum landlord, being charged with extortion and being convicted of murder after returning to his native Caribbean. PH

Later … With Jools Holland

9:30pm, BBC Two

Later ... may have been created around the same time as the invention of the steam iron, but it does showcase new artists such as Birmingham-raised, Zimbabwe-born Sipho, and his self-described “industrial soul”. The biggest draw, however, is surely Sir Elton John – Mr I’m Dill Danding himself. Ali Catterall

Film choice

An Impossible Love

Saturday, 1.10am, BBC Two

The emotional power in Catherine Corsini’s 2018 French drama is cumulative as it follows a woman’s life from 26 to old age. Virginie Efira is impressive as Rachel, a secretary in Châteauroux who falls for the charming, intellectual Philippe (Niels Schneider). She overlooks his selfish chauvinism (his being a fan of Nietzsche should have rung alarm bells), even when they have a daughter, Chantal, and he refuses to take responsibility. The vicissitudes of Rachel and her child’s life are narrated by the grownup Chantal, as dark secrets mar their happiness. SW

Live sport

Premier League Football: Watford v Liverpool Sat, 11:30am , BT Sport 1. The weekend’s football kicks off at Vicarage Road.

Premiership Rugby Union: Wasps v Exeter Chiefs Sat, 2.30pm, BT Sport 1. Coverage of the top-flight match at Ricoh Arena.

Premier League Football: Brentford v Chelsea Sat, 5pm, Sky Sports Main Event. The table leaders play the hungry new climbers.