TV Guide UK Tonight: Wed 18 Feb 2026 – Silent Witness, MasterChef & The Curfew

A Wednesday dominated by drama, sport and a genuinely unmissable conclusion. Silent Witness delivers The Enemy Within Part 2 on BBC One at 9pm — the conclusion to last night’s racially motivated murder investigation set in Birmingham, and one of the most powerful stories of series 29 so far. Earlier, MasterChef: The Professionals puts another batch of chefs through their paces with a miso-glazed aubergine steak that sounds deceptively simple and a lemon meringue tart that absolutely is not. Football fans have a superb Champions League evening with Newcastle United travelling to Qarabag and three more knockout play-off ties kicking off at 8pm on TNT Sports. Channel 5 continues its impressive run with The Curfew episode 3, Channel 4 concludes the harrowing Fukushima documentary, and Landscape Artist of the Year pitches up at Dover Castle for the final heat on Sky Arts. Add in Day 12 of the Winter Olympics and a genuinely lovely BBC Four evening, and this is a Wednesday with serious depth.

TV Guide UK: Quick Picks

• Silent Witness — BBC One, 9pm — The Enemy Within Part 2: the Birmingham murder investigation concludes
• MasterChef: The Professionals — BBC One, 8pm — Miso aubergine and lemon meringue tart skills tests
• Champions League — TNT Sports, from 5:30pm — Newcastle v Qarabag plus three 8pm kick-offs
• The Curfew — Channel 5, 9pm — Episode 3 of the dystopian hit with Sarah Parish
• Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World — Channel 4, 9pm — Part 2: the nuclear crisis unfolds
• Landscape Artist of the Year — Sky Arts, 8pm — Final heat at Dover Castle
• Winter Olympics — BBC Two, from 9am — Day 12: Moguls, Ski Jumping, Biathlon and Speed Skating

Daytime (Winter Olympics & Champions League)

Winter Olympics Day 12 — BBC Two from 9am

Day 12 from Milano Cortina and there are medal events stacked through the day. The Men’s Dual Moguls final is always a spectacular watch — the combination of speed, aerial technique and knee-jarring precision makes it one of the most visually thrilling events in the Winter Games. There’s also the Women’s Large Hill Ski Jumping, a relatively recent addition to the programme that has already produced some jaw-dropping competition. The Biathlon Pursuit events — both Men’s 12.5km and Women’s 10km — combine cross-country skiing with the eerie calm of rifle shooting, which is exactly as compelling as it sounds. Speed Skating Women’s 500m and the Skeleton Mixed Team event round out the medal schedule. Clare Balding presents the BBC’s coverage, with full action available on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online. TNT Sports and Discovery+ carry comprehensive coverage for those wanting every event.

With the Games ending on 22 February, we are into the final stretch. The medal table is crystallising and the margins are narrowing. Four days to go.

Champions League: Qarabag v Newcastle United — TNT Sports 1, from 5:30pm (k/o 5:45pm)

The early kick-off sees Newcastle United travel to Azerbaijan for the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off. Qarabag are a side with more European experience than casual observers might assume, but Newcastle should have the quality to bring home a positive result. Eddie Howe’s side have had a strong campaign in the competition, and this is a draw they will have been relatively pleased with. Coverage from 5:30pm on TNT Sports 1, kick-off at 5:45pm.

Early Evening (6pm — 8pm)

A Place in the Sun — Channel 4, 6pm

The reliable early-evening property search continues. House hunters seek their dream overseas home, providing the aspirational warmth that pairs nicely with a cup of tea and the lingering hope that you too might one day own a terrace with a sea view. Comfort viewing of the highest order.

The One Show — BBC One, 7pm

The magazine show with its usual mix of topical interviews, features and the occasional celebrity plugging their latest project. A dependable lead-in to the evening’s main event.

The Pembrokeshire Coast: A Wild Year — BBC Four, 7pm

Twelve months of life along the Pembrokeshire Coast in south-west Wales, captured through the changing seasons. The kind of gentle, beautifully filmed natural history that BBC Four does so well — crashing waves, resilient wildlife, dramatic cliff-faces and the slow turn of the seasons. Perfect viewing if you need a calming starter before the evening’s more intense offerings.

EastEnders — BBC One, 7:30pm

Albert Square drama continues. The ongoing storylines keep Walford’s residents on their toes, and tonight’s episode adds another chapter to the current run. Available on iPlayer from 6am if you prefer to watch on your own schedule.

Champions League: 8pm kick-offs — TNT Sports

Three more Champions League knockout play-off first legs kick off simultaneously at 8pm. Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid (TNT Sports 2) is the pick of the bunch — Atletico’s streetwise pragmatism against Brugge’s typically energetic home support. FK Bodo/Glimt v Inter Milan (TNT Sports 3) takes the Italian champions to northern Norway, where the artificial pitch and sub-zero temperatures could be as much of a challenge as the opposition. Olympiacos v Bayer Leverkusen (TNT Sports 4) pits the Greek champions against Xabi Alonso’s side. All available on TNT Sports and Discovery+.

Prime Time (8pm onwards)

MasterChef: The Professionals — BBC One, 8pm

Week 2 reaches its midpoint with episode 5, and the skills tests are getting properly interesting. Marcus Wareing sets the first pair of chefs an aubergine steak glazed with miso and soy, served with a peanut sauce — a dish that demands an understanding of how to coax maximum flavour from a vegetable that can so easily become forgettable mush. Get the miso glaze wrong and you have something bitter and over-salted; get the aubergine texture wrong and you might as well be serving a sponge. Monica Galetti, meanwhile, requests a lemon meringue tart with a zesty lemon garnish. Pastry is the great separator in professional kitchens — the precision required for a clean, crisp tart shell, a properly set lemon curd and a meringue that holds its shape without becoming chewy is what sorts the truly skilled from the merely ambitious.

Matt Tebbutt continues to settle into the judging chair with growing authority. His critiques have a precision that comes from years of professional kitchen experience — when he tells a chef their sauce needs more acid, you can hear the decades of tasting behind the observation. Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti remain the show’s backbone, their contrasting styles providing a dynamic that never feels forced. Another helping tomorrow.

Emmerdale — ITV1, 8pm

The Dales drama continues. The fallout from recent storylines keeps the village on edge, with tensions running high across multiple households. Nobody in Emmerdale can keep a secret for more than forty-eight hours, which makes for reliably eventful viewing. Catch up on ITVX.

Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It — Channel 4, 8pm

Series 11 of the property perennial continues as Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer go head to head over another set of homeowners wrestling with the eternal question: fix the house you have, or start fresh somewhere else? Allsopp’s renovations usually deliver a crowd-pleasing reveal, though Spencer’s alternative finds have a habit of turning heads too. The format has barely changed since it began, and frankly it doesn’t need to.

Eurovision Classical Concerts — BBC Four, 8pm

Something genuinely different on BBC Four tonight. The first new Eurovision music co-production in over 40 years brings exceptional orchestral performances from iconic European venues. This four-concert series, broadcast across the EBU network, represents a welcome return to the kind of pan-European cultural collaboration that Eurovision was originally created to foster — before sequinned pop acts and voting controversies took over. The performances are first-rate, and the venue settings add visual grandeur. It takes a moment to find its rhythm, but once it does, this is absorbing, high-quality music television.

Landscape Artist of the Year 2026 — Sky Arts, 8pm

The final preliminary heat, and what a location to end on. Dover Castle — the hulking medieval fortress that has guarded the White Cliffs for centuries — provides the canvas for artists competing for the last semi-final place. The pressure is palpable: this is the final chance for any remaining hopefuls to progress in the competition, and the stakes raise the emotional temperature considerably.

Stephen Mangan and Joan Bakewell host with their usual blend of warmth and informed enthusiasm, while judges Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Eva Langret assess the work. The Wildcard entrants continue to bring unpredictable creative choices that occasionally outshine the main competitors. Series 11 has been a strong run, and this episode — with its dramatic coastal setting and final-heat jeopardy — should be one of the highlights.

Coronation Street — ITV1, 8:30pm

Weatherfield drama continues on the cobbles. The current run has been building multiple storylines toward critical mass, and tonight’s episode keeps the plate-spinning going at pace. Catch up via ITVX.

Silent Witness — BBC One, 9pm

The big one tonight. The Enemy Within Part 2 concludes the two-parter that began last night — and what a story this has been. Nikki, Jack and the Lyell team must race to uncover the full truth behind a racially motivated murder in Birmingham, but as with all the best Silent Witness investigations, the apparent simplicity of the case conceals layers of complexity that force the team to confront uncomfortable questions about prejudice, community and justice.

The move to Birmingham for series 29 has given the show a genuine change of energy, and The Enemy Within is the story that justifies the relocation most powerfully. Guest stars Phaldut Sharma (as Hamza Ahmed) and Selin Hizli (as DI Kayla Baran) are superb — Sharma in particular brings a moral weight to his role that elevates the entire two-parter. Meanwhile, Jack’s discovery that his new gym friends harbour far-right views adds a deeply uncomfortable personal dimension to the investigation that resonates beyond the case itself.

Emilia Fox and David Caves remain a formidable pairing. Fox’s quiet determination and Caves’s more instinctive approach complement each other perfectly, and the Birmingham setting forces both characters into unfamiliar territory that brings out the best in their performances. This is Silent Witness at its most purposeful and politically engaged. Catch up on the full series via BBC iPlayer.

Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World — Channel 4, 9pm

The concluding part of this two-part documentary, and it is devastating viewing. Following last night’s account of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on 11 March 2011, tonight’s episode turns to the nuclear crisis that followed. The Fukushima Daiichi power plant, already flooded by the tsunami, began to experience reactor meltdowns that threatened to turn a natural disaster into a nuclear catastrophe of unimaginable proportions.

Survivors and witnesses recall the chaotic days that followed — the evacuations, the misinformation, the heroism of workers who stayed behind knowing the risks. This is not sensationalised disaster programming; it is a sober, essential record of how quickly the modern world can be brought to its knees. Harrowing but important. The full series is available on Channel 4 streaming.

The Curfew — Channel 5, 9pm

Episode 3 of Channel 5’s dystopian drama, and the show continues to deliver. Following the attention-grabbing premiere on Monday and a strong second episode on Tuesday, Sarah Parish’s Pamela Green digs deeper into the murder investigation that everyone around her seems determined to dismiss.

The world-building remains the show’s quiet triumph. The small details — the tagged men, the monitoring systems, the subtle shifts in power dynamics between the sexes — are handled with a confidence that makes this dystopia feel alarmingly plausible rather than sci-fi fantasy. Parish commands every scene she’s in, and the supporting cast of Mandip Gill and Anita Dobson continue to bring texture to their roles. If you haven’t started watching yet, the full boxset is on My5. You have no excuse. Continues tomorrow.

Late Night

First Dates — Channel 4, 10pm

Fred Sirieix welcomes another batch of singletons to the restaurant. The original format remains as reliable as ever — Sirieix’s warmth and the show’s ability to find genuine human moments amid the awkwardness of first encounters are its greatest assets. After the intensity of the Fukushima documentary, this feels like a necessary palate cleanser.

City Scapes: Berlin — BBC Four, 9:40pm

A portrait of Berlin through its architecture, culture and people. The city remains one of Europe’s most fascinating urban landscapes — a place where history has literally been built over, where Cold War scars sit alongside gleaming contemporary architecture, and where the creative energy is palpable. A short but absorbing watch.

Trevor Eve and Juliet Stevenson Remember: A Doll’s House — BBC Four, 10pm

A lovely double bill starts here. Actors Trevor Eve and Juliet Stevenson recall appearing in David Thacker’s 1992 Young Vic production of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. These BBC Four “Remembers” programmes are always a treat — actors reflecting on pivotal moments in their careers with the benefit of hindsight, offering insights into the craft that you rarely get from conventional interviews. Followed at 10:30pm by the BBC’s 1992 television adaptation of the play itself, starring Stevenson and Eve. If you have any interest in theatre, drama, or simply first-rate acting, this double bill is well worth staying up for.

The Traitors Ireland — BBC One, 11:40pm

The Irish spin-off of The Traitors continues with more deception and accusation from the castle. The format translates remarkably well, and the Irish contestants bring their own particular brand of warmth, wit and barely concealed suspicion to proceedings. Two episodes drop weekly on iPlayer every Monday for those who’d rather not wait up.

Sport

Winter Olympics: Milano Cortina 2026 Day 12 coverage on BBC Two (from 9am, presented by Clare Balding), BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport. Key medal events include the Men’s Dual Moguls final, Women’s Large Hill Ski Jumping, Biathlon Pursuit events (Men’s 12.5km and Women’s 10km), Speed Skating Women’s 500m and the Skeleton Mixed Team event. Full coverage also available on TNT Sports and Discovery+. The Games end on 22 February — four days to go.

Champions League — Knockout Phase Play-Off First Legs: Qarabag v Newcastle United on TNT Sports 1 at 5:30pm (kick-off 5:45pm). Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid, Bodo/Glimt v Inter Milan and Olympiacos v Bayer Leverkusen all on TNT Sports at 8pm. An outstanding night of European football.

The Viewing Schedule

What’s On Streaming

BBC iPlayer: Silent Witness (full series), MasterChef: The Professionals, EastEnders, The Traitors Ireland, Eurovision Classical Concerts, Winter Olympics coverage
ITVX: Emmerdale, Coronation Street
Channel 4 streaming: Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World (full series), Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It, First Dates, A Place in the Sun
My5: The Curfew (full boxset)
NOW/Sky Go: Landscape Artist of the Year 2026 (Sky Arts)
Discovery+: Winter Olympics (full coverage), Champions League
TNT Sports: Champions League (all matches)

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is Silent Witness on TV tonight?

Silent Witness is on BBC One at 9pm tonight (Wednesday 18th February 2026). This is series 29 episode 6, The Enemy Within Part 2, the conclusion of the two-parter about a racially motivated murder in Birmingham. Part 1 aired last night (Tuesday) at 9pm. Catch up on the full series via BBC iPlayer.

What’s the best thing to watch on TV tonight?

Our top pick is Silent Witness on BBC One at 9pm — The Enemy Within Part 2 brings the Birmingham murder investigation to a powerful conclusion, with Emilia Fox and David Caves in commanding form. For foodies, MasterChef: The Professionals at 8pm delivers absorbing skills tests with a miso aubergine steak and a lemon meringue tart. Football fans have Champions League action including Newcastle v Qarabag from 5:45pm on TNT Sports.

What time is MasterChef The Professionals on TV tonight?

MasterChef: The Professionals is on BBC One at 8pm tonight (Wednesday 18th February 2026). This is series 18 episode 5. Marcus sets a miso-glazed aubergine steak challenge while Monica requests a lemon meringue tart. Matt Tebbutt judges alongside Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti.

What time is The Curfew on Channel 5 tonight?

The Curfew continues on Channel 5 at 9pm tonight (Wednesday 18th February 2026) with episode 3. Sarah Parish stars in this dystopian drama alongside Mandip Gill and Anita Dobson. The full boxset is also available on My5.

Is there Champions League football on TV tonight?

Yes, there are four Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg matches tonight on TNT Sports. Newcastle United play Qarabag at 5:45pm (TNT Sports 1), while Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid, Bodo/Glimt v Inter Milan and Olympiacos v Bayer Leverkusen all kick off at 8pm.

Is EastEnders on TV tonight?

Yes, EastEnders is on BBC One at 7:30pm tonight (Wednesday 18th February 2026). Episodes are also available on BBC iPlayer from 6am.

What’s on BBC One tonight?

BBC One tonight (Wednesday 18th February 2026) includes The One Show at 7pm, EastEnders at 7:30pm, MasterChef: The Professionals at 8pm, Silent Witness at 9pm and The Traitors Ireland at 11:40pm.

What is on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight?

Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World Part 2 is on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight (Wednesday 18th February 2026). This is the conclusion of the two-part documentary about the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster that killed nearly 20,000 people. Catch up via Channel 4 streaming.

TV Guide UK: Final Verdict

Silent Witness takes tonight’s headline spot with The Enemy Within Part 2 — a gripping, politically charged conclusion to one of the most ambitious stories series 29 has offered. The Birmingham setting has given the show genuine new purpose, and this two-parter has been the finest demonstration of what the relocation can achieve. Guest stars Phaldut Sharma and Selin Hizli bring real weight to their roles, and the resolution refuses to take the easy route. Emilia Fox and David Caves are superb. If you missed Part 1 last night, catch it on iPlayer before watching tonight.

Earlier at 8pm, MasterChef: The Professionals delivers another absorbing episode — the miso-glazed aubergine steak is the kind of skills test that looks straightforward on paper but separates the truly gifted from the merely competent, while Monica’s lemon meringue tart will expose anyone who thinks pastry is a soft option. Matt Tebbutt’s judging eye grows sharper by the episode.

Football fans have an outstanding evening of Champions League action. Newcastle’s trip to Qarabag from 5:45pm is the main event for English supporters, but three more knockout ties at 8pm — including Atletico Madrid at Club Brugge and Inter Milan in northern Norway — mean there is quality European football from late afternoon well into the evening.

The Curfew on Channel 5 at 9pm continues to punch above its weight. Three episodes in, Sarah Parish’s dystopian thriller has established itself as one of the most interesting dramas of the winter schedule. On Channel 4, Fukushima: Days that Shocked the World concludes with a sobering, essential second part that documents the nuclear crisis with devastating clarity.

On Sky Arts, Landscape Artist of the Year visits Dover Castle for the final heat in what should be one of the most visually stunning episodes of the series. And on BBC Four, the Eurovision Classical Concerts bring genuine musical quality at 8pm, followed by a lovely double bill at 10pm as Trevor Eve and Juliet Stevenson remember their 1992 A Doll’s House before the production itself is screened.

Add in Day 12 of the Winter Olympics — with the Men’s Dual Moguls and Women’s Ski Jumping among the medal highlights — and this Wednesday punches well above its midweek weight class. A strong night from top to bottom.

Related: What’s On TV Tonight Wednesday | What’s On TV Tonight Wed 11 Feb 2026 | What’s On TV Tonight Tues 17 Feb 2026 | Silent Witness Series 29

Clint Edgar

Clint is a writer and self-proclaimed professional binge-watcher who treats the "Skip Intro" button with the suspicion it deserves. When he isn't dissecting plot holes or getting emotionally invested in fictional characters, you can find him scrolling through streaming queues or arguing about why The Office is a masterpiece. Clint lives in London with a dangerously comfortable couch and a remote control that he guards with his life.