Those who knew him tell the remarkable story in a three-parter. Plus: a juicy drama about the scandalous Mitford sisters. Here's what to watch this evening.
Free Nelson Mandela
9pm, Channel 4
"You had a man who became more than himself; he became the aspiration of a nation." Dali Tambo (son of South African anti-apartheid activist Oliver) helps to tell this remarkable three-part story about Nelson Mandela and the global fight for his freedom. Along with archive interviews and footage, there is great access to speakers including Mandela's close adviser Barbara Masekela, his prison guard Christo Brand and Steve Biko's son Nkosinathi. The first episode rewinds to the horrors of apartheid in the 60s and the events that led to Mandela's imprisonment. Exiled singer Miriam Makeba then inspired musicians such as Gil Scott-Heron and Bob Marley to join the struggle. Hollie Richardson
Outrageous
10.30pm, BBC One
This juicy drama about the aristocratic Mitford sisters was seriously underrated when it aired on U&Drama last year. Here's another chance to catch it, starting in 1931 at the family home of Swinbrook. While Nancy (Bessie Carter) wonders if her boyfriend will propose, younger sister Diana (Joanna Vanderham) meets Oswald Mosley (Joshua Sasse). HR
Tiger Island
7.15pm, BBC One
In the second and final wild trip to this river island in Nepal, the monsoon season is "completely changing the behaviour of the tigers." As they become more active at night, the team use thermal cameras to get close. It is genuinely joyous to see them experience this: "It is incredible to be stared at by a tiger like that." HR
The Mother of All Cons
9pm, BBC Two
Following a cancelled funeral, the coroner's inquest finds that Megan Bhari passed away from fatty liver disease and her brain was deemed "normal" at the time of her death with no mention of a tumour. Jean's house of cards is about to come crumbling down in the concluding part of the shocking true story of an online scam. Priya Elan
Little Disasters
9pm, Channel 5
How Hollywood's Diane Kruger got involved in this ticks-all-the-right-boxes adaptation of Sarah Vaughan's thriller is a headscratcher, but she stars as infuriatingly "perfect" mum Jess. When doctor friend Liz (Jo Joyner) rings the social services on her, secrets are slowly revealed. HR
Death Valley
9.15pm, BBC One
On the hottest Saturday of the year, Clarke finds his old boss dead in the gents at the police station. The building is now a crime scene but as it's filled with rule-breaking officers on a rehab course, Janie's got her work cut out to find the culprit. Might it take an actor to identify a cop-killer cop? "I'll have this solved by teatime," swears Chapel. Ali Catterall
Film choice
The Big Chill
10.10pm, Sky Cinema Greats
A group of longstanding friends who met at college back in the 1960s reunite for a pal's funeral in Lawrence Kasdan's penetrating 1983 drama. It's a wake for Alex, who inexplicably killed himself, but it's also an elegy for their once radical and idealistic baby boomer generation, as the actor, housewife, journalist, doctor, lawyer et al are forced to reassess where they find themselves now. A bravura cast including Glenn Close, William Hurt, Kevin Kline and Mary Kay Place run the gamut of confusion, despair, regret and hope. Simon Wardell
Boiling Point
midnight, Channel 4
Shooting your film in just one take is an efficient way to ramp up the tension. But it still takes a good script and actors to make it believable. Before they made it a vital part of Adolescence, director Philip Barantini and actor Stephen Graham successfully tried out the single-shot technique in this nerve-shredding restaurant drama. Graham's head chef Andy is under pressure from minute one after a health inspection, and it doesn't let up – from difficult customers and sloppy staff to the unwelcome appearance of his old boss, he's a man teetering on the brink. SW
Live sport
Women's Prem Rugby Union: Gloucester-Hartpury v Ealing, 1.30pm, TNT Sports 1 The first semi-final. Followed by Saracens v Exeter at 4.15pm.
