TV tonight: the trials and traumas of RSPCA rescue

Animal Rescue School

6pm, Channel 4

This strangely gripping documentary series details the gruelling, year-long selection process volunteer RSPCA inspectors go through to enable them to help the nation’s vulnerable and abused animals. After last week’s physical endurance and working-at-height tests, our group of bright-eyed recruits are now out shadowing qualified inspectors. Georgie, the youngest student, rushes to help a malnourished swan, while former probation officer Natalie is on the trail of illegal blood sport rings in Lincolnshire. Ammar Kalia

Great American Railroad Journeys

8pm, BBC Two

Michael Portillo’s journey of a thousand miles started with a single step on to the Alaska Railroad, and now it’s coming to an end in the mountain town of Jasper in Canada. Before that, though, he geeks out over modern light railway and admires the vast Athabasca Glacier. Ellen E Jones

In for a Penny

8pm, ITV

This street gameshow was made famous as a segment on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, but Stephen Mulhern has since made it his own, talking to everyday punters in his spangly jacket and giving them the chance to win £1,000. Unsuspecting contestants have to get through five rounds for the chance to win. AK

Royal Holiday Secrets

8pm, Channel 5

With international travel on hold for the foreseeable future, this taunting documentary takes a look at the finest holidays enjoyed by the royal family. From modern sojourns to the Alps and safaris to the “traditional” haunts of Mustique, it’s a rose-tinted view to behold. Self-isolators, eat your heart out. AK

Casualty

8.20pm, BBC One

Securing your ladder with a couple of bags of compost is never going to end well and climbing scaffolding to graffiti a bridge is laced with danger, so the A&E department is busier than ever. This is Casualty stalwart Charlie’s episode when he buckles under the pressure of work and grief, making a shocking decision. Hannah Verdier

All Round to Mrs Brown’s

9.15pm, BBC One

More snarky than Parky, the chatshow spun off from the cartoonish Irish sitcom continues. Lee Mack should be able to hold his own against the harrumphing host, who will also welcome veteran R&B smoothie Billy Ocean and mother-and-daughter actors Joanna David and Emilia Fox. Graeme Virtue

Film choice

The Babadook, 9pm, Syfy

What an unnerving, crooked fairytale this is from Australian writer-director Jennifer Kent. Widowed mum Amelia (Essie Davis) is reading to her troubled son Samuel (Noah Wiseman). It’s a strange book about a scary creature, which proceeds to insinuate its way into their home. Paul Howlett