TV Talk: New Ken Burns doc, ‘NOVA’ specials highlight PBS’s fall

PBS’s fall shows were in the can before the federal government defunded all public broadcasting this summer, so the full effect of the defunding won’t be felt until 2026. The final episodes of at least one long-running series, “American Experience,” debut this fall (9 p.m. Sept. 30 and 9 p.m. Oct. 27-28, WQED-TV).

The highlight of PBS’s fall is surely a new Ken Burns documentary, the six-part, 12-hour “American Revolution” (8 p.m. Nov. 16-21). Directed by Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, the series examines America’s founding as 13 British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion.

Science show “NOVA” offers the five-part “Human” (9 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 17-Oct. 15), which traces the story of human origins. “Ancient Desert Death Trap” (9 p.m. Oct. 22) explores the mystery of giant, kite-like structures in the Middle East deserts. “Superfloods” (9 p.m. Oct. 29) recounts the 2024 Asheville floods spawned by Hurricane Helene.

“American Masters” offers profiles of actors Marlee Matlin (9 p.m. Oct. 14) and Dick Van Dyke (9 p.m. Dec. 12).

“Great Performances” tells the story of African American Missouri native Grace Bumbry, a 1960s opera star (9 p.m. Oct. 3), offers a new production of “Twelfth Night” (9 p.m. Nov. 14) recorded in Central Park’s Delacorte Theater starring Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lupita Nyong’o, Sandra Oh and Daphne Rubin-Vega, and brings an Edwardian-era-set version of “The Nutcracker” (8 p.m. Dec. 16) to American TV from the English National Ballet.

“Masterpiece” drama newcomers include a contemporary take on French detective “Maigret” (9 p.m. Oct. 5) and “The Great Escaper” (9 p.m. Nov. 23), retelling the true 2014 story of Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) who staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

Documentary series “POV” features films about the impact of the opioid epidemic in Cabell County, W.Va., in “The Bitter Pill” (10 p.m. Sept. 22) and Ukrainian artists fighting against the Russian invasion with art in “Porcelain War” (10 p.m. Sept. 29).

PBS also attempts to encourage more civil discourse with the return of “Breaking the Deadlock” (9 p.m. Oct. 21), a panel discussion of ethical dilemmas, and “A More Perfect Union: Inspiring Civic & Civil Conversations Across America” (9 p.m. Nov. 24), which explores themes that include liberty, equality, democracy, separation of powers and civil rights.

Returning series include “Antiques Roadshow” reruns (8 p.m. Sept. 15), Spanish drama “Velvet” (11 p.m. Sept. 21) and “Secrets of the Dead” (10 p.m. Oct. 8).