What’s On: ‘Masterpiece’ returns to the world of the Brontë sisters in a dramatic biopic, and the return of ‘Grace and Frankie’ on Netflix

Matt Roush
6 Comments
To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters; Picture Shows (from left to right): Ann Bronte (CHARLIE MURPHY), Emily Bronte (CHLOE PIRRIE), and Charlotte Bronte (FINN ATKINS) Courtesy of Gary Moyes/BBC and MASTERPIECE
PBS
To Walk Invisible: The Bronte Sisters Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 9pm ET MASTERPIECE on PBS

To Walk Invisible: The Brontë Sisters (Sunday, 9/8c, PBS, check local listings at pbs.org): Where would Masterpiece be without the Brontë sisters? Their enduring novels have been prime fodder for the British anthology series for years, with Emily’s Wuthering Heights adapted twice. In To Walk Invisible, from the prolific Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax), the sisters’ own compelling story is the stuff of grand drama. They toil in obscurity in a Yorkshire parsonage (Jonathan Pryce is excellent as their doting, doddering father), the sisters cloaking their identities with male pseudonyms to get their passionate manuscripts published. Finn Atkins is especially memorable as dour, diminutive Charlotte, bristling with ambition and anger over 19th-century gender inequities. Their triumph is laced with tragedy as they cope with a dissolute yet beloved brother whose unhappy fate would inform their works.

Grace and Frankie (Friday, Netflix): The golden-age buddy comedy returns for a third season with Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) going into business, with the sort of invention that might give the Shark Tank investors pause: a vibrator for seniors called Menage a Moi. How did The Golden Girls never think of that?

RuPaul’s Drag Race (Friday, 8/7c, VH1): Hard to imagine anyone who would be more at home in the world of this boisterous drag-fashion competition than Lady Gaga. The pop icon serves as guest judge for the ninth-season opener, which introduces 13 drag superstars-in-the-making and promises a “shocking opening that will go down as one of the most jaw-dropping moments in Drag Race herstory” (Logo’s words). Who’ll end up on the edge of glory? The paparazzi want to know.

Inside Weekend TV: Rock and country mesh in CMT Crossroads: John Mellencamp and Darius Rucker (Friday, 10/9c), taped in February at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. … The Showtime documentary American Jihad (Saturday, 9/8c) takes a disturbing look at home-grown Jihadism and how susceptible Americans become radicalized to the terrorist cause. … BBC America’s Planet Earth II finishes its glorious season with a focus on “Cities” (Saturday, 9/8c) and how animals cope with life in the urban jungle. The finale is followed by a Making of Planet Earth II special (Saturday, 10:10/9:10c), which reveals the pioneering filming techniques used to capture unspoiled nature. … On ABC’s searing American Crime (Sunday, 10/9c), Luis (Benito Martinez) learns more about his missing son’s fate after arriving at the Hesby farm, where Coy (Connor Jessup) witnesses terrible abuses. … Noah Wyle researches his past on TLC’s Who Do You Think You Are? (Sunday, 10/9c), focusing on his ancestors’ participation in the Civil War.




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  1. C

    CyanCoathanger

    I always watch Masterpiece, but this one doesn't sound very exciting. Planet Earth II has had some beautiful and spectacular scenes, but they've seldom spent much time on any one subject. It's like they tried to stuff as much nature as they could into each hour.

    Time After Time is still on. That along with Walking Dead and Feud will keep me busy on Sunday.

    1. G

      GoldSubmarine

      Last Man Standing and Dr. Ken for me tonight. Such reliable old fashioned style sitcoms.

      I'm still watching Time After Time as well. No promos were shown this past week on ABC from I what I gather. This might be the very last airing. Rumors are that ABC will drop it, ratings are abysmal. It only manages around half of lead in Once Upon a Time.

      I enjoy my 2 hours of sci-fi/fantasy on Sunday nights.

      Can't wait to see Jack The Ripper in the early 1900s. His character is most intriguing to me.

      1. C

        CyanCoathanger

        And the ratings for OUaT aren't anywhere near what they used to be. At one time, it had over 10 million viewers, but lately, it doesn't even have 3 million.

        1. G

          GoldSubmarine

          True, but likely will be renewed anyway. ABC has multiple lower rated dramas to deal with. My hope is that ABC renews it along with Agents of SHIELD for final seasons, even if shortened. I'm so invested in these shows, I would hate for them just to end abruptly this season. Unless the showrunners of both shows have the heads up from ABC brass to film a proper ending\ for this season. SHIELD returns April 4 with an all-new arc.

          Can't wait!

          1. C

            CyanCoathanger

            I wish I could share your enthusiasm for SHIELD since we both like most of the other shows related to it, but after about the 3rd or 4th episode, I still wasn't into it.

            1. G

              GoldSubmarine

              If your talking about Season 1, I understand. I stuck with it and by the second half of S1 it improved tremendously. S2, S3 and S4 all terrific. My grades:

              S1 , B+ (worth getting through the first half of the season)

              S2, A- (nearly every episode captivates, more characterization and fantastic action sequences.

              S3 a solid A, Virtually no filler episodes, very suspenseful and cinematic in scope.

              S4 so far another solid A, season is split into 3 arcs, finished a fantastic 2 arcs already (Ghost RIder and LMD) next is HYDRA. No filler eps at all, and if there was one, it was great. Rotten Tomatoes rated Season 3 and 4 with 100%. Season 2 somewhere in the 90's and Season 1 in the 80's.

              Its worth the binge , trust me. Many friends and relatives took my advice and thank me all the time.