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What to Watch in September

Lisa Tipton
The Statue of Liberty seen from Ellis Island.
The Statue of Liberty seen from Ellis Island, from 'The U.S. and the Holocaust.' Photo: Courtesy Library of Congress

There's a huge amount of worthwhile TV out there nowadays, so it can be hard to choose what to watch. But who better to recommend shows than the person who programs them? Lisa Tipton, WTTW’s Head of Programming and Pledge, constructs the WTTW schedule by searching through offerings from many different sources which include the national PBS network, the BBC, and independent filmmakers to put together a varied and engaging broadcast schedule. Each month, she’ll recommend a few shows that she thinks you should watch.

Find all the ways to watch WTTW here.

Frontline: Lies, Politics & Democracy

Tuesday, September 6 at 9:00 pm


As November's midterm elections approach, Frontline looks back with characteristic depth and insight on how lies spread by public officials about the 2020 election have proliferated and led to violence, including the January 6 Capitol riot.

The documentary will be available to stream once it airs.

Sister Boniface Mysteries

Saturdays at 7:00 pm beginning September 17

Sister Boniface MysteriesSister Boniface is a wine-making Catholic nun with a PhD in Forensic Science. Photo: Courtesy BBC Studios

We've got vicars solving crimes (Grantchester, Father Brown), so why not a nun? This new mystery series follows Sister Boniface, a wine-making Catholic nun with a PhD in Forensic Science, as she aids the local police in the Cotswolds. It has already been renewed for a second season, so more will be coming!

The U.S. and the Holocaust

Sunday, September 18 at 7:00 pm and Monday and Tuesday, September 19 and 20 at 8:00 pm


The latest exhaustive documentary from Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein takes on the response of the United States to the Holocaust and the country's failure to accept any but a few refugees. The three-part documentary airs over three nights and six hours. 

You can learn more about the film as well as view WTTW's local content, including archival programs and interviews with Art Spiegelman, Elie Wiesel, and more at wttw.com/holocaust, launching soon. 

Van Der Valk 

Sundays at 8:00 pm beginning September 25


The brilliant but tight-lipped Van der Valk is back to solve more dirty schemes with his team in Amsterdam. Not only can you enjoy a new season; you can catch up on the first season with a marathon on Sunday, September 18 beginning at 1:00 pm. (WTTW Passport members can also stream the first season, while anyone can follow along with our recaps.)

Don't worry, we will be recapping this season of intricate mysteries, too.

NOVA: Saving Venice

Wednesday, September 28 at 8:00 pm

Venice is sinking, as seas are rising due to climate change. Can the historic, storied city be saved? NOVA looks at the ambitious projects and engineering plans to protect Venice.