What to Watch in September
Lisa Tipton
August 27, 2026
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 recommends a few shows that she thinks you should watch.
Find all the ways to watch WTTW here. Many of the below shows are available to stream via the PBS app or will be once they premiere, especially by WTTW Passport members.
Tons of New Dramas and Mysteries
There's a wealth of riches in September if you like scripted shows, with seven new seasons and shows in prime time. It all starts September 6 with the premiere at 8:00 pm of Marble Hall Murders, the final Susan Ryeland and Atticus Pünd mystery, and the third season of The Marlow Murder Club at 7:00 pm. They're joined on September 20 at 9:00 pm by Trespasses, which follows a Catholic-Protestant romance during the Troubles in Belfast, when Downton Abbey moves to Thursday nights at 8:00 pm.
On September 19, we get a whole new Saturday night line-up. The new-to-WTTW Signora Volpe starts it off at 7:00 pm, tracking a British spy turned detective in Italy. Season three of The Madame Blanc Mysteries follows at 8:30 pm, with season two of New Zealand's Under the Vines after that at 9:15 pm. Season three about the fashionable Spanish drama Velvet rounds things out at 10:00 pm.
New NOVA
Wednesdays at 8:00 pm beginning September 16
The acclaimed science show explores the awe-inspiring knowledge and achievements of ancient peoples in Knowledge Keepers on September 23 and Stone Age Masterpiece on September 30. The Battle to Breathe (September 16) looks at an apparent miracle cure for cystic fibrosis and its implications for medicine.
Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement
Friday, September 18 at 8:00 pm
This local documentary from Kartemquin Films, the company behind such revered documentaries as Hoop Dreams, follows five choreographers as they work on full-fledged new dance pieces with Chicago's Joffrey Ballet training program, exploring how art is made.
Leguizamo Does America: Chicago
Sunday, September 20 at 6:00 pm
In an episode of his show exploring America, the actor and comedian John Leguizamo visits Chicago and engages with the large Mexican and Puerto Rican communities here.
