Starz’ original programming began in genre tales awash in the sex and violence premium cable allows with “Spartacus” and “White Sails.” It began to become more rich in recent seasons with “Outlander” and the just-completed “The Chair.”
Now, in part because of a partnership with BBC, they’ve got their best series yet in “The Missing” (Starz, 9 p.m.). It’s the kind of tale that’s been told a number of times before, but is done with a finesse and urgency that makes it a standout. And with a strong cast leading, it is able to step in for fans of “Broadchurch” for whom “Gracepoint” is not cutting it.
James Nesbitt stars as the parent wrenched by the sudden disappearance of a 5-year-old son during the chaos of a World Cup celebration in a small French town while on vacation. He’s become obsessed to the point where people in the town seeing him return think him a crazy man. It’s a deep enough wound that his marriage has dissolved, though his ex, Frances O’Connor (who has had her share of missing son problems before on film, particularly in “A.I.”), is still deeply affected. A retired detective, Tcheky Karyo, reluctantly takes up the case and the investigation picks up eight years after it’s started.
Tonight’s pilot is a wonder, a subtle shifting back and forth from the day of the incident to the present day, and ends with a searing clue to the way forward. It’s only an eight-episode season, so dig in now.
Lifetime continues its bio-films on female celebrities who died early. First Brittany Murphy, and now “Aaliyah: The Princess of R & B” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.) with Alexandra Shipp as the singer who died in a 2001 plane crash. Her life is also subject of the documentary that follows on “Beyond the Headlines” (Lifetime, 10 p.m.). Similarly, there’s a replay of “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” (VH1, 10 p.m.), which, at two and a half hours, may be longer than their career.
And preseason holiday fare continues with the new “Northpole” (Hallmark, 8 p.m.), about fighting the crisis of togetherness that imperils Santa’s hometown, it’s up to an elf to make the difference.
“Atlantis” (BBC America, 9 p.m.) starts its second season, barely filling the hole that “Doctor Who” left. The story has advanced 18 months, with Queen Ariadne turning to Jason to help battle Pasiphae.
On premium cable, “The Lego Movie” (HBO, 8 p.m.) makes its debut, as does the remake of “Endless Love” (Cinemax, 8:15 p.m.) from earlier this year.
If you haven’t seen it, why not try “Olive Kitteridge” (HBO2, 8 p.m.), which is showing its full four hours tonight.
It seems like most Thanksgiving feasts are extreme, but the most extreme are explored on “Outrageous Thanksgiving” (Food Network, 9 p.m.).
Shirley Bassey, David Walliams, Catherine Tate and Annie Lennox are on a new “Graham Norton Show” (BBC America, 10 p.m.).
Don’t leave home without it: Karl Malden is star on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “On the Waterfront” (8 p.m.), “Dead Ringer” (10 p.m.) and “The Hanging Tree” (midnight).
Later the oddball “It’s a Small World” (TCM, 2 a.m.) is accompanied by the documentary about its maker, “Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story” (TCM, 3:30 a.m.).
College football dominates prime time again with Texas at Oklahoma State (Fox, 7:30 p.m.) and Florida State at Miami (CBS, 8 p.m.). But there’s almost as much murder with a two hour “Dateline Saturday Night Mystery” (NBC, 8 p.m.) and another edition of “48 Hours” (CBS, 8 p.m.) in which former “Survivor” producer Bruce Beresford-Redman defends himself of murder from his Mexican jail cell.
Other college football today includes, at noon: Ohio State at Minnesota (ABC), Clemson at Georgia Tech (ESPN), Virginia Tech at Duke (ESPNU), Temple at Penn State (ESPN2), Army at Western Kentucky (CBS Sports) and James Madison at Richmond (NBC Sports).
At 3:30, games are Mississippi State at Alabama (CBS), Washington at Arizona (Fox), Nebraska at Wisconsin (ABC), Northwestern at Notre Dame (NBC), Georgia Southern at Navy (CBS Sports), Oklahoma at Texas Tech (ESPN) and Memphis at Tulane (ESPNU).
Later games include New Mexico at Utah State (ESPNews, 4 p.m.), UNLV at BYU (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Auburn at Georgia (ESPN, 7:15 p.m.), LSU at Arkansas (ESPN2, 8 p.m.), South Florida at SMU (CBS Sports), North Texas at UTEP (Fox Sports 1, 10 p.m.), San Diego State at Boise State (ESPNU, 10:15 p.m.) and Arizona State at Oregon State (ESPN, 10:45 p.m.).
Basketball includes Brooklyn at Portland (NBA, 10 p.m.). Hockey has Philadelphia at Montreal (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Eric Church plays a new “Austin City Limits” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings). Later, Shovels & Rope play “Bluegrass Underground” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Woody Harrelson hosts a new “Saturday Night Live” (NBC, 11:30 p.m.) with Kendrick Lamar. The throwback episode at 10 p.m. with Drew Barrymore and Lily Allen is from 2007.