In his popular series of books, the hero was a unwilling hero who was pulled out of the office into action. A passel of stars have played him in movies as well known as “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger,” so why not get the actual guy from “The Office”? John Krasinski plays a convincing analyst who is roped into action in a fairly well put together eight-episode series “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” (Netflix, streaming). It’s a younger than usual Ryan, near the start of his CIA career, but set in the present. But that means he tools around the (actual) D.C. streets on his bike (though it makes CIA headquarters in McLean look like it’s near downtown). With action quickly exported. It looks like it will fit the bill for action fans.
It gets online competition from from the second season of “Ozark” (Netflix, streaming), which owes a lot of its appeal to its leads Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, still trying to stay one step ahead of the cartels swarming towards their family in Missouri. The cast only gets stronger in season two with the addition of Janet McTeer as a heavy cartel legal rep.
A cultural moment is captured in the gospel and star-tinged Aretha Franklin Funeral (MSNBC, Fox News, online) most of the day, from 10 a.m.
“American Masters” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) takes a look at Eva Hesse, the German-born New York artist who died at 34 in 1970.
Also online, the new true crime series “Inside the Criminal Mind” (Netflix, streaming) looks at some of the most infamous criminals, with commentary from various shrinks.
The Spanish import “The Laws of Thermodynamics” (Netflix, streaming) is a romantic film fused with a fake documentary about physics, from filmmaker Mateo Gil.
“Paradise PD” (Netflix, streaming) is a new animated series about a rookie who joins the same force as his dad.
The new series “Undercover Law” (Netflix, streaming) concerns four women in Colombia who infiltrate a major drug operation
It’s not on PBS any more, but here’s season five of “The Great British Baking Show” (Netflix, streaming), its first with its new cast of Noel Fielding, Sandi Toksvig, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
“Ancient Aliens” (History, 8 p.m.) ends its season with a look at how robots threaten humanity.
Speaking of which Team USA fights on “BattleBots” (Discovery, 8 p.m.).
A young Martin Luther King awakes from a dream on “Random Acts of Flyness” (HBO, midnight).
“Whistleblower” (CBS, 9 p.m.) ends its first season with the story of a woman who exposed an online university and one who uncovered a green-energy scam.
Toasters and other inanimate objects come to life on “Animals” (HBO, 11:30 p.m.).
An errand for Nedley goes badly on “Wynonna Earp” (Syfy, 9 p.m.).
“Treasure Quest: Snake Island” (Discovery, 9 p.m.) smashes into an underground tunnel system, en route to the riches.
Dutch and Jack hunt for the answer to Khlyen’s memory clue on “Killjoys” (Syfy, 10 p.m.).
“The Dead Files” (Travel, 10 p.m.) goes to Springfield, Ohio.
Chloe goes to a school for pregnant teens on “Unexpected” (TLC, 10 p.m.).
Zach goes “In Search Of” (History, 10 p.m.) the alleged sonic attacks on American diplomats in Cuba.
Chloe x Halle perform on “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’N Out” (MTV, 10:30 p.m.).
There’s a timely replay of the recent documentary “John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls” (HBO2, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies’ month-long Summer Under the Stars comes to an end with a day of Joan Crawford in “Spring Fever” (6 a.m.), “Across to Singapore” (7:30 a.m.), “Rain” (9 a.m.), “The Last of Mrs. Cheyney” (10:45 a.m.), “Mannequin” (12:30 p.m.), “When Ladies Meet” (2:15 p.m.), “Humoresque” (4 p.m.), “Torch Song” (6:15 p.m.), “Sudden Fear” (8 p.m.), “Harriet Craig” (10 p.m.), “Goodbye, My Fancy” (midnight), “Strait-Jacket” (2 a.m.) and “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (3:45 a.m.).
The season’s first round of Friday college football has Syracuse at Western Michigan (CBS Sports, 6 p.m.), Army at Duke (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Western Kentucky at Wisconsin (ESPN, 9 p.m.), San Diego State at Stanford (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) and Colorado vs. Colorado State (CBS Sports, 9:30 p.m.).
The WNBA semifinals reach games 3 with Atlanta at Washington (ESPNews, NBA, 8 p.m.) and Seattle at Phoenix (ESPNews, NBA, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes Cubs at Philadelphia (MLB, 7 p.m.).
The U.S. Open (ESPN, noon and 7 p.m.; ESPN2, 9 p.m.) reaches the third round.
Daytime Talk
The View: Eric Stonestreet, Evangeline Lilly (rerun). The Talk: Josh Holloway, Nancy O’Dell (rerun). Harry Connick: Sal Vulcano, Joe Gatto, James Murray, Emily Kaufman (rerun). Steve Harvey: Reginald Lewis. Ellen DeGeneres: Topher Grace, Kacey Musgraves, Mario Lopez. Wendy Williams: Ne-Yo, Chassie Post (rerun). The Real: Snoop Dogg (rerun).
Late Talk
All reruns: Stephen Colbert: Trevor Noah, Liza Koshy, Two Feet. Jimmy Kimmel: Jeff Daniels, Wolf Blitzer, Charlie Puth. Jimmy Fallon: Tom Cruise, Parker Posey, Borja Smith. Seth Meyers: Seth Rogen, Alyssa Milano, Chef Angle Mar, Joey Castillo. James Corden: Diane Keaton, Andy Garcia, James Acaster. Carson Daly: David Arquette, Typhoon, Jay Ferguson.