Nicole Kidman is back again in very familiar surroundings — as a high society woman in a glossy limited series about a murder. With its Nantucket setting and large cast, “The Perfect Couple” (Netflix, streaming) has the feel of a wanna-be “White Lotus.” But based on the bestseller, it’s a rote, high-end whodunit that, like “White Lotus” doesn’t even have a body until the end of the first episode. Liev Schreiber is the pot-smoking hubby; Bono’s daughter Eve Hewson is the outsider bride-to-be. And there’s way too many characters to track and way too many episodes (five) to stretch it out. What might be a beach read is out of place as fall approaches.
Another new limited series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist” (Peacock, streaming) stars Kevin Hart as an Atlanta hustler throwing a party after a 1970 Muhammad Ali that is fleeced by gunmen. The large cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard and Don Cheadle.
A new UK documentary tracks the true story of the space catastrophe “Apollo 13: Survival” (Netflix, streaming), using the original recordings of the mission.
The start of the NFL season gets a big kickoff with Baltimore at Kansas City (NBC, 8:15 p.m.) and a preshow at 7
Marem Hassler plays a former investigative journalist who is suddenly surrounded by death in the made-for-TV movie “The Past Comes Knocking” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.).
“Big Brother” (CBS, 8 p.m.) has another eviction and another twist in store.
How the Romans ruled the seas for centuries is explored on “Lost Treasures of Rome” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” (Bravo, 9 p.m.) travel to wine country.
Author Donald Bogle hosts a series of films tying in with his book and recent Starz series “Hollywood Black” about the Black experience in U.S. film, starting with “Carmen Jones” (8 p.m.), “Sidewalk (10 p.m.), “Lost Boundaries” (midnight), “The Emperor Jones” (2 a.m.), and “The Mighty Quinn” (3:30 a.m.).
During the day are are 1940s musicals featuring Xavier Cugat: “Holiday in Mexico” (6 a.m.), “This Time for Keeps” (8:15 a.m.), “On an Island with You” (10:15 a.m.), “Luxury Liner” (12:15 p.m.), “A Date with Judy” (2:15 p.m.), “Neptune’s Daughter” (4:15 p.m.) and “Bathing Beauty” (6 p.m.).
The women’s singles semifinals at the U.S. Open (ESPN, 7 p.m.) play out, with winners going to Saturday’s final.
WNBA action has Seattle at New York (Prime Video, 4 p.m.) and ton at Phoenix (Prime Video, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Carrie Coon, Daniel Dae Kim, Tamron Hall, Lish Sterling. The View: Katie Ledecky. The Talk: Thomas Lennon, Teresa Giudice, Camilla Luddington. Kelly Clarkson: Amy Poehler, Gottmink, Nina West, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, Shaed (rerun). Drew Barrymore: Austin Butler, Callum Turner. Jennifer Hudson: Common, Tiffany Miranda (repeat). Tamron Hall: Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Stephen Curry, Sen. Mark Kelly. Jimmy Kimmel: Brian Tyree Henry, Muni Long. Jimmy Fallon: Kevin Hart, Paris Hilton, Miranda Lambert. Seth Meyers: Ana Gasteyer. Taylor Tomlinson: Jordan Temple, Will Miles, Greta Titelman.