Michael Shannon brings a quiet grace behind the beard he wears as one of the lesser known American presidents, James A. Garfield, in a ringing historical drama that covers his short reign in office — cut short by an ambitious would-be supporter perfectly played by Matthew Macfayden, playing another crazed schnook like the one he played in “Succession” as Tom.
The recreation of the 1880 political world in “Death by Lightning” (Netflix, streaming) is more fascinating than the period setting of “The Gilded Age” and probably more important. And what a cast, with Nick Offerman in sideburns as Chester A. Arthur, Betty Gilpin as the First Lady, and Bradley WHitford and Shea Whigham as scheming political operatives.
Coincidentally, the woman who played Macfayden’s wife (and foil) in “Succession” is starting in her own worthy drama. Sarah Snook stars as a Chicago career mom who comes to pick up her 5-year-old son after school only to find he’s not there in the thriller “All Her Fault” (Peacock, streaming), a glossy and fast-serving adaptation of the novel by Andrea Mara, with a cast that also boasts Dakota Fanning, Jake Lacy, Abby Elliott and Michael Peña. Looks like will be an engrossing ride as it seems to make a statement about lingering guilt of women in the workplace.
“Alex vs. ARod” (HBO 9 p.m.) is a three part documentary on Yankee star Alex Rodriguez and his rise from praising talent to a polarizing public figure and his efforts at becoming a “recovering narcissist.”
Let the promotion begin: “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” (NBC, 8 p.m.) is a two-hour special promoting the upcoming “Wicked: For Good,” the second part of the Oz adaptation. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are on hand, joined by other guests.
A second season comes for the comedy series “The Vince Staples Show” (Netflix, streaming).
The documentary “Love + War” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) profiles Pulitzer Prize-winning war photographer Lynsey Addario, who took time to have a home life as well.
“Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” (Fox, 9 p.m.) has recruits retrieve a hostage.
Somebody’s trying to run Georgie and Ruben out of business on “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Hell’s Kitchen” (Fox, 8 p.m.) does Mexican.
Jo navigates a challenging case with a pregnant woman on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Elsbeth” (CBS, 10 p.m.) questions the motives of a poetry journal founder.
Trevor gets his daughter a job at the restaurant on “Ghosts” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
“Matlock” (CBS, 9 p.m.) works on a resentencing case of a teen sent to prison for life.
A high-stakes emergency involves two abducted children on “9-1-1: Nashville” (ABC, 9 p.m.).
“9-1-1” (ABC, 8 p.m.) celebrates Die de los Muertos.
Ronald Colman is star on Turner Classic Movies tonight, in “Beau Geste” (8 p.m.), “A Tale of Two Cities” (10:15 p.m.), “Random Harvest” (12:30 a.m.), “Kismet” (2:45 a.m.) and “My Life with Caroline” (4:30 a.m.).
During the day are circus stories with “Bengal Tiger” (6:45 a.m.), “The Dark Tower” (8 a.m.), “Fixer Dugan” (9:45 a.m.), “Side Show” (11 a.m.), “Merry Andrew” (12:15 p.m.), “Rain or Shine” (2 p.m.), “It Looks Like Rain” (3:30 p.m.), “Jumbo” (3:45 p.m.) and “The Big Circus” (6 p.m.).
Thursday Night Football has Las Vegas at Denver (Prime Video, 8:15 p.m.).
NBA action has Clippers at Phoenix (NBA, 9 p.m.).
Hockey has Washington at Pittsburgh (Hulu, 7:30 p.m.) and Florida at Los Angeles (Hulu, 10 p.m.).
College football has Georgia Southern at Appalachian State (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) and UTSA at South Florida (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball has Saint Francis at TCU (TNT, truTV, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Teyana Taylor, Brittany Snow, Monica Mangin. The View: Alex Rodriguez. Kelly Clarkson: Padma Lakshmi. Sarah Snook, Iain Stirling, Kathleen Madigan, Hazlett. Drew Barrymore: Tracy Morgan, Haley Lu Richardson. Jennifer Hudson: Candace Parer, Taylor Roos, Blake Griffin. Tamron Hall: Faith Jenkins, Kenny Lattimore, Josephg Sikora.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Sydney Sweeney, Patti Smith, Guillermo del Toro. Jimmy Kimmel: David Duchovny, Joe Keery, Madison Beer. Jimmy Fallon: Sarah Snook, Mikey Day, Kyle Larson, Young Miko. Seth Meyers: Tiffany Haddish, Cristin Milioti, Joachim Trier. Daily Show: Ethan Hawke, Jordan Klepper.