Churchill’s Secret
Sunday at 8 p.m., WGBH 2
A few reasons to watch this new PBS “Masterpiece’’ movie, which is based on Jonathan Smith’s 2015 novel “The Churchill Secret,’’ which is based on fact. 1) It will provide much to compare and contrast. After Winston Churchill, 78, suffers a major stroke at a state dinner in 1953, his people do everything to hide the news from the public. Can you imagine that happening now, when every political figure’s pimples have had a turn or two in the 24-hour news cycle? 2) Michael Gambon plays Churchill. 3) The supporting cast is filled with British actors you may have admired before without knowing their names. Look for Romola Garai from “The Hour,’’ Matthew Macfadyen from “Pride & Prejudice’’ and “Ripper Street,’’ and Tara Fitzgerald from “Game of Thrones’’ (she was Selyse Baratheon). Also look for Lindsay Duncan, who plays Lady Churchill; she’s usually remarkable. 4) Michael Gambon plays Churchill.
One Mississippi
Amazon
“One Mississippi’’ finds comic Tig Notaro, playing a version of herself, returning to her Mississippi hometown after tragedy. If you follow the world of comedy, you probably know the deal: In the same year, Tig loses her mother suddenly, goes through a breakup, has an intestinal disease, and undergoes a double mastectomy for breast cancer. Yes, it’s a pretty bleak setup. But the six-episode season gains power and a redemptive tone from small moments of humor, frustration, sorrow, and triumph. Also powerful: an outstanding performance by John Rothman as Tig’s stepfather, Bill. Notaro is an appealing lead, if you like bone-dry humor and deadpan, which I do. She carries the show in her low-key way, and she, like the show itself, warms up a little bit more with each new episode.
Mary + Jane
Monday at 10 p.m., MTV
“Mary + Jane’’ is a new comedy about two women who deliver weed — excuse me, two women who, as they put it in polite company, run a “legal prescription delivery service.’’ It’s a true — ahem — buddy comedy. The show aims to be as lovably kooky and sister-powerful as “Broad City.’’ The action is set in LA, where our ganja-preneurs, Paige (Jessica Rothe) and Jordan (Scout Durwood), are trying to make a living. They room together, deliver together, and cope with some fierce competition. The show features some sharp — if not entirely original — satire of LA, even if Rothe and Durwood lack chemistry.
Stranger Things
Netflix
One of the funniest sidebars to the popularity of Netflix’s sci-fi show “Stranger Things’’ has been The Cult of Barb, often designated by #JusticeForBarb, #WeAreAllBarb, and #ImWithBarb hashtags. Barb was a minor character, but she has developed a huge fan base (obviously don’t read this if you haven’t finished the series). Played by Shannon Purser (above), Barb was Nancy’s geeky, freckled, big-glasses-wearing, mom-jeans-loving best friend. Two episodes in, she was killed by the Demogorgon; we later saw her dead body in the Upside Down. But no one in Hawkins, Ind., seemed to worry much about her absence, while everyone obsessed about the disappearance of Will.
MATTHEW GILBERT
Matthew Gilbert can be reached at gilbert@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewGilbert.
