Henry David Thoreau helped define modern environmentalism and nonviolent resistance, yet his life has been obscured by myth.

Henry David Thoreau Sunday, April 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

Binge this three-part, three-hour film directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers, and executive produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, examines the life and work of the 19th-century writer. Set against the political and social tensions of the mid-19th century, the film traces Thoreau’s journey from his early days in Concord, Massachusetts to his deep engagement with the moral crises of his time, including industrialization, slavery, war, and environmental degradation. Through his essays, journals, and landmark works such as Walden and Civil Disobedience, he became an inspiration for generations of writers, thinkers, and activists. 

The Count of Monte Cristo is an epic new TV adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ iconic French novel, one of the greatest revenge stories ever told.

MASTERPIECE “The Count of Monte Cristo” airs Sundays, March 22-May 10 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the PBS and WXXI apps.

Sam Claflin (Daisy Jones and the Six) stars as Edmond Dantes, a nineteen-year-old sailor who, when falsely accused of treason, is imprisoned without trial in a grim island fortress off Marseille, France. After many years of captivity, Dantes finally escapes and discovers treasure, making him one of the richest men in the world. Under the identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, he plans to take revenge on those who wrongly accused him.

Ana Girardot stars (The Returned) as Mercedes, Jeremy Irons (The Borgias) as Abbé Faria, and Blake Ritson (The Gilded Age, The Crown, Indian Summers, Emma) as Danglars. The series is directed by two-time Palme d’Or and Oscar®-winner Bille August.

Photo: Edmond Dantès (Sam Claflin), Credit: Paolo Modugno

Cora Felton, AKA “The Puzzle Lady,” has a remarkable talent for solving murders.

The Puzzle Lady airs Thursdays, March 19-April 23 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the PBS and WXXI apps.

Meet Bakerbury’s newest and most famous resident–Cora Felton, AKA “The Puzzle Lady.” Cora’s eccentric, no-nonsense approach proves a perfect way to outwit the murderers, con men and corrupt officials that stand in her way. The Puzzle Lady streamed in the UK under the title “Murder Most Puzzling.”

Repeats Sundays, March 22-April 26 at 11 p.m.

Desire, ambition, and betrayal ignite in the lavish lives of the Forsyte family.

The Forsytes airs Sundays, March 22-April 26 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the PBS and WXXI apps.

The Forsytes chronicles the trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian stockbroking family, whose generations find themselves torn between tradition and the personal pursuit of happiness. Inspired by John Galsworthy’s celebrated Forsyte Saga novels, The Forsytes portrays events that take place before those covered in Galsworthy’s books.

The stellar ensemble cast includes Francesca Annis (Flesh and Blood) as the formidable matriarch Ann, Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast, True Blood) as Jolyon Forsyte Sr., Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga) as Jo Forsyte Jr., Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey: A New Era) as Frances Forsyte, and Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day, Poldark) as Louisa Byrne. Jack Davenport (The Morning Show, Ten Percent) stars as James Forsyte, Joshua Orpin (Titans) as Soames Forsyte, Millie Gibson (Doctor Who) as Irene Heron, and Tom Durant-Pritchard (This Is Going To Hurt, Miss Scarlet) as Monty Dartie.

Josette Simon OBE (Anatomy of a Scandal) is Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family, with Jamie Flatters (Avatar: The Way Of Water) as architect Philip Bosinney and Owen Igiehon  (Disclaimer) as lawyer Isaac Cole. Susan Hampshire OBE (star of the 1967 BBC Forsyte Saga for which she received the first of her three lead actress Emmys), plays Lady Carteret.

Following the Graham dancers from rehearsal to premiere as they carry Martha Graham’s legacy forward with a new work.

Martha Graham Dance Company We Are Out of Time, a two-part series airs Friday, March 27 and April 3 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streams live on the WXXI and PBS apps.

As the Graham Company nears its landmark 100^th anniversary, We Are Out of Time offers a rare behind-the-scenes portrait of the company, exploring Graham’s legacy through the dancers who embody her work today. For over three years Partisan Pictures embedded within the dance company, filming from rehearsal to premiere, across a global tour, and at home with family.

Episode one, “American Spirit,” airing March 27th follows the Graham dancers from rehearsal to premiere as they carry her legacy forward with a new work, a protest dance from choreographer Jamar Roberts in collaboration with Pulitzer-winning composer Rhiannon Giddens.

Episode two, “Athletes of God,” airing April 3rd takes viewers on a world tour with the dance company. Traveling across Europe, the dancers reflect on both the exhilaration and the physical and emotional toll of life on the road. As the first American dance company to tour China post-pandemic, their journey echoes Graham’s belief in movement as a universal language.

Photo: Martha Graham dance company rehearses at their New York City studio for choreographer Jamar Roberts’ WE THE PEOPLE. Photo by Peter Schnall, © Partisan Pictures