Luther
The Wire’s Idris Elba is returning to his Golden Globe–winning role as London detective John Luther for a third short season. Though he’s as brilliant and brooding as ever, Luther this time shows signs that he might be able to cut through all the Grand Guignol of chasing monsters to attain something resembling happiness, courtesy of a new love interest (Sienna Guillory). Though brief, the miniseries is packed with incident, and will air across four consecutive nights.Begins Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 10 p.m., BBC America
Earthflight
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Humans have yearned to fly like birds for so long that it seems almost an oversight we weren’t born with wings. This breathtaking six-part Nature special may be as close as we get to living the dream. Four years in the making, it zooms in on various of our avian brethren around the globe, using cutting-edge filming techniques to redefine the phrase “bird’s-eye view.” Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
The Flag
A photograph of firefighters raising an American flag amid the rubble of the just-fallen World Trade Center became one of the most stirring images to emerge from 9/11. Later, a flag purported to be the same was used in various memorial ceremonies and flown aboard the USS Roosevelt as the ship sailed to war. But that second flag turned out to be a stand-in. This documentary works to track down the genuine article. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 9 p.m., CNN
Last Tango in Halifax
Grandparents aren’t just using Facebook, they’re hooking up there, too. Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid star in this award-winning British drama series as former childhood sweethearts who reconnect with each other through the social network after six decades apart. While the lovebirds’ days look suddenly brighter, the lives of their adult children seem to be unraveling. Sunday, Sept. 8, at 8 p.m., PBS; check local listings
Boardwalk Empire
Boardwalk is back—nine months after Atlantic City kingpin Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) enlisted the help of Al Capone and Harlem strongman Chalky White to dispose of a rival gangster. As Season 4 begins, Nucky discovers relatively quickly that the move has won him new opportunities as well as new enemies. Sunday, Sept. 8, at 9 p.m., HBO
Other highlights
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
After a 12-week hiatus, Jon Stewart retakes the reins of his celebrated satirical news program from correspondent John Oliver, who more than held his own. Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 11 p.m., Comedy Central
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
The Paddy’s Pub crew returns for the ninth season of this still-funny series, which this year will air on a new youth-oriented cable network.Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 10 p.m., FXX
NFL Week 1: Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos
The NFL’s 94th season kicks off with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos seeking to avenge a narrow playoff loss to eventual Super Bowl champs the Baltimore Ravens. Thursday, Sept. 5, at 8:30 p.m., NBC
