What Pandemic? HBO's His Dark Materials Returns For Season 2

In an effort to to outrace its quickly-growing child star, His Dark Materials began filming its second season as soon as production on Season 1 wrapped. That strategy paid off doubly well when COVID-19 swept the globe in March, as the bulk of production had already been completed. The end result? Aside from a scuttled stand-alone episode featuring James McAvoy's Lord Asriel, the second season is arriving on time and largely unaffected by the ongoing pandemic.

Also today: it's semi-finals time on DWTS, racial injustice hits close to home on The Neighborhood, and Property Brothers' Jonathan Scott looks at the power struggles affecting America's quest for renewable energy. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this Monday:

SEASON PREMIERE: The HBO/BBC co-production of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy returns for its second season, with Lyra (Dafne Keen) continuing with her mission, unaware that she is being pursued by any number of malicious forces. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on HBO

NEW EPISODE: Then there were six. Johnny Weir, Nelly, Nev Schulman, Skai Jackson, Justina Machado and Kaitlyn Bristowe return to the ballroom tonight as Dancing with the Stars enters the semi-finals. 8:00 PM on ABC

SEASON PREMIERE: Things take a turn for the serious on The Neighborhood as the Butlers and the Johnsons take to the streets after a friend becomes a victim of police brutality. Watch a clip. 8:00 PM on CBS

SEASON PREMIERE: After hunting for an engagement ring on the Season 2 opener of Bob Hearts Abishola, Bob (Billy Ghardell) is flummoxed by Abishola's (Folake Olowofoyeku) declaration that marriage isn't worth all the trouble. 8:30 PM ET on CBS

SEASON PREMIERE: After Lola (Simone Missick) is detained by police in an escalating encounter on All Rise, her friendship with Mark (Wilson Bethel) is put the the test. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on CBS

SEASON PREMIERE: When the coronavirus shuts down New York City, Bull (Michael Weatherly) and his team are forced to get creative to keep up with their legal work. 10:00 PM ET on CBS

NEW EPISODE: The battle rounds continue tonight on The Voice, as we learn who else will advance to the Knockouts. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

DOCUMENTARY: Property Brothers' Jonathan Scott hops from HGTV to PBS for Jonathan Scott's Power Trip, an Independent Lens documentary that follows the home renovation guru on a cross country search for America's energy future. Watch trailer. 10:00 PM ET on PBS

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.