Like most everyone else, The CW's schedule has been thrown off course by the pandemic this season, but while each of the network's returning series have overcome disruptions to return to the airwaves in the weeks ahead, none has navigated greater challenges than Batwoman, which not only had to return in the new world of COVID television production, but it also had to replace the show's title character. Sunday night's season premiere will introduce viewers to Javicia Leslie, who will don the cowl left behind by Ruby Rose.
Also: the NFL holds its 2020 divisional playoffs, HBO concludes its two-part Tiger Woods doc, and Oxygen premieres a pair of new true crime series. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this weekend:
SATURDAY JANUARY 16
NFL FOOTBALL: The league's divisional playoff round kicks off today with two games:
MADE FOR TV MOVIE: A young woman (Emily Piggford) escapes an abusive relationship in The Evil Twin by moving back to her hometown, only to discover she has a long-lost identical sister who may be a murderer. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime
NEW EPISODE: Dick and Angel Strawbridge prepare for their Christmas guests to arrive on Escape to the Chateau. Meanwhile, Dick continues preparations for the chateau's new elevator. 8:00 PM ET on HGTV
CABLE RETURN: Perennial HBO favorites Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 get a special Saturday night cablecast as they return to the premium channel (and HBO Max) after a brief sojourn to Amazon Prime. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on HBO
SERIES PREMIERE: The latest addition to Oxygen's true crime lineup, each episode of One Deadly Mistake looks at murder cases where investigators discover a single piece of evidence that exposes the killer's identity. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on Oxygen
ENCORE PRESENTATION: With just a week to go before Saturday Night Live returns from winter break, the show is re-airing its early December Jason Bateman-hosted episode with musical guest Morgan Wallen. 11:30 PM ET on NBC
SUNDAY JANUARY 17
SEASON PREMIERE: Joining a short list of shows that have been forced to replace their lead actors, Batwoman returns tonight with Kate Kane missing. When a homeless 25-year-old named Ryan Wilder (Javicia Leslie) stumbles upon Kate's Batsuit, she dons the cowl and goes rogue in the streets of Gotham. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on The CW
NFL FOOTBALL: The divisional playoff round concludes with two games:
DOCUSERIES FINALE: The self-destructive side of Tiger Woods takes centerstage in the conclusion of HBO's two-part docuseries Tiger, as the golf champ is introduced to the pampered and privileged worlds of his friends Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley. Read our review. 9:00 PM ET on HBO
NEW EPSIODE: As the fallout from the Capitol takeover continues in Washington D.C., The Circus takes a behind-the-scenes look at efforts this week to remove President Trump from office. 8:00 PM ET on Showtime
SERIES PREMIERE: The new Oxygen true crime series Exhumed looks at murder cases where unearthing a victim’s body leads to shocking new breakthroughs, unexpected plot-twists, and ultimately, justice being served. Watch preview. 7:00 PM ET on Oxygen
NEW EPISODE: The walls are closing in on Michael (Bryan Cranson) in Your Honor, as the one-time straight-arrow judge becomes ever more corrupt in defense of his son. Watch preview. 10:00 PM ET on Showtime
NEW EPISODE: Shadow (Ricky Whittle) explores his oddly welcoming new town on American Gods. Later, he returns to Lakeside, where he learns a teenage girl has disappeared, and he himself is a suspect. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on Starz
Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.
TOPICS: Batwoman, The CW, Javicia Leslie, Ruby Rose