What To Watch Now: GBH Passport Picks For April

A man stands with his back to camera in front of several flashing cameras. — Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner wades into the new reality on election night.

In a world of seemingly unlimited TV choices, finding the programs that matter to our viewers is what I love most about my job as Senior Programming Manager. Working with GBH’s Senior Director of Programming, we acquire, curate and schedule shows and films across GBH’s channels and for Passport.

As GBH’s Senior Director of Programming, Ron Bachman oversees programming for the Boston station’s slate of six public television channels.

April 06, 2021

Updated August 08, 2023

Looking for some great shows to dig into this month? GBH Passport is where you should be looking, and below are some top selections from Ron Bachman, Senior Director of Programming, and Devin Karambelas, Programming Manager. The member benefit that provides you with extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programming, GBH Passport features current and past seasons of PBS and GBH shows — including drama, science, history, and the arts. Watch anytime on GBH.org or on the PBS App.

Philly D.A.

(Stream on GBH Passport starting April 20) It’s an age-old question that arises whenever a dark horse candidate — be it Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders or Robert J. Healey — runs for office: Can outsiders reform an institution from within? Therein lies the question at the center of an unprecedented criminal justice experiment that is the subject a compelling, multi-part docuseries from Independent Lens. In 2017, progressive civil rights attorney Larry Krasner was elected district attorney in Philadelphia. Krasner’s platform promised sweeping reforms: prosecuting police misconduct, terminating cash bail, reforming probation and parole and reducing penalties for marijuana posession and sex work. The series, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, boasts impressive fly-on-the-wall access, but the filmmakers aren’t totally blind to Krasner and his staff’s early misteps in office. What emerges is a gripping, nuanced look at Krasner’s longshot election and tumultous first term. -Devin

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MASTERPIECE's Atlantic Crossing

( Stream on GBH Passport now) Inspired by a true story of a friendship forged in wartime, this eight-part drama explores politics and ambition as Norway’s Crown Princess Martha (Sofia Helin) flees to America for safety when her country is invaded by the Nazis and is taken under the wing of the US president, Franklin Roosevelt (Kyle MacLachlan). According to Alexander Eik, the series’ creator, director, and co-writer, “what ‘inspired by true events’ really means is some of this actually happened, some of it could likely have happened, and the rest of it is made up.” Boasting the largest budget of any Scandinavian television production ever, this sumptuous drama delves into history as it was and as it might have been, if only we could peek behind its closed doors. (You know you want a glimpse!) -Ron

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Sense and Sensibility

( Stream on GBH Passport now) From acclaimed writer Andrew Davies comes this enchanting 2008 adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel about love, marriage and property. Marianne Dashwood (Charity Wakefield) falls in love with the charming but unsuitable John Willoughby (Dominic Cooper), ignoring her sister Elinor’s (Hattie Morahan) warning that her impulsive behavior leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Elinor, sensitive to social convention, struggles to conceal her own romantic disappointment, even from those closest to her. Lush, dramatic, and beautifully acted, this three-part miniseries is peak Austen. -Devin

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Human: The World Within

(Stream on GBH Passport starting April 28) Take a deep dive into the universe that’s inside each and every one of us, by exploring a shared biology that we often don't take the time to appreciate or understand. Whether it’s heart, brain, eyes, blood or tears, Human uncovers not only the science behind how our bodies work, but how what's inside powers every moment of what we do out in the world. Personal profiles of people from around the globe reveal how our lives, passions and goals are powered by the amazing systems that define our biology as a species. Think of it as the most fascinating user’s manual ever. -Ron

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The Coroner, Season 2

( Stream Seasons 1 and 2 on GBH Passport now) Whether you watch for the “will they or won’t they?” energy between talented coroner Jane Kennedy and her police detective partner Davey, or the stunning Devon coast backdrop, The Coroner returns —and the body count in Lighthaven could give Midsomer County a run for its money. Similarly lighthearted in tone to Doc Martin, we continue to air new Coroner episodes on Wednesdays at 8pm on GBH 44, but you can also binge the first and second series with GBH Passport. In Season 2, quirky mysteries abound: a skyiver opens a faulty parachute, a lifeboat volunteer drowns in a hoax alarm and a faceless man washes up on beach, to name but a few cases. Natural death, accident or foul play? It’s all in a day’s work when you’re the coroner. -Devin

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