1) “Back to Life” debut, 10 and 10:30 p.m, Showtime. Returning to the British village where she grew up, Miri has her doubts. So does everyone else. Convicted of murder as a teen-ager, she was in prison for 18 years; now even her parents are afraid of her. Daisy Haggard (shown here) created this show, stars in it and is one of the producers. In just six half-hours (on three Sundays), she gives us humor, drama and a big finish. The parents’ sub-plot is lame, but the rest of this is a terrific little gem.
2) “Masterpiece: Poldark,” 9 p.m., PBS. “Has the world gone mad?” Demelza asks. It would seem so. She and her husband Ross know that someone has stolen their ore and traded it for weapons … which are being stockpiled for a French invasion. But even with that, they can’t pierce layers of official corruption and get anyone to act. Schemes surround them … and their neighbor George keeps thinking he sees his late wife. It’s a tangled situation, leading to next week’s finale of this lushly crafted, five-year series.
3) People’s Choice awards, 9-11 p.m., E and USA. After 43 years on CBS, this slid to E last year. That’s where it belongs, because it’s mostly about star-watching, with awards that don’t really matter. (In fact, the red-carpet preview, at 7 p.m., is as long as the show itself.) There will be music by Alessia Cara and Kelsea Ballerini, with special awards for Jennifer Aniston, Gwen Stefani and Pink.
4) Season openers, 9 p.m. Showtime, and 11:30 p.m., Cartoon Network. The 10th season begins for “Shameless,” with continued shameful behavior by Frank (William H. Macy) and kin. Then Cartoon starts the fourth season of “Rick and Morty,” with a mad scientist and his grandson.
5) “Madam Secretary,” 10 p.m., CBS. A video has been doctored, to make it look like Elizabeth and her husband mocked a foreign dignitary. Now that may sabotage a key international agreement.