It’s a strange month when PBS doesn’t have any new British dramas to premiere, but the Public Broadcast Service does have lot of free shows to watch in November. That’s the benefit and the promise of PBS, which is still proving its worth even in the age of streaming services.
Since we don’t have any new British TV series to throw a spotlight on, the three PBS shows you should watch in November include a new documentary by Ken Burns, as well as a Wu-Tang clan concert like no other and a musical tribute to an all-time great composer.
There’s still plenty of time to catch the other new shows on PBS in November. You can even go back and revisit the great PBS shows to watch in October as well. But for the month of November, these are our recommendations.
When you’re done here, check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best new shows on Max, the best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and the best shows on Disney+.
Leonardo da Vinci
If you’ve managed to make it through life without learning about Leonardo da Vinci, we’d be very surprised. Da Vinci was one of the greatest minds in human history, and he was a true Renaissance man whose talents weren’t confined to his artistic endeavors. He was also an engineer, a scientist, a philosopher, and an architect, in addition to being a gifted painter and sculptor.
Da Vinci is also the subject of Ken Burns’ latest documentary, which explores how his influence continues to be felt hundreds of years after he died. As always, Burns utilizes modern historians and innovative imagery to bring history to life. This project may be one of the most definitive examinations of da Vinci’s lifetime and the legacy that he left behind.
Watch Leonardo da Vinci on PBS on November 18.
Great Performances — Henry Mancini 100 at the Hollywood Bowl
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Henry Mancini, one of the greatest composers in the history of cinema. That’s not an exaggeration either, as Mancini released 90 albums and won four, as well as 20 Grammy Awards. Moon River, The Pink Panther, Peter Gunn, and Frenzy are just a small selection of his greatest hits. In 2024, Mancini’s daughter, Monica Mancini, appeared at the Hollywood Bowl alongside several music superstars to pay tribute to her father’s life and career.
Michael Bublé, Wicked‘s Cynthia Erivo, and more appear on stage to perform some of Mancini’s best-known works. Mancini’s music was his life and his legacy, and this concert is the perfect choice for his fans to enjoy alongside newcomers who haven’t yet experienced his mastery in the field.
Watch Henry Mancini 100 at the Hollywood Bowl on PBS on November 29.
A Wu-Tang Experience: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The Wu-Tang Clan is one of the most iconic and ambitious groups in hip-hop. In 2021, RZA, Method Man, Cappadonna, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon Da Chef, Young Dirty Bastard, and more put together one of the most memorable shows in the history of the group.
A Wu-Tang Experience: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre features the group backed by the 60-piece Colorado Symphony Orchestra as they provide the score for The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, the martial arts film that inspired the name of their group. This special also documents the making of the concert with interviews and a behind-the-scenes perspective of the show.
Watch A Wu-Tang Experience: Live At Red Rocks Amphitheatre on PBS.
