Kit Harington tries to spark a revolution in the Gunpowder miniseries

Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Monday, December 18. All times are Eastern.

Top pick

Gunpowder (HBO, 10 p.m.): Remember, remember, the 5th of November, when the Gunpowder Treason Plot—hatched by Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes, among others—resulted in a botched assassination attempt on the king of England in 1605? If you don’t, this BBC One drama is going to give you a three-part history lesson on the failed Catholic revolt. Kit Harington stars as Catesby (who happens to be his real-life ancestor) opposite Tom Cullen’s Fawkes. Under J. Blakeson’s direction, these two will brood and smolder (just not too close to the actual gunpowder) as they try to start a revolution. The miniseries will air over three consecutive nights, starting tonight.

Regular coverage

The Crown (Netflix)

Wild card

Tarantula (TBS, 10 p.m.): First, a couple of disclosures: The eponymous arachnid is actually just a hotel, and former Onion writer Sam West was in the writers’ room for this new animated venture. With that out of the way, let’s get to the impressive pedigree: Silicon Valley’s Carson Mell executive produces alongside Danny McBride and Jody Hill of Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals fame. Mell voices a “respected but uncertified tattoo artist” who’s given to dropping knowledge along with his ink. The first season has already debuted in full online, but TBS has started airing individual episodes as well.