TV picks for Jan. 17: 'A Discovery of Witches,' 'Star Trek: Discovery,' 'Backyard Envy'

Harry Potter meets "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in "A Discovery of Witches," a new thriller based on the bestselling novel by Deborah Harkness. Matthew Goode ("The Crown") and Alex Kingston ("ER") are among the grown-ups in this series set at Oxford University.

Now streaming on Chiller and Sundance Now

"Star Trek: Discovery" didn't exactly rock the universe when it premiered, but the show's creators are hoping to lure skeptical fans on board for the second season with more nods to the franchise's roots. Anson Mount joins the cast as Christopher Pike, the USS Enterprise captain in the original, scrapped pilot episode who was quickly replaced by James T. Kirk. Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander Riker in "The Next Generation," directed next week's episode.

Starts streaming at 7 p.m. on CBS All Access

The grass is always greener when you hire the Manscapers, a flamboyant trio who bounce from one exterior-design project to the next in "Backyard Envy." James DeSantis, the group's pushiest personality, is a star in the making. Expect him to be in high demand for upcoming gay pride parades.

9 p.m., Bravo

Neal Justin