Jeremy Irons' Adrian Veidt Stands Trial in a New Episode of Watchmen

At any other time in TV history, Jeremy Irons appearing in a television show would be huge news. In the Peak TV era, the celebrated Oscar winner is one of many. But that shouldn't stop us from celebrating the enigmatic charm he's brought to his the character of Adrian Veidt in HBO's Watchmen. Tonight's episode sees Irons return to the fold as as The Smartest Man in the World is asked to defend himself before The Game Warden. Also tonight: the penultimate episode of Silicon Valley, the return of a holiday classic, and more. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this Sunday: 

NEW EPISODE: We haven't seen Adrian Veidt (Jeremy Irons) on Watchmen since he was captured at the end of episode five. He's back tonight, facing his nemesis in what appears to be some kind of trial. Elsewhere, Angela (Regina King) undergoes an unusual procedure and Agent Blake (Jean Smart) follows a trail of clues. Watch the preview 9:00 PM ET on HBO

SPORTS: NBC's Sunday Night Football crew is back for a second time this week as the New England Patriots tackle the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. 8:15 PM ET/5:15 PM PT on NBC

HOLIDAY SPECIAL: Mickey Rooney and Fred Astaire lend their voices to the Rankin/Bass holiday classic Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, which has its annual airing tonight. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

NEW EPISODE: The penultimate episode of Silicon Valley finds demand testing the abilities of Pied Piper's new PiperNet. Can the boys finally pull things together in time for next week's series finale? 10:00 PM ET on HBO

NEW EPISODE: A series of enticing messages distract Kathryn Hahn's Mrs. Fletcher. Meanwhile, her dreadful son Brandon (Jackson White) takes Chloe (Jasmine Cephas Jones) out on a date. 10:30 PM on HBO

NEW EPISODE: Liam (Brandon Sims) grows mistrustful on a rolemodel on Shameless, as Mike (Jake McDorman) accompanies Frank (William H. Macy) on a mission around L.A. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime

NEW EPISODE: Molly (Kerry Condon) realizes she and Ray Donovan (Liev Schreiber) have more in common that she ever would have guessed. Meanwhile, Bunchy (Dash Mihok) seizes an opportunity to angle for a boost in pay. 8:00 PM ET on Showtime

NEW EPISODE: Billy Eichner returns as Mr. Ambrose on tonight's episode of Bob's Burgers. After auditioning for a play, Gene learns Linda bribed the director to get him a part. 9:00 PM ET on Fox

ALSO TONIGHT

• Christmas Town stars Candace Cameron Bure (Fuller House) as a woman leaving Boston behind to start life anew in a small town on Christmas. Tim Rozon (Wynonna Earp) and Beth Broderick (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) co-star. 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark
• You Light Up My Christmas finds Ella (Kim Fields) returning to her hometown, where she learns she must revive both her family's Christmas Light Factory as well as her sense of Christmas magic. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime
• Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas gets its annual holiday airing at 8:30 PM ET on Fox

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.