It’s that time of year again. As fall approaches, you might be gearing up to send the kids back to school—or firing up the computers for another quarter of remote learning—and planning for the upcoming spate of holidays. At the very least, you’re preparing to say farewell to gloriously warm weather and preparing for the chillier months ahead. There’s a lot going on, and it can be draining. But fall also happens to be a great time to immerse yourself in a new TV show. We’ve rounded up a handful of the most exciting choices you might want to add to your must-binge-so-you-stress-less list.
Nine Perfect Strangers
Based on the novel by Liana Moriarty, Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers stars Nicole Kidman, who’s sort of the unofficial queen of the limited-run miniseries by now. We’re totally fine with that, especially given that this story is brought to us by the same author who wrote the fantastic Big Little Lies. Kidman’s character, Masha, founded Tranquillum House, a chic health resort that draws an assortment of troubled characters to a 10-day retreat. The story is artfully weaved, packed with secrets and lies and trauma and grief and addiction and even some romance and comedy thrown in for good measure. In other words, you really need to see it to believe it.
Clickbait
We do love good Netflix crime-drama series. Clickbait stars Adrian Grenier as caring father Nick Brewer, who suddenly vanishes—only to emerge online, beaten, gripping a sign that reads “I abuse women. At 5 million views, I die.” What follows is a dramatic, twisty journey for his wife and sister, who are committed to finding him. At the same time, they’re not prepared for what they may discover about Brewer in the process. The social media angle gives the show a very timely quality, especially given the often blurred lines between the virtual and real worlds.
Impeachment: American Crime Story
Those of us old enough to remember the Clinton years will be enthralled by this deep dive. Impeachment: American Crime Story on FXtakes us through the turbulent years through the perspectives of Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein), Linda Tripp (Sarah Paulson), and Paula Jones (Annaleigh Ashford). Lewinsky herself was heavily involved in the dramatization, so much so that she approved the scripts, provided background notes, and offered feedback. It’s those specifics that lend an added layer of authenticity to a story that’s been told numerous times through the years.
Y: The Last Man
What would happen if every mammal on the planet with a Y chromosome suddenly dropped dead—except for you? That’s the premise of Y: The Last Man, a post-apocalyptic story on Hulu about Yorick Brown, portrayed by Ben Schnetzer, and his monkey, Ampersand. Along with his mother, who also happens to be the President of the United States, Yorick sets off to restore some sort of peace in a world where gender has taken on new diversity and equality. Because everyone with a Y chromosome dies, that includes some intersex, trans women, and non-binary individuals. The result is a show that puts everyone on an even keel, not assuming that all are cisgender.
Dexter: New Blood
Dexter: New Blood takes place 10 year after the series finale, which aired in 2013. Michael C. Hall is Dexter, who has since moved to a small town and assumed a new identity. Working in a shop, he’s become something of a regular guy—he’s dating the local chief of police of all people, and he’s managed to tamp down the urge to kill. But what happens when a series of unusual incidents in the area begin to stir up drama and chaos? For show fanatics, the Showtime reprise is a welcome chance to repent for the finale, which was widely panned.
The Wonder Years
If you grew up during the 1980s, you might be familiar with the coming-of-age story of Kevin Arnold. The Wonder Yearswas an enormous hit, exploring life in middle-class suburbia in the 1960s and ’70s through his eyes and narration. The 2021 ABC reboot is inspired by the original—it’s set in the 1960s, and it follows the journey of a Black middle-class family through the lens of 12-year-old Dean Williams, played by Elisha “EJ” Williams. The story is narrated by an older Dean, voiced by Don Cheadle. Word has it that the story packs the same warmth and charm into its story. It’s the ultimate choice if you’re seeking something feel-good for these turbulent times.
Midnight Mass
It wouldn’t be fall without a good Netflix horror series to see us through those dark nights. Starring Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, and Hamish Linklater, the story revolves around a remote island community whose people experience unexplained events of all kinds when a charismatic priest arrives. With his arrival comes everything from miracles to mysteries. It’s dark, it’s creepy, and it’s entirely atypical of the usual horror series. That’s largely due to the fact that it’s the brainchild of Mike Flanagan, who was behind The Haunting of Hill Houseand The Haunting of Bly Manor. The supernatural series promises more of those quiet, jarring scares horror movie enthusiasts crave.