Historically, September is the month for new TV, and despite everything that’s changed since the annual television calendar shifted from Fall and Spring seasonal releases to a year-round onslaught of “content,” that’s very much still the case. So don’t be surprised to see Netflix stepping up its originals game to compete with a deluge of offerings from across the vast spectrum of entertainment we still call “television.”
So before you sign up for a month of Peacock in order to catch “The Office” spinoff, “The Paper,” or flip over to HBO for the “Mare of Easttown” creator’s next trip to DelCo, “Task,” or set your DVR (people still have DVRs, right?) to record FX’s Ethan Hawke-starring “The Lowdown,” or activate your free trial of Apple TV+ for the fifth season of “Slow Horses,” or check if your Disney+ bundle includes “Only Murders in the Building” Season 5 (seriously, who can tell what’s available on any of the Disney platforms anymore? not me!) — OK, actually, you should do all those things. It’s a great month for TV, and I already know a few of these shows warrant your full and dedicated attention.
But hey, Netflix has new shows, too — two of which will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival at the beginning of September, ahead of their U.S. debuts on the service just a few weeks later. (Look for reviews of “Black Rabbit” and “Wayward” out of TIFF!) There’s also a few intriguing acquisition titles, none better than the stellar second season of AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire.” But if that’s too bloody for ya, all six seasons of the 2010s broadcast hit “Nashville” will be available to woo you, as well.
Sure, there’s the second half of “Wednesday” Season 2 (though it’s hard to get overly excited after the ho-hum Part 1), and two new seasons of “Love Is Blind” (the Brazil and France versions), but if you’re looking for something with a little more staying power than a binge, rest assured: “The Great British Baking Show” is back! I know, I know — the cultural fervor around this one peaked a few years back, but hey, there’s still nothing quite like appreciating the kindness and generosity of talented British chefs… especially while you curse them out over #CakeFails and curdled jokes. (I’m looking at you, Noel.)
In the end, all of this — every scripted show I’ve listed, and plenty more I have yet to bring up — will pale in comparison to TV’s true September king: football. But hey, there are only so many concussions you can witness before remembering you, too, have a brain, and its cells would appreciate a proper stretch now and then. One of these scripted series has to offer that. Let’s find out which!
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1. “Black Rabbit”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Thursday, September 18
Creator: Zach Baylin, Kate Susman
Cast: Jude Law, Jason Bateman, Cleopatra Coleman, Amaka Okafor, Sopé Dìrísú, Dagmara Dominczyk, Chris Coy, Troy Kotsur, Abbey Lee, Odessa Young, Robin De Jesus, Amir Malaklou, Don Harvey, Forrest Weber, Francis Benhamou, Gus Birney, John Ales, Steve Witting
Format: 8 hourlong episodes
Official Synopsis: “Set against the backdrop of New York City’s high-pressure nightlife scene, ‘Black Rabbit’ centers on two brothers who are pushed to the brink by their duty to family and their pursuit of success. Jake Friedken (Jude Law) is the charismatic owner of Black Rabbit, a restaurant and VIP lounge, poised to become the hottest spot in New York. But when his brother, Vince (Jason Bateman), returns to the business unexpectedly, trouble soon follows; opening the door to old traumas and new dangers that threaten to bring down everything they’ve built. ‘Black Rabbit’ is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.”
Best Reason to Watch: There are more than a few good reasons to check out this one, many of which are found in its cast — Jude Law may be the peak TV era’s acting MVP, when it comes to using his movie star status to make challenging, rewarding series. Jason Bateman has a great track record on Netflix and an even better one when he directs. Troy Kotsur as a brutal mob boss is already giving off Pete Postlethwaite in “The Town” vibes (which is the greatest compliment I could offer).But the sneaky best reasons to watch are behind the camera: Laura Linney directs Episodes 3 and 4, while Justin Kurzel handles the final two entries. Hot off their collaboration on “The Order,” Kurzel and Law are already a trusted team to track. Let’s see how far they can go.
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2. “Wayward”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Michael Gibson / Netflix Release Date: Thursday, September 25
Creator: Mae Martin, Ryan Scott
Cast: Mae Martin, Toni Collette, Sarah Gadon, Sydney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Brandon Jay McLaren, Tattiawna Jones, Isole Ardies, Joshua Close, Patrick J. Adams, Patrick Gallagher, Gage Munroe, Byron Mann
Format: 8 hourlong episodes
Official Synopsis: “In the picture-perfect town of Tall Pines, sinister secrets lurk behind every closed door. Not long after police officer Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin) and his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon) move into their new home, he connects with two students Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) from the local school for ‘troubled teens’ who are desperate to escape and could be the key to unearthing everything rotten in the town. As Alex begins investigating a series of unusual incidents, he suspects that Evelyn (Toni Collette), the school’s mysterious leader, might be at the center of all the problems. Created by Mae Martin, ‘Wayward’ is a thrilling and genre-bending limited series about the eternal struggle between one generation and the next, what happens when friendship and loyalty are put to the ultimate test, and how buried truths always find a way of coming to the surface
Best Reason to Watch: Mae Martin. The Canadian comedian’s last Netflix series was the excellent “Feel Good,” a two-season gem that premiered in March 2020 (yikes) and yet still seems underseen. “Wayward” is a sizable departure in genre and tone, but that’s an exciting choice for a young talent, and Martin has earned a little trust. Plus, she had the good sense to cast Toni Collette, who’s always worth watching. -
3. “Interview with the Vampire” Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Larry Horricks / AMC Release Date: Tuesday, September 30
Creator: Rolin Jones
Cast: Jacob Anderson, Sam Reid, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, Ben Daniels, Bally Gill, Suzanne Andrade, Esme Appleton, Jake Cecil, Roxane Duran, Christopher Geary, Khetphet Phagnasay, Yung Nguyen
Format: 8 hourlong episodes
Official Synopsis: “In the year 2022, the vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Anderson) recounts his life story to journalist Daniel Molloy (Bogosian). Picking up from the bloody events in New Orleans in 1940 when Louis and teen fledgling Claudia (Hayles) conspired to kill the Vampire Lestat de Lioncourt (Reid), Louis tells of his adventures in Europe, a quest to discover Old World Vampires and the Theatre Des Vampires in Paris, with Claudia. It is in Paris that Louis first meets the Vampire Armand (Zaman). Their courtship and love affair will prove to have devastating consequences both in the past and in the future, and Molloy will probe to get to the truths buried within the memories.”
Best Reason to Watch: Um, it’s incredible? One of the best shows of 2024? Sam Reid’s stagebound return evokes the perfect blend of giddy/terrified glee? You just gotta watch it, guys. And I say that as someone who really struggled to get through the first half of Season 1. -
4. “Wednesday” Season 2, Part 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Helen Sloan / Netflix Release Date: Wednesday, September 3
Creator: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar
Cast: Jenna Ortega, Steve Buscemi, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Luis Guzmán, Hunter Doohan, Billie Piper, Isaac Ordonez, Victor Dorobantu, Georgie Farmer, Moosa Mostafa, Evie Templeton, Owen Painter, Noah Taylor, and Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo
Format: 8 hourlong episodes (4 in each Part)
Official Synopsis: “Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega), returns to prowl the Gothic halls of Nevermore Academy, where fresh foes and woes await. This season, Wednesday must navigate family, friends, and old adversaries, propelling her into another year of delightfully dark and kooky mayhem. Armed with her signature razor-sharp wit and deadpan charm, Wednesday is also plunged into a new bone-chilling supernatural mystery.”
Best Reason to Watch: Steve Buscemi. With apologies to the rest of the cast and director Tim Burton, only Buscemi is operating at the proper levels of weirdo delight. Here’s hoping he can keep it up for four more hours (and however many more seasons “Wednesday” decides to run). -
5. “Haunted Hotel”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Friday, September 19
Creator: Matt Roller
Cast: Will Forte, Eliza Coupe, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides, Jimmi Simpson
Format: 10 half-hour episodes
Official Synopsis: “’Haunted Hotel’ will center on a single mother of two who struggles to run the Undervale, a hotel that happens to be haunted. Luckily, she has some help from her estranged brother … who is now one of the ghosts and thinks his fellow phantoms have some pretty good ideas.”
Best Reason to Watch: The trailer looks a little formulaic — like, Adult Animation + Family Sitcom + CBS’s “Ghosts” — but Will Arnett is a sneaky-great voice actor. If you haven’t watched “The Great North” yet, definitely try that first. -
6. “The Great British Baking Show” Season 13
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Friday, September 5
Executive Producers: Letty Kavanagh, Richard McKerrow, Kieran Smith, Jenna Mansfield
Hosts: Noel Fielding, Alison Hammond
Judges: Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith
Format: 10 hourlong episodes
Official Synopsis: “Ready, set… bake! ‘The Great British Baking Show’ is back with a brand new season — and a brand new batch of talented amateur bakers from across the UK. In the iconic white tent, they’ll take on the ultimate baking challenges — from showstopping celebration cakes to perfect pastries — all under the watchful eyes of legendary judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. Each week, the bakers face Signature, Technical, and Showstopper challenges designed to test their creativity, skill, and nerves. One baker will be sent home, and one will rise to become this season’s winner.”
Best Reason to Watch: I’ve already picked the Season 13 villain, and it’s Iain — yes, his Gen Z mullet is terrible, and yes, his name is spelled wrong/annoyingly, but it’s the “self-proclaimed ‘Yeastie Boy’” that elevates him to true nemesis status. If you’re not running the bagel truck in Los Angeles, you can’t call yourself that. -
7. “Nashville” Seasons 1-6
Image Credit: Courtesy of ABC / Everett Collection Release Date: Monday, September 15
Creator: Callie Khouri
Cast: Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Clare Bowen, Eric Close, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Robert Wisdom, Powers Boothe, Chris Carmack, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, Will Chase, Oliver Hudson, Aubrey Peeples, Cameron Scoggins, Kaitlin Doubleday, Jeff Nordling
Format: 124 hourlong episodes
Official Synopsis: “The series chronicles the lives of various fictitious country music singers in Nashville, Tennessee, starring Connie Britton as Rayna Jaymes, a legendary country music superstar, whose stardom begins fading, and Hayden Panettiere as rising younger star Juliette Barnes.” (per Wikipedia)
Best Reason to Watch: The music is legit good, and Connie Britton is legit great (as always). -
The Rest of Incoming TV
Image Credit: Courtesy of Ben Blackall / Netflix “A Thousand Tomorrows” Season 1 (available September 1)
“Franklin & Bash” (available September 1)
“Orphan Black” Seasons 1-5 (available September 1)
“Pokémon Concierge” Season 1, Part 2 (available September 4)
“Love Con Revenge” (available September 5)
“The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity” (available September 7)
“Her Mother’s Killer” Season 2 (available September 8)
“Kiss or Die” (available September 9)
“The Dead Girls” (available September 10)
“Love Is Blind: Brazil” Season 5 (available September 10)
“Love Is Blind: France” (available September 10)
“Diary of a Ditched Girl” (available September 11)
“Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black” Season 2 (available September 11)
“Wolf King” Season 2 (available September 11)
“Maledictions” (available September 12)
“Ratu Ratu Queens: The Series” (available September 12)
“You and Everything Else” (available September 12)
“Ancient Aliens” Season 11 (available September 14)
“Call the Midwife” Series 14 (available September 15)
“S.W.A.T.” Season 8 (available September 15)
“1670” Season 2 (available September 17)
“Next Gen Chef” (available September 17)
“The BA***DS of Bollywood” (available September 18)
“Platonic: Blue Moon Hotel” (available September 18)
“Billionaires’ Bunker” (available September 19)
“Blippi’s Job Show” Season 2 (available September 22)
“Spartacus” Seasons 1-4 (available September 23)
“The Guest” (available September 24)
“Alice in Borderland” Season 3 (available September 25)
“House of Guinness” (available September 25)
“Angela” (available September 26)
“Pokémon Horizons” Season 2 — “The Search for Laqua” Part 4 (available September 26) -
TV Leaving Netflix in September
Image Credit: Courtesy of NBC / Everett Collection “Wipeout” Season 1 (leaving September 1)
“Greenleaf” Seasons 1-5 (leaving September 10)
“Chosen” Seasons 1-2 (leaving September 14)
“Band of Brothers” (leaving September 15)
“The Pacific” (leaving September 15)
“The Good Place” Seasons 1-4 (leaving September 26)
“Chappelle’s Show” Seasons 1-2 (leaving Seasons 1-2)
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