It’s a bit of a transitional time in TV (and in the seasons): We’re moving between months, between holidays, between TV blocks. Some of fall’s biggest shows, like The Legend of Vox Machina and Slow Horses, have wrapped up, while a new tide — Lower Decks, What We Do in the Shadows, and Abbott Elementary — are just getting started.
So what does that mean for you, a viewer who’s interested in watching new TV? Well there’s a bit of a downswing (such that TV experiences that nowadays), and there’s time to catch up on things — maybe you’re behind on Like a Dragon: Yakuza? Or need a second to catch up with Hysteria!, the best new spooky season show? Hellbound season 2’s six episodes taking a second? Now’s the time! That is, if you’re not already gunning for the Agatha All Along/Grotesquerie double feature on Wednesday night.
Here’s the best new TV premieres and finales this week.
Genre: Political drama thriller
Release date: Oct. 31, with all episodes
Showrunner/creator: Debora Cahn
Cast: Keri Russell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, and more
The Diplomat season 2 picks up moments after season 1 ended — which, if you remember that season 1 ended with a surprise car bomb blowing up Kate’s (Keri Russell) husband, makes total sense. Especially given that she’d just (seemingly) pieced together who attacked a British ship in the beginning of the season, and the conspiracy might run far higher than she’s comfortable with. Suffice to say, there’s a lot that can happen in The Diplomat season 2, and this show has proved it’s able to turn on a dime.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
Genre: Nostalgia family show
Release date: Oct. 29, with two episodes
Showrunners/creators: Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas
Cast: David Henrie, Janice LeAnn Brown, Mimi Gianopulos, and more
Remember Wizards of Waverly Place? The 2000s Disney show that gave Selena Gomez her start? This is, as you might’ve guessed from the title, the sequel and spinoff to that one, now following Justin (David Henrie). He’s been brought back to life as a wizard thanks to a powerful new student, Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), who’s more like Gomez’s Alex than Justin might be prepared for.
Agatha All Along season finale
Genre: MCU witches
Release date: Oct. 30, with two final episodes
Showrunner/creator: Jac Schaeffer
Cast: Kathryn Hahn, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, and more
Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) has taken these witches down the witches’ road. We’ve seen visions and deaths. We’ve gotten a brand-new MCU addition, and we’ve gotten banger after banger on the soundtrack. One thing we can be sure of: She’s been Agatha all along. So where will that get her?
Grotesquerie season 1 finale
Image: FX
Genre: Ryan Murphy horror
Release date: Oct. 30 on FX at 10 p.m.; on Hulu the next day
Showrunner/creator: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Niecy Nash-Betts, Lesley Manville, Micaela Diamond, and more
Well folks, Ryan Murphy’s latest head scratcher (semi-derogatory) sure is wrapping up. To what — well, that’s anybody’s guess at this juncture. Grotesquerie has made a real run of tone, plot, murders, and the macabre. And now it’s… well! Winding down! In the way that only a Ryan Murphy joint can. What will Lois (Niecy Nash-Betts) uncover next? And will Travis Kelce be revealed to be an angel?