Mysteries, migrant stories, and plenty of nostalgia are on the menu for November. Here are the new shows arriving on streaming services that Jenna Guillaume says you should be watching…
Blockbuster (November 3)
There’s something kind of twisted about Netflix streaming a show focused on the last Blockbuster Video store in America, but regardless this new sitcom looks like a lot of fun. It’s a workplace comedy created by someone with excellent experience in the genre: Vanessa Ramos, who was a writer for Superstore and Brooklyn 99. The show is about the lone remaining Blockbuster team as they struggle to keep their store open. Randall Park takes the lead as store manager Timmy, and joining him are Melissa Fumero, Tyler Alvarez, Madeleine Arthur, and Olga Merediz.
Lookism (November 4)
Lookism is an animation from Studio Mir, the creatives behind much of The Legend of Korra, plus The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf. It’s based on the extremely popular South Korean webtoon of the same name, which has racked up 8.7 billion views since it first began in 2014. The story follows a lonely, fat teenage boy who has been bullied his whole life, who suddenly wakes up one day in his ideal body—slim and conventionally hot. The next time he wakes up, he’s back in his old body, and each time he sleeps, he switches back and forth. Exploring body image and discrimination alongside the mystery of the main character’s body-switching, Lookism is directed by Kwang Il Han, while K-Pop group Ateez sing the theme song.
The Fabulous (November 4)
Another South Korean show, this time an eight-part drama about a group of millennials who are chasing their dreams in the fashion industry. Think glam clothes, work drama, friendship, and a good dose of romance. The Fabulous is the kind of show we’re used to seeing set in New York or even Paris (hello, Emily in Paris), so the Korean setting and characters offer a fresh take while the tone of the show sets it apart from many other K-dramas. It stars Chae Soo-bin and Choi Min-ho.
The English (November 11)
The English is set in the American West in 1890, but instead of the usual white men it centres on characters that Westerns don’t often focus on: a woman and a Native American man. Starring Emily Blunt as an aristocratic Englishwoman and Chaske Spencer as a Pawnee Nation man who is an ex-cavalry scout, the limited series follows their journey as they team up on a revenge mission. Rafe Spall, Tom Hughes, Toby Jones and Ciarán Hinds also star.
1899 (November 17)
From the creators of German cult hit Dark, Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar comes another twisted tale full of horror and supernatural mysteries. Set in—you guessed it—1899, the series follows a group of multi-national European migrants heading towards what they hope are better lives in New York City, only to slam into a living nightmare along the way when they encounter another mysterious migrant ship adrift on the open sea. Andreas Pietschmann, who played The Stranger in Dark, is joined by an ensemble cast from across Europe. Who says spooky season ends in October?
Welcome to Chippendales (November 22)
Did you know the history behind Chippendales, the iconic male striptease troupe, involved corporate sabotage and multiple murders? You will now, thanks to this based-on-a-true-story limited series set in 1970s America and following Somen “Steve” Banerjee, an Indian migrant who created the Chippendales brand—and ended up descending into darkness as a result. Created by The Wrestler screenwriter and Pam & Tommy creator Robert Siegel, Welcome to Chippendales stars Kumail Nanjiani as Banerjee, with Murray Bartlett, Annaleigh Ashford, Dan Stevens, and Juliette Lewis rounding out the cast.
Wednesday (November 23)
Baby goth Wednesday Addams has long been one of the most popular characters in every iteration of The Addams Family, and now she’s getting a show of her own. Wednesday follows her as a teenager, as she leaves home to become a student at Nevermore Academy. It’s part coming-of-age story, part supernatural mystery, as Wednesday investigates a killing spree and a decades-old drama involving her parents while trying to navigate her new school and her emerging powers. Directed by Tim Burton and infused with his trademark dark quirkiness, Wednesday also features theme music from Danny Elfman. Jenny Ortega takes on the lead role, while the adult cast consists of Luis Guzmán as Gomez, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, and Fred Armisen as Uncle Fester. Importantly, there’s even a small role for iconic 90s Wednesday Christina Ricci.
Willow (November 30)
Willow was one of the best of an excellent crop of fantasy adventure movies in the 80s and now it’s joining the new trend of nostalgic sequels and reboots in a series on Disney+. Developed by Solo: A Star Wars Story writer Jonathan Kasdan (son of original Star Wars co-writer Lawrence Kasdan), original movie director Ron Howard is on board as executive producer. Most importantly, Warwick Davis is back in the lead role of sorcerer Willow Ufgood, with many of the movie’s supporting cast also returning (although sadly, it seems, not Val Kilmer). From the trailer, the show looks to be nailing the right balance of nostalgia and fresh storytelling, appealing to both fans of the original movie and a whole new generation.
