The 8 must-watch new TV shows this fall

Your TV to-do list for the new season includes a crime-solving granny, an aging boxer hoping for a comeback, an inter-faith romance, and more.

Grab your chunky knits, a pumpkin spice beverage, and the remote — fall TV is calling!

Approximately eleventy billion shows will debut between September and the end of November. After viewing them all — self fact-check: I watched 27 new series — I can report that the following eight will pair nicely with a crisp autumn evening and your couch.

'Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist' (Streaming now, Peacock)

Based on the 2020 podcast, Fight Night is an exquisitely cast true-crime yarn that blends a suspenseful mystery with emotional character drama and stranger-than-fiction twists. When Muhammad Ali (Dexter Darden) comes to Atlanta for his 1970 comeback fight, small-time hustler Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams (Kevin Hart) throws an exclusive after-party, hoping to impress notorious crime boss Frank Moten (Samuel L. Jackson). Alas, Chicken Man’s foray into the big-time implodes after armed robbers attack the party — leaving Frank to assume that Chicken Man and his cunning mistress, Vivian (Taraji P. Henson), were in on the heist. Unsurprisingly, the big stars in the ensemble — also including Don Cheadle as Detective J.D. Hudson and a hilariously be-wigged Terrence Howard as New Jersey gangster Cadillac Richie — are excellent. But a special shout-out is required for the fantastic supporting players, especially Sinqua Walls as reluctant robber McKinley Rogers and Myles Bullock as Willie Black, his charismatic and menacing partner in crime.

Related: What to expect from Yellowstone, 9-1-1, The Penguin and 74 other fall shows

'Three Women' (Fridays, Starz)

What’s that? You still need proof that Betty Gilpin is one of the best actresses working today? It’s all right there in Three Women, the steamy-sad-stirring adaptation of Lisa Taddeo’s 2019 best-seller. Gilpin gives a staggering performance as Lina, a desperately lonely Indiana woman whose husband (Sean Meehan) refuses to touch her. After spending years sublimating her anguish into chronic physical pain, Lina looks up an old boyfriend (Austin Stowell) on Facebook — which leads to a sexual awakening that’s both chaotic and undeniably beautiful. The intense and unflinching 10-episode drama also tells the story of Sloane (DeWanda Wise), a stunning event planner who enjoys threesomes with her husband (Blair Underwood) and a rotating cast of strangers; Maggie (Gabrielle Creevy), a young woman still reeling from an affair with her teacher (Jason Ralph) while in high school; and Gia (Shailene Woodley), a struggling author working on a book about female sexuality. 

'Matlock' (Thursdays, CBS)

Behold, the rare IP reboot that works! Created by Jenni Snyder Urman (Jane the Virgin) and starring Oscar-and-Emmy winner Kathy Bates, the new Matlock uses the old Andy Griffith drama (which ran from 1986 to 1995) as a plot point rather than a roadmap. When Madeline Matlock (Bates), a retired lawyer, talks her way into a job at a prestigious law firm, she convinces everyone — including her intimidating boss, Olympia (Skye P. Marshall) — that she’s a recent widow in need of a steady income. The truth, which we won’t spoil here, is a lot more interesting. Bates masterfully balances her character’s duality — unassuming old lady, and flinty, formidable adversary — and the show fuses case-of-the-week entertainment with a timely overarching mystery.

Related: Kathy Bates breaks down that massive Matlock premiere twist

'Nobody Wants This' (Sept. 26, Netflix)

A genuine rom-com in half-hour comedy form, Nobody Wants This stars Adam Brody as Noah, a recently single rabbi who falls for Joanne (Kristen Bell), a commitment-averse sex podcaster who is decidedly not Jewish. While Noah and Joanne’s obstacle-laden love story is central, Nobody expands its appeal — and makes itself sustainable as a series — by giving viewers more than two characters to root for. Some of the funniest moments come from the ensemble cast, including Veep alum Timothy Simons as Noah’s filter-free brother, Sasha; Succession’s Justine Lupe as Joanne’s skeptical sister (and podcast co-host), Morgan; and Broadway legend Tova Feldshuh as Noah’s mom, Bina, who isn’t about to let her son wind up with a shiksa.

'La Máquina' (Oct. 9, Hulu)

Aging boxer Esteban “La Maquina” Osuna (Gael García Bernal) is ready to hang up his gloves after an embarrassing loss, but his flamboyant, fast-talking manager/best friend Andy Lujan (Diego Luna) won’t let him retire without a rematch. Unfortunately, a shady deal from Andy’s past — and the champ’s shaky mental health — make the road to victory unexpectedly dangerous. Meanwhile, Esteban’s journalist ex-wife, Irasema (Eiza González), takes on a new reporting project that threatens to expose some sinister truths about the sweet science. Unsettling and laugh-out-loud funny, moving and mysterious, this Spanish-language dramedy from Marco Ramirez (The Defenders) is (don’t say it don’t say it don’t say it) a knockout.

Related: What to expect from Yellowstone, 9-1-1, The Penguin and 74 other fall shows

'Teacup' (Oct. 10, Peacock)

After gobbling up the four episodes Peacock made available for review, I have just one thing to say: Television needs more half-hour horror series! Scott Speedman and Yvonne Strahovski star as James and Maggie, an almost-estranged married couple raising two kids (Caleb Dolden and Émilie Bierre) on a rural Georgia farm. When an unexplained force isolates the town, everyone — including James’ ailing mom, Ellen (Kathy Baker), gun-toting neighbor Donald (Boris McGiver), and married couple Ruben (Chaske Spencer) and Valeria (Diany Rodriguez) — will have to put their simmering resentments aside to defeat it. Inspired by Robert McCammon’s 1988 bestseller Stinger, Teacup serves up pressure-cooker thrills with a side of M. Night Shyamalan vibes.

'Cross' (Nov. 14, Prime Video)

Alex Cross (Aldis Hodge) is a man of many tropes — uh, talents. He’s a brilliant forensic psychologist for the DC Metro Police, who can get even the most wily criminal to confess. He’s ridiculously handsome and a devoted father of two, but after the tragic murder of his wife, Maria (Chaunteé Schuler Irving), Cross unable to love anyone — including himself. Yes, Prime Video’s new James Patterson adaptation has all the Dad Fiction hallmarks, but it elevates them all with a fantastic lead, sharp writing, and a clear, unapologetic point of view. When they aren’t trying to prove that a local Black activist named Emir Goodspeed (Donovan Brown) was murdered, Cross and his level-headed partner/BFF John Sampson (Isaiah Mustafa) bicker like tight-knit siblings who really, really get on each other’s nerves. I’m not a dad, but these two are my new favorite TV couple.

Related: Cross team on why they didn't want to make a direct adaptation

'Landman' (Nov. 17, Paramount+)

Full disclosure: Paramount+ only provided one episode of this new Taylor Sheridan drama — starring Billy Bob Thornton as the unflappable fixer for a Texas oil company — but dagnabbit, that’s all it took. Sheridan’s latest dust-coated Western fuses hardscrabble frontier action with corporate intrigue and family drama. Thornton is typically magnetic as Tommy Norris, who spends his waking hours tackling crises out on the oil fields so the guys in suits — including Monty Miller (Jon Hamm) — can keep raking in money. The sprawling cast also includes Michael Peña, Andy García, Emilio Rivera, Ali Larter, and Demi freaking Moore. Looks like TV’s most prolific control freak might have struck (black) gold again.

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