Top 7 Best Series of October
October, just before Halloween, is brimming with thrilling premieres. We can expect dozens of new series and new seasons of hit TV shows. Among the releases are the second season of the political thriller The Diplomat, an animated series about Lara Croft, the final 6th season of the vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows, the debut TV disaster dystopia Families Like Ours by Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt, Another Round), and the teenage adventure series about treasure hunting Outer Banks. And that's just the beginning.
In our selection, we've tried to include series from various genres, ranging from psychological thrillers, comedies, and sports dramas to sci-fi horror, action, and a satirical heavy-metal horror about the devil. With this list, cool October evenings will be more fun and exciting.
Disclaimer, Apple TV+
A psychological thriller from Oscar-winning director Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gravity), starring the ageless beauty Cate Blanchett, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Renée Knight. Well-known journalist Catherine Ravenscroft specialises in investigations that expose people. One day, Catherine receives a book and realises that she is now the subject of someone else’s investigation—the novel details events from her life that she has carefully hidden. Threatened with exposure and in a bid to save her reputation, career, and family, the heroine begins a search for the author of the scandalous book. Alongside Blanchett, several other brilliant stars appear in the film: Sacha Baron Cohen, Kevin Kline, and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
Sweetpea, Starz
Ella Purnell, star of the recent series Fallout and Yellowjackets, takes the lead role in this dark comedy with dramatic elements. Sweetpea, based on the novel of the same name by British writer C. J. Skuse, is a feminist twist on the classic tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At the centre of the story is Rhiannon Lewis, the most inconspicuous girl in the world. Ignored by her boss and colleagues at work, by passers-by on the street, even by the cashier at the supermarket. Her father is seriously ill, and her boyfriend doesn't seem too interested in continuing their relationship. One day, Rhiannon loses control and suddenly realises she's capable of anything—even murder. From that moment on, her life takes a dramatic turn. But it's not indifferent society that starts paying attention to her; it's the detectives who are tracking the killer. Now she has a new problem: keeping her "dark side" a secret.
La Máquina, Hulu
A knockout cocktail of testosterone, criminal showdowns, and hot Mexican men in a sports drama reminiscent of Guy Ritchie films and Rocky Balboa. Ageing boxer Esteban Osuna, nicknamed "The Machine," suffers a crushing defeat in the ring and hits rock bottom in every sense. His long-time friend, the cunning sports manager Andy Luhan, refuses to give up hope of returning the boxer to the big leagues and giving him a shot at the title. However, the stakes in the rematch are not just sporting glory but the lives of the participants, as criminal kingpins in the underworld of boxing have their own plans for the fight. Esteban will not only have to protect his family and friends in the ring but also battle his inner demons. Starring Spanish-Mexican cinema stars Diego Luna (Andor, Frida, Narcos: Mexico), Gael García Bernal (Amores Perros, Bad Education), and Eiza González (I Care a Lot, The Three-Body Problem).
Teacup, Peacock
Veteran horror-maker James Wan (Saw, Insidious) produced this series adaptation of Robert McCammon's cult 1988 sci-fi horror The Wolf's Hour. The story of an alien fugitive rebel pursued by an almost invincible "police" monster on Earth has been somewhat simplified and shortened, but this might not detract from the series, directed by Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone). Strange events start to unfold on a remote farm in Georgia. First, the son of the main characters disappears in the woods, and when he returns, he starts hearing voices in his head and behaving very oddly. Then, an unknown man in a gas mask sprinkles powder around the farm’s perimeter and advises the remaining inhabitants not only to stay within the boundary but also not to trust each other. Among the trapped, there’s something else lurking, trying to get to the isolated farmers by any means.
Citadel: Diana, Prime Video
The spy action series, a continuation of last year’s Citadel from the Russo brothers, one of the most expensive action series on television (the previous instalment had a budget of $300 million). The new season begins in Milan in 2030, where a decade earlier, the headquarters of the independent spy agency "Citadel" was destroyed by the criminal syndicate "Manticore." The main heroine, Citadel operative Diana Cavalieri, is a classic double agent acting as a "mole" in the enemy organisation. The slightest mistake could cost Diana her life and also put an end to the possibility of reviving Citadel and bringing the villains to justice. The superspy must find and trust the most unexpected ally. This series isn’t the final chapter of the franchise either, with a new instalment, the Indian spin-off Citadel: Honey Bunny, on the way.
The Franchise, HBO
The chaotic behind-the-scenes of a blockbuster shoot in this satirical production comedy from Hollywood titan Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917) and producer Armando Iannucci, who is despised by the fascist Russian regime for his biting comedy The Death of Stalin, makes for an unmissable series. We’re taken into the messy underbelly of any superhero film, the kind that Marvel and DC Comics churn out endlessly. The filming is in full swing, but everything is going wrong. Deadlines are flying out the window, stars are throwing tantrums, going off the rails, or simply disappearing, problems at home with spouses, and on set, everything is falling apart, with investors constantly breathing down their necks. Under these circumstances, the film crew and the director can only grit their teeth and try to complete the damned blockbuster without losing their sanity. The stellar cast burning out at work includes Himesh Patel, Billy Magnussen, Daniel Brühl, and Jessica Hynes.
Hysteria!, Peacock
A comedic horror film about a "witch hunt." In the 1980s, a local hero and university quarterback mysteriously disappears in a small town, and a pentagram symbol appears on the side of a house. The townsfolk are genuinely alarmed, and rumours about a nearby satanic cult start to spread. The ageing sheriff realises that his peaceful days leading up to retirement are over. Meanwhile, three young misfits, Dylan, Georgie, and Spud, decide to "cash in" on the trendy theme by forming a satanic heavy metal band called Dethkrunch. Naturally, they become the youth's favourites, outcasts among the adult population, and suspects in the eyes of the sheriff. The situation escalates when the rockers, in their "satanic" lyrics, accidentally plagiarise a few real satanic incantations from historical books in the local library. What follows is a literal illustration of how heavy metal can open real gates to hell, and what might crawl out of that hell. Playing the role of the elderly sheriff is Bruce Campbell, the cult horror actor of the late '80s, best known for his role as Ash in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead franchise.