Clean Slate
Where: Prime Video
When: February 6
What It Is: A traditional-ish comedy starring Laverne Cox, who plays a prodigal child returning to Alabama to reconnect with her estranged father, played by George Wallace, who was expecting his son, not daughter.
Why It’s Worth a Look: Norman Lear, the pioneering producer and writer behind classic, boundary-pushing sitcoms like All in the Family, changed TV by blending sharp satire with social commentary. His shows reflected the changing social landscapes, forcing viewers to reckon with uncomfortable truths in a way that was both entertaining and thought-provoking. Though Lear passed away, his impact lives on: He served as an executive producer on this show.
Yellowjackets
Where: Paramount + with Showtime
When: February 16
What It Is: The third season of the darkly humorous and critically acclaimed series about a high school girls soccer team that survived a plane crash.
Why It’s Worth a Look: Last season ended with a major death, and there are many mysteries left to be solved. The coming-of-age survival-drama blends incisive character study with horror elements, and a '90s grunge soundtrack. It’s not subtle, but the cast—both the adult and teenage versions of the girls—and emotional stakes are compelling, especially as the series digs into how trauma shapes lives. Plus, with Hilary Swank and Joel McHale joining as guest stars, it’s a great time to jump in if you haven’t already.
The White Lotus
Where: Max
When: February 16
What It Is: The third installment of Mike White’s hugely popular anthology series set at the titular fictional resort chain, this time in Thailand.
Why It’s Worth a Look: The White Lotus is the closest thing we have to a water cooler show despite the age of streaming television and remote work. White has promised a “supersized” serving of the series, with double the privilege and dysfunction. The biggest season yet includes Carrie Coon (The Leftovers), Walton Goggins (The Righteous Gemstones), Parker Posey (Party Girl), and the return of fan-favorite Natasha Rothwell reprising her role from season one. But nothing might be as big of a draw as Lalisa Manobal—better known as Lisa from Blackpink—who plays one of the hotel staff.
Zero Day
Where: Netflix
When: February 20
What It Is: A high-stakes conspiracy thriller starring Robert De Niro as a former president searching for the truth following a cyberattack.
Why It’s Worth a Look: TV shows have been snatching up movie stars for years now, but De Niro feels like the ultimate coup. Much of the plot details are under wraps, except to say that the world is rife with conspiracy and subterfuge. If this sounds too close to home and like it has the potential to go off the rails, just know that we’re in good hands—the episodes are all directed by Lesli Linka Glatter, one of the sharpest working writers today and a veteran of Mad Men and Homeland. Also on board are Angela Bassett, Lizzy Caplan, Jesse Plemons, and Connie Britton.
A Thousand Blows
Where: Hulu and Disney+
When: February 21
What It Is: A period drama revolving around interconnected lives set in 1880s London during the illegal boxing scene.
Why It’s Worth a Look: We can think of few better ways to pass the doldrums of Q1 than by sinking into the past. Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, is known for gritty realism and stylish cinematography, and his new series offers much of the same. Drawing from history, the drama follows two Jamaican immigrants and best friends (Francis Lovehall and Malachi Kirby) navigating East End London and crossing paths with the Forty Elephants, a girl gang.
Suits LA
Where: NBC
When: February 23
What It Is: A spin-off of the cult favorite legal drama that ran for nine seasons on USA.
Why It’s Worth a Look: One of the best parts of Suits were its memorable secondary characters and side-dramas. It’s also where Meghan Markle became a household name. The new iteration distinguishes itself by transposing the setting to Los Angeles and by expanding its focus to more lawyers at the new firm, and not just a central pair.
Dope Thief
Where: Apple TV+
When: March 14
What It Is: A Philly-set crime thriller about two friends who pose as DEA agents to rip off small-time drug dealers to disastrous consequences.
Why It’s Worth a Look: On-location shooting? Check. Two of-the-moment lead actors—Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) and Wagner Moura (Narcos)? Check. And an established genre-writer—Peter Craig (best known for The Town)? Double check. We’re not saying this is The Town in Philly, but... we’re not not saying it, either.
The Residence
Where: Netflix
When: March 20
What It Is: A murder mystery involving the expansive staff of the White House produced by Shonda Rimes.
Why It’s Worth a Look: The latest from Shondaland is packed with all the ingredients you crave: high-stakes drama, scandal, and murder set to an upstairs-downstairs backdrop. Add in a killer (pun intended) cast featuring Uzo Aduba and Randall Park, and you’ve got a show that’s as funny as it is suspenseful. Picture Downton Abbey meets Clue, with a healthy dose of political intrigue.
The Studio
Where: Apple TV+
When: March 26
What It Is: A half-hour comedy series about a beleaguered studio exec (played by Seth Rogen, who is also one of the show's co-creators) navigating the ins and outs of making movies, not films.
Why It’s Worth a Look: Over the years, a number of TV shows and flicks (Extras, Entourage, The Player) have taken aim at Hollywood, satirizing the industry's vanity, excesses, pretentiousness, and absurdities. Rogen’s version aims to do the same in a manner that is realistic and cringeworthy, offering up some big names playing exaggerated and unflattering versions of themselves. The cast is rounded out by Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, and Ike Barinholtz.
