Your Ultimate Guide to the Hottest New TV Shows & Series Streaming This Week

Get ready to binge! We've got the scoop on all the must-see new series and returning favorites hitting your screens from Netflix, Prime Video, and more this October. Grab your snacks, because your watchlist just got a whole lot longer!

TL;DR: Quick Look at What's Streaming Now!

• Netflix's Big Return: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody are back with more romantic chaos in Nobody Wants This Season 2, dropping October 24.
• Mysteries & Thrillers Galore: Dive into Harlan Coben's twisty new series Lazarus on Prime Video (Oct 22) or catch Keri Russell's high-stakes political drama in The Diplomat Season 3 on Netflix (Oct 16).
• So Much More to Explore: From intense true crime docs to unique British thrillers and even a new vampire series, there's a fresh show for every mood hitting your favorite platforms.

Your Screen Time Just Got a Serious Upgrade This Week

Alright, fellow couch commanders and streaming aficionados, buckle up! This week, roughly spanning from mid-October right into the weekend of October 19-25, is absolutely stacked with fresh content. Whether you're into laugh-out-loud rom-coms, mind-bending mysteries, or true-to-life dramas that will have you on the edge of your seat, there's literally something for everyone. We've dug through all the new releases so you don't have to, bringing you the lowdown on what's worth your precious viewing hours.

Netflix Keeps the Rom-Com Vibes Strong with a Fan Favorite's Return

Let's kick things off with a show that everyone, apparently, does want. Nobody Wants This Season 2 is officially back on Netflix, hitting your queues on Thursday, October 24, at 3:01 a.m. ET. Our favorite unlikely duo, sex podcaster Joanne (the ever-charming Kristen Bell) and hot rabbi Noah (Adam Brody), are still navigating their surprisingly sweet but complicated relationship.

Last we checked in, their chemistry was undeniable, but the cultural hurdles were real. This new season promises to throw even more challenges their way. Will Noah's family finally embrace their inter-faith romance? How will Joanne handle Shabbat with her famously plain-speaking podcast persona? It's all about finding out if love can truly conquer all, even with differing traditions. Plus, look out for some fresh faces joining the cast, including Arian Moayed, Alex Karpovsky, and Leighton Meester, adding new layers to the sparkling rom-com dynamic. Expect breezy dialogue and plenty of laughs!

Harlan Coben's Newest Mystery and a Diplomatic Crisis Arrive on Your Screens

If you're anything like us, a good mystery or a high-stakes political thriller is exactly what the doctor ordered. And this week delivers! First up, prepare for some serious brain-bending with Harlan Coben's Lazarus, which landed on Prime Video on Wednesday, October 22, at 12:01 a.m. ET. Based on Coben’s own novel, this supernatural thriller introduces us to forensic psychologist Joel Lazarus (Sam Claflin).

Joel returns home after his father, Dr. Jonathan Lazarus (played by the fantastic Bill Nighy), dies under mysterious circumstances that seem like a suicide. But things aren't adding up, and Joel starts having unexplained visions. He quickly gets pulled into solving cold cases, including one chillingly linked to his own sister's murder years ago. Co-written with BAFTA-winner Danny Brocklehurst, this series is described as "cheerfully absurd" yet full of psychological depth, blurring the lines between sanity and madness. All six episodes dropped at once, so get ready for an obsessive binge session!

Then, shifting gears to international intrigue, The Diplomat Season 3 has just dropped on Netflix, having arrived on Thursday, October 16. Keri Russell is back as US ambassador to the UK, Kate Wyler, and things are more intense than ever. Kate's juggling her demanding job amid international unrest with her own chaotic marriage to fellow politician Hal (Rufus Sewell). This season picks up after Kate's shocking accusation against Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) and her own ambition for the VP role. Oh, and the president's dead, possibly thanks to Hal. Netflix promises this season "flips the chessboard," showing Kate living the "particular nightmare that is getting what you want." It's definitely heating up in this political thriller!

Exciting New Thrillers and Intriguing Dramas to Keep You Hooked

But wait, there's more! The week is absolutely packed with other captivating series:

• The Iris Affair (Sky and NOW, from Thursday, October 16 at 9 p.m.): From Luther creator Neil Cross, this four-part Italy-set thriller stars Niamh Algar as Iris Nixon, a genius puzzle solver, and Tom Hollander as Cameron Beck, an entrepreneur who recruits her. When Iris discovers the terrifying potential of his top-secret tech, she steals a vital piece and vanishes, leading to a relentless cat-and-mouse chase.
• The Guest (Showtime, Sunday, October 20 at 9 p.m. ET): This four-part British series, which previously aired on BBC One, delves into an unhealthy and ultimately deadly dynamic between cleaner Ria (Gabrielle Creevy) and her wealthy boss Fran (Eve Myles). Their obsession with each other takes a dark turn.
• Blood (Netflix, from Sunday, October 19): Starring Adrian Dunbar (from Line of Duty), this psychological crime thriller centers on Cat (Carolina Main) who returns home after her mother's death and suspects her father, Jim (Dunbar), might be responsible. Prepare for dark family secrets to surface!
• Fearless (Netflix, from Monday, October 13): The late Helen McCrory stars as human rights lawyer Emma Banville in this six-part legal thriller. Emma fights to prove the innocence of a convict accused of a schoolgirl's murder, alongside Sir Michael Gambon.
• Incognito (Channel 4 streaming, from Friday, October 17): Walter Presents brings us this fresh police drama from the Netherlands. An undercover cop, Felix Hartman, investigates a seemingly ordinary bookkeeper, Lize Berg, who might actually be a dangerous crime lord. One wrong move could cost them everything.

Delve into Riveting True Crime Documentaries and Unexpected Genres

If true crime is your jam or you're looking for something a bit different, this week also serves up some fascinating watches:

• Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia (Netflix, from Wednesday, October 22): This documentary series examines the brutal 1993 battle for control within the Philadelphia mafia. It features interviews with mob soldiers and FBI agents who worked to end the war between old-school mobster John Stanfa and young upstart Joey Merlino. It’s a grim, gritty look at a real-life power vacuum.
• The Monster of Florence (Netflix, from Wednesday, October 22): A florid Italian drama that tells the chilling story of the serial killer who terrorized Florence between 1968 and 1985, preying on couples and responsible for 16 deaths. Despite two convictions, doubts remain about whether the true killer was ever caught.
• Murdaugh: Death in the Family (Disney+, from Tuesday, October 15): For fans of "trial of the century" sagas, this true crime drama unpacks the collapse of the wealthy and powerful Murdaugh family in South Carolina. When their son Paul is involved in a deadly boat crash, mysterious deaths tied to the family come to light.
• Witches of Essex (Sky Atlantic & NOW, from Tuesday, October 14 at 9 p.m.): Join Rylan Clark as he turns historian alongside Professor Alice Roberts to investigate the dark chapter of 16th and 17th century British witch trials, where hundreds of innocent women were murdered.
• Firebite (ITVX, from Wednesday, October 16): Looking for something truly unique? This series imagines the last vampire stronghold hidden beneath the Australian outback. These vampires, shipped from Britain in 1788, have been lurking and growing in hunger and numbers. A war is brewing!

Reality Competitions and Animated Adventures for Diverse Tastes

Don't think we forgot about reality TV or animated gems! There are some fresh entries here too:

• The Road (CBS, Sunday, October 20 at 9 p.m. ET): A country-music competition where 12 contestants vie to become the next opening act for Grammy winner Keith Urban. Keith Urban himself appears in the show, which he executive produced with music heavyweights like Blake Shelton and Taylor Sheridan.
• Hunted (Channel 4, from Sunday, October 12 at 9 p.m.): The hit "fake" fugitive drama is back! Twelve ordinary people try to outwit an elite team of hunters (police officers, cyber experts) for 21 days to win a share of £100,000. It's as thrilling as it sounds.
• The Celebrity Traitors (BBC One and BBC iPlayer, continues Wednesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 16 at 9 p.m.): If you've been glued to the celebrity version of this nail-biting game, you'll be desperate to know what happens after last week's cliffhanger. Will Kate Garraway survive the roundtable?
• Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (Netflix, from Tuesday, October 14): Anime fans, rejoice! This mature series, adapted from Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell games, follows black ops agent Sam Fisher (voiced by Liev Schreiber) as he uncovers a massive conspiracy, leading to intense espionage and action.
• Happy Town: Pumpkin Party (Sky Kids, from Monday, October 20): For the younger viewers (or the young at heart!), former Spice Girl Mel B narrates this cute Halloween special. Join Pep the hedgehog and Tabitha the ladybird for games, pumpkins, and age-appropriate spookiness.

Looking for More Laughs? International Comedies and Returning Favorites

And finally, a couple more to round out your viewing:

• Entrepreneurs (Disney+, from Thursday, October 23): This Spanish comedy skewers talentless, overprivileged millennials. Gonzalo, a millionaire's son, teams up with "entrepreneurship guru" Jacobo to create a hipster co-working space. But his sister Julia suspects a dark side to their dilettantism.
• Dreaming Whilst Black Season 2 (BBC Three, continues Thursday, October 16 at 10:10 p.m.; BBC One debut Monday, October 13 at 11:10 p.m.): This critically acclaimed, whip-smart comedy continues its second season. Kwabena starts his career directing a major TV series, but quickly finds it's not as progressive as it seems, challenging his values from the get-go.
• Bordertown (Channel 4, from Friday, October 24): This Finnish crime thriller returns, blending detective work with bleak psychological drama. Detective Kari Sorjonen, both gifted and troubled, focuses more on his kids after a domestic tragedy, even as his town is plagued by new crimes.

So, there you have it! A huge helping of new shows and returning series to keep you entertained this week. Happy watching!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Week's Top Shows When does Nobody Wants This Season 2 premiere? Nobody Wants This Season 2 officially premiered on Netflix on Thursday, October 24, at 3:01 a.m. Eastern Time. All episodes are likely available for binge-watching now! Is Harlan Coben's Lazarus a standalone series or part of a larger universe? Harlan Coben's Lazarus is based on an original idea by Coben, co-written with Danny Brocklehurst. While Coben is known for his interconnected stories, this series appears to be a self-contained six-episode psychological thriller, ideal for a complete binge. Where can I stream The Diplomat Season 3? The Diplomat Season 3 is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. It dropped on Thursday, October 16, so you can catch up on all the political drama right now. Are there any new true crime documentaries to watch this week? Yes, absolutely! Netflix has two new true crime offerings: Mob War: Philadelphia vs the Mafia and The Monster of Florence, both premiering on Wednesday, October 22. Disney+ also released Murdaugh: Death in the Family on October 15, digging into a major South Carolina scandal. Sources

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