As network television’s fall schedule is heating up, Netflix is holding down the fort with its extraordinary smattering of new and returning series to keep you entertained as the temperatures begin to dip. Known for extraordinary content and the ability to binge-watch until your heart’s content, Netflix’s upcoming lineup of series is one of the most anticipated of the year.
From new historical dramas to shows featuring some of Hollywood’s brightest, plus the conclusion of the biggest franchise to ever hit the streamer, everyone will be well taken care of with something to watch. To prepare you for fall on Netflix, here are the best shows you’re definitely going to want to watch.
10
‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Season 2
November 4
Feeling as if something is missing now that Squid Game has concluded? Thankfully, you’re in luck! Season 2 of Squid Game: The Challenge is just around the corner. Inspired by the hit South Korean survival drama, 456 real-life individuals put themselves through social, strategic, and physical turmoil in hopes of earning the massive cash prize of $4.56 million. If Season 1 is any indication, the battle will be brutal, and it’s truly anybody’s game to win. Haven’t seen it yet? Fret not, no one actually gets killed. As seen on Season 1, the reality show has informed the scripted series. Squid Game: The Challenge featured a mother-son duo, LeAnn and Trey Plutnicki, which inspired a similar plotline during Season 2 and 3.
The ultimate test of strategy, alliances, and endurance will return with higher stakes and even more shocking twists. Featuring games from the second and third season of the original show, Squid Games fans will certainly recognize the rainbow racetrack. Plus, there will be never-before-played games that even the most devoted fans will be in shock at. Want your chance at Squid Game: The Challenge? Recruitment is underway for Season 3!
9
‘Genie, Make a Wish’ Season 1
October 3
Never ever sleep on scripted content coming out of South Korea. Instead of a gripping drama, the latest Netflix original series will be a fantasy romantic comedy called Genie, Make a Wish. Written by Kim Eun-sook, the series follows a genie named Iblis (Kim Woo-bin), who awakens from a thousand-year slumber. Haven’t granted a wish in ages, he meets a young woman named Ka-young (Bae Suzy) who changes his fate, just as he changes hers. Granting three wishes, their journey is filled with both conflict and comedy.
The K-fantasy romcom is destined to give fans exactly what they wish. The series marks the reunion of the show’s two leads since starring in the series Uncontrollably Fond in 2016. This time, their reunion will be in a story blending ancient magic and modern romance for a feel-good story. Genie, Make a Wish drops just in time for Korea’s Chuseok holiday.
8
‘The Witcher’ Season 4
October 30
After the first images of Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia dropped, there was a flurry of fan reaction. Some were excited and optimistic about the new casting. Others were less than enthusiastic about losing Henry Cavill as the lead. Nevertheless, the anticipation is high for The Witcher‘s long-awaited return after two years. Having filmed Seasons 4 and 5 back-to-back, Andrezej Spakowki’s books will come to an epic conclusion with Hemsworth at the helm.
Following Season 3’s Continent-altering events, Geralt, Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), and Ciri (Freya Allen) will find themselves separated by a raging war and countless enemies. As their paths diverge, they encounter new, unexpected allies along the way, eager to join in their journey. If they can accept these new-found families, the trio may have a shot at reuniting in the end. Joining the cast will be legendary actor Laurence Fishburne as Regis. Fishburne’s character is a world-wise barber-surgeon with a mysterious past. The character, a fan-favorite from the books and games, is certain to bring intrigue to the next chapters of the story. The adventure continues just in time for Halloween. Show of hands: who’s dressing up as Hemsworth’s Geralt?
7
‘House of Guinness’ Season 1
October 25
Pour one out for everyone’s favorite Irish brew! Netflix’s entry for historical drama comes in the form of House of Guinness. Yes, that Guinness. Created for television by Steven Knight, House of Guinness follows the legendary family behind the Guinness brewing company in 19th-century Ireland and New York. The series explores the aftermath and impact surrounding the death of Benjamin Guinness, the man responsible for the brewery’s success. The four children each have a dark secret to hide as they hold the brewery’s fate in their hands. This is a real-life family drama like no other.
Said to be a lot juicier than Downton Abbey, House of Guinness brings viewers through the rich history behind the company without leaving anything to the imagination. If you love period pieces, this one’s for you! Playing the quartet of Guinness siblings are Anthony Boyle as Arthur, Louis Partridge as Edward, Emily Fairn as Anne, and Fionn O’Shea as Ben. Additionally, the cast will feature the likes of James Norton, Jack Gleeson, and Niamh McCormack.
6
‘The Beast in Me’ Season 1
November 13
It’s time for a brand new thrilling cat-and-mouse game on Netflix. Led by Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me follows grieving mother and author Aggie Wiggs (Danes) who has turned into a ghost of her former self. Having retreated from public life, she suddenly finds an unlikely subject for a book: her new neighbor Nille Jarvis (Rhys), a real estate mogul who was the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance. As Aggie hunts for the truth about the potential murderer next door, the battle between who is the monster and who is the bad neighbor becomes a struggle.
Created by The X-Files‘ Gabe Rotter and led by showrunner Howard Gordon, who worked with Danes on Homeland, the eight-episode thriller has some big names attached. Included in the cast are Jonathan Banks, Deirdre O’Connell, Will Brill, Natalie Morales, and Brittany Snow, fresh off of her run on The Hunting Wives. Additionally, Jodie Foster, Jeff Ross, and Conan O’Brien are both billed as producers on the series. With a high-profile list of individuals attached, The Beast in Me gives viewers a captivating glimpse of a woman chasing someone’s demons while attempting to flee her own.
5
‘The Diplomat’ Season 3
October 16
The Diplomat, everyone’s favorite political thriller, is back for an astonishing Season 3. Things are about to become much more complicated overseas for Kate Wyler (Keri Russell). After accusing Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) of hatching a terrorist plot, the chessboard gets flipped as Kate attempts to earn the VP post just as the VP becomes the leader of the free world following the president’s death. Which may have inadvertently occurred at the hands of Kate’s husband Hal (Rufus Sewell). As Kate falls into a position she originally never wanted, she seeks new alliances and bonds as she fights for new freedoms.
The rapid-fire diplomatic dialogue returns with a new cast member. Fresh off of concluding The Handmaid’s Tale, Bradley Whitford arrives to play First Gentleman Todd Penn. Yes, that’s right. The White House’s first family is a fully-fledged The West Wing reunion! If you weren’t already a fan of The Diplomat, the Janney-Whitford pairing is what political drama dreams are made of.
4
‘Boots’ Season 1
October 9
Attention! Netflix is about to deliver the ’90s-inspired coming-of-age comedic drama you never knew you needed. Inspired by former US Marine Greg Cope White‘s memoir The Pink Marine, Boots takes viewers through the tough, unpredictable world of the US Marine Corps when Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was still overwhelming those in the military. Knowing being gay in the military is illegal, Miles Heizer plays directionless, closeted Cameron Cope and his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), the son of a decorated Marine, as they join a diverse group of recruits. Navigating the literal and metaphorical landmines of boot camp, forging unlikely bonds, and discovering their true selves, Boots is the inspiring story of finding your place in the world through resiliency and friendship.
Though the series departs its original time period from the source material, Boots‘ setting brings a new perspective to the struggles the closeted recruits faced while hoping to serve their country while potentially doing a disservice to themselves. Joining Heizer in the ensemble cast is Vera Farmiga as Barbara, Cameron’s narcissistic mother. Reporting for duty on the series was, prior to his passing, Norman Lear as executive producer. As one of the only new LGBTQ+ centric series on the docket, the series arrives during an important time in storytelling.
3
‘Wayward’ Season 1
September 25
Though Mae Martin is best known for making you laugh, they are bringing a haunting new thriller to Netflix to prepare you for the crisp evenings of autumn. Whisking viewers away to Tall Pines, a bucolic town where nothing is what it seems, Wayward introduces you to Tall Pines Academy, a school where questionable methods abound and trust is in low supply. The dark underbelly of the troubled teen industry is explored as police officer Alex Demsey (Martin) and his pregnant wife, Laura, (Sarah Gadon), meet two students desperate to escape from Tall Pines Academy. Led by the sinister Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette), the mystery unravels as Alex investigates everything rotten in this picture-perfect town with Evelyn’s fingerprints on everything.
A perfect Halloween-season pleasure, Martin’s Wayward navigates a difficult topic of adolescence through engaging storytelling and captivating twists and turns. With Colette at the forefront of this terrifying series, horror fans are destined to be satisfied with this eight-episode series. With a tinge of Twin Peaks tossed in, Martin draws from their own experience to tell a story they’ve been dying to tell.
2
‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 2
October 23
In 2024, Nobody Wants This became the breakout comedy nobody expected. Now, returning for its sophomore season, the Kristen Bell-Adam Brody-led romcom is back for more. Now that we’ve seen the love in store from Joanne and Noah, we’re all ready for more! The hit Erin Foster comedy is so back as Season 2 dives even deeper into the lovebirds’ story. Just like the fans fell hard for Joanne and Noah, they, too, have fallen for each other. Now, they must navigate each other’s friends, day-to-day routines, and those milestones you hit during those first few months together.
The biggest news coming into Season 2 is the addition of Leighton Meester, Brody’s real-life partner, in a guest stop as Abby, Joanne’s nemesis from middle school who has since turned into one of those social media mommy influencers. Additionally, expect appearances from Miles Fowler, Alex Karpovsky, Arian Moayed, Kate Berlant, and, oh yeah, Emmys darling Seth Rogen. The highly-anticipated second season will be the perfect snuggle show this fall.
1
‘Stranger Things’ Season 5, Volume 1
November 26
All good things must come to an end. As such, the conclusion of Stranger Things‘ epic story is upon us. While we mourn the end, the reality is, we’ve grown up with the kids of Hawkins. No, literally. But what hasn’t changed is their hunger for adventure and saving their Indiana hamlet from Demogorgons. As seen in the highly-anticipated trailer that dropped in July, military personnel have stormed Hawkins as the gang faces their biggest test yet with whatever Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) has in store.
Picking up in the Fall of 1987, our heroes are determined to terminate Vecna at all cost. Does that mean we’ll have a casualty or two along the way? It’s Stranger Things —anything can happen! With a military quarantine and the hunt for Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) heightened, the teens and adults face hurdles and obstacles like never before. Fans are eager for answers to some of the biggest mysteries inside the horror thriller. Will we learn more about the Upside Down as Will’s (Noah Schnapp) disappearance anniversary looms? Well, the series finale title is called “The Rightside Up”, so some resolution and answers are coming. Right?
