Summary
Make time this week to watch the best new series that are debuting on broadcast and cable TV, Netflix, Disney Plus, and other streaming services, in addition to March Madness.
Several high-profile new shows are on the TV schedule this week, including the sci-fi drama “3 Body Problem,” a comedy-caper “Palm Royale,” and a relaunch of “X-Men ’97,” which is created by the writers of “Game of Thrones.” Also, “Top Chef” returns with a few significant tweaks. These are the programs we think are the best new this week.
3 Body Problem (Netflix)
As the follow-up to “Game of Thrones,” the sci-fi series adapts Liu Cixin’s Chinese book “The Three-Body Problem,” which has garnered significant attention. The credentials are undoubtedly strong since David Benioff and D.B. Weiss collaborate with Alexander Woo (“The Terror: Infamy”) and have executive producers Rian Johnson and Brad Pitt.
The payout is also excellent; according to my colleague Malcolm McMillan, “3 Body Problem” is the greatest program of 2024 so far. At a covert military facility in 1960s China, a young astronomer makes a crucial choice that has far-reaching effects on space and time. In the present, a team of scientists teams up with an unconventional detective to take on the worst danger to civilization to date.
debuts on Netflix on March 21 @ 3 a.m. ET.
Palm Royale(Apple TV Plus)
Just the mention of Kristen Wiig’s name piques my curiosity in a project. Add the renowned Carol Burnett, Allison Janney, and Laura Dern? I totally agree. Since the beginning of time, I have been there. In this miniseries, which is set in 1969, Wiig plays the aspirational Maxine Simmons, a lady who wants to get involved in Palm Beach high society.
Maxine will be put to the test as she attempts to walk the line between the haves and the have-nots, but getting a place at the glitzy, elite table will be a tricky affair. She will have to answer the age-old query: How far will you go to achieve your goals?
premieres on Apple TV Plus on March 20 at 12 a.m. ET.
‘Top Chef’ season 21 (Bravo)
The Emmy-winning reality competition program is revamping its lineup after 20 seasons. Tom Colicchio, Gail Simmons, and season 10 champion Kristen Kish replace departing host and judge Padma Lakshmi. After visiting Madison and Milwaukee’s culinary districts, Season 21 travels to Wisconsin (yes, you read that correctly) for a unique high-seas conclusion aboard a Holland America Line cruise ship.
Season 21 will bring about a number of significant changes, including a new host and location. Firstly, all 15 cheftestants will now be eligible to win cash prizes at every Quickfire Challenge and immunity will be up for grabs in the Elimination Challenge.
Episodes stream on Peacock the next day. Premieres March 20 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo (via Sling or Fubo).
Homicide: New York (Netflix)
This documentary series, which is billed as Dick Wolf’s “Law & Order” in real life, really steals the show from the headlines as it tells the tales of prominent murder cases from the perspectives of the police and prosecutors who solved them.
They discuss their methods for handling the gory cases, which range from the iconic Carnegie Deli massacre in 2001 to the 1997 stabbing death of a man in Central Park. In addition to survivors and other professionals, the relatives and friends of the victims also share their memories.
debuts on Netflix on March 20 at 3 a.m. ET.
‘X-Men ‘97’ (Disney Plus)
“X-Men: The Animated Series” was one of my favorite Saturday morning cartoons as a child, so I’m thrilled that it’s getting a resurrection that picks up where it left off. The titular group of gifted mutants must overcome perilous new obstacles in the wake of the death of Professor X.
Lenore Zann as Rogue, Cal Dodd as Wolverine, and Alison Sealy-Smith as Storm are just a few of the voice actors from the original animated series that are back. The main antagonist of season one is a doctor named Mister Sinister (Christopher Britton), who gains abilities after becoming fixated with mutants.
Arrives on Disney Plus on March 20 @ 3 a.m. ET
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