Unveiling November's New TV Premieres: From 'Lawmen: Bass Reeves' to 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters'

Black Cake

Get ready for a thrilling month of television as we enter the final months of 2023. While the outdoors may be cooling down with falling leaves and chilly temperatures, the small screen is heating up with a captivating lineup. This month, you won't want to miss Oprah Winfrey's Black Cake, a gripping tale filled with mystery, murder, and long-held family secrets. Netflix is bringing us an exciting adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See, set during World War II. Additionally, they have an original adult animation called Blue Eye Samurai and an animated version of Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, based on the popular graphic novels by Scott Pilgrim.

If you're a fan of historical Westerns, then you'll be thrilled to know that David Oyelowo and Taylor Sheridan have teamed up for Lawmen: Bass Reeves on Paramount+. This series follows the fascinating life of U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves. In The Curse, a unique collaboration between Showtime and A24, Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder take on the world of house flipping for HGTV. Apple TV+ offers us The Buccaneers, a captivating period romance infused with the power of female friendship. And be sure to watch Emma Corrin in A Murder at the End of the World, where she showcases her detective skills in a suspenseful whodunit.

But that's not all! We have even more exciting television coming your way. Prepare for the return of the acclaimed series The Crown and witness the iconic Charles Dickens character come to life in a fresh and intriguing adaptation. And just when you thought things couldn't get any more thrilling, Godzilla makes an unexpected appearance, shaking up the father-son bonding time between Kurt and Wyatt Russell. So grab your remotes and get ready to indulge in these captivating stories while enjoying your favorite holiday foods. With so much to offer, this month's TV lineup is sure to keep you entertained.

Release Date: November 1 on Hulu

All the Light We Cannot See

Presented by Oprah Winfrey, Black Cake is a miniseries adapted from Charmaine Wilkerson's bestselling novel featured in The New York Times. Following the passing of Eleanor Bennett (portrayed by Chipo Chung), her estranged children, Byron (played by Ashley Thomas) and Benny (portrayed by Adrienne Warren), temporarily reconcile to receive a flash drive containing shocking revelations about their mother's undisclosed past. This captivating story begins with Eleanor's original name, Covey, and unravels the tale of her life after leaving Jamaica to escape an arranged marriage and evade murder charges. Eleanor/Covey's posthumous memoir reveals a series of secrets that profoundly impact the futures of Byron and Benny, while contemplatively exploring the complexities of family heritage.

Release Date: November 2 on Netflix

Blue Eye Samurai

All the Light We Cannot See is a captivating story set in Nazi-occupied Europe over a span of ten years. The book follows the parallel lives of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl portrayed by Aria Mia Loberti, and Werner Pfennig, a German boy played by Louis Hofmann, who is enlisted in the Nazi military due to his technological abilities. During the Battle of Saint-Malo, a turning point in World War II, Werner stumbles upon Marie-Laure's radio broadcasts, leading to a brief but profound connection between the two characters. The highly anticipated Netflix adaptation, featuring Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and Lars Eidinger, brings Anthony Doerr's award-winning novel to life, with Shawn Levy as the director and Steven Knight, known for his work on Peaky Blinders, as the screenwriter.

Release Date: November 3 on Netflix

Maya Erskine takes on the role of Mizu, a samurai of mixed heritage in the thrilling series Blue Eye Samurai. Fueled by a lifetime of suffering and the tragic loss of her mother at the hands of corrupt white men in 17th century Japan, Mizu embarks on a quest for revenge. However, as women are traditionally forbidden from becoming samurais, Mizu disguises her true identity and hides her distinct blue eyes that betray her ethnicity. Co-created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, the latter known for his work on notable films such as Logan and Blade Runner 2049, Blue Eye Samurai is hailed as an amalgamation of "Kill Bill" and "Yentl." Under the supervision of director Jane Wu, whose impressive portfolio includes the critically acclaimed "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," this captivating adult animated series merges 2D and 3D animation styles to deliver a visually stunning, visceral experience. Joining the cast are esteemed actors Masi Oka, Darren Barnet, Brenda Song, George Takei, Randall Park, Kenneth Branagh, Stephanie Hsu, Ming-Na Wen, and Harry Shum Jr.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Release Date: November 3 on Paramount+

A riveting tale unfolds in Lawmen: Bass Reeves, bringing to life the story of a true legend. Renowned actor David Oyelowo takes the helm and also serves as executive producer for this Western, created by Taylor Sheridan. Inspired by the remarkable journey of Bass Reeves, a formerly enslaved African American man who rose to become one of America's inaugural Black U.S. Marshals, the series showcases Reeves' fearlessly arresting approximately 3,000 dangerous criminals throughout his law enforcement career west of the Mississippi River, all while purportedly avoiding personal harm. Adding to the stellar cast are industry stalwarts Donald Sutherland and Dennis Quaid, alongside talented actors Lauren E. Banks and Garrett Hedlund, ensuring a captivating eight-episode drama.

The Buccaneers

Release Date: November 8 on Apple TV+

Colin From Accounts

A 1870s period piece, The Buccaneers, is a captivating adaptation of author Edith Wharton's unfinished novel. Set in the vibrant city of London, the story revolves around a group of sophisticated ladies from New York's high society. Their progressive attitudes and unreserved behavior clash with the traditional and refined English society. However, amidst the cultural divide, passion ignites, leading to tantalizing affairs and intricate love triangles involving prestigious lords and dukes. Throughout their journey, the bonds of friendship among the Buccaneers endure as the most cherished relationships in their lives. This mesmerizing series features a talented ensemble cast including Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah, Aubri Ibrag, Imogen Waterhouse, and Christina Hendricks, while an all-women production team brings this captivating tale to life.

Release Date: November 9 on Paramount+

The world needs more adult romantic comedies, and Colin From Accounts, the Australian series created by Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall, seems poised to fulfill that demand. Starring as Ashley and Gordon, a pair of professionals in Sydney, Australia, the husband and wife creative team bring their charming chemistry to the screen. Their meet-cute occurs when Harriet accidentally exposes herself to Patrick while crossing the street, prompting a comical chain of events. In an attempt to avoid the awkward situation, Patrick unintentionally hits a dog with his car, but fortunately, the dog, named Colin, survives. However, Patrick's bank account may not fare as well due to the immense medical expenses. Spanning eight episodes, Colin From Accounts guarantees entertainment for viewers seeking a dose of adult romantic comedy.

Beacon 23

Release Date: November 12 on MGM+

If you're in the mood for more science fiction in the style of Apple TV+'s Silo, you're in luck. Beacon 23, a new psychological mystery-thriller on MGM+, is set in deep space and draws inspiration from Hugh Howey's short story. Howey is also the author of the Silo book series. Lena Headey and Stephan James portray Aster and Halan, two strangers trapped on a space "lighthouse." Unsure if they can trust each other, their survival may depend on making a difficult choice.

The Curse

Release Date: November 12 on Showtime

Showtime and A24, the independent movie studio, have teamed up to bring audiences an intriguing dark comedy. In this captivating film, we are introduced to a married couple named Whitney, portrayed by the talented Emma Stone, and Asher, played by Nathan Fielder. As the stars and hosts of an HGTV series, their main focus is flipping houses within their community. However, beneath their seemingly noble objective of assisting the neighborhood through their concept of Flipanthropy, a disturbing truth emerges. It appears that Whitney and Asher, despite their claims, are just another white couple exploiting people of color for personal gain. Furthermore, there may even be a curse looming over their deceptive actions, although the true nature of this curse remains shrouded in mystery. Adding to the intrigue, Benny Safdie takes on the dual role of executive producer and co-star in this gripping production titled "The Curse." As the producer of Flipanthropy, Safdie's involvement promises a thought-provoking exploration of the consequences tied to manipulative intentions.

A Murder at the End of the World

Release Date: November 14 on Hulu

Invitations to stay in a remote place from strangers never end well. Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, the creative partners behind the unfairly canceled Netflix series The OA, are back with A Murder at the End of the World, a psychological thriller-mystery featuring amateur Gen Z detective Darby Hart (played by Emma Corrin from The Crown). A mysterious host (portrayed by Clive Owen) invites Darby and eight other individuals to a secluded snowy location for a "retreat." As expected from an Agatha Christie novel, one of the guests dies, most likely through murder, putting the lives of others at risk. Darby's mission is to uncover the truth and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters

Release Date: November 17 on Apple TV+

If you can't wait until April 2024 for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, you're in luck. The newest addition to the MonsterVerse franchise, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, features Kurt Russell leading an all-star cast. In the aftermath of a destructive Godzilla battle in San Francisco, two young survivors and siblings decide to investigate the enigmatic Monarch organization and its connection to ancient creatures such as Godzilla. While uncovering the truth, the siblings also discover their own family's deep-rooted ties to Monarch's "monstrous" legacy. Wyatt Russell co-stars alongside his father, as well as Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, and John Goodman.

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

Release Date: November 17 on Netflix

The Artful Dodger

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, an animated adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's beloved graphic novels, welcomes back the entire cast from Edgar Wright's 2010 live-action film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, Brie Larson, and more reprise their roles as 20-something amateur-musician Scott Pilgrim battles his dream girl's (Winstead) seven evil exes. O'Malley co-creates and co-writes this series, which explores the same premise as Wright's film: defeating the exes to win the heart of the girl of his literal dreams.

Release Date: November 29 on Hulu

If you are a fan of Charles Dickens or enjoy stories about charming antiheroes, then this is the perfect show for you. Hulu's The Artful Dodger, created by James McNamara, continues the journey of "Artful Dodger" Jack Dawkins (played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster), a young pickpocket from Dickens' classic novel Oliver Twist. In this series, Dawkins has left behind his life of crime and has now become a surgeon. However, as he tries to navigate through high society and keep his past a secret, his former boss Fagin (played by David Thewlis), a somewhat villainous character, reappears and threatens to disrupt Dawkins' plans. To add to the complexity of his life, Dawkins finds himself falling for Lady Belle Fox (played by Maia Mitchell), a woman ahead of her time who aspires to become Australia's first female surgeon.

Obliterated

Release Date: November 30 on Netflix

New Seasons

In the comedic series Obliterated, brought to you by Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald, the creators of Cobra Kai, we explore the chaotic scenario of saving the world while enduring a hangover. This hilarious tale introduces a group of individuals who are far from perfect, yet find themselves tasked with yet another mission after an eventful night of celebration. One can only imagine the tremendous headache they must face. Starring Nick Zano, Shelley Hennig, Terrence Terrell, Alyson Gorske, C. Thomas Howell, Eugene Kim, and Paola Lázaro.

November 3

Invincible (Season 2 Part 1, Prime Video)

November 8

The Santa Clauses (Season 2, Disney+)

November 9

Rap Sh!t (Season 2, Max)

November 10

For All Mankind (Season 4, Apple TV+)

November 16

The Crown (Season 6 Part 1, Netflix)

Ghosts UK (Season 1, CBS)

Julia (Season 2, Max)

November 21

Fargo (Season 5, FX)

November 30

Virgin River (Season 5 Part 2, Netflix)

Editor's P/S

As a TV enthusiast, I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming releases for November. The diverse lineup has something to offer everyone, from gripping dramas to captivating mysteries and epic tales. One of the shows I am most excited about is "Black Cake," presented by Oprah Winfrey. This miniseries, based on Charmaine Wilkerson's bestselling novel, promises a thrilling exploration of family secrets and complex relationships. The story follows the estranged children of Eleanor Bennett as they uncover shocking revelations about their mother's past through a posthumous memoir. With a talented cast and Winfrey's involvement, "Black Cake" is sure to be a captivating and thought-provoking watch.

Another standout for me is "All the Light We Cannot See," a Netflix adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Anthony Doerr. Set during World War II, the series delves into the intertwined lives of a blind French girl and a German boy caught up in the conflict. The story's exploration of human resilience and connection in the face of adversity is both poignant and timely. With Shawn Levy directing and Steven Knight adapting the screenplay, I have high hopes for this highly anticipated series.