The best new streaming shows this week (February 19

The best new streaming shows this week

This week we saw several new shows across various genres including a live-action remake of the Last of the Airbender series and much more.  Let’s jump right in and take a closer look at the best new shows debuting between February 19 to the 25th, in order from oldest to newest. 

Years active: 2017 – Ongoing

• Genre: Medical drama
• Rating: TV-14
• Creator: David Shore
  
• Cast: Freddie Highmore, Antonia Thomas, Paige Spara

After an accident during her time in space, an astronaut returns home safely to her family. This should have been a happy ending but on her return, she notices things aren’t quite right. There’s a piano in her home where there wasn’t before, she hears hallucinations, and many of the events from before her trauma no longer line up with her current reality. Even worse, even her daughter isn’t the same anymore.

Apple TV Plus has been churning out tons of interesting shows in recent times that often come with big premises and great-looking trailers. Unfortunately, the end result can vary quite a bit leaning anywhere from exceptional (like Shrinking and Ted Lasso) to good but not memorable (half the shows on Apple TV Plus, in this writer’s opinion). I’m certainly intrigued by this one and plan to tune in early next week when it debuts as I have high hopes this one will lean a bit more towards exceptional. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Sci-fi thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Peter Harness
  
• Cast: Noomi Rapace, Jonathan Banks, James D’Arcy

The initial premise of The Rookie was simple, a man decides to join the Los Angeles police department at the relatively late age of 40. As you can imagine, not everyone has faith in him, including the Sergeant in charge who believes he will ultimately be a liability more than anything.

While I was a big fan of the show for a few years, I’ll admit it fell out of my rotation about three years ago and has been on my “revisit” list for a while. It’s a great show but just be aware it’s very heavy in the drama, to the point it got a bit too much for me. Still, if you love heavy drama shows there are tons of great characters and interesting storylines, just be aware this is very much a dramatized and not always accurate look at the life of a police officer. 

• Years active: 2018 – Ongoing
• Genre: Police drama
• Rating: G
• Director:  Alexi Hawley
• Cast: Nathan Fillion, Mekia Coz, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones

Will Trent is a special agent for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, a state-level department response for local criminal investigations. His life before joining the agency is a bit more complicated, as he was found abandoned as a child and grew up in the state’s foster care system. Despite his past and dyslexia, he’s a brilliant officer but that doesn’t mean his job is always easy. After been assigned a corruption case involving the Atlanta PD, he finds himself tested like never before.

Will Trent is now back for its second season and promises to take the story in whole new directions. If you’ve yet to give it a try, you can also stream the first season on Hulu as well. 

• Years active: 2023 – Ongoing
• Genre: Crime Drama
• Rating: TV-14
• Creator:  Karin Slaughter
• Cast: Ramon Rodriguez, Erika Christensen, Jake McLaughlin

As a child of the 90s, I watched a lot of Cartoon Network, which translates to plenty of time watching classics like Looney Tunes and Yogi Bear. While Hanna-Barbera was once a giant in the world of kid’s animation it is now nothing more than a memory, long absorbed by Warner Bros. That’s what makes Jellystone such a fun throwback, as this kid-friendly series is the first animated series to feature Yogi, Huckleberry Hound, and many other classic Hanna-Barbera characters since 1991.

The third season comes out on Thursday, February 22 but you can catch the first two seasons right now. 

• Years active: 2021 – 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Animated Comedy
• Rating: TV-G
• Creator: C.H. Greenblatt
  
• Cast: C.H. Greenblatt, Jeff Bergman, Jim Conroy

The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender first debuted back in 2004 to plenty of acclaim. The story told the tale of twelve-year-old Aang, the last Airbender, destined to save the world and bring order back to the world. Since then Avatar has seen a major spin-off called The Legend of Korra and a less-than-successful film. Now it’s getting the live TV treatment.

While the live-action movie didn’t quite work out due to too much going on to fit into the film format, I’m personally excited to see this one. It’ll arrive on Netflix this Thursday and hopefully finally give us the epic Aang retelling many of us hoped the film would be. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Fantasy drama
• Rating: TV-13
• Creator: Albert Kim
  
• Cast: Kiawentiio Tarbell, Dallas James Liu, Gordon Cormier

The docuseries is back for its sixth season. Each season the show takes a look behind the scenes at the world of F1 and the talented drivers, managers, and pit crews behind it. The latest season focuses on former world champions like Lewis Hamilton and his teammate George Russell, though there are also plenty of other racers on display through the series.

The sixth season might not arrive until Friday but you can always check out the previous five seasons in the meantime. 

• Years active: 2019 -2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: DocuDrama
• Rating: Ages 13+
• Showrunners: James Gay-Rees, Paul Martin
• Cast: Will Buxton, Jack Nicholls, Daniel Ricciardo

This sports documentary series focuses on the Sunderland Association Football Club (SFC), an English football club that started in 2018 and originally followed the 2017-2018 season, returning the next year to cover the 2018-2019 season. While this second season was released way back in 2020, it looks like Sunderland Til I Die will have one final chapter. This time the series will document the club’s promotion to the EFL Championship in 2022.  If you’re a football (or soccer for fellow Americans) fan this could be worth watching, though even more so if you follow Sunderland. 

• Years active: 2018 – 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Sports documentary
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Fulwell 73

Check out the best new streaming shows from previous weeks

Below are some of the TV shows we recommended in previous weeks. If you’ve watched the newer titles already or want more options, we have a solid mix of new shows on your favorite streaming services. We keep about two months’ worth of backlogged shows below, ensuring that all our recommendations are fairly recent. 

Police detective Veronica Torres witnesses a sudden and unexpected suicide, sparking her determination to expose a dangerous predator. Her investigation plunges her into the lives of several abused women, all connected by a sinister dating website called “Ideal Love.” Unraveling this deep conspiracy soon puts Veronica’s life in peril and the intensity only continues to build as season 1 and season 2 progress. In season 3, Veronica’s relentless pursuit of a killer continues, marking the final chapter in her story. Now targeted by the mafia, she faces ever-increasing danger. This gripping Brazilian drama is available in full – all three seasons are ready for your binge-watching pleasure!

• Years active: 2020 -2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama/Thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creators: Raphael Montes
• Cast: Taina Muller, Eduardo Moscovis, Camila Morgado, Elisa Volpatto

Love is Blind is a reality TV series that bills itself as a social experiment where single men and women can look for love, get to know someone, and even get engaged — all before ever meeting in person. The new season promises love triangles and other twists with a whole new group of single folks. Despite some initial protests online, the sixth season will be hosted by Venessa and Nick Lachey.

While this type of show isn’t my personal cup of tea, if you’re a fan of dramatic reality TV shows centering around finding love (or drama?), then you’ll likely find this right up your alley.

• Years active: 2020 -2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Reality
• Rating: TV-MA
• Hosts: Vanessa and Nick Lachey

This Jordanian teen drama is a six-episode native language limited series, though there are full English dubs. The series centers around a teenager named Mariam who is popular and did well in school until a new girl begins targeting her. After being bullied and beaten, things only get worse when her bullies lie about what happened, and not even her own mother believes her. Soon she sets out to get her revenge with the help other other outcasts from the school.

This drama takes a hard look at both the consequences of bullying and revenge, and how things can quickly get out of hand. Now the show is back for its second season with a new drama starting on February 15. If you’ve yet to watch the first you can also find it on Netflix. 

• Years active: 2021 – 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Teen drama
• Rating: TV-14
• Director:  Tima Shomali
• Cast: Andria Tayeh, Rakeen Sa’ad, Noor Taher

This new docuseries from Apple TV Plus centers on the New England Patriots and their 20-year journey that led to six Super Bowl wins and a massive turf war. Each episode centers on different pivotal moments in the American Football team’s life including the recruitment of Tom Brady, new pressures and tension following the wake of 9/11, internal drama, and much more. The docuseries consists of ten episodes in total, with the first two debuting on February 16 with the rest of the eight episodes arriving in pairs every Friday thereafter until its conclusion on March 15. 

If you’re a fan of the Patriots this show is a must-see. Not particularly into this team but have a love for the game in general or just a curiosity for the many successes and controversies faced by the team? It’s still worth giving this one a try. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Docuseries
• Rating: TV-MA

Life & Beth centers on a woman named Beth who is nearing 40 and feels there’s still a lot left to be desired in her life, leading her to a breakup, career change, and much more. As the first season progresses she not only finds her place as a coach but also meets the man she hopes is her soulmate. If you’ve yet to watch the first season, you can also find it on Hulu. Season 2 takes things in a new direction as Beth and Jon prepare for their wedding and the new life that it will bring, but once it arrives she realizes their perfect relationship isn’t as perfect as she thought.

John’s quirks make him a bit difficult to adjust to living with and new challenges like a late-in-life pregnancy add even more chaos to her life. Together can they make it through and come out stronger on the other side? You can find out starting on February 16. 

• Years active: 2022 – 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Amy Schumer
  
• Cast: Amy Schumer, Michael Cera, Susannah Flood

Based on the popular game franchise, Halo is set in the 26th century and centers around a war between humanity and the theocratic alien race known as the Covenant. At the front of this war are the Spartans, humanity’s super-soldiers and final hope. Among them is Master Chief, the most legendary Spartan in his group. The show focuses on his role in the war, which evolves over the first season. Now the show is back for its second season, continuing where the former left off.

While the series definitely feels like fan service for gamers, if you like sci-fi action shows, this is still a pretty enjoyable watch. I finished the whole first season and yet I haven’t actually played Halo since the original on the first Xbox. Yes, I’m old.

• • Years active: 2022 – Ongoing
  • Genre: Sci-Fi/Action

• Rating: TV-MA
• Showrunner: Kyle Killen
• Cast: Pablo Schreiber, Shabana Azmi, Olive Gray

One Day consists of twelve episodes centering around Emma and Dexter as they move in and out of each other’s lives. The show has a fairly unique format as each episode revisits either Emma, Dexter, or both on every subsequent July 15th from their first meeting in 88 all the way through the year 1999. Although I haven’t personally watched this one yet, from my research it has a pretty big twist towards its finale, so be aware of that. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Romance/Comedy
• Rating: TV-14
• Creators: Nicole Taylor
• Cast: Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall, Eleanor Tomlinson

Couple to Throuple is a new reality TV series on Peacock that centers around the world of polyamory. The show follows four couples who are interested in opening their relationships and exploring beyond monogamy. They are sent to a tropical resort to mix and mingle and after a while, they will need to decide whether to go home as a couple, commit to life as a throuple, or even end the relationship altogether. 

The new reality series is hosted by Scot Evans with sex and relationship expert Shamrya Howard. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Reality TV
• Host: Scot Evans, Shamyra Howard

Abbott Elementary, one of the funniest workplace comedies in recent years, remains a must-watch since its 2021 debut. The show follows the teachers and staff at a chronically underfunded Philadelphia school, highlighting their daily struggles and triumphs with its trademark quirky humor. Now in its third season, the trailer promises more hilarious antics. Ava looks to finally embrace professionalism, but her new obsession with security cameras drives her to the edge. Prepare for sparks to fly as the simmering romance between two beloved characters heats up.

Did you miss out on Abbott Elementary or need to catch up? Hulu has the first two seasons ready for your viewing pleasure!

• Years active: 2021 – Ongoing
• Genre: Workplace comedy
• Rating: TV-14
• Creator: Quinta Brunson
  
• Cast: Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James

Mr and Mrs Smith is essentially a remake of the movie by the same name, centering on a couple that are both secretly spies for opposing agencies. Despite similarities, the tone is more dramatic and serious than in the film, diving into more serious issues like how their secrets impact the relationship. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of action and humor, just the format allows the series to dive a bit deeper into the dramatic aspects as well. 

As a big Donald Glover fan I had to give this one a watch and while I’ve only seen the pilot so far, I highly recommend this one. And that’s coming from someone who wasn’t a big fan of the actual movie. 

• Years active: 2014 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Comedy/drama
• Rating: TV-14
• Creators: Donald Glover
• Cast: Donald Glover, Maya Erskine, Wagner Moura

This biographical docudrama explores the lives of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. The show focuses on their different approaches to Civil Rights, especially since King’s approach focused on nonviolence above all else. The show isn’t just a historic retelling as it also looks at the complex lives of the individuals involved. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama/History
• Rating: 13+
• Showrunners:  Raphael Jackson Jr., Damione Macedon
• Cast: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jayme Lawson

Based on the novel The Expatriates, the series centers around three American expat women living in Hong Kong whose families become intertwined after a major tragedy. Even before then, all three families were struggling with their lives abroad.

While I’ve yet to personally check this one out just yet, it’s already gaining a lot of positive attention, particularly for Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Margaret, though there’s certainly plenty of other great talent here as well. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Lulu Wang
  
• Cast: Nicole Kidman, Brian Tee, Ji-young Yoo, Sarayu Blue

 Based on the non-fiction book of the same name,  Masters of the Air is a new Apple TV miniseries produced by Speilberg’s Amblin Television and set during World War 2. The series gives us a closer look at the 100th Bomb Group, a B-17 Flying Fortress unit during World War 2 that ultimately became responsible for taking the war to Hitler’s doorstep.

There’s a lot of big talent involved here both on-screen and off, many of which have been associated with similar films and series in the past. The best example is the writer behind it all, John Orloff, who previously was involved with writing Band of Brothers.

• Years active: 2014 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Action/Drama
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creators: John Orloff, John Shiban
• Cast: Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Sawyer Spielberg, Barry Keoghan

From the minds of Mike Judge, Zach Woods, and Brendon Gardner comes a new adult animated series centering around the man behind a radio show (voiced by Woods) called In the Know. Interestingly, the show has real non-animated guests like Mike Tyson, Tegan and Sarah, Hugh Laurie, and many others.

I’ve watched an episode already and have to say I’m impressed by what I’ve seen so far. Think of it almost like a dysfunctional version of OG Frasier, as the show puts equal emphasis on both the radio show, the office around it, and the character’s life outside of work as well. To say this one looks quirky and weird would be an understatement, but then I wouldn’t expect anything different considering the folks behind this one. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Adult animation
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creators: Brandon Gardner, Mike Judge, Zach Woods
• Cast: Charlie Bushnell, Zach Woods, Carl Tart, Caitlin Reilly

Acting as a prequel to its namesake film, Sexy Beast is a new eight-part mini-series that takes place long before Gal and Don became a successful criminal duo. As you’d expect, the series has recast the main characters from the film in order to better fit the earlier timeline. The new series tells the story of Don and Gal before they were a criminal team. After a chance meeting, she immediately takes a shine to him and soon the pair find themselves wrapped up in a high-stakes job that will change everything.

While many of us probably didn’t feel like the story of how these two met was one that needed to be told, this still looks like a fun series that could be a great match for fans of the film in particular.

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Crime Drama
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Michael Caleo
• Cast: Sarah Greene, James McArdle, Stephen Moyer

From the creators of Narcos comes a new mini-series centering around the dangerous and successful cocaine drug lord Griselda (Vergara). When her success is threatened, she will go to great lengths to protect her little empire. Based loosely on a true story, if you enjoyed Narcos or are just into crime thrillers, you’ll want to give this one a watch.

I’ve already had the chance to watch the first episode and I have to say I was extremely impressed by Sofia Vergara’s portrayal of this character, especially since I’m a huge Modern Family fan and this is a very different (and yet equally great) job. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama/Thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creators: Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard, Eric Newman
• Cast: Sofia Vergara, Karol G, Venessa Ferlito

The Traitors is a unique reality series starring Alan Cumming as host and set in an ancient castle in the Scottish Highlands. Contestants have to work together on a variety of missions that are designed to ultimately identify the “traitors” hidden amongst their group which are working to steal the prize money only for themselves. Now the Peacock Original returns for a second season with new contestants and plenty of other tweaks to the original formula. 

• Years active: 2023 – Ongoing
• Genre: Reality
• Rating: TV-14
• Creator: Marc Pos
  
• Cast: Alan Cumming, Kate Chastain, Cirie Fields

Teath and Other Details is a new mystery drama set on a luxury cruiseliner. A guest is suddenly murdered which leads the one detective on board to suspect Imogene Scott. One problem, she’s not behind the murder but simply was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now she must partner with the detective, a man who she hates, in order to prove her innocence. 

• Years active: 2014 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama/Thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creators: Heidi Cole McAdams, Mike Weiss
• Cast: Violett Beane, Lauren Patten, Angela Zhou

Kubra is a Turkish series debuting in America exclusively through Netflix. The story centers on a traumatized former soldier who receives a series of messages out of the blue that seem to predict the future. This leads to a much bigger mystery drama, one that is quickly starting to turn his already complicated life further upside down. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Drama/Suspense
• Rating: NR
• Directors: Taylan Brothers
• Cast: Massi Pregoni, Zeynep Bostanci, Aslihan Malbora

Lucifer was originally an angel who had big ideas, but he didn’t see eye to eye with the other leaders of heaven. After the first two humans, Adam and Lilith, are created, the woman runs off as she doesn’t wish to be controlled by anyone. Drawn by her independent nature, Lucifer fell in love and eventually had a daughter. Fast forward to today, Charlie is the Princess of Hell and the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith. While that position grants her a lot of power, hell also has a bit of an overpopulation issue. This leads to the creation of Hazbin Hotel, a place where sinners can go and try to lead better lives on the off chance of convincing heaven that some of hell’s denizens are truly redeemable after all.

Despite just arriving on Amazon Prime the show has already managed to gather a pretty large fanbase, likely helped by the fact the entire first episode can be watched on YouTube as well. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Comedy/drama/animation
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Vivienne Medrano
• Cast: Erika Henningsen, Stephanie Beatriz, Blake Roman, Amir Talai

True Detective is an anthology series that centers on a different story arc every season, with completely different casts and locations. Night Country is the fourth season in the series and stars the very talented Jodie Foster this time around.

While previous stories were centered in warm climates, the latest story is set in an Alaskan town that’s so far north that it experiences a polar night. As the long winter begins eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace, leaving detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Rels) with a major mystery on their hands. Along the way, they must confront their own pasts and learn the dark secrets lying under the ice. 

• Years active: 2014 – Ongoing
• Genre: Crime anthology series
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Issa López
• Cast: Jodie Foster, Kali Rels, John Hawkes, Fiona Shaw

My kids are obsessed with Sonic and so we’ve watched a lot of shows based on the hedgehog, including retro shows going back to the 90s. While my kids liked all of these, they would be the first to tell you that Prime is on a whole other level. While most of the older cartoons have short story arcs that only last an episode or two, Prime has a deeper story arc that involves multiple dimensions with a variety of different variants of Sonic’s friends.

Now Sonic Prime is back for its final chapter which pits Sonic and his allies against an unlikely villain, Nines, a variant of Tails. Even more interesting, including several variants of Doctor Robotnik are working to save the world. Needless to say, my kids started watching this one before school on the very morning it came out. 

• Years active: 2022 – 2024
• Genre: Family/Kids
• Rating: TV-Y7
• Director: Erik Wiese
• Cast: Deven Christian Mack, Ashleigh Ball, Vincent Tong

A terrified woman makes a phone call, alleging that her abusive boyfriend is responsible for a cold case murder for which another man is already serving a sentence. Upon discovering the call, Detective Sergeant June Lenker delves deeper into the case, leading to a confrontation with a seasoned detective determined to preserve his legacy, backed by formidable connections.

The show delves into various pressing topics such as institutional failures, race, shifting societal norms, and other significant issues. While I’ve only seen the first episode, I I’m not fully sold on it yet, it’s an interesting premise that I’ll likely revisit in the future.

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Crime thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Paul Rutman
  
• Cast: Peter Capaldi, Cush Jumbo, Aysha Kala

Season 2 continues the same formula, following several players on the ATP Tour, including Nick Kyrgios, Holger Rune, Tommy Paul, and others.

• Years active: 2023 – Ongoing
• Genre: Documentary
• Rating: TV-MA
• Creator: Martin Webb

Set five months after the events of Hawkeye, Maya Lopez returns to her hometown in Oklahoma to hide from Wilson Fisk’s forces after she shot Fisk point blank in the face. After returning home she must learn to reconnect with her Native American roots and come to terms with her past.

Marvel’s latest show is a much darker, more violent affair than most are used to seeing from Marvel and represents the first Marvel series to have a TV-MA rating. This could be a great show if you’re looking for something with a somewhat similar vibe to Hawkeye but a darker, grittier story that connects to Native American culture. 

• Years active: 2024 (Ongoing)
• Genre: Action/Super Hero
• Rating: TV-MA
• Directors: Sydney Freeland, Catriona McKenzie 
• Cast: Alaqua Cox, Devery Jacobs, Cody Lightning