8 TV Shows To Watch in October: ‘Succession,’ ‘Maid’ & More

September ended up being a tremendously entertaining month for new TV series, from the collective buzz shows such as “Midnight Mass” created to the surprise, super addictive, and mega-hit “Squid Game.” Due to the surplus of quality television last month, it makes October, on the surface at least, appear a little bare in comparison, though there’s always room for another” Squid Game” to completely monopolize audiences’ attention spans.

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Most notable this month, aside from some well-timed Halloween season series and/or premieres, is the return of immensely popular HBO series “Succession” which we’ve missed from our screens for two years due to the halts on filming because of Covid. While there are other series both returning and premiering this month, it’s likely both “Succession” and then, later, the final season of “Insecure” which will prompt most conversations. 

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“Maid”
Actress Margaret Qualley has been steadily on the rise for the past few years and is given ample time to shine in the latest Netflix series “Maid.” Following single mother Alex, as she turns to housecleaning to make ends meet while escaping an abusive relationship, the show tracks as she overcomes obstacles to provide a better life for her daughter. Based on the memoir “Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive” from author Stephanie Land, the show is created by Molly Smith Metzler and executively produced by John Wells (“Shameless,” “Animal Kingdom.”) 
Release Date: Season one premiered October 1 on Netflix.

“Dopesick”
Based on the book “Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors and the Drug Company that Addicted America” by author Beth Macy, the latest series from Hulu turns its focus to the epicenter of the opioid crisis in the U.S and those who seek to take down the corrupt corporations that are behind this national crisis. Certainly engrossing material, the miniseries is written by Danny Strong (“Empire,” “Recount,” “Game Change”) and directed by Oscar-winner Barry Levinson (“Paterno,” “Rain Man”). The all-star cast includes Michael Keaton (“Spotlight,” “Birdman“), Peter Sarsgaard (“An Education,” “Jarhead“), Michael Stuhlbarg, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, with Kaitlyn Dever and Rosario Dawson.
Release Date: Season one premieres October 13 on Hulu.

“You” (Season 3)
One of the more surprising hits to come of recent years – strengthened due to a move from its original home of Lifetime to Netflix, “You” starring “Gossip Girl” alum Penn Badgely, follows the violent Joe (going by the name Will since season two,) a man who becomes destructively obsessive about women he’s interested in. Season three returns with Joe and his now-wife, Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti), and their newborn son as he’s once again faced with dark temptations and interest in a new neighbor. Created by Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti, the show has inspired many conversations about the toxicity of rooting for characters like Joe and the need to deconstruct romantic comedy tropes to unearth the more unsettling inspirations beneath them. 
Release Date: Season three premieres October 15 on Netflix.

“I Know What You Did Last Summer”
Based on the 1973 novel of the same name from author Lois Duncan, the 2021 adaptation of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” once again follows a group of teenagers as they are stalked by a mysterious killer a year after a fatal accident that took place on the night of their graduation. James Wan (“Malignant”) serves as an executive producer on the show and, while we’ve seen adaptations of this story in the past, his involvement promises the potential for new scares and greater twists. The series stars Madison Iseman, Brianne Tju, Ezekiel Goodman, and Ashley Moore in what hopefully will be a well-timed horror entry for October. 
Release Date: Season one premieres October 15 on Amazon Prime.

“Succession” (Season 3)
Arguably the most entertaining fictional family currently on television, it’s been a long wait between seasons two and three for HBO’s ‘Succession” which ended its last season on a dramatic cliffhanger. We pick up after Kendall (Jeremy Strong) has publicly stood against his father, Logan Roy (Brian Cox) which has left the patriarchal figure scrambling in a race to secure alliances while the corporate battle intensifies. Created by Jesse Armstrong, the series also stars Sarah Snook, Kieran Culkin, Nicholas Braun, and Matthew Macfadyen. Adrien Brody and Alexander Skarsgård will also be joining season three in guest roles. 
Release Date: Season three premieres October 17 on HBO.

“Invasion”
While it seems that “Foundation” may be floundering in its debut season due to dense plotting and pacing, that hasn’t stopped Apple TV+ from seeking out its own mega science fiction feature to debut on its platform. “Invasion”, created by Simon Kinberg (“Star Wars Rebels,” “Legion”) is aptly named as it follows an alien invasion as seen through different perspectives of various people on different continents around the world. Directed by Jakob Verbruggen (“The Fall,” “Black Mirror”) and Amanda Marsalis (“Echo Park”) the series stars Sam Neill (“Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” “Jurassic Park”), Golshifteh Farahani (“About Elly”), Shamier Anderson and Shiori Kutsuna.
Release Date: Season one premieres October 22 on Apple TV+.

“Insecure”
Created by Issa Rae and one of HBO’s most buzzed-about shows, the series ends this year with its fifth and final season. Created by Rae alongside Larry Wilmore, the series tells the story of a Black woman as she navigates the stresses of personal and professional life in L.A. The series was a breakout hit for Rae who, along with co-creating and starring in the series has also written several episodes and acts as a producer. While her star will only continue to grow, “Insecure” will remain one of the most defining moments in what is sure to be a vast and exciting career. The cast is rounded out by Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, and Courtney Taylor.
Release Date: Season four premieres October 24 on HBO.

“Colin in Black & White”
Having already become an iconic figure in the media due to his protest of kneeling during the National Anthem at NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial inequality, it was only a matter of time before former NFL player and activist Colin Kaepernick was given the biopic treatment. An exploration of his high school years and the experiences that led him to become a focal point in activism, the series was created and directed by Ava DuVernay (“Selma,” “A Wrinkle in Time”, and stars Jaden Michael as Kaepernick along with Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker as his parents with Kaepernick himself providing voice over for the six episodes. Our critic, who saw the series at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival, wrote “DuVernay and Kaepernick have crafted a hybrid docudrama limited series that is both personal and universal, educational and raw.”
Release Date: Season one premieres October 29 on Netflix.