We’re making our way through September and the release calendar is looking a little more crowded. But what of these new offerings is worth your time to check? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Fall. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Tuesdays:
The Lowdown, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FX (Premiered September 23)
About: This is the latest series from Sterlin Harjo, who created Reservation Dogs. This is a different kind of series, set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and following Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke). He owns a used bookstore that doesn’t have many customers or make much money. He also calls himself a Truthstorian as he investigates conspiracies for local publications. It’s the latter pursuit that lands him in some hot water when he stumbles into something unexpected. The first season is eight episodes, with the first two dropping on Tuesday night. It’s a fun construction and Hawke is great in the lead role. There is plenty to like about the potential of this journey. The supporting cast includes Keith David, Tracy Letts, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Tim Blake Nelson, among others. The episodes are about an hour and move at a good pace. There is a blend of comedy and drama that feels like something out of a certain type of detective series. This could be another hit for FX, which is having a nice fall.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+

Wednesdays:
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered September 24)
About: Not content with domestic additions to the Law & Order universe, we’re now getting the Canadian expansion. And, naturally, The CW is bringing it to American audiences. The series launched in Spring 2024 in Canada and has already aired two seasons there. Now, it’s playing for American audiences. The series has the same cold open and same style introduction as the domestic versions and follows a similar profile. Of course, the courts and the police look at little different in Canada, so this accounts for that variety. The cast includes character actors Aden Young, Kathleen Munroe, and Karen Robinson, who will look familiar to American audiences. The stories and the style will feel familiar, too. If you’re a Law & Order fan, this is for you. If not, there’s little that makes this stand out.
Pilot Grade: C

Streaming Series:
Hotel Costiera, Now Steaming on Prime Video (Premiered September 24)
About: This new series stars Jesse Williams as Daniel De Luca, an ex-Marine working as a fixer at an upscale hotel in Positano on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. In addition to helping guests in need, he’s focused on finding the daughter (Amanda Campana) of the hotel owner who has gone missing. He uses a team to help him investigate and pull off jobs. It feels a bit like a modern spin on the model that made Magnum P.I. a success, but with a more exotic location in Italy. I loved Williams in the lead role, and I thought the series was a lot of fun. It’s just six episodes, each 43 minutes or less, making for a quick binge. Hopefully this is one that will get another round.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+

Marvel Zombies, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered September 24)
About: This new, four-part animated series is a spin-off on one of the What If?… episodes that focused on the idea of a world overrun by zombies. This includes zombies of some of our favorite heroes, like Captain America. But a group of heroes remains to try and save the world. A number of Marvel stars—like Florence Pugh, Elizabeth Olsen, David Harbour, Iman Vellani, Simi Liu, and Hailee Steinfeld—reprise their roles through voice-over work. The episodes are about 30 minutes each and move at a decent pace. It’s starts with a creative idea, and I liked some of the unique pairings. The final act felt a little under-whelming. But, for fans of Marvel and particularly Marvel animation this will be worth checking out. It also makes for a quick binge.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

House of Guinness, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered September 25)
About: This is the latest series from Steven Knight, who created Peaky Blinders. It follows the children of brewery mogul Sir Benjamin Guinness in the aftermath of his death as they try to keep their empire afloat. We begin on the day of Benjamin’s funeral as his children (Anthony Boyle, Louise Partridge, Emily Fairn, and Fionn O’Shea) are dealing with their grief and the threats to the family business. There to help is the family fixer (James Norton) and his gang that help keep external threats in line. All eight first season episodes are now available to stream. Each episode is about an hour, making for a decent size binge. The look and the production is strong, and this is an interesting series. It feels a bit like a crime family instead of the offspring of one of the most famous beer brands in the world. But that’s part of what makes it fun and intriguing. This will be a hit with fans of the style and fans of Knight’s other work.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Wayward, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered September 25)
About: This new limited series is set in the small town of Tall Pines, where a school for wayward students to try and correct them. The school is run by Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette), a mysterious and powerful figure in the town. We come to this story through the point-of-view of new police officer Alex (Mae Martin), who moved there with pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon), a former student of Wade’s at the academy. We also follow a new student, and the friend that followed her there. The series is eight episodes, each about an hour. That makes for a quick binge. It was created by Martin and focused largely on Alex in the early going. Martin is known as a comedian, but this isn’t particularly funny. It’s meant to be a bit weird and mysterious but the first couple episodes fell a little flat for me. It’s a quick binge if you want to take the journey.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.