TV Highlights to Watch This Week — From The Abandons to Spartacus: House of Ashur
What if the week ahead offered a mix of love stories, revenge Westerns, and historical gladiator showdowns—all in one viewing lineup? It does. Here’s your guide to the most notable new and returning shows streaming from Sunday, November 30 through Saturday, December 6. (All times Eastern.)
The New Years (MUBI, Wednesday, 12 a.m., season one premiere)
What if every New Year’s Eve told another chapter of the same love story? This Spanish romantic drama from filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen, best known for The Beasts, unfolds across ten consecutive New Year’s Eve celebrations. It follows Ana and Óscar, played by Iria del Río and Francesco Carril, as they navigate the highs and lows of a decade-long relationship—from their first spark to complicated family conflicts. Fans of Netflix’s One Day will likely find themselves hooked. Keep an eye out for The A.V. Club’s review on Wednesday.
The Abandons (Netflix, Thursday, 3 a.m., season one premiere)
Is the Old West ready for two powerhouse women to collide? The Abandons brings Sons of Anarchy creator Kurt Sutter back to bold, gritty storytelling. Set in the 1850s, the series pits two fierce rivals against each other: Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones). The story simmers with vengeance, survival, and frontier chaos, joined by a strong supporting cast that includes Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Nick Robinson, and Patton Oswalt. Expect some fiery debates about its take on justice and morality in the Wild West. The A.V. Club’s review drops Thursday.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (HBO, Thursday, 9 p.m.)
Few artists left a mark as haunting as Jeff Buckley. This installment of HBO’s Music Box documentary series, directed by Amy Berg, dives deep into the life and legacy of the musician behind Grace and the now-legendary cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Through interviews with those who knew him personally—Rebecca Moore, Ben Harper, Aimee Mann—viewers get a portrait of a man whose brilliance was cut short when he drowned in 1997 at just 30. The two-hour documentary explores both his genius and his tragedy. But could any biography truly capture the mystery of his art?
Spartacus: House of Ashur (Starz, Friday, 12 a.m., season one premiere)
After fifteen years, the Spartacus franchise roars back to life with a twist. This sequel dares to rewrite fate by resurrecting Ashur (Nick E. Tremblay), who—at least in this alternate timeline—survived Mount Vesuvius. Now the former slave commands the gladiator school that once enslaved him, maneuvering through the blood-soaked politics of ancient Rome. Expect plenty of scheming, spectacle, and power struggles, with Lucy Lawless returning as Lucretia and Liam McIntyre reprising his role as Spartacus. The question is: Will fans embrace this bold revision of the original story?
Jay Kelly (Netflix, Friday, 3 a.m.)
How do you play a Hollywood legend when you already are one? George Clooney takes that challenge head-on in Jay Kelly, a self-aware dramedy from filmmaker Noah Baumbach. The story follows a charming yet flawed movie star who reflects on his career triumphs and personal regrets during a soul-searching trip through Europe with his loyal manager Ron, portrayed by Adam Sandler. The pairing of Clooney and Sandler has already sparked curiosity—will this be Baumbach’s most heartfelt project yet? Read The A.V. Club’s review here.
Can’t-Miss Recaps
- IT: Welcome To Derry (link) — HBO, Sunday, 9 p.m.
- The Chair Company (link) — HBO, Sunday, 10 p.m. (season one finale)
- I Love LA (link) — HBO, Sunday, 10:37 p.m.
- Pluribus (link) — Apple TV, Friday, 12 a.m.
Also Premiering This Week
- My Next Guest With David Letterman And Adam Sandler (Netflix, Monday, 3 a.m.)
- The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular (Disney+ and Hulu, Tuesday, 3 a.m.)
- Vanderpump Rules (Bravo, Tuesday, 9 p.m., season twelve premiere)
- The Believers (Netflix, Thursday, 3 a.m., season two premiere)
- The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo, Thursday, 8 p.m., season fifteen premiere)
Wrapping Up Soon
- Hal & Harper (link) — MUBI, Sunday, 12 a.m. (series finale)
- Brilliant Minds — NBC, Monday, 10 p.m. (season two fall finale)
- Murder In A Small Town — Fox, Tuesday, 8 p.m. (season one finale)
- The Last Frontier — Apple TV, Thursday, 12 a.m. (season one finale)
So, what will you be watching first—the emotional slow-burn romance, the gritty Western, or the gladiator comeback no one saw coming? Share your picks and tell: which of these new releases has you most curious—or skeptical?
