Doctor Who, the Squid Game reality show, and more new TV this week

It’s (American) Thanksgiving this week, which means you might watch a lot of TV, but it might not be strictly new releases. But that doesn’t mean television stops; amid all the Mystery Science Theater 3000 marathons and parade fare there’s plenty of new offerings to catch up on. That might be from the year writ large — is it finally time to catch up on Silo or make space for Fionna and Cake in full? Or maybe you’re looking to keep the autumnal season alive with a classic like Over the Garden Wall or a gone-too-soon hit like Marianne.

Or you can check out some of the new offerings below. Here’s all the new TV premieres and finales this week.

New shows on Netflix

Squid Game: The Challenge

Genre: Dystopic reality show
Release date: Nov. 22
Based on the original show by: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Cast: 456 contestants trying to win a bunch of money in an IP-based reality competition

You remember Squid Game, the show about a bunch of poor and disenfranchised people who get brought into a competition where they could win millions of dollars but if they lose they die? Well Netflix made a real reality show based on that. The results are much more subdued: Less death, more standard reality fare.

New shows on Disney Plus

Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special

Genre: Sci-fi anniversary bonanza
Release date: Nov. 25
Showrunner/creator: Russell T. Davies
Cast: David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Neil Patrick Harris, and more

The logline of this major 60th anniversary special of Doctor Who is that The Doctor — now in his Fourteenth incarnation — regenerated with an old face, specifically that of David Tennant (who played the Tenth Doctor). All that and Donna (Catherine Tate) can recognize him despite having her memory wiped.

But more importantly: Tennant and Tate are back together! Sex Education and Barbie’s Ncuti Gatwa is stepping into the role as the Fifteenth Doctor! Ahh!

New shows on Hulu

Fargo season 5

Genre: Crime mystery
Release date: Nov. 21 with one episode
Showrunner/creator: Noah Hawley
Cast: Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Richa Moorjani, and more

The anthology series based on the Coen Bros. classic is back, with a new cast and a return to a familiar setting (North Dakota/Minnesota). Juno Temple stars as a housewife in Minnesota who suddenly finds herself in trouble with the law. And then there’s Jon Hamm, playing a sheriff looking for her, all relaxed with nipple piercings. There’s nothing else quite like Fargo.

New shows on Apple TV Plus

Lessons in Chemistry season finale

Image: Apple TV

Genre: Period piece dramedy
Release date: Nov. 24
Showrunner/creator: Lee Eisenberg
Cast: Brie Larson, Aja Naomi King, Stephanie Koenig, Patrick Walker, and more

Elizabeth’s adventures teaching the housewives more than cooking on her at-home cooking show are wrapping up (at least, for season 1). In that time tensions have really bubbled over — we’re talking flashbacks to puritanical morals and violent political demonstrations — so how will the miniseries take it all home? [Elizabeth hosting voice] Tune in to Lessons in Chemistry to find out.