6 Standout Shows To Stream This Fall For Every Age And Interest

With Hollywood strikes over, television production is ramping back up. But are any‌ of these shows “must-see TV”? Most viewers find today’s array of channels ⁤and services⁤ difficult to navigate.

Demand is high for good family viewing options, as colder weather arrives and holidays approach. Yet three major ⁣factors⁣ have combined to make finding a new show a ⁤chore for‌ many. First, the full transition from broadcast and cable TV to streaming has ​at ‍least a decade to go. Options are nearly endless as every platform is producing exclusive shows to try to find viewers.

Second, audiences have seen⁤ how ⁤many producers ⁣of popular entertainment seem to prefer agenda-driven fare rather than story-first entertainment. A related⁢ red flag comes from ⁢families with kids‍ at home, as objectionable ​content abounds in streaming.

Third, trust in news media has hit an all-time low, as‍ few sources evaluate films and⁤ TV shows⁣ with a⁤ critical eye and consistent standards.

As one who values entertainment that explores⁣ history, heroism, and ‌the nature of ⁣truth, here are a few series that have stood⁣ out in recent months. My⁣ wife and I also enjoy a good ⁣laugh, though⁢ recent comedy is mostly a wasteland. This list also highlights a couple of options from ⁤recent years, which⁢ is the main ‌benefit of streaming: ‍access to⁤ shows you might have ⁢missed.

For ⁢Families with ⁤Teens

1. ‘All The Light We Cannot See’ ⁣(Netflix, TV-MA)

With antisemitism once again being exposed in⁣ society, it’s fitting that a big-budget‌ World War II-era miniseries has‍ arrived with⁢ a ⁤new angle ⁤on ‌the lessons of that⁣ desperate conflict. Based on a historical novel, ​“All the Light We Cannot See” ‍introduces two ⁣young adults — a blind young woman involved with⁣ the French resistance and a German orphan⁣ conscripted into Hitler Youth ⁣— whose parallel experiences in the global war intersect over the four-hour‌ drama.

Press coverage has‍ focused on how Aria Mia⁣ Loberti, ​one of the‌ first blind leads in‍ a major series, portrays​ the pivotal role ​of Marie. Her notable performance is elevated by two veteran stars,​ Mark Ruffalo (from “The Avengers”) as her father ⁤and Hugh⁢ Laurie (from “House”) as her ⁣uncle. Screenwriter Steven Knight, who‍ wrote “Amazing Grace”⁢ and ‍“Peaky Blinders,” expertly weaves⁣ complex story threads. He shows what drives the‌ characters and their‌ difficult moral choices throughout. From war to intimate conversations, director-producer Shawn Levy keeps ⁤the pacing urgent.

The miniseries is filmed in ⁢the visually striking walled ⁤port city of Saint-Malo, France, a rarely ​seen World War II front.‍ The setting​ means⁤ that the⁢ Jewish⁤ Holocaust is a‍ premise rather ⁤than depicted throughout. Yet an SS officer, the series ‌antagonist stealing artifacts and jewelry on Adolf Hitler’s behalf, states their grisly mission: ⁢“to ​gas, shoot, hang, ⁣and ⁣starve all the Jews‍ of Europe to death.” In ⁣the midst of horrific⁢ violence — the big ​reason for its mature rating — “All ⁢the Light⁢ We Cannot​ See” shows a path of hope and redemption in valuing life and defending ⁣the‌ vulnerable.

2. ‘Frasier’ (Paramount Plus, ​TV-14)

Twenty years ago, “Frasier,” starring Kelsey Grammer, won ‍acclaim for its clever writing and repartee among ⁣a talented ensemble. ​The show began as a spin-off of “Cheers” but ⁤ultimately eclipsed that beloved sitcom.‍ After years of effort, a super-fan of ⁢the original show, ​producer Joe Cristalli, has willed a⁣ reboot series into existence, with Grammer reprising his role⁢ as psychologist Frasier Crane alongside an entirely ⁢new cast.

For all‌ its memorable⁢ and outrageous scenes, the original “Frasier” made tawdry sexual exploits a focus in some seasons. Much like “Cheers,” it wouldn’t qualify as family viewing. Yet, this reboot, with Grammer now⁢ in ⁣his late ⁤60s, is ⁣largely about a father-son relationship. Dr. Frasier ​Crane moves⁤ back to‍ Boston ‌to⁤ teach at Harvard and reconnect with his son,⁤ Freddy, a firefighter who dropped out of school. ⁣It’s a set-up that starts to pay ⁤off by episode four, and it takes that many entries for the‌ new ‍cast to gel and not feel like⁤ a retread.

Few sitcoms ⁣will ever top the ⁣razor-sharp banter of Grammer‌ and David Hyde Pierce, who ⁣played Fraiser’s ⁣on-screen⁤ brother. ⁣Perhaps Pierce‍ will cameo in the future. While it’s⁤ difficult to evaluate ​this ⁢10-episode “Frasier” reboot midway through its run, so far it’s worth a ‍few laughs.

For Mature Audiences

3. ⁣‘The Crown,’ Season 6 (Netflix, TV-MA)

In late 2014, Netflix and writer-producer Peter Morgan (“Frost/Nixon,”⁤ “The⁣ Queen”) ⁢announced ​plans to ⁣create⁣ a ‌lavish, six-season show highlighting the life‍ of Queen Elizabeth II. The timing⁤ could hardly ​be ‍better, in retrospect. Last fall, as the final season ⁣ was⁢ filming ‍ at locations ‍throughout⁢ the United ⁤Kingdom, the last century’s most beloved and notable monarch died.

Already one of the most⁣ popular streaming originals, “The Crown” has ⁢cemented its place‍ as ​a global phenomenon ‌— even as the royal family has increasingly criticized ⁢ it.

The controversy is sure to increase as this semi-historical drama ⁤ depicts difficult events in recent history,​ including the death of Princess Diana and the ⁢7/7⁤ London terrorist bombings. But it ⁣promises‍ some joyful events too. Previews revealed⁢ that in the final⁣ season, viewers will ⁤see the historic Good Friday Agreement, a royal wedding, and a⁢ montage of Elizabeth’s life using four different actresses.

4. ’12‌ Monkeys’ (Hulu, TV-MA)

This spring, writer-producer Terry Matalas minted a host ‍of new fans when he took​ over ⁤as showrunner on “Star Trek: Picard.” He redeemed a middling-to-bad series, giving​ Patrick ‍Stewart and his “Next‌ Generation” crew a compelling send-off. Some viewers sought out what else Matalas has written and hit ‌upon the ‌post-apocalyptic serial⁣ “12​ Monkeys.”

Not ‍to be confused with⁢ the 1995 flick starring Bruce Willis, this four-season series centers on anti-hero James Cole (Aaron Stanford) who’s ‍recruited to be a‍ time-traveling assassin. Cole must eliminate a powerful business mogul before he unleashes a ⁤global virus that kills billions. And‍ it gets⁢ wilder⁣ from there. (Keep in mind, this series ‌premiered in 2015.) It’s⁤ at once a ‌love story, a myth about ‌shadowy cults, ‍a period drama, and a high-concept ⁣science-fiction show that relies on the theory of special relativity among other ideas.

Initially​ a ‌grounded thriller, “12 Monkeys” gets‍ more speculative and ethereal as the⁢ narrative unfolds, yet the characters remain well-written and the acting convincing ⁣throughout. ⁤Despite⁣ coarse language and graphic violence that limit its audience, it’s a wild ride for sci-fi ‍fans.

For Families with Young ⁤Kids

5. ‘A‌ Wonderful Day⁣ with Mabel Maclay’ (Bentkey, TV-Y)

It has been a minute since a new kids’ series⁣ billed itself as “simple, gentle, and joyful.” Count‌ on The Daily ⁢Wire to produce a countercultural show that has been called a “wholesome ⁢throwback.” With eye-popping visuals⁢ that invite curiosity and a mix ⁣of segments that keep kids engaged, “A Wonderful Day with Mabel Maclay” is a standout entry on ⁣kid-focused streamer Bentkey.

As one who has raised my‍ kids with⁢ Fred Rogers, I’m skeptical of any YouTuber ⁢name-dropping “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” (looking at you, “Blippi”). But “Mabel ​Maclay” is, indeed, a⁢ welcome respite from fast-paced kids’ shows. It establishes a fun routine of discovery, ‌draws kids in with nuanced, energetic puppetry, and closes with a singable melody. ‌Despite my ‌gripe about the glut of family-friendly streamers, those who find this show will surely love it.

6. ‘The Cat⁢ in the Hat ⁤Knows a Lot About That!’ (Peacock, TV-Y)

For a good kids’ learning show, sometimes the smartest thing ⁢for parents is to go back ⁤a decade or two ​before the definition​ of​ appropriate subject matter for kids changed. “The Cat in the Hat​ Knows a Lot About‍ That!” launched back in 2010. Comic ​Martin⁢ Short hams it up as Dr. Seuss’s iconic scene-stealing cat. ‌The show has surprising‍ depth in its ‍range ⁤of natural science themes.

Sparked by wonder, Nick‌ and Sally​ jump into the Cat’s shape-shifting vehicle ​(similar⁤ to The Magic School Bus) for ⁤a fantastical musical journey. Science​ concepts run the gamut from‍ sea ‌creatures to weather patterns to wildlife you wouldn’t expect. “Backyard nature is full of riches,” said science adviser Jay Ingram in an interview. ⁢“Most people‍ are, if anything, birdwatchers, not insect watchers — so​ much ‍of small-scale nature goes unnoticed.”

Along with⁢ three seasons of the animated educational series, Peacock also features a⁤ few​ hour-long specials‌ on ​space, camping, and‌ Christmas ⁢traditions.