TV Watchlist: Netflix's Latest Prestige Drama Debuts, 'Billions' Ends and Stallone Steps Into the Spotlight

Plus, the streaming premiere of "A Haunting in Venice" and the return of HBO's "The Gilded Age" Week of October 28 - November 4 Fall is fully here. And if your allergies are acting up or it’s simply gotten too cool too quickly, well, there are plenty of options for what to watch at home. The biggest of the bunch is “All the Light We Cannot See,” a big, prestigious World War II drama coming to Netflix; plus based-on-a-true-story sports movie “Nyad;” a new documentary about Sylvester Stallone; the end of “Billions;” and the return of “The Gilded Age” and Disney doc series “Behind the Attraction.” Also: a new Sandra Oh/Awkwafina movie (“Quiz Lady”) and a new Hercule Poirot mystery (“A Haunting in Venice”). Can you guess the killer? On with the television! All the Light We Cannot See Thursday, November 3, Netflix Source: Netflix Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “All the Light We Cannot See” is one of the most anticipated limited series of the year. The official synopsis says that the series “follows the story of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl and her father, Daniel LeBlanc, who flee German-occupied Paris with a legendary diamond to keep it from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Relentlessly pursued by a cruel Gestapo officer who seeks to possess the stone for his own selfish means, Marie-Laure and Daniel soon find refuge in St. Malo, where they take up residence with a reclusive uncle who transmits clandestine radio broadcasts as part of the resistance. Yet here in this once-idyllic seaside city, Marie-Laure’s path also collides inexorably with the unlikeliest of kindred spirits: Werner, a brilliant teenager enlisted by Hitler’s regime to track down illegal broadcasts, who instead shares a secret connection to Marie-Laure as well as her faith in humanity and the possibility of hope.” The series’ four episodes were directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum,” “Free Guy” and written by Steven Knight (“Peaky Blinders”) and the cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, Aria Mia Loberti, Nell Sutton and Louis Hoffman. Everyone will be talking about this one. [[TRAILER](] Billions Sunday, October 29 at 8 p.m., Showtime Source: Showtime Ready to say goodbye to “Billions?” The series, about the ongoing battle between a hedge fund manager (Damian Lewis) and a U.S. attorney (Paul Giamatti) finally reaches its conclusion after seven seasons and more than 80 episodes (!) Created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien and Andrew Ross Sorkin, the Showtime drama has become perhaps the flagship series for the network. And fear not – even if the main show is concluding, it will be back, with a pair of spin-offs (called, of course, “Millions” and “Trillions”) already in the works. Spend that cash! [[TRAILER](] Nyad Friday, November 3, Netflix Source: Netflix Get ready for your new favorite inspirational based-on-a-true-story sports drama. In “Nyad” Annette Bening plays Diana Nyad, who, three decades after giving up professional swimming, decides to do the impossible – swim from Cuba to Florida, a 110-mile journey that will test her mentally, physically and spiritually. And at the age of 60, without a shark cage, might be impossible. Jodie Foster also stars as Bonnie Stoll, Nyad’s former lover, lifelong BFF and current coach. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, the Oscar-winning filmmakers behind “Free Solo,” and photographed by Claudio Miranda (“Top Gun: Maverick”), “Nyad” is a rousing story of perseverance and tenacity and a testament to the unflagging power of the human spirit and the fact that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. It’s full of rousing performances and action sequences that will have you holding your breath. It might be good practice for a career in swimming, actually. Just watch out for the box jellyfish. [[TRAILER](] Sly Friday, November 3, Netflix Source: Netflix Sylvester Stallone comes into the spotlight thanks to his own documentary feature. “Sly” was directed by Thom Zimny, who has also made films on such American icons as Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson, and who treats his latest subject with the same kind of reverence. There’s an elemental power to the story of Sylvester Stallone, as a hardscrabble childhood became fodder for a truly zeitgeist-capturing smash in “Rocky.” (While a lot of time is spent on the making and release of the first film, the doc admirably goes into how autobiographical the entire franchise is, from the character’s brushes with fame to the complicated relationship with his son.) Considering Stallone produced the movie, there is a level of superficiality (allegations of steroid abuse and details of earlier romances are untouched), but it’s also probably deeper than you were probably expecting, with an elder Stallone looking back on his life and the heartache he endured, including his troubled relationship with his father. It’s pretty miraculous what he’s accomplished. And this documentary will make you even more appreciative of his life and career. Even if it doesn’t mention “Rhinestone” or Planet Hollywood. [[TRAILER](] Arnold Netflix Source: Netflix Arnold Schwarzenegger appears in “Sly,” often stealing the show from its subject (particularly when he confirms the fabled story of how he duped Stallone into doing “Stop or My Mom Will Shoot”). So why not watch the limited documentary series about Schwarzenegger’s life too? It’s broken into three episodes – “Athlete,” “Actor” and “American” – and it actually illuminates his time in office thoughtfully. Schwarzenegger is also open about his follies, both personally and professionally (at the box office and in office). It’s really lovely to see someone who has seemingly taken accountability for his misdeeds and, in the twilight of his years, is striving to be a better person. It’s something he’s clearly committed to, just like he was committed to bodybuilding or being the #1 box office draw in the world. With Arnold, anything is within reach. [[WATCH](] Source: Hulu “The Gilded Age” Sunday, October 29 at 9 p.m., HBO Hold onto your beautifully embroidered hats, “The Gilded Age,” the sumptuous period drama created and largely written by “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes, returns for a second season. And this time HBO is giving it the prime Sunday night slot. (We call this a reverse “Perry Mason.”) According to HBO, in this new season “Bertha inches toward a leading role in society, Marian starts teaching, Ada begins a new courtship, and Peggy taps into her activist spirit.” Get ready to clutch those pearls. [[TRAILER](] “A Haunting in Venice” Tuesday, October 31, Hulu The latest installment in Kenneth Branagh’s series of Agatha Christie adaptations debuted in theaters earlier this year but now arrives on Hulu. The film mines a somewhat obscure 1969 novel called “Hallowe'en Party.” It’s there that our hero, Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) is invited to a seance where - wouldn’t you know it? - somebody winds up dead. The star-power of the latest entry in the franchise isn’t as blinding as it was previously, with a cast that includes Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Kelly Reilly and Jamie Dornan, but this locked-door mystery is just as fun as the other films. Naturally, this entry is spookier than the previous films. Might be best watched while drinking enough champagne to fill the Nile. [[TRAILER](] “Behind the Attraction” Wednesday, November 1, Disney+ The second season of this popular documentary series broadens its focus, instead of mere attractions this run of episodes will focus on everything from “Nighttime Spectaculars” to “The Food” (expect a lot of anecdotes about Mickey Mouse-shaped munchies). As for actual attractions, this year’s crop will include Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Indiana Jones Adventure (perfectly timed to coincide with the new movie). There’s also an episode devoted to EPCOT, which we’re assuming will cover the experimental city and the eventual theme park. [[TRAILER](] “Blue Eye Samurai” Friday, November 3, Netflix According to the official synopsis, adult animated series “Blue Eye Samurai,” from the husband-and-wife team of Michael Green and Amber Noizumi, is set in 17th-century Edo-period Japan and “follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a mixed-race master of the sword who lives a life in disguise seeking to deliver revenge.” How about that? George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Randall Park, Kenneth Branagh, Stephanie Hsu, Ming-Na Wen, Harry Shum Jr. and Mark Dacascos also lend their voices to the strikingly stylized series. [[TRAILER](] “Quiz Lady” Friday, November 3, Hulu Sandra Oh and Awkwafina star in “Quiz Lady,” a new road trip comedy that sees the actresses playing sisters who are looking to retrieve their mother and pay off their mother’s bookie. And the best way to do that, of course, is to compete on a televised game show (hosted by Will Ferrell in full Alex Trebek mode). Yes, this does sound like the “Grab That Dough” episode of “The Golden Girls.” No, that doesn’t make us any less excited. Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor, Tony Hale and the late, great Paul Reubens co-star. This looks like a hoot. [[TRAILER](] 2034 Armacost Ave. | Los Angeles, CA 90025 [Unsubscribe](