TV Highlights This Week: The Abandons and Spartacus: House Of Ashur
Television is getting fiery this week—Western brawls, Roman revenge, and heartfelt dramas are all taking center stage. From sweeping love stories to gladiatorial power grabs, the small screen is ready to keep viewers hooked from Sunday, November 30 through Saturday, December 6. (All times Eastern.) But here’s where it gets interesting—some of these premieres revisit old legends while others promise to reshape how we look at love, fame, and legacy.
The New Years (MUBI, Wednesday, 12 a.m., Season One Premiere)
If you adored Netflix’s One Day, here’s a series that might just touch the same emotional chord. The New Years, directed by Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen (The Beasts), unfolds through a decade of New Year’s Eve celebrations. It follows Ana and Óscar (played by Iria del Río and Francesco Carril) as their relationship transforms—from romantic beginnings to the darker realities of family and life. Each episode captures both fleeting joy and the quiet heartbreaks that shape long-term love. Keep an eye out for The A.V. Club’s full review on Wednesday.
The Abandons (Netflix, Thursday, 3 a.m., Season One Premiere)
Imagine the grit of Sons of Anarchy transported to the Wild West. That’s exactly what creator Kurt Sutter delivers in The Abandons. Set in the 1850s, the series pits two fierce matriarchs—Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) and Lena Headey (Game of Thrones)—against each other in a lawless frontier. Supporting the drama are Lucas Till, Aisling Franciosi, Nick Robinson, and Patton Oswalt. Expect gunfights, betrayal, and a touch of moral grayness that could leave viewers split over who the real hero is. The A.V. Club’s review drops Thursday—don’t miss it.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (HBO, Thursday, 9 p.m.)
Musicians come and go, but few leave behind a legacy as haunting as Jeff Buckley’s. This new installment in HBO’s Music Box series, directed by Amy Berg, traces the bittersweet story of the late artist behind the iconic 1994 album Grace and his unforgettable rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Over more than two hours, the documentary weaves memories from those closest to Buckley—including Rebecca Moore, Ben Harper, and Aimee Mann—with rarely seen footage and reflections on fame, art, and tragedy. Could this film reshape how we understand the myth of the tortured artist?
Spartacus: House Of Ashur (Starz, Friday, 12 a.m., Season One Premiere)
Fifteen years after the blood-soaked original Spartacus first thundered across screens, the saga continues. This time, the spotlight shines on Ashur (Nick E. Tremblay), who—in an alternate timeline—cheated death on Mount Vesuvius. Now, he seizes control of the gladiator school that once enslaved him, navigating the vicious intrigue of Roman politics in his quest for power. Familiar faces return, including Lucy Lawless as Lucretia and Liam McIntyre as the famed Spartacus himself. But here’s the question diehard fans will debate: Is Ashur a survivor—or simply another tyrant in the making?
Jay Kelly (Netflix, Friday, 3 a.m.)
Meta storytelling meets star power in Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach’s sharp dramedy starring George Clooney as—you guessed it—a world-famous actor revisiting his career highs and moral lows. Accompanied by his loyal manager Ron (Adam Sandler), Kelly embarks on a humorous yet bittersweet European journey that forces him to confront success, aging, and authenticity. The A.V. Club’s full review is already live here. But is this Baumbach’s most self-aware film yet? That’s sure to divide viewers.
Can’t-Miss Recaps
- IT: Welcome To Derry (HBO, Sunday, 9 p.m.)
- The Chair Company (HBO, Sunday, 10 p.m., Season One Finale)
- I Love LA (HBO, Sunday, 10:37 p.m.)
- Pluribus (Apple TV, Friday, 12 a.m.)
Also Coming 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 (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)
From sweeping romances to gritty revivals, this week’s lineup reflects every corner of human emotion and ambition. Some stories will uplift; others might break your heart. But here’s the question worth pondering—do we watch to escape reality, or to better understand it? What’s your pick for the must-see show of the week? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s see where everyone stands!
