TV Watchlist: 'The Penguin' and 'Agatha' and Ryan Murphy (Oh My!)

Two new Ryan Murphy shows premiere this week alongside big series from Marvel and HBO Week of September 14 – 20 Some weeks are busier than others but this week is full of all-stars – from “The Penguin,” the spin-off of “The Batman” with Colin Farrell (on Max) to “Agatha All Along,” the spin-off of “WandaVision” (on Disney+) to two new Ryan Murphy-produced true crime series with “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” (on FX) and “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” (on Netflix). Plus a new documentary on the 2020 election (“Stopping the Steal” on HBO) and a new movie with Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen (“His Three Daughters” on Netflix). See what we mean? On with the television! The Penguin Thursday, September 19 at 9 p.m., HBO Source: HBO The story that originated with 2022’s major motion picture “The Batman” continues on the small screen with “The Penguin.” The new series, as the title suggests, centers around Colin Farrell’s villainous character from the movie (yes, he’s unrecognizable under extensive prosthetics; you’ll have to trust us on this one) as he attempts to play warring Gotham crime families against each other. Cristin Milioti co-stars as the daughter of the John Turturro character from the movie (played by Mark Strong in flashbacks), fresh out of prison and ready to run the family business. Rhenzy Feliz is the Penguin’s young protégé. If you’re looking for a gripping crime drama that just so happens to connect with one of the best blockbusters of the past decade, well, look no further. This is one of the best new shows of the year, one that doesn’t shy away from darkness or despair (while a spin-off of “The Batman,” it’s considerably darker and more R-rated) and never gets too big. (Oftentimes the Marvel Studios shows leave you wondering: shouldn’t Thor be intervening here?) Full of thoughtful character work and intricate world-building, “The Penguin” could be the next great HBO crime series. If Farrell can stand to put all that make-up on again. [[TRAILER](] In Vogue: The 90s Friday, September 20, Hulu Source: Hulu Between fictionalized dramas and straight-up documentaries, the ‘90s fashion scene has been covered pretty extensively on the small screen. And “In Vogue: The 90s,” which comes to a close this evening, is no different. Described by Hulu as the “definitive story of the fashion industry in the 90s through the eyes of Vogue editors – Hamish Bowles, Edward Enninful, Tonne Goodman and Anna Wintour,” this is one of the more essential documents of that time. And like the ‘90s, it too has to end. [[TRAILER](] His Three Daughters Friday, September 20, Netflix Source: Netflix “His Three Daughters,” which premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival, was written and directed by filmmaker Azazel Jacobs, who also made “The Lovers” and “French Exit.” His latest stars Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne and Elizabeth Olsen as estranged sisters who reconvene to care for their ailing father. It’s the kind of drama that Hollywood rarely makes anymore, so when they do it’s cause for celebration – especially given the caliber of these actresses. When the movie played TIFF it got some stellar reviews. Our review called it a “mesmerizing character study” that “features not one but three incredible performances from three incredible stars.” (This was basically the consensus.) Do yourself a favor and see a movie with real characters, real movie stars and real drama. “His Three Daughters” checks all the boxes. [[TRAILER](] Stopping the Steal Thursday, September 19 at 9 p.m., HBO Source: HBO There should probably be a trigger warning attached to this documentary, which charts the unsuccessful attempts by various right-wing organizations to delegitimize the 2020 presidential election. “Recounted in detail by former staff members of the Trump administration, Republican political appointees, and elected state officials,” the new documentary “tracks the movement to discredit the 2020 presidential election,” according to the official synopsis. “Unfolding chronologically, the documentary explores and debunks the claims of ballot tampering, illegal immigrants and deceased people voting, and hacking or malfunction of Dominion Voting Systems’ electronic ballot machines.” This is the one movie that you do not, under any circumstances, want a sequel for. We’re sweating already. [[TRAILER](] WandaVision Disney+ Source: Disney+ Get ready for this week’s “Agatha All Along” (see below) by watching “WandaVision.” It’s hard to remember, after so many Marvel Studios original series on Disney+, but “WandaVision” was the very first of its kind. It’s also still one of the best Marvel Studios original series, as well, with Elizabeth Olsen (star of “Her Three Daughters”) playing the heartbroken witch Wanda Maximoff, who creates an entirely synthetic world in order to reconnect with her lost love Vision (Paul Bettany). Each episode borrows from a different primetime sitcom aesthetic, from different time periods, but what’s always the same is that their nosy neighbor is named Agatha and played by the great Kathryn Hahn. Agatha, it turns out, is not what she appears. And she quickly became a fan favorite, hence, the spin-off. While you can probably watch “Agatha All Along” cold, “WandaVision” will provide some much-needed context. And it’s also just a lot of fun to watch – for the first time, or for an additional go-around. [[WATCH](] Source: Netflix “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” Tuesday, September 17 at 10 p.m., FX Ryan Murphy has two ripped-from-the-headlines series starting this week. The first is “American Sports Story,” an extension of his television franchise that includes “American Horror Story” and “American Crime Story.” For the first season, the series is tackling the rise and tragic fall of NFL player Aaron Hernandez (Josh Andrés Rivera), who was convicted of one murder, suspected of two more and ultimately killed himself in his prison cell. The eight-episode season concludes at the end of October. Buckle up. This is going to be wild. [[TRAILER](] “Agatha All Along” Wednesday, September 18, Disney+ The follow-up to the aforementioned “WandaVision” puts Kathryn Hahn’s witchy Agatha center stage. And this time she’s surrounded by an all-star coven that includes Aubrey Plaza, Sasheer Zamata and Broadway legend Patti LuPone. Original “WandaVision” showrunner Jac Schaeffer returns for the new show, as do original cast members Emma Caulfield, Debra Jo Rupp, David Payton, David Lengel, Brian Brightman and more. (See why watching – or re-watching – “WandaVision” was a good idea?) We’re hoping that “Agatha All Along” brings some spooky season fun to the small screen and avoids some of the trappings of the more grandiose Marvel Studios series. [[TRAILER](] “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” Thursday, September 19, Netflix The other new Ryan Murphy show this week is “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which is a continuation of the “Monster” anthology that began with the Emmy-winning “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.” This time around Murphy and co-creator Ian Brennan are focusing on the 1989 murders of José (Javier Bardem) and Kitty Menéndez (Chloë Sevigny), who were killed by their sons Lyle (Nicholas Chavez) and Erik (Cooper Koch). This combines everything that Murphy loves – a period setting, a lurid murder, supposed incest and questionable accent work. Will it be the ratings and awards powerhouse that the first season was? Only one way to find out. [[TRAILER](] “Twilight of the Gods” Thursday, September 19, Netflix Zack Snyder’s first foray into an adult animated series is just as blood-and-nudity-filled as you probably expect. The series, co-created by Eric Carrasco and Jay Oliva, is set in the world of Norse mythology, with a young warrior (Sylvia Hoeks) vowing revenge against the gods after Thor kills her fiancé on their wedding day. This animation is not for the faint of heart, with the first episode containing some truly graphic sex and violence, but it is visually stunning (with animation handled by French studio Xilam) and a lot of fun to watch. Here we go! [[TRAILER](] “A Very Royal Scandal” Thursday, September 19, Prime Video From the creators of “A Very English Scandal” and “A Very British Scandal” comes “A Very Royal Scandal,” which recounts the events surrounding the infamous interview of Prince Andrew (Michael Sheen) by journalist Emily Maitlis (Ruth Wilson). And if you think that you’ve already seen this show, you haven’t but Netflix did – the movie “Scoop” from earlier this year. But Maitlis had input into this new production, which might give it some legitimacy or a different perspective. 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