The Best New TV Shows of September 2025

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Okay, so even though it doesn’t *feel* like fall everywhere yet, September is officially the start of autumn! And for me, that always means TV is switching gears from light summer shows to things with a little more substance. This month looks *amazing* – we’ve got a show that really celebrates bold, fearless reporting, a psychological thriller that’s surprisingly deep and thoughtful, a crime drama that makes you think about forgiveness, a heavy metal documentary that’s way more serious than Spinal Tap, and even a really intense, high-quality look at Benito Mussolini. I’m so excited to dive in!

Into the Void: Life, Death, and Heavy Metal (Hulu)

The merging of companies in the entertainment world has created some interesting contradictions. For example, just recently, Disney-which owns ABC, Hulu, and FX, among others-both censored Jimmy Kimmel by briefly taking him off the air and highlighted two shows celebrating free speech. One of these is Into the Void, an eight-part documentary about heavy metal. (The other is The Lowdown, which you can learn more about below.) Instead of being a comprehensive history of the genre or a breakdown of its different styles, the series focuses on a different musician or band in each episode. It also shines a light on lesser-known, diverse pioneers-like those featured in episodes such as “Iranian Metal Crusade” and “Ann Boleyn of Hellion”-more than it does on established stars (“Randy Rhoads,” “Judas Priest on Trial”).

Although Into the Void is a series worth seeing in its entirety, two episodes really stood out to me. “Kurt Struebing of NME” tells the disturbing story of a Seattle black metal singer from the 1980s whose band was gaining popularity until he experienced a severe mental breakdown and tragically killed his mother. However, this isn’t simply a look at the dangers of musicians who embrace dark themes. Through compassionate interviews with his bandmates and family, Struebing’s story becomes one of possible recovery and a sad reflection on how our legal system often fails to adequately address the mental health needs of those within it. In “Wendy O. Williams,” we see the rise of the rebellious Plasmatics from 1970s New York, blending the grit of Times Square with the boundary-pushing art of the downtown punk movement. Often unfairly labeled during her lifetime as a provocatively dressed, attention-grabbing performer – a reputation that led to violent arrests on obscenity charges – the band’s leader, Williams, is rightfully recognized here as the passionate activist, feminist pioneer, and anti-consumerist champion she truly was.

The Lowdown (FX)

“It’s hard to deal with a white person who pretends to care,” says Marty, a character portrayed by Keith David, in the first episode of the FX crime drama The Lowdown. He’s referring to Lee Raybon, the show’s main character-a determined investigator fighting corruption within a powerful family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While Marty is the first to point out this issue, he isn’t alone. Other people of color in the story also question whether Lee’s courage and strong moral beliefs-which some see as recklessness and self-righteousness-are connected to his advantages. It’s unclear whether this background will allow him to succeed against powerful opponents or if it will lead to his failure, and if he’s too confident to even notice the risk.

The situation in the show is viewed through the eyes of two Lowdown executive producers: Sterlin Harjo, the creator who’s famous for the excellent FX coming-of-age drama Reservation Dogs, and Ethan Hawke, who plays the character Lee. Lee is a unique investigator – he calls himself a “truthstorian,” meaning he’s dedicated to uncovering past wrongs. He’s disorganized but determined, incredibly well-read yet down-to-earth, and a little unpredictable, seemingly unconcerned for his own well-being and deeply committed to social justice. [Read the full review.]

Mussolini: Son of the Century (Mubi)

If you’ve been hoping to see television-our most direct form of storytelling-tackle the pressing political issue of our time-the growing strength of far-right authoritarianism worldwide-I have both good and bad news. The good news is that a top-tier international group of creators-including director Joe Wright, executive producers Paolo Sorrentino and Pablo Larraín, and co-writer Stefano Bises (Gomorrah, The New Pope)-collaborated on a remarkable eight-part Italian drama that follows the ascent of Benito Mussolini, the founder of fascism. The bad news is that if you don’t already have a subscription to the Mubi streaming service, you’ll need to pay another monthly fee to watch it.

Viewers will find this one of the year’s most insightful, beautifully made, and relevant shows. Based on Antonio Scurati’s historical novel, this series creatively tackles the challenge of portraying a hateful leader: it gets close enough to his viewpoint to understand his motivations and how he gained followers, without excusing his terrible actions. Mussolini: Son of the Century skillfully balances this with a powerful performance by Luca Marinelli (Martin Eden), a script that effectively uses first-person storytelling to reveal Mussolini’s distorted thinking, and direction that highlights the contrast between his promises to the people and the violence he caused on behalf of powerful supporters. The energetic electronic score by Chemical Brother Tom Rowlands keeps the show from feeling like a typical historical drama and reflects the dynamic art of the Italian futurists, who were among Mussolini’s earliest allies. Mussolini is both a sharp psychological study of a profoundly damaging figure and a clear explanation of the politically motivated, illogical beginnings of fascism.

Task (HBO)

Crime shows, particularly now when people are easily distracted, usually start with the crime itself. Often, there’s a murder within the first few minutes. However, HBO’s Task intentionally breaks this and many other unwritten rules of the genre. The series, created by Brad Ingelsby, who also made Mare of Easttown, begins with a series of everyday scenes showing the lives of two men. We see a tired Tom Brandis (Mark Ruffalo) praying, splashing ice water on his face, and taking Advil while driving. Meanwhile, a tough Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey) carries his son to bed, makes a large coffee, and seems interested in a dating app ad on the radio. [Read the full review.]

Wayward (Netflix)

Most of us are familiar with Philip Larkin’s views on parents. It’s difficult to disagree with his famously blunt poem – it’s become almost a common understanding that we inevitably pass on our imperfections to our children. However, despite this, no better way of raising children has been found than the traditional nuclear family. But is a different approach even achievable, or would we even *want* it?

Here’s what drives Netflix’s Wayward, a remarkable new series by comedian and Feel Good creator Mae Martin. It blends psychological thriller, teen drama, and police procedural elements-genres that are made even better by Martin’s dry wit-and playfully subverts common storylines to explore fresh ideas about family. The show tackles sensitive issues like trans identity and the troubled teen industry, but it stands out by providing context and nuance instead of simply taking a side. [Read the full review.]

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2025-09-29 19:06