11 Best New Shows on Netflix: August 2023’s Top Upcoming Series to Watch

This August, Netflix is continuing to come in hot with tons of terrific titles on their list of new content streaming all month long. While it’s always hard to say goodbye to the titles leaving Netflix, you won’t be feeling down for long once you get a good look at the impressive array of Netflix Original series coming to the platform to take their place. With everything from brand new titles to long-awaited continuations of fan favorites, Netflix’s diverse and delightful August 2023 premieres are sure to have something for everyone.

The streamer is set to help you celebrate the new month with premieres from highly-anticipated continuations of established hit series across several different genres (so there’s truly something for everyone), like Heartstopper: Season 2, Ragnarok: Season 3, and The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2, Part 2, which are all already looking to be some of the most promising releases out of August’s entire streaming lineup.

There are also plenty of exciting brand new shows that will begin streaming exclusively on Netflix starting this month. Keep an eye out in particular for One Piece, Painkiller, and Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop.

So what makes the cut for our top 11, and which of them have what it takes to be in the Netflix Top 10? Keep reading to treat yourself to the greatness that is the list of streaming standouts for August 2023.

RELATED: New On Netflix August 2023

1. Heartstopper: Season 2

   Released August 3

   CAST: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Tobie Donovan, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Sebastian Croft, Rhea Norwood, Fisayo Akinade, Jenny Walser, Olivia Colman, Bel Priestley, Thibault De Montalembert, Bradley Riches, Jack Barton

   RATING: TV-14

   DESCRIPTION: The highly-anticipated second season of last April’s breakout hit coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama series is finally here! Based on Alice Oseman’s webcomic and graphic novel of the same name, Heartstopper follows the budding story of love and self-discovery between Charlie Spring (Locke) and his classmate Nick Nelson (Connor), while also exploring the lives of their friends.

   This latest season is the Netflix Original series is full of a whole new set of challenges, triumphs, and opportunities to grow for Nick, Charlie, and the gang as they take on exams, a school trip to Paris, prom, and more. Heartstopper: Season 2 is an absolute must-watch for a joyful and touching start to your August streaming.

   Stream Heartstopper on netflix

2. One Piece

   Released August 31

   CAST: Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero Gibson, Taz Skylar, Peter Gadiot, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Jeff Ward, Celeste Loots, Michael Dorman

   RATING: TV-14

   DESCRIPTION: Based on Eiichiro Oda’s world famous manga series of the same name, One Piece is a brand new Netflix Original series that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy (Godoy) and his Straw Hat Pirates as they endeavor to find the fabled “One Piece” treasure and crown Luffy the King of the Pirates. Their journey swiftly becomes anything from smooth sailing as dangerous adversaries tail the Straw Hat Pirates in hopes of securing the treasure for themselves.

   Find out if Luffy and his new crew can work together to chase their dreams and achieve the seemingly impossible in this fun new fantasy swashbuckler show as soon as it drops on Netflix at the end of August.

   STREAM One piece ON NETFLIX

3. Painkiller

   Released August 10

   CAST: Uzo Aduba, Matthew Broderick, Sam Anderson, Taylor Kitsch, Carolina Bartczak, Tyler Ritter, John Ales, Ron Lea, Ana Cruz Kayne, West Duchovny, Jack Mulhern, John Murphy

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: Over the course of six gripping hour-long episodes, Painkiller is a Netflix Original drama limited series that delves into the origins and aftermath of America’s opioid crisis. Based on Barry Meier’s 2018 book Pain Killer and Patrick Radden Keefe’s 2017 article in The New Yorker entitled “The Family That Built an Empire of Pain,” this premiering show highlights the stories of victims, perpetrators, and all of those in between whose lives were forever changed by the advent of OxyContin.

   STREAM Painkiller ON NETFLIX

4. Ragnarok: Season 3

   Released August 24

   CAST: David Stakston, Danu Sunth, Bjørn Sundquist, Benjamin Helstad, Billie Barker, Vebjørn Enger, Theresa Frostad Eggesbø, Herman Tømmeraas, Jonas Strand Gravli

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: After a two year wait, the third season of Norwegian coming-of-age fantasy drama Ragnarok is finally upon us. Built on the foundation of an inventive reimagining of Norse mythology, the show takes place in the small fictional Norwegian town of Edda that is plagued by climate change and pollution. The once idyllic nature of Edda is increasingly destroyed by the local Jutul family that is, in actuality, four supernatural beings pretending to be a family as they wreck havoc on the town.

   But hope comes in the form of high school student Magne Seier (Stakston), a reincarnation of Thor who fights against the Jutuls in order to protect his town and the people he cares about. Season 3 will see the lines between good and evil blurred like never before as Magne is pushed to the brink in an epic ultimate battle that pits gods against giants.

   STREAM Ragnarok ON NETFLIX

5. The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2, Part 2

   Released August 3

   CAST: Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, Jazz Raycole, Angus Sampson, Krista Warner, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Elliott Gould, Lana Parrilla, Yaya DaCosta, Matt Angel, Angélica María, David Clayton Rogers

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: The second batch of episodes for this Netflix Original legal drama series drops you in on the action. With his client (and former romantic entanglement) Lisa Trammell’s (Parrilla) trial looming on the near horizon, our titular Lincoln lawyer Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo) is forced to face new doubts, setbacks, and surprising revelations. Meanwhile, Lorna (Newton) and Cisco (Sampson) plan for their wedding day, and Izzy (Raycole) makes some major moves. There’s a lot to look forward to, so be sure to tune into The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2, Part 2

   STREAM The Lincoln Lawyer ON NETFLIX

6. Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop

   Released August 9

   CAST: Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Rah Digga, Latto, Tierra Whack, Saweetie, Coi Leray, Sha Rock, Remy Ma, Yo-Yo, Roxanne Shante, Chika, Rapsody, Kash Doll

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop is a Netflix Original limited docuseries that gives brand new insight and context into the role of women in hip-hop, beginning with showing how women were there on the ground floor of the genre 50 years ago, and showing how they still push boundaries and lead the charge today.

   Over the four episodes, the series showcases everyone from early iconic emcees to artists currently topping the charts as it gives a uniquely female perspective of hip-hop not only as a musical genre but also as a force for change and a call to action in the realms of social issues, race, and politics.

   STREAM Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop ON NETFLIX

7. The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On: Season 2

   Released August 23

   CAST: Nick and Vanessa Lachey

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: Reality TV fans, buckle up, because August is bringing us a brand new season of The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On. Nick and Vanessa Lachey return to guide five different couples on the verge of marriage through an ultimatum.

   Each couple gets the chance to temporarily split and be with someone new for several weeks as a chance to decide whether they are ultimately ready to commit to marrying their original partner or if they’ll opt to break up and move on. Make the summer last by checking out the latest season of this series that definitely brings the heat and drama in spades.

   STREAM The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On ON NETFLIX

8. Who is Erin Carter?

   Released August 24

   CAST: Evin Ahmad, Sean Teale, Douglas Henshall, Susannah Fielding, Charlotte Vega, Indica Watson, Pep Ambros, Jake Fairbrother

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: Who Is Erin Carter is a Netflix Original action-crime thriller series out of the UK that follows British expat Erin Collantes’s (Ahmad) new life in a town just outside of Barcelona as it swiftly spirals out of control when she is caught up in an armed robbery. After one of the robbers claims to recognize her, Erin’s tranquil Spanish life is threatened by the revelation of her unearthed secrets and violent past. How far will she go to protect her identity and family? Find out in Who Is Erin Carter, only on Netflix.

   STREAM Who is Erin Carter? ON NETFLIX

9. The Upshaws: Part 4

   Released August 17

   CAST: Kim Fields, Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Gabrielle Dennis, Jermelle Simon, Page Kennedy, Diamond Lyons, Journey Christine, Khali Spraggins, Gabrielle Dennis, Ayaamii Sledge

   RATING: TV-MA

   DESCRIPTION: This month ushers in a brand new season from Netflix Original sitcom, The Upshaws, reuniting us with the titular working-class Black family as they continue to juggle everyday struggles in their pursuit of a better life and happy home.

   Part 4 picks up with the Upshaws after some big life changes: Regina (Fields) left home to get some space and pick herself up after a severe depressive episode caused by the overwhelming stress of trying to balance a new job, starting grad school, and her family life. Additionally, Kelvin (Lyons), Bennie’s (Epps) son from another woman, shows up at the Upshaw residence unannounced wanting to live with his father. With all of this to explore and more, The Upshaws: Part 4 is set to be the show’s best season yet, so don’t miss out!

10. The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge

    Released August 4

    CAST: Nicole Byer, Jacques Torres, Erin Jeanne McDowell, Robert Lucas

    RATING: TV-G

    DESCRIPTION: After seven super and delicious seasons, Nailed It! is taking things to the next level with a brand new series that provides inexperienced bakers with the chance of a lifetime to find their inner baking pro.

    Nicole Byer and Jacques Torres return to provide 10 competitors with terrific tools and resources, including coaching from world-renowned pastry chefs. With the stakes higher than ever, only one baker will emerge victorious with a big cash prize and their baking dreams realized.

    STREAM The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge ON NETFLIX

11. My Dad the Bounty Hunter: Season 2

    Released August 17

    CAST: Laz Alonso,  JeCobi Swain, Yvonne Orji, Priah Furguson, Yvette Nicole Brown, Leslie Uggams, Thando Thabethe, Keith David, Tim Meadows, Chelsea Peretti, Janet Hubert

    RATING: TV-Y7

    DESCRIPTION: The animated sci-fi action-comedy series is back for a sophomore season that will reunite viewers with bounty hunter Terry (Alonso), his kids Lisa (Furguson) and Sean (Swain), his wife Tess (Orji), and more familiar faces as they embark on brand new intergalactic adventures.

    Terry’s once-secret bounty hunting job is now out in the open amongst his family, but before Sean and Tess can go all-in on helping their dad take down the conglomerate, he mysteriously goes missing. Now, it’s mom who is in the driver seat as Tess, Lisa, and Sean search the universe for Terry and the intergalactic enemies who kidnapped him. If you want fun, family-friendly streaming, be sure to catch My Dad the Bounty Hunter: Season 2 this August.

    STREAM My Dad the Bounty Hunter ON NETFLIX