February TV Preview: 11 New Shows to Watch

February 2: “Genius: MLK/X” (National Geographic)

National Geographic’s Emmy-winning anthology returns to cover not just one but two massive figures: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre). From their family lives and childhood years to the similar yet contrasting paths they took as they set out to change the nation, the docudrama dives deep into two of the most important figures of the 20th century. Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood serve as executive producers under Undisputed Cinema, producing along with Imagine Television Studios and 20th Television. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard return as executive producers. —PK

February 2: “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (Prime Video)

Think you know Jane and John Smith of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” fame? Think again. Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane may be adapting the hit 2005 action comedy, but the new iteration starring Glover and Maya Erskine is its own lethal cocktail. Jane and John meet when paired up by a mysterious agency, paired together professionally but in constant peril that they might fall in love for real — or, you know, get killed. —PK

February 8: “One Day” (Netflix)

Did you love David Nicholls’ novel “One Day?” Did you love the 2011 film starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess? Are you ready to feel all those emotions again — or for the first time?

Then prepare yourself for Netflix’s 14-episode edition of “One Day,” starring Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. The series catches up with their characters on the same day every year, tracking the relationship over time. Nicholls serves as executive producer alongside Roanna Benn, Jude Liknaitzky, and Nicole Taylor. Essie Davis, Tim McInnerny, Amber Grappy, Jonny Weldon, Eleanor Tomlinson, Joely Richardson, and Toby Stephens costar. —PK*

February 11: “Tracker” (CBS)

“This is Us” star Justin Hartley leads this drama as “lone-wolf survivalist” Colton Shaw, a man who travels the country to help people track down anyone they’re looking for. Based on Jeffery Deaver’s “The Never Game,” “Tracker” is as much about Colton’s own past and demons as it is about the marks he’s tasked with tracking. Hartley, Deaver, Ken Olin, Elwood Reid, and Ben Winters executive produce, with Fiona Rene, Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany, and Eric Graise filling out the cast. —PK

February 14: “The New Look” (Apple TV+)

If you’ve ever heard quips about fashion icons Coco Chanel or Christian Dior’s entanglements with Nazis and wondered about the real story, this WWII-set drama is for you. Starring dramatic heavy hitters like Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche, this 10-part Apple TV+ series will follow the fashion luminaries during the war as they sought to build their businesses while making impossible choices with life-or-death stakes. Also featuring Maisie Williams and John Malkovich, this series from Todd A. Kessler (“The Sopranos,” “Damages”) is a treat for both history and fashion fans. —ES

February 15: “Far North” (Sundance Now, AMC+)

Star Wars’ Temuera Morrison stars in this six-episode series about a bumbling gang of drug smugglers thwarted by a seemingly non-threatening couple (Morrison and Robyn Malcolm). The disel mechanic and his aqua-aerobics instructor wife don’t get a lot of drama living a quiet life, but all that changes thanks to 500 kilograms of meth and the gang’s web of deceit. The series is written, directed, and executive produced by David White, with Kelly Martin and Sally Campbell executive producing. —PK

February 21: “Constellation” (Apple TV+)

Noomi Rapace goes to space in this Apple original about an astronaut who returns to Earth and finds that her life is not quite as she left it. Things are both amiss and missing, and Jo (Rapace) will have to retrace her steps and unravel her environment to get to the truth. Creator and writer Peter Harness serves as showrunner, with James D’Arcy and Jonathan Banks rounding out the cast. —PK

February 22: “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (Netflix)

“Water. Earth. Fire. Air.” Four nations, four elements, one Avatar. Based on the beloved Nickelodeon series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, the live-action “Avatar: The Last Airbender” follows Aang (Gordon Cormier), the sole survivor of the Air nation and one being on the planet who can manipulate all four elements. Teaming up with waterbender Katara (Kiawentiio) and her brother Sokka (Ian Ousley), Aang sets out to restore balance to the world while fending off Fire Nation leaders Commander Zhao (Ken Leung) and Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu), and Firelord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim). 

Netflix’s live-action began with DiMartino and Konietzko at the helm, but they exited in 2022 citing creative differences. Albert Kim took over as showrunner, telling Entertainment Weekly in December that he was intimidated by the responsibility, but a longtime fan of the original. Netflix’s “Avatar” is an eight-hour drama, as opposed to the 20+ half-hours that comprised the original seasons, and will “unravel storylines and remix them in a new way to make sense for a serialized drama.”

“This is ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’ but it is our version of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender,’” he said. —PK*

February 28: “Shogun” (FX)

FX’s next big swing is here.

Adapted from James Clavell’s bestselling novel, “Shōgun” starts in the year 1600, at the dawn of civil war in Japan, when the death of the country’s leader creates a political power struggle among his heirs. The Council of Regents are appointed as placeholders, to help keep the peace until the late Shōgun’s eldest son is old enough to assume power, but four of the rulers begin to conspire against the fifth — Yoshii Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), the only honorable member — just as a mysterious ship carrying an English pilot washes onto Eastern shores. Soon, Toranaga’s fate is tied to the marooned navigator, John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), and his translator, Toda Mariko (Anna Sawai), a disgraced Japanese noblewoman looking for purpose as she begins to question her Christian faith.  

To say there’s a lot going on in “Shōgun” is an understatement, but co-creators and showrunners Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks fill the early hours (screened in advance for IndieWire) with sharp dialogue, stirring performances, and an accessible story. Featuring Japanese dialogue and made with a crew of 3000 strong, “Shōgun” took three years to write, shoot, and produce. TV’s next sweeping epic may be right around the corner. —BT*

February 28: “Iwájú” (Disney+)

Walt Disney Animation Studios teams up with Pan-African comic book entertainment company Kugali for this animated series about Tola (Simisola Gbadamosi) and Kole (Siji Soetan), two best friends who end up on a world-bending adventure. Helmed by Kugali filmmakers Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, Hamid Ibrahim and Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku, the series boasts new visuals and technology for Disney viewers and invites fans across the world to this magical trip through Lagos. —PK

February 29: “Me Hereafter” (Hulu)

True crime is usually a surefire hit, but Hulu’s new series takes a different take; “Me Hereafter” is a told from the viewpoint of its victims. Hulu calls it a “genre-bending docu-drama,” which will include investigative footage, reconstructed scenes and conversations, as well as interviews with those close to the deceased. —PK