5 new series to watch in January

The American remake of HPI by Disney+, the story of a fifty-year-old woman who becomes a sex assistant, the new Netflix series about the life of a policewoman investigating her father's murder, a Max comedy about the perpetual struggles faced in an emergency hospital department, and the resolution of a high-seas drama: what are the best series in January? Our short list.

For whom? Timeless fans of HPI with the queen Audrey Fleurot.

The pitch. No need for introductions. Morgan (Kailtlin Olson), a young single mother of three, works as a cleaner at a Los Angeles police station. One night, while dancing and cleaning, she accidentally knocks over a box of evidence, instantly realizes the police are mistaken, and corrects their board. The officers quickly notice that her attention to detail and her High Intellectual Potential are very useful. The LAPD hires her as a consultant. Major obstacle: her main colleague, Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), is quite skeptical about Morgan’s policing skills. To be fair, the young woman brings her baby to crime scenes and sports a decidedly eccentric wardrobe. With her 160 IQ, Morgan will have to prove her capabilities.

Why did we like it? HPI brilliantly swaps the charming streets of Lille for the grand avenues of Los Angeles. The gamble of Americanizing the cult series, whose fourth and final season gathered nearly 10 million fans, is a success. Morgan (without an "e"!) portrayed by Kaitlin Olson, remains just as endearing and quirky, even though she's entirely different from the iconic Audrey Fleurot. Her dancing demeanor and perpetual cheerfulness warm the heart between two gruesome crime scenes directed by Drew Goddard (Buffy, Lost, The Good Place) who delivers a high-quality remake. High Potential is a safe bet!

High Potential on Disney+, January 23.
Watch the trailer here.

For whom? Fans of sexy and uninhibited comedies.

The pitch. The sex life of Catherine (Anne Girouard), a discreet mother, has long been shelved. One day, this inclusive choir director accidentally stumbles upon her chorister Athéna (Hélène Bares) receiving oral sex. This incident becomes a revelation: she, too, wants to experience such ecstasy. A fifty-something rediscovering her libido, she becomes a sexual assistant for people with disabilities—a highly altruistic yet entirely illegal venture. With help from her disabled brother Xav (Nicolas Lumbreras), who despises her husband, she embarks on an extraordinary extramarital relationship. Her new crush? Samir (Riad Gahmi), a charming paraplegic for whom she becomes an “assistant.” What she doesn’t know is that he works for her husband. Along the way, her choir allies support her in her sexuallo-professional reinvention. In the absence of her unbearable son and her frigid husband, Cathy even transforms her family home into a brothel. What could possibly go wrong?

Why did we like it?
Extra. is a hilarious, uninhibited, and completely offbeat series that tackles the topic of libido among fifty-somethings with humor. Right away, you can’t help but empathize with Cathy, a mother exhausted by playing maid for her ungrateful son and a husband who refuses to touch her. Characters like Athéna with her liberated sexuality and Samir, the romantic heartthrob, remind us that “mature” people and those with disabilities also have their inner Casanova. Special mention to Xav, the disabled brother who spends his days smoking joints, giving absurd advice, and filming arguments between his sister and her husband. The latest work by Jonathan Hazan is a heartwarming delight.

Extra. on CINE+ OCS, January 7.
Watch the trailer here.

For whom? Fans of police investigations à la Castle.

The pitch. Police inspector Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar) loses her father, a policeman murdered by a hitman. Shortly after, her fiancé Josh (Ashley Walters) disappears without a trace. Eleven years later, her ex-fiancé reappears on a dating app, throwing her back into confusion: she never understood why her father was targeted or why her fiancé left when she needed him most. Using police resources to track her ex, she discovers he visited the hitman who killed her father in prison shortly after his arrest. Could he have been involved in the murder? Did he leave out of guilt?

Why did we like it?
In Tu Me Manques, the twists and turns are endless. We follow Kat Donovan in her downward spiral as she uncovers the truth about her ex-fiancé and her father—the two most important men in her life, whom she may have wrongly idolized. Her personal investigation is hindered by her superior, who deems her overworked and forces her to take leave. But Kat doesn’t back down: she’s a true girlboss who refuses to let obstacles block her quest for the truth. Plus, she’s funny. Special kudos to the ultra-diverse cast that includes representation for racialized and transgender individuals without overemphasizing it. We love it!

Tu Me Manques on Netflix, January 1.
Watch the trailer here.

For whom? Those who enjoy the protagonist of Dr. House and the drama of Grey’s Anatomy.

The pitch. In the emergency department of a Pittsburgh hospital, tensions are constantly high. Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle), the department chief, is highly qualified and possesses unbeatable intuition for saving patients. His best assets are his doctors and students, all empathetic and efficient... mostly! Whitaker (Gerran Howell) is a walking disaster, Collins (Tracy Ifeachor) wants to befriend every patient, Santos (Isa Briones) struggles with opening vials, King (Taylor Dearden) gives overly blunt advice, and Javadi (Shabana Azeez) does her best to avoid treating the same patients as her formidable doctor mother. Amidst this lively crew looms a concern: in America, hospitals must be profitable while providing the best conditions for patients. But how can they cope with such immense pressure?

Why did we like it?
R. Scott Gemmill strikes again 30 years after ER, his first hospital-based series, delivering with The Pitt an adrenaline-packed show. The 12 episodes cover 15 hours of emergency department service and truly highlight the intensity of events that unfold there. One episode includes a woman amputated in a makeshift manner, a fall from several meters, a minor seeking an abortion, a heart attack, and even… a splinter. A shoutout to the man demanding to see a doctor for nearly the entire season (15 hours of waiting): a scathing critique of severe hospital understaffing. Despite this, The Pitt is a beautiful lesson in life, gratitude, and mutual support that leaves you smiling.

The Pitt on MAX, January 10.
Watch the trailer here.

For whom? Fans of Nordic-style investigations who aren't too thalassophobic.

The pitch. Off the coast of Fécamp, the ship Rosa Davies sinks with its 14 sailors for no visible reason: as the vessel submerges, it emits an inexplicable flash of light. The town calls on Abigail (Fleur Geffier), a young and talented oceanologist who fled the city three years earlier and reluctantly returns to investigate. The search is far from straightforward: the waters are turbulent, electromagnetic currents disrupt navigation equipment, and Fécamp is torn between the sailors eager to return to sea, the clueless police marshal Prigent (Jonas Bloquet), and Abigail, who is reluctantly accompanied by her sister-in-law Sylvie (Olivia Côte), an eco-activist accusing wind farm construction of causing the accident. When the wreck is finally located, Abigail discovers it has been sliced cleanly in two, with no trace of the other half. What is happening in these Atlantic waters?

Why did we like it?
If you enjoy disappearances at sea, mysteries surrounding port lighthouses, and foggy shots over dark beaches, Rivages is a safe bet. It also explores the world of seasoned sailors hardened by a lifetime of perilous navigation, fighting for their livelihood and passion. One particularly poignant scene has Abigail pleading with them to stay in port due to the danger. Rivages is more than just a high-seas disappearance investigation; it is an environmental thriller, a true plea for ocean health. The series is bolstered by powerful direction, breathtaking offshore cinematography, and a stellar cast.

Rivages on France.TV, January 6.
Watch the trailer here.

Discover also the movies to (re)watch to kick off the year and the best activities to do in January.