5 new series to watch in November

The return of the hustle and bustle of a restaurant kitchen in a series, a murder investigation at the heart of scientific research, a Spanish detective show that makes you question your moral compass, a new ultra-creepy and surreal Netflix miniseries, and an adaptation of a novel about the behind-the-scenes lives of child influencers: what are the best series of November? Our shortlist.

For whom: Fans of psychological dramas and those nostalgic for La Casa de Papel.

The plot: An ordinary evening disrupts the lives of passengers on a shuttle bus from Barcelona airport to Manresa. Three robbers appear and rob the passengers of their phones, bank cards—everything. One passenger, until then calm and hidden under his hood, finally stands up to the robbers and kills them one by one before disappearing. The six remaining witnesses and victims are interrogated by the police, especially by the duo Fran Garza and Rebeca Quiros. The problem? The six witnesses didn’t see the face of the shooter, or if they did, they feel indebted to him and won’t cooperate with the police. Elderly knitting grandma, young anarchist feminist, arrogant corporate exec… Did the six victims make a pact of silence to protect their savior? The public opinion fervently defends the passenger who saved them all and approves the silence of the other witnesses, because, frankly, "You Would Do the Same". 

Why you’ll love it: Tu también lo harías draws a fine line between criminal and hero. You're constantly torn throughout the story! On one side, the mysterious man (José Manuel Poga) saved the other passengers. On the other, he killed three people in cold blood. Has he killed before? Why won’t the passengers (Paco Tous, Pilar Bergés...) identify the man who saved six lives? The mystery remains unsolved. As the witnesses stay in the police station for extended questioning, the press and public support the mysterious savior, hindering the police investigation. And to make matters worse, the investigating duo (Pablo Molinero, Ana Polvorosa) have recently split up and try not to let their personal issues interfere with the case.

Available on Apple TV.

For whom: Fans of British series and those who prefer the forensic aspect of true crime.

The plot: In the 1980s in Leicester, a schoolgirl from a quiet town is found dead near her home. Police commissioner David Baker is fully committed, but the murderer is nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, lab researcher Alec Jeffreys works tirelessly on refining his DNA sequencing protocol, achieving his goal in September 1984. Soon, he is asked to prove a family link in an immigration case—a success. In 1986, another schoolgirl goes missing in the same town, and the commissioner calls on Jeffreys. This is the first use of genetic fingerprinting in a criminal case. But will this new science help find a murderer?

Why you’ll love it: If you're a fan of Agatha Christie-style crime, you’re in for a treat. Today, with fingerprints, DNA, and CCTV, criminal investigations look very different from 40 years ago. John Simm is captivating as the eccentric geneticist, and David Threlfall is compelling as the English-style commissioner. Together, they lead us through the twists that led to modern investigative techniques—a fascinating dive into a historical turning point.

November 15 on Arte TV.

For whom: Fans of thrillers and social media skeptics.

The plot: The colorful YouTube channel Happy Récré features mother-daughter duo Mélanie and Kimmy Diore. But their life is shattered when Kimmy willingly gets into a stranger’s car in her own parking lot. To investigate, Sara Roussel, a scarred police chief with a complicated past, is put on the case. She quickly discovers the dark side of Kimmy's life: Happy Récré is meticulously staged by Mélanie Diore, who might not be the happy mom she portrays. As fans start their own investigation, time is ticking—the first 24 hours are crucial in child abductions.

Why you’ll love it: Based on a thriller by the brilliant Delphine de Vigan, Les Enfants sont rois takes us behind the scenes of social media and the nightmare that fame can become for children. Happy Récré raises questions about the true nature of social media fame: everything is hyper-orchestrated and polished by a talentless Mélanie Diore (Dora Tillier), who profits from her daughter's adorable face. Géraldine Nakache captivates as Sara Roussel, a cold and stoic investigator, supported by warmer, more human colleagues (notably played by Panayotis Pascot). If you're skeptical of TikTok and dislike influencers, you'll love this investigative story, a biting critique of the power and perils of social media.

Available on Disney+.

For whom: Fans of The Bear and those unafraid of Gordon Ramsay.

The plot: Young chef Carly (Vinette Robinson, The Lazarus Project, Sherlock) fights daily to uphold the reputation and status of her London restaurant, Point North, following the heart attack of her mentor (Stephen Graham, Peaky Blinders). Her strength lies in her tightly knit kitchen team, united to withstand the pressures from demanding clients and relentless financiers. Carly’s restaurant is on a precarious financial edge. As if things weren't challenging enough, her toxic mother does everything possible to sabotage her funding nights. Her team members juggle difficult family lives, and, in a bid to bolster her staff, Carly hires a new kitchen hand who turns out to have zero restaurant experience (disaster alert). Amidst it all, Point North must continue serving high-level dishes to please its clientele.

Why you’ll love it: If you loved The Bear with Jeremy Allen White, don't miss The Chef, its female-led counterpart. Set in the high-stakes kitchen of a successful fine-dining restaurant, this story dives into juicy themes like workplace relationships (romance, conflict, friendship) as well as family lives disrupted by demanding hours. We empathize with all the characters, from those struggling financially to those returning home at 3 a.m. to a baby or an aggressive spouse. The Chef highlights issues like mental health in the service industry, showing the effects of alcoholism and addiction on kitchen workers. The behind-the-scenes reality isn’t always as delectable as the dishes…

November 14 on Canal+.

For whom: Die-hard fans of psychological thrillers and surrealism.

The plot: Alex (Javier Rey), a composer recovering from an accident two years ago and recently divorced, lives as a semi-hermit in a small coastal village in northern Spain, working on his final piece. Isolated from his children and avoiding his agent’s calls, he is alone except for a nearby middle-aged couple, his only neighbors for miles. During a massive storm, lightning strikes Alex, triggering terrifying visions he interprets as grim premonitions. First, his occasional lover (Ana Polvorosa) blocks his way, pleading for him to stay as she sleeps on his couch. Next, he visualizes his neighbor (Pilar Castro), injured by gunfire, knocking on his door—while she actually sleeps peacefully in her own bed. The pinnacle of his hallucinations? A rain of dead fish crashing onto his house… It’s too much to bear, and Alex realizes he must delve deeply into his past and buried traumas to uncover the source of his horrifying visions. 

Why you’ll love it: If you’ve ever found yourself mesmerized by a surreal Dalí painting, you’ll love this new work by Oriol Paulo, a master of European thrillers (Mirage, The Invisible Guest). The scenes along Spain’s northern coast—far from the sunny, idyllic Mediterranean—are truly chilling, with misty cliffs and massive, threatening storms. The story follows Alex’s descent into madness, a music lover yearning for peace after his wife left him, taking his children away. His visions start as soft voices but escalate into disturbingly gory hallucinations. Not recommended for those with delicate sleep!

Available on Netflix.

Explore our list of must-do activities for November and the best croque-monsieur spots in Paris.