What to Watch the First Week of September: The “Bachelorette’ Finale and Elin Hilderbrand’s ‘The Perfect Couple’ on Netflix
September is here, and with it comes The Bachelorette finale as Jenn Tran decides between Marcus, Devin, or no one. Jesse Palmer has said the ending will leave us on the edge of our seats, and Jenn told us we won’t see it coming, so what does that really mean? It’s truly anyone’s guess.
Of course, many fans are still reeling after Jenn sent Jonathon home last week instead of Marcus, especially since Marcus wasn’t able to tell Jenn he loves her or show much of a commitment. Also…Jonathon was just fantastic, period. And there’s the fact that Jenn’s mom and brother have concerns about the whole thing now that Jenn is days away from potentially getting engaged. Regardless, we’ll be sitting down with the Bachelorette after the finale to talk about everything that goes down.
While The Bachelorette is the biggest finale of the week, The Perfect Couple on Netflix is about to be the most-talked-about premiere. Starring Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Dakota Fanning, Meghann Fahy, and others, the six-episode series is based on the best-selling book by Elin Hilderbrand and is visually stunning (Nantucket will do that), juicy, and exactly what our White Lotus–deprived souls need. It will be all anyone is talking about later this week, so don’t miss it. And check out the trailer below.
On the sports front, the US Open continues on ESPN and ESPN2, and the NFL season kicks off Thursday night on NBC with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs taking on the Baltimore Ravens in Kansas City. Taylor Swift will no doubt be in the house, as will Donna Kelce, and I couldn’t be more excited.
With that, have a relaxing Labor Day weekend. I’ll see you back here next week to preview the return of Emily in Paris part 2, the presidential debate showdown between VP Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and the already much buzzed-about VMAs.
Monday, September 2 (Labor Day)English Teacher (FX): This new comedy series premieres tonight with two episodes. The rest—there are eight total—will stream the next day on Hulu. Brian Jordan Alvarez created the series and also stars as the leadz—Evan Marquez, a high school teacher in Austin. Evan wants to be a principled person but often runs into trouble because of it. As Evan navigates his relationships, both personal and professional, he tries to answer the question: Can you really be your full self at your job? 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX and streaming the next day on Hulu
Fly (IMAX theaters): The documentary film will premiere exclusively in IMAX theaters September 2 and 3, and then debut on National Geographic on September 24 and Hulu/Disney+ on September 25. Here’s the synopsis: “What if the very thing that fuels you could also be your downfall? Humans have long dreamed of the freedom of flight. In the heart-stopping documentary, directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau immerse viewers in the exhilarating yet perilous world of BASE jumping. At the heart of the film are three couples: Jimmy and Marta, pioneering figures affectionately known as the Mom and Pop of BASE jumping; the fearless wingsuit pilot Scotty and his newfound love, Julia; and the resilient duo Amber and Espen, whose bond is tested by triumph and tragedy. Through breathtaking aerial footage, vérité scenes, and intimate interviews, the film explores the complex balance between passion and sacrifice. A poignant love story that celebrates the spirit of those who dare to defy gravity, capturing the essence of what it truly means to live on the edge.” In theaters
Tuesday, September 3The View (ABC): Season 28 with Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, Sara Haines and Alyssa Farah Griffin begins today. Yes, the ladies are moving into a new studio with a new set, but honestly, it doesn’t matter where they’re at; we just want to hear what they have to say. 11 a.m. ET, 10 a.m. CT/PT
The Bachelorette: Finale and After the Final Rose (ABC): The season finale has finally arrived. Come back here on Wednesday night as we talk to Jenn about everything that happens, and get answers to what you want to know. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu
Wednesday, September 4Tell Me Lies (Hulu): Here’s what we know: Season two picks up as Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) return to college, not speaking after their dramatic breakup at the start of the summer. While still very much at odds, they find themselves in a new version of their addictive dynamic—which is as infuriating as it is inescapable. Meanwhile, the show expands deeper into the lives of Lucy and Stephen’s friend group, as the fallout from season one impacts their lives in unexpected ways. Streaming
Thursday, September 5The Perfect Couple (Netflix): In this six-episode limited series, based on the best-selling book by Elin Hilderbrand, Amelia Sacks is about to marry into one of the wealthiest families on Nantucket. Her disapproving future mother-in-law, famous novelist Greer Garrison Winbury, has spared no expense in planning what promises to be the premiere wedding of the season—until a body turns up on the beach. As secrets come to light, the stage is set for a real-life investigation that feels plucked from the pages of one of Greer’s novels. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect. The all-star cast includes Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Dakota Fanning, Meghann Fahy, Ishaan Khatter, Jack Reynor, Sam Nivola, Mia Isaac, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Isabelle Adjani. Streaming
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (Peacock): Starring Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, and Terrence Howard, and based on the acclaimed iHeart true-crime podcast, Fight Night follows the infamous story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed one man’s life and transformed Atlanta into the Black Mecca. Streaming
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Warner Bros.): Tim Burton is back to direct the sequel to the 1988 hit film, as are Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. Here’s the synopsis: Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia finds her life soon upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Justin Theroux, Danny DeVito, and Arthur Conti also star. In theaters
Trigger Point (BritBox): Season two premieres today and picks up a year after the Crusader’s attacks. Lana Washington (Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure) has returned to EXPO after helping to train bomb-disposal teams in Ukraine. While she’s back and giving a corporate talk on bomb disposal, a series of devices are used to attack a power station, causing widespread chaos, signaling the start of a new and active threat. Two episodes streaming each week
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (NBC): The NFL kicks off the regular season with the defending Super Bowl champions, and America’s favorite love story. 8:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. CT/5:15 p.m. PT
Friday, September 6Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers (Peacock): The two teams meet in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Aside from it being the first time a regular-season game has been played in Brazil, it’s also the first time the NFL has had a Friday-night game as part of its opening week schedule in 54 years. 8:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. CT/5:15 p.m. PT
Selling Sunset (Netflix): Season eight kicks off as the realtors of the Oppenheim Group return for over-the-top listings and high-stakes drama as they navigate love, betrayal, and loyalty inside and outside the brokerage. Streaming
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu): This new reality series delves into the scandalous lives of a group of Mormon mom influencers who are thrust into the spotlight after a swinging sex scandal that made international headlines. The series provides an inside look into the lives of eight Gen Z Mormon wives, breaking the mold of traditional Mormon subculture and motherhood. Streaming
Power Book II: Ghost (Starz): Season 4B premieres today as new alliances have been formed. Per the official press release, “While Brayden starts flirting with a new, reckless lifestyle, leaving Tariq to wonder if there really is room for two at the top. With Monet left for dead, Davis facing potential disbarment, and Effie looking to secure her future at Stanford, everyone’s on their own. Diana and Dru continue to question their roles, while Cane levels up and starts working with Noma, who is fighting to establish her business in the States and keep her daughter Anya in line, who finds her way on Tariq and Brayden’s radar. With the fate of his future in the game and his family at the forefront, Tariq must reconcile his past to rise to the top of the food chain and become who he needs to be to protect those he loves most.” 8 p.m. ET/PT
Lover of Men: The Untold Story of Abraham Lincoln (Special Occasion Studios): According to the synopsis, Lover of Men examines the intimate life of America’s most consequential president, Abraham Lincoln. In the film, Lincoln scholars and prominent queer thought leaders (i.e., Alok Vaid-Menon, Montana state representtive Zooey Zephyr) and never-before-seen photographs and letters detail Abraham Lincoln’s romantic relationships with men—a topic that has found its way into pop culture for decades, but one that has never been covered in this way by historians and scholars in a documentary. In theaters
Saturday, September 7Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos (HBO/Max): The two-part documentary directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney does a deep dive into the psyche of renowned Sopranos creator and writer David Chase, in which fellow show writers, producers, executives, and actors (Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli) will offer insight along with an array of clips from the show, early audition videos from many of the cast members, and behind-the-scenes footage. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming on Max
His & Hers (Hallmark Channel): Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott star in their 10th Hallmark movie together. In this new original film, they play a married couple who are high-powered lawyers at two separate New York City law firms. They soon find themselves on opposing sides of a messy divorce between two reality stars, Sammy and Brett; when both clients are unable to compromise, Dana (Chabert) and Mark (Elliott) are headed for a courtroom showdown that results in tensions infiltrating their otherwise happy household. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT