What to Watch the Week of January 12: Outlander’s Shocking Finale, and Sam Heughan’s Provactive New Show
Outlander finales are always memorable, but especially so this time as season 7B comes to a close. The reason, of course, is that the next Outlander finale that airs will be the series finale. There’s always a chance season 8 could be split into two parts (nothing has been announced), but for now, itâs the last time we will watch Outlander knowing that at least thereâs still another season to come.
With that said, an Outlander finale never disappoints. Caitriona Balfe tells Glamour that it is âshocking,â while Sam Heughan reveals that episode 716, titled âA Hundred Thousand Angels,â is actually one of his favorites of the entire series.
âItâs beautifulâit really is,â Heughan says. âItâs truly an Outlander finale, very dramatic. Fans are just going to have their hearts in their throat, honestly.â
Heughan also admits that he didnât know when they were filming the episode if theyâd be coming back for a final season, so in many ways, âbehind it all, thereâs this bittersweet moment.â
While thatâs a perfect tease if you ask me, the good news is that even after you finish the season 7 finale, you can still get your Heughan fix by tuning into his new series, The Couple Next Door, which will air immediately after. You can read more about it below, but yeah, there is lots of sex and, more importantly, plenty of scintillating and hot moments you didnât see coming.
The Couple Next Door premieres right after the Outlander finale this Friday.
Sofie Gheysens/Starz
Also this week is Meghan Markleâs new Netflix lifestyle series called With Love, Meghan. Netflix hasnât made screeners available to press yet, so I canât tell you more than what youâve already seen in the trailer, but it will no doubt be bittersweet given that Meghanâs beloved dog, Guy, recently passed away, and heâs featured frequently throughout the series.
In other premieres this week, XO, Kitty is back for its sophomore season, and thereâs a very special guest star for all you fans of To All the BoysâŠ(ahem, that would include me). More on that below.
With that said, I know itâs been a very heavy week. As someone who has called Los Angeles home for well over a decade, my heart goes out to everyone in the community in the wake of the devastating wildfires. Stay safe, check in on each other, and above all, be kind. (And if you’re able to, here’s how you can help the community.) Iâll see you back here next week.
Tuesday, January 14Night Court (NBC): Mayim Bialik reunites with her Big Bang Theory co-star, Melissa Rauch. In the episode, Bialik plays a defendant while Rauch’s character, Judge Abby Stone, is thrilled to meet her as a fan of the 1990s sitcom Blossom. However, the situation takes a turn when Abby discovers Bialik is actually stalking her. Itâs the first on-screen reunion between the two since The Big Bang Theory wrapped in 2019.
âIt was so incredibly special being reunited with Mayim for this episode,â Melissa Rauch tells Glamour. âI was a tremendous Blossom fan as a kid. I even dressed up as her for Halloween. When I first met Mayim in real life I fangirled big time, so we thought it would be fun to have my character, Abby Stone, be a hardcore Bialik fan as well. Our writers crafted such a wildly hilarious episode and we had such a wonderful time doing it. Mayim is sensational playing this bizarro…and dare I say, terrifying version of herself. I’m so excited for everyone to check it out!â
And that’s not the only reunion. Bialik will also reunite with John Larroquette, who played her father on the 1990s sitcom, The John Larroquette Show. 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, 7:30 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Peacock
Wednesday, January 15With Love, Meghan (Netflix): According to the official synopsis, the Duchess of Sussexâs new entertaining series âreimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-toâs and candid conversation with friends, new and old. Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected. She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same. Guests include: Roy Choi, Mindy Kaling, Alice Waters, with additional acclaimed chefs and special friends.â There are eight episodes, around a half-hour each. Streaming
A Bug’s Life 2 (National Geographic/Disney+): The beloved series is back for a second season with Awkfina returning as your fun and witty guide to all things tiny creatures. From the fast-legged tiger beetle who escapes the heat of Malaysia’s beaches to the metamorphosis of a damselfly on a British pond, prepare to be fascinated by nature’s tiniest titans. Streaming
Shifting Gears (ABC): In the second episode of the new series, Matt joins Riley at Carterâs high school Open House, where heâs unsettled to learn about the âaccommodationsâ made for his grandsonâs anxiety. Meanwhile, Riley reconnects with Caitlin, a former classmate, and sets her up with Gabriel. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
Thursday, January 16XO, Kitty (Netflix): In season two of the Netflix YA series, Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) is back in Seoul for a new semester at KISS. She’s single for the first time in a long time and ready for a fresh start: no more meddling, no more drama. Maybe just some casual dating. But she has more to worry about than her love life, as a letter from her mother’s past sets her on a wild journey, and new faces at KISS bring change. As secrets unravel and bonds are tested, Kitty will learn that life, family, and love are more complicated than she ever imagined. And bonus: Noah Centineo makes a guest appearance as the ever-so-charming Peter Kavinsky. Streaming
A Real Pain (Hulu): Kieran Culkin just won a Golden Globe for his role in the critically-acclaimed film, written and directed by co-star Jesse Eisenberg. Now streaming on Hulu, the film delves into the universal themes of cultural heritage, acceptance, and family relationships while set against the scenic backdrop of Poland. Hereâs the synopsis of the film, which was one of AFIâs top movies of 2024: âMismatched cousins, David and Benji, reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.â Streaming
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night (Peacock): The four-part docuseries pays homage to SNL for its 50th anniversary and features plenty of SNL alumni. Hereâs a breakdown of each episode:
Episode 101, âFive Minutesâ: A showcase of the SNL audition process, with never-before-seen audition footage and firsthand accounts from some of the showâs most iconic names as they reflect on their preparation and journey to the SNL stage.
Episode 102, âWritten By: A Week Inside The SNL Writers Roomâ: A behind-the-scenes look at the SNL writing process from script to screen, capturing the creativity and chaos of a week inside the writersâ room at SNL.
Episode 103, âMore Cowbellâ:Â A deep dive into the making of SNL’s iconic “More Cowbell” sketch, exploring how a simple idea became a cultural phenomenon and offering a tribute to the lasting impact of sketch comedy.
Episode 104, âSeason 11: The Weird Yearâ: An exploration into SNLâs 11th season, examining the pivotal year that reset the showâs direction and cemented its enduring DNA with Lorne Michaels at the helm. All episodes streaming
Unstoppable (Prime Video): Based on the book by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy, the film stars Jharrel Jerome, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Anthony Robles, Don Cheadle, and Jennifer Lopez. Itâs the inspiring true story of Anthony Robles (Jerome) who was born with one leg but whose spirit and resolve empowered him to defy the odds as he fights to earn a spot on the Arizona State Wrestling team. Lopez plays his mom. Streaming
Friday, January 17Outlander (Starz): In the season seven finale, titled âA Hundred Thousand Angelsâ and written by: Matthew B. Roberts and Toni Graphia, and directed by Joss Agnew, Denzell must perform a dangerous operation with the skills heâs learned from Claire. Meanwhile, William asks for help from an unexpected source in his mission to save Jane. 8 p.m. ET/PT and streaming on the Starz app, all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms
It’s almost time to put season 7 of Outlander in the rearview mirror and gear up for the final season (most likely coming in late 2025 or early 2026).
Robert Wilson/Starz
The Couple Next Door (Starz): In this six-part psychological drama starring Sam Heughan, Evie (Eleanor Tomlinson) and Pete (Alfred Enoch, of ABCâs How to Get Away with Murder) move into an upscale neighborhood hoping to start a new family there. Upon moving in, they meet their neighbors, Danny (Heughan) and his wife, Becka (Jessica De Gouw), but soon find out all is not as it seems. As time goes on, both couples get increasingly close to each other, and one night they become sexually entangled in a way that will change all their lives. Stream on the Starz app and on-demand platforms; also airs on Starz at 9 p.m. ET/PT every Friday
Severance (Apple TV+): In the 10-episode second season, Mark Scout (Adam Scott) and his friends learn the dire consequences of trifling with the severance barrier, leading them further down a path of woe. Severance is executive produced by Ben Stiller, who also directs five episodes this season. Streaming weekly
September 5 (Paramount Pictures): The critically-acclaimed film is set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, and follows the ABC Sports broadcasting team who quickly shifted from sports reporting to live coverage when Israeli athletes were taken hostage. At the heart of the story is Geoff (John Magaro), a young and ambitious producer striving to prove himself to his boss, the legendary TV executive Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard). Together with German interpreter Marianne (Leonie Benesch) and his mentor Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), the story focuses on the intricate details of the high-tech broadcast capabilities of the time, juxtaposed against the many lives at stake and the moral decisions that needed to be made against an impossible ticking clock. In theaters
The Room Next Door (Sony Pictures Classics): Hereâs what we know about the new film starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton: Ingrid (Moore) and Martha (Swinton) were close friends in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine. But when Ingrid went on to become an auto-fiction novelist and Martha became a war reporter, their lives grew apart. Now, after years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation. In theaters
Wish You Were Here (Lionsgate): Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut in this film based on the best-selling novel by Renée Carlino. (Stiles also co-wrote the film.) It stars Isabelle Fuhrman, Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Jimmie Fails, Gabby Kono-Abdy, Jennifer Grey, and Kelsey Grammer and is about leaving the everyday world behind to take a chance on true romance. In theaters
