Get ready for a weekend of TV that’s equal parts controversial and not. For the former, audiences can tune to watch HBO‘s controversial Brexit TV movie with Benedict Cumberbatch or Showtime‘s SMILF season 2. For the latter, BBC America is premiering the first episode of Dynasties, the cable network’s latest David Attenborough-narrated nature miniseries. So from the Brexit TV movie to the second season of SMILF, here’s what to watch on TV this weekend.
What to watch on TV this weekend
Brexit, Jan. 19 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO
When HBO dropped the first trailer for its upcoming Brexit TV movie in mid-December, proponents and opponents of the United Kingdom’s titular referendum were both displeased. Which is understandable, because Britain is still reeling from the vote’s consequences. In the film, Benedict Cumberbatch plays Dominic Cummings, the man who spearheaded the Vote Leave campaign and ultimately led to the country’s disastrous decision to leave the European Union.
Dynasties, Jan. 19 at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America
Aside from Killing Eve and Doctor Who, BBC America has become well known for its nature documentary series. The majority of these have been narrated or produced by David Attenborough, and Dynasties is no different. The new program follows five of the world’s most celebrated but endangered animals, and its first episode is all about the “Lion” of the African continent. Future episodes highlight the “Chimpanzee,” “Tiger,” “Painted Wolf” and “Emperor Penguin.”
Black Monday, Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime
Showtime’s latest “dramedy” is framed around the disastrous day of its title. On Oct. 19, 1987, Wall Street suffered the worst crash in its entire history. Created by David Caspe and Jordan Cahan, and with executive producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg directing the pilot episode, Black Monday follows the members of The Jammer Group as they cope with the market’s losses. Don Cheadle, Regina Hall, Paul Scheer, Horatio Sanz and Yassir Lester lead the cast.
What to watch on TV this weekend
Crashing, Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO
Stand-up comic Pete Holmes’s semi-autobiographical comedy Crashing returns for a third season on HBO. Pete returns to the New York comedy scene after a two-month college tour with a renewed sense of confidence. In true Crashing fashion, of course, it all comes tumbling down as Pete soon realizes that all the hard work he’s put into rebuilding his career might not be enough. Jamie Lee, who writes for and produces the show, returns as Pete’s fellow comedian and ex Ali Reissen.
SMILF, Jan. 20 at 10:30 p.m. ET on Showtime
Frankie Shaw’s critically acclaimed SMILF was tarnished by controversy when The Hollywood Reporter revealed that sexual misconduct claims had been levied against the showrunner by another actress. Shaw has since apologized for the allegations and made clear that she is striving to do better. As for the show itself, SMILF follows single mom Bridgette Bird (Shaw) as she tries to make the best life possible for her 3-year-old son. Rosie O’Donnell co-stars as Bridgette’s stubborn mother.
High Maintenance, Jan. 20 at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO
Viewers hoping for a more mellow bit of TV can look no further than the season 3 premiere of Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair’s High Maintenance on HBO. As with previous seasons, the show follows The Guy (Sinclair) as he tells various stories about the lives of New Yorkers who do (and do not) imbibe in marijuana use. The Guy’s clients come from all walks of life, which makes High Maintenance one of the more fun and innovative anthology-esque shows on TV today.
