You can’t watch all the TV shows, but here are a few choice selections you might have missed, from an HBO docuseries about George Carlin to a twisty mystery with Thomas Jane and a new take on a Cold War classic.
“George Carlin’s American Dream” (HBO)
This terrific two-part docuseries from Judd Apatow examines the much-missed comedy legend’s life, career and legacy, with insights from his friends and family, as well as Jon Stewart, Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert.
“The Tourist” (HBO)
In this intriguing and slyly funny six-episode suspense series, Jamie Dornan wakes up in an Australian hospital with no idea who he is. He’s aided by probationary constable Helen Chambers (scene-stealing Danielle McDonald), who sees his case as a chance to become a full-fledged cop.
“Wolf Like Me” (Peacock)’
From the moment Mary (Isla Fisher) runs into Gary (Josh Gad) in his car, their paths keep crossing in mysterious ways. The widower and his daughter Emma (Ariel Donoghue) are immediately drawn to Mary, but her big secret (the title is a not-so-subtle giveaway) is a major obstacle. Charming, funny and moving.
“Troppo” (Amazon Freevee)
Thomas Jane stars as retired cop Ted Conkaffey, whose wife has left him after he was falsely accused of assaulting a young girl. He’s recruited for a missing person case by local outcast and fledgling detective Amanda Pharrell (Nicole Chamoun), who went to prison for murder as a teenager. As these two black sheep team up, they find the case more complicated than they could have imagined, with twists involving a man-eating crocodile, venomous snakes, and dark family secrets.
“Clark” (Netflix)
Bill Skarsgård stars as real-life Swedish bank robber Clark Oloffson, whose crime spree included the dramatic 1973 hostage situation that spawned the term “Stockholm Syndrome.” This wildly stylized 6-part series lets the “It” actor run wild with the part.
“61st Street” (AMC)
Double Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance stars as Chicago attorney Franklin Roberts, who takes on the case of a star athlete wrongly accused of murdering a cop. The cast includes Holt McCallany of “Mindhunter” as a crooked police lieutenant blocking the truth from coming out. The series is from “The Night of…” and “Your Honor” creator Peter Moffat.
“Minx” (HBO Max)
This groovy trip back to the ’70s follows Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond of “Elementary”), who wants to create a feminist magazine called “The Matriarchy Awakens,” but is persuaded to launch the world’s first erotic magazine for women with skin mag publisher Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson of “New Girl”).
“Magpie Murders” (BritBox)
Lesley Manville stars as editor Susan Ryeland, who must solve the murder of author Alan Conway. First she has to find the missing final chapter on his last novel (titled “Magpie Murders,” of course), which may hold all the clues. The fictitious detective Atticus Pünd is on hand to help her in this six-part series adapted by the real author of “Magpie Murders,” Anthony Horowitz.
“Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?” (BritBox)
Will Poulter, Lucy Boynton and Jim Broadbent star in this adaptation of the 1934 Agatha Christie mystery, which is adapted and written by the always marvelous Hugh Laurie.
“The Ipcress File” (AMC)
Joe Cole (“Peaky Binders”) is Cold War smuggler-turned-spy Harry Palmer, a character loosely based on the same trench-coated agent played by Michael Caine in the 1965 film of the same name. Lucy Boynton costars as stylish spy Jean Courtney in the series, which departs dramatically from the original Len Deighton novel.
“The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman” (Netflix)
For fans of true crime, this disturbing three-part British docuseries follows the trail of damage left by a man named Robert Hendy-Freegard, who claimed to be a spy, but was instead an unscrupulous conman. While many of his crimes have since been exposed, he, and one of his victims, still remain at large.
