Netflix’s Bridgerton season 3A, X-Men ’97’s finale, and more new TV this week

There’s a lot of TV to weed through in any week, and this week is no exception — something I’m sure I’ve said about plenty of packed TV weeks, but what’re you gonna do! The television giveth, and giveth, and taketh away, and giveth some more.

If you’d like some recommendations beyond purely new shows, we’ve got a monthly TV recommendation thread going now, with the first instance having happened last week. But for this week if you’re looking for something to watch, check out the bevy of options below. From the triumphant (but half-season!) return of Bridgerton to the wild conclusion of Apple TV Plus’ strangest show yet, there’s plenty of great shows on the docket this week.

Here’s the best TV premieres and finales this week.

New shows on Netflix

Bridgerton season 3A

Genre: Romantic drama
Release date: May 16
Showrunner/creator: Chris Van Dusen
Cast: Nicola Coughlin, Ruby Stokes, Luke Newton, and more

It’s Bridgerton season 3 and it’s the ship that we all have been waiting for seen coming for a long time now: Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlin) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton). But they’re not only ones experiencing some romantic upheaval — ‘tis the season, after all.

Blood of Zeus

Genre: Mythological fantasy
Release date: May 15 with all episodes
Showrunner/creator: Vlas and Charles Parlapanides
Cast: Derek Phillips, Mamie Gummer, Jason O’Mara, and more

Heron (Derek Phillips) learned some tough truths about his relationship to the demon leader Seraphim (Elias Toufexis) and had a showdown for the ages. (To sum it up succinctly: twin brother, and killed him.) Now, Hades wants Seraphim’s help escaping the Underworld forever and overthrowing Zeus.

Meanwhile, Heron is left wondering: If the gods are more flawed than us… why should we have to listen to them?

New shows on Disney Plus

X-Men ’97 season finale

Image: Disney Plus

Genre: Earnest throwback superheroes
Release date: May 15
Showrunner/creator: Beau DeMayo
Cast: Ray Chase, Jennifer Hale, Alison Sealy-Smith, and more

The stage is set; the stakes are high; the mutants are fighting. Magneto, at least, believes he was right. While the rest of the X-Men aren’t fully on board, his ending blow to Wolverine last week means he might get to make a few more points.

New shows on Hulu

Uncle Samsik

Genre: Political drama
Release date: May 15 with five episodes
Showrunner/creator: Shin Yeon-shick
Cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Yo-han, and more

Two men are trying to make 1960s South Korea a better place: Kim San (Byun Yo-han), an idealist who hopes American affluence can help the Korean people, and Uncle Samsik (Parasite’s Song Kang-ho), who works from the shadows as a political fixer and social chameleon. But Kim San is starting to wonder: Is Samsik the real deal, or a corrupt influence leading him down a dark path?

New shows on Prime Video

Outer Range season 2

Genre: Sci-fi Western drama
Release date: May 16
Showrunner/creator: Brian Watkins
Cast: Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lewis Pullman

Royal (Josh Brolin) is having a helluva time on his ranch, and that’s all before you get into the weird wormhole that opened up on his property and goes who knows where. At least now, in season 2, he’s starting to get a bit more of an idea — though time will tell if it helps him out with the timey-wimey mess he’s left with.

New shows on Paramount Plus

RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season 9

Genre: Reality competition
Release date: May 17
Showrunner/creator: RuPaul
Cast: A bunch of Drag Race all stars

You know the drill: Past RuPaul’s Drag Race stars are returning in a tournament of champions. This season includes: Angeria Paris VanMicheals, Gottmik, Jorgeous, Vanessa Vanjie Mateo, and more.

Young Sheldon series finale

Image: CBS

Genre: Surprisingly poignant family drama
Release date: May 16
Showrunner/creator: Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro
Cast: Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, and more

Young Sheldon, the Big Bang Theory spin-off about (who else) Sheldon (but young) is coming to an end. The show has been a surprise hit, deviating away from the original’s more caustic sitcom style to something more heartfelt. How will this show set up for yet another spin-off (not about Sheldon at any age)? Gotta tune in to see.

New shows on Apple TV Plus

The Big Cigar

Genre: Wacky history
Release date: May 17 with two episodes
Based on an article by: Joshuah Bearman
Cast: André Holland, Janine Sherman Barrois, Jim Hecht, and more

Black Panther founder Huey P. Newton (André Holland) is trying to escape into Cuba to avoid the FBI in a pretty elaborate plan — namely utilizing a famed Hollywood producer to make a fake movie production — that, of course, is going awry at almost every turn.

If you think “Hey that sounds kinda like Argo,” you should probably know: this show is actually based on an article by Joshuah Bearman, who also wrote the article Argo was based on!

Sugar season 1 finale

Image: Apple TV Plus

Genre: Noir, with a twist
Release date: May 17
Showrunner/creator: Mark Protosevich
Cast: Colin Farrell, Kirby, James Cromwell, and more

Sugar is wrapping up its first season, including making good on its wild twist. If you’re not watching, now’s a good time to get on board!