How to watch Ted Lasso season 3: Stream on Apple TV+ today

Liz Kocan and Jon Winkler

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It's time to hit the pitch with Richmond FC again: "Ted Lasso" has returned to Apple TV+. The first two seasons of the Emmy award-winning series were a hit with critics and audiences alike, making the third season one of the most anticipated of the year. Below, we have all the details on how you can watch Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple on Apple TV+ today.

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When does Ted Lasso season 3 start?

After the second season’s cliffhanger ending broadcast in October of 2021, fans have been eagerly awaiting news of the third and final season's premiere date. The new series returned to Apple TV+ today, March 15.

How to watch Ted Lasso

You can stream all three seasons of "Ted Lasso," as well as other original programming, on Apple TV+. The streaming service is currently available in 107 countries across the globe. For a full, up-to-date list of countries where Apple TV+ is available, you can search the Apple Support page.

The first trailer for the series features Lasso's players making him their own versions of the iconic "Believe" sign that hangs in the locker room.

Sign up for Apple TV+

To stream "Ted Lasso," you can sign up for an initial seven-day free trial of Apple TV+, and subsequently pay $6.99 a month for the service.

If you're a new subscriber, you’ll need to download the Apple TV app on a supported device to start watching. The service is currently available on all mobile Apple devices, Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, and third-generation Apple TVs, as well as Panasonic, Playstation, Xbox, Vizio, Samsung, LG and Sony Smart TVs and Roku, FireTV, Android TV and Google TV streaming devices. (You can always check the Apple TV supported device page for a complete, up- to-date list of devices compatible with Apple TV+.)

What to watch on Apple TV+

In addition to Ted Lasso, Apple TV+ offers plenty of other top-rated original shows like "Shrinking" and "Severance", and films such as "CODA" and "The Tragedy of Macbeth." On Friday, February 17, Apple TV+ will air two brand new shows: "Hello Tomorrow!" and "Extrapolations."

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Where the best sitcoms of all time stream, from 'Lucy' to 'Atlanta'

When you're looking for a specific kind of laugh, only your favorite TV comedy will do.

Maybe you need some classic Americana yuks ("I Love Lucy"), some weird sketch humor ("Mr. Show"), the biggest comedy of 2021 ("Ted Lasso") or an easy family sitcom ("Modern Family"). And with more streaming services than you can keep track of, it's not always so easy to find which service has your favorite show.

So if you're looking for "The Office" or "Good Times" or "Atlanta," you don't have to scroll through endless menu screens of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Disney+ and Apple TV+, hoping to strike TV gold. We compiled a list of 50 of the greatest TV comedies of all time and exactly where they're streaming.

Hangout sitcoms

“The Big Bang Theory” (HBO Max) The CBS sitcom starring Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco was TV's most popular show for a reason – its big, broad humor and nerdy characters are comforting and familiar.

“Community” (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon) This slightly zany NBC comedy about a group of diverse friends attending a local community college has its ups and downs, but its funniest, most ambitious installments are among the best TV episodes ever made.

“Don’t Trust the B**** in Apt. 23” (Hulu) This quirky series about a nightmare roommate didn't last long on ABC, but made great comedy, with Krysten Ritter and James Van Der Beek, playing a fictional version of himself.

“Frasier” (Hulu, Paramount+) Although it's more cynical and mature than its forerunner, "Cheers," NBC's series about Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) became one of the most successful spinoffs of all time.

“Friends” (HBO Max) Nearly three decades after it premiered on NBC, "Friends" remains a cultural institution and a reliable source of delight and laughs. Its long afterlife in cable reruns and streaming (it was on Netflix for years before it moved to HBO Max) has introduced it to new generations. It may be a cliché, but it is nice to spend some time with our "Friends."

“Happy Endings (HBO Max, Hulu) One of the many "Friends"-like hangout sitcoms to emerge over the past two decades, ABC's "Endings" is on the quirkier, more heightened side, following five 30-somethings in Chicago.

“Seinfeld” (Netflix) If you've never seen Jerry Seinfeld's landmark NBC show about nothing, it's a great time to start. You might want to skip the disappointing series finale though.

More:The 50 best TV shows to watch on Netflix

Workplace sitcoms

“30 Rock” (Netflix, Hulu) Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan make an endlessly appealing trio in this award-winning NBC series about a "Saturday Night Live"-style sketch comedy series.

“Cheers” (Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock) You can still go where everybody knows your name in this classic NBC comedy starring Ted Danson.

“The Good Place” (Netflix) NBC's afterlife sitcom feels like a dose of palliative care with its bright colors, puns and visual gags. Underneath its appealing aesthetics, "Place" has great performances, great writing and some sincere thoughts about ethics and philosophy.

"Parks and Recreation" (Peacock) Nothing can stop Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). NBC's workplace sitcom is an inspiring stalwart in this genre, full of generally good people trying to do good things.

“Party Down” (Hulu) Fans of "Party Down" creator Rob Thomas' “Veronica Mars” and “iZombie” will love this cynical Starz comedy about cater-waiters that stars Jane Lynch and Adam Scott.

“Scrubs” (Amazon, Hulu) The sweet, silly comedy of NBC's long-running “Scrubs,” starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke, is what fans most often remember. But it's also a celebration of the doctors who work so hard to save lives, and often feels like a more realistic look at life in the hospital than high-drama soap operas.

“Superstore” (Hulu, Peacock) This NBC series set at a big-box retail store is something of a modern-day "Cheers," a workplace comedy set outside a traditional office in a place we all have wandered into at some point. (The blue vests of the fictional Cloud 9 store might remind you of a certain chain).

“Veep” (HBO Max) Some of the political satire's bite has faded as our world has become more absurd and shocking, but that doesn't dull the sharpness of star Julia Louis-Dreyfus' performance in the HBO Emmy-favorite.

Family sitcoms

“Black-ish” (Hulu) The series, which ended its ABC run this spring, follows an upper-middle-class Black family navigating social issues in a predominantly white Los Angeles neighborhood. With great performances by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, it's one of the best sitcoms on TV.

“Everybody Loves Raymond” (Peacock) If you want guaranteed laughs and guaranteed comfort, look no further than CBS' touchstone sitcom, which remains one of the greatest entries in the genre. For nine seasons, Ray (Ray Romano), Debra (Patricia Heaton), Robert (Brad Garrett), Marie (Doris Roberts) and Frank (Peter Boyle) were like a second family.

“Fresh Off the Boat (Hulu) From the creator of “Don’t Trust the B***,” this is another hall of fame entry in the ABC family sitcom genre. Especially in the first four seasons, this story of a Taiwanese-American family in 1990s Orlando, Florida, was full of great, specific humor and a talented cast, including Constance Wu and Randall Park.

“Modern Family” (Hulu, Peacock) The multiple-Emmy-winning ABC series has an incredible cast and relatable laughs for families and married couples.

“Mom” (Hulu) Anna Faris and Allison Janney deliver smart comedy about family and addiction in producer Chuck Lorre's ("The Big Bang Theory") best (but most underrated) former CBS sitcom.

“One Day at a Time” (Netflix) Like the Norman Lear original, this sitcom, about a Cuban-American family in Los Angeles, is an expert at combining a frank discussion of social issues with hilarity.

"Schitt's Creek" (Netflix) Full of beautiful romance, sunny settings and plenty of humor, the Canadian sitcom about a rich family that loses it all but gains a little perspective is always a mood booster.

“Speechless” (Hulu) Gone too soon after just three seasons, ABC's comedy about a family in which one son has cerebral palsy is a representation of disability like you've never seen before, with searing satire and riotous laughs.

More:The 50 best TV shows on Amazon Prime right now

TV classics

“The Brady Bunch” (Paramount+) There’s an undeniable appeal to ABC's family sitcom about a lovely lady and a man named Brady (that’s the way they all became the Brady bunch!) that extends far beyond its 1969-74 run.

"The Carol Burnett Show" (Amazon, Peacock) Several series from the mid-20th century, when TV was a jolly affair across the board, are available to stream. We're partial to CBS' timeless sketch comedy from Burnett, an American treasure.

“Designing Women” (Hulu) A hallmark of 1980s fashion and hair, CBS' “Designing” is one of the great ensemble workplace shows. The interior design firm in Atlanta will always have our hearts, if not our aesthetic.

“The Golden Girls” (Hulu) They don't make them like they used to, right? A visit from Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia is always funny and calming, no matter whether you're just discovering the beloved NBC sitcom or rewatching it.

"Good Times" (Peacock) This Norman Lear series from the 1970s about the Evanses, a Black family getting by in Chicago, is a television classic and a welcome addition to the streaming landscape. John Amos, Esther Rolle and Janet Jackson are among the wonderful cast of the "Maude" spinoff (which itself was an "All in the Family" spinoff) that aired for six seasons on CBS.

“I Love Lucy” (Paramount+) Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, were the innovators of one of TV’s great formats in this iconic CBS sitcom that ran from 1951-57. The episodes are pockets of history that still offer plenty of laughs in 2022, “Vitameatavegamin” among them.

More:The 50 best TV shows to watch on Hulu

Sketch comedy

"A Black Lady Sketch Show" (HBO Max) Created by Robin Thede and produced by Issa Rae, HBO’s tiny-but-mighty sketch comedy series is knee-slappingly hilarious. Its talented Black lady comedians excel in sketches that are unique to their experiences and universal in their humor.

“Chappelle’s Show” (HBO Max, Netflix, Paramount+) Although it aired on Comedy Central for only two seasons in 2003-04, Dave Chappelle’s landmark sketch-comedy show had a deep impact on the comedy scene of the 2000s.

“Key & Peele” (Hulu, Paramount+) If you're more interested in morsels of comedy than long narratives, Comedy Central's sketch show, which jump-started the careers of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, is perfect and requires very little commitment to get a laugh.

“Saturday Night Live” (Hulu, Peacock) You can dive into previous seasons of NBC's late-night institution for some quick laughs and topical (well, at the time) parodies.

More:The 25 best TV shows on Disney+ to watch

Adult animation

“Archer” (Hulu) Spy games are never funnier (or sillier) than in this FXX series, which features the voices of Judy Greer, H. Jon Benjamin and Chris Parnell.

“Bob’s Burgers” (Hulu) Heartfelt, offbeat and full of visual humor, Fox's series about a family and its burger joint is the model of modern adult animation.

“BoJack Horseman” (Netflix) Not the cheeriest comedy, but one of the most affecting, Netflix’s showbiz satire found unexpected depths by juxtaposing animated, bipedal animals dealing with serious contemporary issues.

“The Simpsons” (Disney+) Disney+ isn't all princesses and Pixar – the entire library of this seminal Fox Sunday night comedy is ready for you to stream at a time in which the quirks of Springfield feel less odd than real life.

More:The 50 best TV shows on HBO Max

From across the pond

“Catastrophe” (Amazon) For fans of dry British humor who feel stable in their marriages, this sitcom from Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan is a beautiful portrait of a relationship that begins with an unplanned pregnancy but becomes so much more.

“Derry Girls” (Netflix) This Irish series, best watched with subtitles, follows a group of Catholic teens in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, a period of religious violence in the region. The series is a great comedy about trying to live a daily life amid social unrest and upheaval.

“Fleabag” (Amazon) Hilarious, emotional and utterly surprising, the British comedy from Phoebe Waller-Bridge, in which she stars as a struggling young woman, deserves the hype (and all those Emmys).

"Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+) The comedy, about an American football coach drafted to lead a British soccer team, was a warm light of positivity in 2020, a deeply funny and meaningful show with lovable characters. In its second season, the tone turned serious as the writers explored a deeper story about mental health and trauma.

More:The 35 best TV shows to watch on Peacock

Dramedies

“Atlanta” (Hulu) Donald Glover’s audacious FX series about a college-dropout father trying to climb the economic ladder as a manager for his rapper cousin (Brian Tyree Henry) is proof of the multitalented artist's creative prowess.

"Gilmore Girls" (Netflix) Although the Gilmore family had plenty of trials and tribulations on the WB in the early 2000s, the world of quaint small-town Stars Hollow is a delight to revisit time and time again.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (Netflix) CW's poignant musical comedy about one woman's (Rachel Bloom) mental-health struggles has a tune for every emotion, and you'll be happy to hum them for weeks after finishing all four seasons.

“Insecure” (HBO Max) Issa Rae crafts a distinctly millennial series in this HBO comedy about a black woman in Los Angeles who questions her life decisions, including her long-term boyfriend.

More:The 40 best TV shows to watch on Paramount+

Cringe comedy

“American Vandal” (Netflix) The rare series in which teen problems are taken seriously, "Vandal" is also a hilarious mockumentary that pokes fun at overly serious true-crime documentaries like "Making a Murderer."

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO Max) Larry David’s dry meta-comedy, in which he plays a fictionalized version of himself, is a reliable source of humor for his fans. Whenever he returns to HBO for a new season, David is ready to poke fun at his peculiarities and neurosis.

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (Hulu) If you like crass comedy, more than 150 episodes of this FXX series have fun in Philly, with a lot of mishaps along the way.

“PEN15” (Hulu) Not for the faint of heart, this comedy, set in a middle school in 2000 with adult actresses playing preteens, is the pinnacle of cringe-humor series. But along with embarrassment, there is humor and warmth (mostly embarrassment, though).

“What We Do in the Shadows” (Hulu) This absurdist FX comedy, about vampires sharing a house in Staten Island, New York, never fails to make us guffaw.

We pick the best TV shows of 2021, from 'Ted Lasso' to 'Mare of ...

In 2021, TV came back roaring.

After the production delays, rescheduled premieres and "Tiger King" obsession that defined TV in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was slightly more normal on the small screen. Production resumed, and broadcast networks debuted their fall TV shows on time. "Succession" (finally) returned for Season 3. The Emmys were held in person, and all the favorites won.

And as much as the usual schedule of TV programming resumed, the quality of new shows improved after a disappointing 2020. Here's our take on 19 top picks of this year.

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(Bravo)

In its 18th season, one of the strengths of the reality cooking competition is its ability to adapt and change as it has aged. Who knew that filming under pandemic conditions, which required a small group of guest judges (all former contestants and winners) to appear in each episode and to keep the challenges even more focused on this year’s setting in Portland, Oregon , made “Chef” the best it's been in years. Diversifying the cuisine, from Pan-African to Native American, made the reality series feel not only fresh but vital. The season was marred by the sexual harassment allegations against the winner, Gabe Erales, but the innovation, community and creativity that the quarantined season inspired suggest “Chef" can continue for years.

(ABC)

Producers Lee Daniels and Saladin K. Patterson took on the monumental task of bringing a beloved sitcom back to life in a way that is both respectful and reminiscent of the original, but also its own unique series. Few remakes are as creatively successful as their new "Years," which follows a middle-class Black family in Montgomery, Alabama, in the late 1960s. Thoughtfully written and expertly acted by an ensemble led by Dulé Hill ("Psych" and "The West Wing"), "Wonder" is a wonder in the world of TV reboots.

Why Lee Daniels and ABC brought 'The Wonder Years' back with a Black family in the 1960s

17. 'Everything’s Gonna Be Okay'

(Freeform)

Not many TV series set in the modern era have smoothly incorporated the COVID-19 pandemic into their storylines, but Freeform’s teen dramedy was adept at conveying the seriousness of real life. In Season 2, “Everything," created by and starring Australian comedian Josh Thomas, continues the story of Nicholas (Thomas), a 20-something who becomes a guardian of his sisters Genevieve (Maeve Press) and Matilda (Kayla Cromer), who is on the autism spectrum, after their father dies. Although “Everything” spends much of Season 2 in quarantine, the show's humor isn't diminished. In fact, the claustrophobia of pandemic life served to enhance the show’s sense of humor and capacity for hijinks. Freeform canceled the series, but “Everything” will have a legacy as one of the most beloved series that never had time to age out of its brilliance.

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16. 'Shrill'

(Hulu)

Aidy Bryant’s Hulu comedy saved the best for last. Its third and final season is a superb sendoff, featuring some of the actress's best work, along with banner scripts from the writers (including Bryant). Based on Lindy West’s memoir, “Shrill” started as a more singularly focused series about Annie (Bryant), a fat woman who spent most of her life trying to hide because of her weight, only to finally realize that while society was wrong for discriminating against her, she was never a bad person for being fat. In Season 3, Annie continues on that journey, navigating life as a single woman who's finally confident and self-assured. But it's the scene-stealing performance of Lolly Adefope, as Annie’s roommate, Fran – who becomes more of a lead than a supporting character this year – that elevates Season 3. The eight-episode season wraps up the story with care, but it’s hard not to want more.

(Peacock)

Created by Meredith Scardino and executive-produced by the “30 Rock” team of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, “Girls” is a sweet comedy about a has-been 1990s girl pop group – played by Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and Paula Pell – that tries to make it again in middle age. Occasionally, the series is nostalgic to a fault, but mostly it's a spot-on parody of what the music industry (and Hollywood) does to women who reach a certain age. With hilarious earworms (“Dream Girlfriends” and “The Splingy”), a cast brimming with energy and chemistry, “Girls” is the kind of happy-go-lucky sitcom that's perfect for a post-“Ted Lasso” world.

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14. 'What We Do in the Shadows'

(FX)

Although it started off unevenly, the third season of FX's riotous vampire mockumentary offered some of its best episodes ever, from its character payoff to the sheer number of jokes that the writers packed into a half hour. With great performances, clever physical and aesthetic jokes and a cast perfectly in sync, "Shadows" has become one of TV's most reliably funny comedies.

13. 'Evil'

(Paramount+)

The second season of this supernatural thriller, from creators Robert and Michelle King ("The Good Wife"), started out strong and declined slightly in its second half. Still, a mostly good season of "Evil" is vastly better than much of what else is on television. The move to Paramount+ from CBS made it weirder, more horrifying and more ambitious, daring to go to further depths in its horror and mystical elements. It never lost the core appeal of its main characters, played by Katja Herbers, Mike Colter and Aasif Mandvi, even as the mythology became more complicated.

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(Hulu)

Steve Martin and Martin Short brought their considerable talents and longtime comedic partnership to TV with a little help from Selena Gomez for an endearing, breezy end-of-summer series. All play loners, residents of a swanky Manhattan apartment building who bond as lovers of true-crime podcasts. When there's a suspicious death in the building, they band together to solve it (while making their own podcast about it, of course). The 10-episode first season improves with each episode, building to a satisfying conclusion that leaves you wanting a second season, already in the works.

(FX on Hulu)

This dark comedy about a quartet of rebellious and delinquent Indigenous teens who live on a reservation in Oklahoma is utterly unique. It's not just that there are few shows on TV created by or about Indigenous people, but the specific tone, pacing and style "Reservation" carves out for itself is novel. Moody, meandering and meaningful, the series is about kids who are stuck in their hometown – and desperate to beg, borrow or steal enough money to get out – and each episode perfectly highlights that feeling of being trapped. It's a joy to watch, especially in its quietest moments.

(Netflix)

Margaret Qualley ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood") and her real-life mom Andie MacDowell star in this adaptation of Stephanie Land's memoir ("Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother's Will to Survive") about her life as a single mother who escapes an abusive relationship, only to wind up homeless and desperate, and eventually makes ends meet as a housekeeper. The drama offers a blistering portrayal of the realities of poverty as seen through the eyes of Alex (Qualley), who suffers a series of angering and unjust events as she tries to protect herself and her young daughter. It's hard to watch at times, but even harder to look away.

Kate Winslet on HBO’s ‘Mare of Easttown,’ her ‘Titanic’ accent and funny nickname from Jack Black

(HBO)

Kate Winslet shed her posh English accent for the dialect of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, in this crime drama, with fantastic results. Winslet plays a local detective battling personal demons while investigating the murder of a young girl and the disappearance of two others, but it's far more than your basic prestige cop show. More compelling than the central mystery is Mare’s family life, including her struggle with trauma after the death of her son by suicide. The supporting cast deepens the narrative, including Jean Smart as Mare’s Fruit Ninja-slaying mother and Evan Peters as a young and hungry detective who's called in to help with the case and develops a puppy-dog crush on her. Layered, intimate and fully committed to its Philadelphia setting, “Mare” is so much better than it appears on the surface.

(Netflix)

The dark thriller about impoverished, desperate people competing in deadly children's games for the chance to win a fortune became the rare thing on TV in 2021: a bonafide word-of-mouth hit. Not even Netflix was prepared for how big this South Korean drama became as it surged to the top of the streamer's charts. And "Squid" has the substance to back up all the hype and memes. There is a visceral, gripping feeling to the series, which traffics in gore but also deep psychological horror and disturbances. The series will return for a second season by popular demand, and it's one of the few times art and commerce are so serendipitously aligned – and in a satirical series that deftly skewers capitalism, no less.

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(Apple TV+)

Plenty of TV shows that hit it big with audiences, critics and Emmy voters in their first season flounder in their second, but thankfully, producer and star Jason Sudeikis' "Lasso" isn't one of them. The comedy, about an American football coach drafted to lead a British soccer team, was a warm light of positivity in 2020, a deeply funny and meaningful show with lovable characters. In its second season, the tone turned serious as the writers explored a deeper story about mental health and trauma. But in spite of Ted's journey, the ethos was never lost, and a smart finale set up what is sure to be a terrific third season.

(HBO)

Cringeworthy, hilarious and genuinely shocking, the breakout HBO summer miniseries became a sleeper social-media hit, thanks to its impeccably cast stars and creator Mike White’s (“Enlightened") acerbic brand of comedy. Dreamed up by White as a series that could be easily filmed under COVID-19-safe protocols, was well-written, well-acted and shot against a gorgeous Hawaiian backdrop. “Lotus” follows guests and staff at a Hawaiian resort in the days leading up to a mysterious death on the premises. But the series is so much more than a murder mystery or an upstairs/downstairs drama. “Lotus” is satire at its best – a biting critique of the uber-wealthy that is nonetheless realistic about who has the power in our capitalist culture. (Spoiler alert: it’s the people with all the money.)

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5. 'We Are Lady Parts'

(Peacock)

Short, pithy and outrageously funny, Peacock’s British import about an all-Muslim girl punk band in London is both far too unacknowledged for its brilliance and the best original series Peacock has released so far. The series kicks off with the band's search for a lead guitarist, which leads to the discovery of Amina (Anjana Vasan), a shy player with stage fright who's unlucky in love. The young cast has wonderful chemistry, the music is lively and the writing feels utterly unique.

(HBO Max)

All hail Jean Smart. The veteran actress received acclaim and a well-deserved Emmy for her superb HBO Max comedy. As Deb Vance, a Joan Rivers-style comedian with a Las Vegas residency and a QVC empire, Smart is in her element and at her best, a prickly diva with hidden depths. When Deb’s residency is threatened, she is forced to take on Ava (Hannah Einbinder, a revelation), a young, self-centered comedy writer who is similarly coerced into working with Deb after a dumb tweet leaves her jobless. The two actors make an electric pair, and the show combines sharp wit with a great deal of realism and emotion.

(HBO Max)

Succinct, accomplished and desperately affecting, this British import from creator Russell T. Davies (“Queer as Folk”) is a stirring chronicle of the 1980s AIDS crisis. As told from the point of view of a group of young gay men living in London, “Sin” chooses character over exploitative tragedy when dramatizing how AIDS ripped through their lives, whether or not they were infected by the disease. The group includes Ritchie (Olly Alexander), a young, charming actor who first refuses to believe a disease could kill only gay men; Roscoe (Omari Douglas), who fled his conservative family for freedom and love; and Colin (Callum Scott Howells), a naïve young tailor tagging along with the cool kids who's tickled to be included. Perfectly paced, set to the beat of '80s pop bangers and the neon lights of dance clubs, “Sin” transcends the label of mere “AIDS drama.”

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(Amazon)

Brutal, unflinching, hopeful and epic, Barry Jenkins’ adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is a tour de force miniseries that was criminally overlooked at this year’s Emmy awards. Combining “Moonlight” director Jenkins’ distinct style with Whitehead’s ahistorical, yet deeply familiar, story of a literal railroad, "Underground" centers on Cora (Thuso Mbedu), an enslaved woman who takes a train toward freedom but finds horrifying facets of America along her way. With Mbedu’s performance, the haunting score and Jenkins’ direction, “Underground” is a worthy if sometimes difficult journey.

(Apple TV+)

Apple’s alternate history of the space race, which posits what might have happened had the Soviet Union beaten the U.S. to the moon and the competition for the final frontier never ended, was a smart, appealing series in its first season. In this year’s second season, however, it rocketed ahead to a possible spot on a list of TV’s all-time great dramas. That’s thanks to a sprawling, effortlessly talented cast led by Joel Kinnaman, a plausible alternate reality, superb writing and riveting action set pieces. The series is at its best in the second-season finale, involving a U.S.-Soviet standoff in space with the stakes of the Cuban missile crisis. “Mankind” asks big questions and doesn’t shy away from the worst tendencies of 20th-century America, all without careening into pedantic and patronizing territory. "Mankind" truly flies.

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New 2020 TV premieres: Here's when your favorite show returns ...

Continuing to social distance leaves us with a lot of time on our sanitized hands. Thankfully, television is here to offer a distraction.

Now, given the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on production, fall's offerings are slimmer than usual. But there are still releases to be excited about.

Beloved competitions also return this fall, including "The Masked Singer," "The Amazing Race," and "The Bachelorette."

As we near Halloween, streaming platforms will unleash horror series, including "Monsterland" (Hulu) and "The Haunting of Bly Manor" (Netflix), the next chilling offering from the producers of "The Haunting of Hill House."

Our calendar of major highlights ensures you won't miss the return of your favorite series or the start of a new show you'll fall in love with. (All times EDT/PDT.)

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Sept. 16

"Archer" Season 11 (FXX, Wednesdays at 10)

"Sing On!" (Netflix): Tituss Burgess hosts this singing contest that compares karaoke contestants to the original singers of their songs.

Sept. 18

"Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous" (Netflix): The new animated series, which counts Steven Spielberg as an executive producer, is centered on a group of six teens selected to attend a special camp. But, as is typical with "Jurassic" projects, it's never just a walk in the park...

"Pen15" Season 2 (Hulu)

"Ratched" (Netflix): Sarah Paulson stars in producer Ryan Murphy's origin story for the infamous nurse from the novel and Oscar-winning 1975 film "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

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Sept. 23

"The Masked Singer": Season 4 (Fox, Wednesdays at 8)

"I Can See Your Voice" (Fox, Wednesdays at 9): "Masked Singer" judge Ken Jeong serves as host of this new game show, where contestants attempt to decipher talented singers from the bad ones, before they've sung a note, for a chance at $100,000. Like "Masked," it's based on a South Korean format.

'The Masked Singer' reveals Season 4 characters, shows off a hot pink Croc ready to rock

Sept. 24

"The Chef Show:" Season 2 (Netflix)

“Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC, Thursdays at 8)

“Press Your Luck” (ABC, Thursdays at 9)

“Match Game” (ABC, Thursdays at 10)

Sept. 27

"The Comey Rule" (Showtime, Sunday at 9): The two-part miniseries dramatizes the events around the 2016 presidential election and aftermath, and the role of former FBI Director James Comey (Jeff Daniels) in shaping history.

"Fargo" (FX, Sundays at 10): The fourth installment of the acclaimed anthology series, starring Chris Rock arrives after a five-month pandemic production delay. Set in 1950 Kansas City, it centers on dueling African-American and Italian crime bosses.

Review:Chris Rock leads a slow-but-steady 'Fargo' Season 4

Chris Rock on changing his humor for 'Fargo' Season 4 and the 'surreal' 'SNL' with Eddie Murphy

Oct. 2

"Monsterland" (Hulu): In the anthology series inspired by Nathan Ballingrud’s "North American Lake Monsters," interactions with creatures and beasts "drive broken people to desperate acts."

Oct. 4

"Flesh and Blood" (PBS, Sundays at 9): The four-part series explores the deadly sins challenging a family in the "mystery about the perils of late-life romance."

"The Good Lord Bird" (Showtime, Sundays at 9): Ethan Hawke plays abolitionist John Brown in the limited series inspired by James McBride's 2013 novel, with Joshua Caleb Johnson as Onion, a young slave.

"The Walking Dead: World Beyond" (AMC, Sundays at 10): A pair of sisters and their two pals venture out of their safe haven in order to complete a mission.

Oct. 6

“Ellen’s Game of Games” (NBC, Tuesday at 8, then 9 as of Oct. 13.)

"Swamp Thing" (CW, Tuesdays at 8): Abby Arcane (played by Crystal Reed) comes back to her Louisiana hometown and learns frightening truths about the community's swamp.

"NeXt": (Fox, Tuesdays at 9): John Slattery plays a Silicon Valley trailblazer who partners with a cybercrime agent played by Fernanda Andrade to do battle with a uniquely terrifying opponent.

Oct. 8

"Supernatural" (CW, Thursdays at 8): The long-running series returns with its (delayed) final episodes.

Oct. 9

"The Haunting of Bly Manor" (Netflix): A new chapter arrives from the producers of "The Haunting of Hill House" (2018). 1980s England serves as a backdrop for the nine-episode season, which begins with Henry Wingrave (Henry Thomas) finding a replacement nanny to tend to his parent-less niece and nephew.

Oct. 11

"Fear The Walking Dead" Season 6 (AMC, Sundays at 9)

Oct. 13

"The Bachelorette” (ABC, Tuesdays at 8): Clare Crawley kicks off her journey as the franchise's eldest lead.

Oct. 14

"The Amazing Race" (CBS, Wednesdays at 9)

Oct. 15

"Star Trek: Discovery" Season 3: (CBS All Access, Thursdays)

Oct. 16

"Helstrom" (Hulu): The two children of a serial killer search for heinous evildoers.

“Shark Tank” (ABC, Fridays at 8)

Oct. 18

“Supermarket Sweep” (ABC, Sundays at 8): "SNL” alum Leslie Jones hosts the return of the grocery store game show.

Oct. 19

“The Voice” (NBC, Mondays and Tuesdays at 8)

Oct. 22

"Superstore” (NBC, Thursdays at 8)

Oct. 25

"The Undoing" (HBO, Sundays at 9): Nicole Kidman stars as therapist Grace Fraser, who is married to the dedicated Jonathan (Hugh Grant) in this limited series created by David E. Kelley ("Big Little Lies"). The couple's idyllic life is upended following a death and a missing spouse.

Oct. 27

“This Is Us” (NBC, Tuesdays at 9)

'This Is Us' Season 4 finalereveals pregnancy and marriage shockers

Oct. 29

"Superstore" (NBC, Thursdays at 8)

Oct. 30

"The Mandalorian" (Disney+)

Nov. 1

"Roadkill" (PBS, Sundays at 9): Hugh Laurie embodies a crooked politician in this four-part drama.

Nov. 2

"The Good Doctor" (ABC, Mondays at 10)

Nov. 8

"Moonbase 8" (Showtime, Sundays at 11): Astronauts Skip (Fred Armisen), Rook (Tim Heidecker) and Cap (John C. Reilly) are in training for what they hope is their first lunar mission.

Nov. 9

"Industry" (HBO, Mondays at 10): The new drama centers on a group of recent grads all trying to nab a job at a one of London's premiere investment banks.

Nov. 11

“Chicago Fire” (NBC, Wednesdays at 9)

Nov. 12

“Station 19” (ABC, Thursdays at 8)

“Grey’s Anatomy" (ABC, Thursdays at 9)

“Law & Order: SVU” (Thursdays at 9)

Nov. 13

"I am Greta" (Hulu): A documentary centered on teen environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

“The Blacklist” (NBC, Fridays at 8)

Nov. 15

"The Crown" Season 4 (Netflix): The upcoming season covers 1979-1990, which includes Prince Charles' 1981 wedding to Diana and the birth of their two children, Princes William and Harry.

"The Reagans" (Showtime, Sundays at 8): The Reagan administration is examined in this four-episode docuseries.

'The Crown' introduces its Princess Diana: See Emma Corrin in Diana's wedding dress

Nov. 17

"Big Sky" (ABC, Tuesdays at 10): In David E. Kelley's new thriller series set in Montana, private detectives Cassie (Kylie Bunbury) and Cody (Ryan Phillippe) team up with Cody's ex, former police officer Jenny (Katheryn Winnick), to track down the person responsible for the kidnappings and killings of women in the area.

Nov. 18

"For Life" (ABC, Wednesdays at 10)

Nov. 19

"A Milliion Little Things" (ABC, Thursdays at 10)

Nov. 23

"Black Narcissus" (FX): All In this three-episode limited series, inspired by Rumer Godden's 1939 novel, things go awry when a group of nuns tries to convert an isolated palace into a mission.

Dec. 17

"The Stand" (CBS All Access, Thursdays): In the limited series inspired by Stephen King’s novel, Whoopi Goldberg plays centenarian Mother Abagail, who is tasked with saving the world from Randall Flagg, aka the Dark Man played by Alexander Skarsgård.

Earlier premieres:

Aug. 5

"Big Brother" (CBS, premiere at 9, Wednesday. After the debut, it will air Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8): An all-star cast assembles for the reality program's 22nd season.

'Big Brother: All-Stars' premiere:Who's in the cast, who's HOH and what went wrong on live TV

What are 'Big Brother' and 'Love Island' like in COVID quarantine? Masks with a side of real emotion

Aug. 6

"Star Trek: Lower Decks" (Thursdays on CBS All Access): A new animated comedy, the first in decades for the "Trek" franchises, centers on the U.S.S. Cerritos's support crew.

Aug. 7

"Selling Sunset": Season 3 (Netflix)

"Howard" (Disney+): The documentary makes viewers a part of Howard Ashman's world. The late lyricist wrote the lyrics for tunes from beloved Disney movies like “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast,” in addition to creating musicals.

'Selling Sunset':Chrishell Stause learns of divorce from Justin Hartley in a text: 'It's hard not to feel worthless'

Aug. 9

"Shark Week" (Discovery Channel, Aug. 9 through Aug. 16): The 32nd annual Discovery event includes specials "Tyson vs. Jaws: Rumble on the Reef" (Aug. 9, 9 EDT/PDT) and "Will Smith: Off The Deep End" (Aug. 11, 9 EDT/PDT).

Aug. 14

"Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+): Jason Sudeikis stars as a football coach hired to oversee a British soccer team.

"World's Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji" (Amazon Prime): Bear Grylls hosts the reality competition, in which 66 teams face-off.

Aug. 16

"Lovecraft Country": (HBO, Sundays at 9): The drama takes its inspiration from 2016 Matt Ruff's novel, set in the 1950s. Jonathan Majors portrays Freeman, who partners with his uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and Letitia (Jurnee Smollett), a pal from childhood. They embark on a road trip to find Atticus' dad, Montrose (Michael Kenneth Williams), who has gone missing and also encounter racism and horrifying monsters.

'Lovecraft Country' review:In HBO's horror series, America's racism is the real monster

'There's a horror in just being Black':HBO's 'Lovecraft Country' digs into real racism with pulp fiction

Aug. 21

"Lucifer": Season 5 (Netflix)

Aug. 30

"Love Fraud" (Showtime, Sundays at 9): This four-part docuseries explores the cons of Richard Scott Smith, who romanced and swindled several women, prompting them to turn to a bounty hunter for revenge.

'Pure evil':Con man Richard Scott Smith's ex-fiancée talks crook ahead of 'Love Fraud' docuseries

Sept. 2

"Chef's Table: BBQ" (Netflix): The beloved food series returns to focus on barbecue.

Sept. 4

"The Boys": Season 2 (Amazon Prime)

"Away" (Netflix): Hillary Swank plays an astronaut who must leave her family to lead an international crew to Mars in this series.

'Away':Hilary Swank on her timely new Netflix trip-to-Mars space drama

Hilary Swank sues SAG-AFTRA Health Plan over ovarian cyst coverage: 'It’s time we are treated fairly'

Sept. 6

"Power Book II: Ghost" (Starz, Sunday at 9 (then 8 as of Sept. 13)): This new series, featuring Mary J. Blige, begins where its predecessor "Power" left off. Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.) is facing a new reality where his mom Tasha (Naturi Naughton) is being charged with the death of Tariq's father. In order to pay for her defense attorney he "turns to the familiar drug game."

"Undercover": Season 2 (Netflix)

Sept. 7

“American Ninja Warrior”: Season 12 (NBC, Mondays at 8)

Sept. 9

"Get Organized with The Home Edit" (Netflix): A reality series from producers Reese Witherspoon and Molly Sims about organizers who help conquer clutter and transform lives.

'Get Organized with The Home Edit' stars on 'surreal' experience in Reese Witherspoon's closet

"L.A.'s Finest": Season 2 (Spectrum On Demand; first season airs on Fox, beginning Sept. 21 at 8.) Jessica Alba plays detective Nancy McKenna and Gabrielle Union portrays Syd Burnett, a member of the LAPD, formerly with the DEA, in this "Bad Boys" spin-off crime series.

"Woke" (Hulu): Cartoonist Keith Knight serves as co-creator and an executive producer for the comedy inspired by the artist. Lamorne Morris stars as Keef, a cartoonist on the brink on success when an incident upends his life.

'Woke' star Lamorne Morris talks reality of new Hulu series, shares his own experiences with racism

Sept. 11

"The Duchess" (Netflix): Comedian Katherine Ryan stars as a single mom debating whether to have another child with her ex.

Sept. 12

"Wonderstruck – Animal Babies" (BBC America, Saturday at 8): A trio of films documents the young lives of animals being raised in dangerous places.

"Coastal Elites" (HBO, Saturday at 8): Bette Midler, Issa Rae, Sarah Paulson, Kaitlyn Dever and Dan Levy star in this special set during the pandemic, in a serious of monologues.

Sept. 13

"Our Cartoon President" (Showtime, Sundays at 8:30)

Sept. 14

"Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, Mondays at 8): Tyra Banks hosts the new season of the revamped dance competition.

"The Third Day" (HBO, Mondays at 9): The limited series is broken into two parts: Jude Law stars in the "Summer" episodes, while Naomie Harris is at the center of the series' "Winter" shows.

"We Are Who We Are" (HBO, Mondays at 10): A pair of American teens living in Italy on a U.S. military base are the focus of the eight-part look at adolescent life from Luca Guadagnino ("Call Me By Your Name").

Contributing: Carly Mallenbaum and Kelly Lawler

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