This week's streaming slate spans a cautionary tech drama, the conclusion of a hallucination-filled survival saga, and an unlikely documentary sequel. According to The Guardian, the standout picks include a cryptocurrency scandal retelling and the final season of a puzzle-box mystery that has kept viewers guessing for years.
The Altruists: A Tech World Reckoning
Netflix's latest prestige drama enlists Julia Garner (Inventing Anna, Ozark) to inhabit Caroline Ellison, opposite Anthony Boyle (House of Guinness, Say Nothing) as Sam Bankman-Fried. The eight-episode limited series chronicles the real-life relationship between the two figures and the meteoric rise and catastrophic collapse of their cryptocurrency exchange, FTX. The supporting cast includes Alex Lawther as Sam Trabucco, Karan Soni as Nishad Singh, and Matt Rife as Ryan Salame, filling out the ecosystem of ambition and deception.
While The Altruists occasionally feels more restrained than HBO Max's The Audacity, and period references to Tony Blair and Harry Potter risk dating the material, its examination of myopic idealists intoxicated by extreme risk-taking carries particular resonance in 2026. The drama functions as a morality play about the dangers of unchecked ambition in the technology sector, grounded in events that shocked the financial world.
All eight episodes release on Netflix on 19 November 2026.
Yellowjackets: The Final Reckoning Arrives
The hallucination-laden survival drama returns for its fourth and final season, bringing the ordeal of the plane crash survivors to a close. The new run follows the teenagers after their rescue, as they attempt to rebuild their lives while grappling with the trauma and secrets they carry. Cast members have described the ending as "bittersweet" and "quite heartbreaking", signalling an emotionally complex conclusion to the mystery.
The central question looms: can the show's interwoven past and present timelines converge in a way that satisfies viewers who have invested years in unravelling the mythology? Newcomers June Squibb and Molly Ringwald join returning cast members including Christina Ricci and Melanie Lynskey, raising questions about whether fresh faces will clarify the narrative or add further layers of complexity to an already intricate puzzle. The season premieres on 20 November 2026 on Paramount+ for Premium rs.
Rewarding: Care Work in Belfast
In an unexpected coincidence, this marks the second Celtic comedy centred on care workers from the BBC within recent weeks. Where its predecessor is a magical realist adventure set in Dublin, Rewarding adopts a quieter, more grounded approach. The series focuses on Francis and Sinead, two overwhelmed and under-resourced support workers navigating the complexities of their profession in Belfast, played by standup comic Vittorio Angelone and Blue Lights alumna Hannah McClean respectively.
This dramedy occasionally risks veering too far into melancholy for its own benefit, yet it distinguishes itself through thoughtful casting choices. The production features disabled and neurodivergent performers in roles that feel authentically drawn rather than tokenistic, bringing genuine representation to the screen. The series is available now on BBC .
The Chosen: A Gospel Epic Approaches Its Climax
Despite attracting an estimated 300 million viewers across its five previous seasons worldwide, this Christian drama about the life of Jesus of Nazareth remains relatively obscure in mainstream conversation. The series distinguishes itself through contemporary character development: Matthew is portrayed as autistic, while Mary Magdalene contends with substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder, grounding the biblical narrative in modern psychological realism.
The penultimate season draws on some of the most consequential source material available—the crucifixion itself—with showrunners ambitiously billing the finale as a "global theatrical event." For viewers who have followed the series through its previous instalments, this season represents the culmination of a sprawling spiritual narrative. The series launches on Prime Video on 15 November 2026.
The Hotline: Confronting America's Overdose Crisis
Following the success of opioid-focused dramas Painkiller and Dopesick, which exposed how pharmaceutical companies have devastated millions of American lives, this documentary takes a more intimate approach to the ongoing drug epidemic. The Hotline operates as a harm-reduction service where trained volunteers remain on the telephone with callers as they use drugs, ready to summon emergency services if an overdose occurs. This approach prioritises connection and trust over judgment, treating addiction as a public health emergency rather than a moral failing.
The documentary emphasises the critical role of empathy and human connection in addressing a crisis that remains the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. By focusing on the volunteers and their callers, the film humanises both sides of the conversation, demonstrating how simple presence and care can mean the difference between life and death. The series arrives on HBO Max on 19 November 2026.
Melania: A Sequel Nobody Asked For
Amazon's earlier feature-length documentary about Melania Trump drew criticism from many quarters—some dismissed it as presidential propaganda, while others faulted it for being tedious, hollow, and deeply uncomfortable to watch. For reasons that remain opaque, director Brett Ratner has now produced a two-episode follow-up series, titled Family and Trust and Pride and Honor, expanding on themes from the original film.
The first lady famously wore a jacket bearing the message "I really don't care do u?"—a statement that may inadvertently capture the sentiment of many viewers upon learning of this series' existence. The episodes premiere on Prime Video on 20 November 2026.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Mythology for the Modern Age
This adaptation of Rick Riordan's beloved book series targets a tween audience but functions equally well as family entertainment for extended winter viewing. The show delivers a brisk interpretation of Greek mythology infused with action sequences that evoke 1980s adventure cinema, creating an accessible entry point into classical stories for younger audiences.
Season three draws from The Titan's Curse, following Percy Jackson, the demigod son of Poseidon portrayed by Walker Scobell, as he undertakes a dangerous mission to rescue his girlfriend Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) from the clutches of the malevolent Kronos. Beyond this immediate crisis, the heroes must also prevent an ancient curse from triggering the downfall of Mount Olympus itself. The season debuts on Disney+ on 20 November 2026.
