Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson first became friends while working on EDtv, a 1999 comedy in which they played brothers. In a surprising twis
Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson first became friends while working on EDtv, a 1999 comedy in which they played brothers. In a surprising twist, life might actually imitate art. Years ago, McConaughey’s mother revealed that she’d actually had relations with Harrelson’s father less than a year before her son was born. This fascinating story is the basis for McConaughey and Harrelson’s recent comedy series, in which they play fictionalized versions of themselves. The show is at its best when the True Detective costars are poking fun at themselves and their real-life reputations (Harrelson as the hippie anarchist, and McConaughey as the rancher/cowboy who does Lincoln commercials). Brothers looks and feels like it was made with lots of love and laughter—which it was, according to showrunner Lee Eisenberg: “Working in production is very exhausting, and you’d always just find them in a corner, giggling, telling stories.” —Rebecca Ford
A Different World
Premiere date: September 24
Network: Netflix
Noteworthy cast: Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Maleah Joi Moon
The students of Hillman College, TV’s favorite fictional HBCU, return to the screen 39 years after this Cosby Show spin-off first premiered, with lots of recent blood and a few familiar faces. This reboot revolves around Deborah Wayne (Moon), the child of esteemed alumni Whitley Gilbert (Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Hardison). They are cramping their daughter’s rebellious style as she enters her freshman year and confronts all kinds of recent issues, both personal and political. —J.P.
My Sad Dead
Premiere date: September 24
Network: Netflix
Noteworthy cast: Mercedes Morán, Dolores Fonzi, Alejandra Flechner
Chilean director Pablo Larraín, who helmed Jackie (2016), Spencer (2021), and Maria (2024), has created a four-episode miniseries based on the works of Argentine author Mariana Enríquez. The story follows a recently retired doctor who can see the dead. After her niece arrives in town and three teenagers are murdered, the dead begin to make themselves known to others as well. Larraín’s work has always had a haunting quality to it, so this seems right up his spooky alley. —R.F.
American Horror Story: 13
Premiere date: September 24
Network: FX/Hulu
Noteworthy cast: Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Angela Bassett
Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, AHS debuted in 2011 with Murder House, and has since spooked viewers into watching season two’s Asylum, season three’s Coven, season four’s Freak Show, season five’s Hotel, season six’s Roanoke, season seven’s Cult, season eight’s Apocalypse, season nine’s 1984, season 10’s Double Feature, season 11’s NYC and season 12’s Delicate. Rather than divine a wholly recent horror story for its 13th season, all-star cast members from each prior season are reuniting for a crossover event. Among the vets are Kathy Bates, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe, and Jessica Lange—returning to the franchise for the first time in a decade. “It is like the Avengers,” Murphy told Entertainment Tonight at The Shards premiere in July. “They all come together to defeat the ultimate evil.” —S.W.
