Every month, Ishani Nath, pop culture expert, journalist and the most avid tv-watcher I have ever met, is sharing her top picks for new shows, movies and documentaries to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, CBC Gem, Crave and Netflix Canada, plus the one older release she thinks you should check out. Here’s what she’s recommending this month.

Welcome to November, one of my least favourite months of the year. Yes, Mariah Carey holiday hits can now be officially played on the radio and sure, it’s the last bit of sweater weather before fall descends into winter. But it also marks the beginning of shorter days, longer nights and colder weather and I don’t know about you, but that potent combo tends to zap my energy and make it even harder to leave my couch. Luckily, there’s a whole lot of great new content coming to Canadian streaming services this month to make the time fly by.

The show I can’t shut up about: Insecure. This recommendation is not new, nor is it groundbreaking. But as Issa Rae’s iconic HBO series enters its final season (SAD!), it would be straight up disrespectful not to remind everyone to watch (and weep) every Sunday on Crave.

Aside from the watching Natasha Rothwell steal each and every seen she’s in, here’s what else to add to your must-watch list this month:

Apple TV+

Dr. Brain (Premieres November 4)

A new six-episode Korean-language Apple Original series directed and executive produced by visionary filmmaker Kim Jee-Woon and based on the popular Korean webtoon of the same name by Hongjacga, Dr. Brain marks the first Korean-language series to debut on Apple TV+. The series follows a brilliant brain scientist Sewon who suffers a horrific personal tragedy when his family falls victim to a mysterious accident. Desperate to uncover what happened, he goes to extraordinary lengths to solve the tragic mystery by conducting “brain syncs” with the dead to access their memories for clues.

Dickinson, Season 3 (Premieres November 5)

In the third season of Apple’s Peabody Award-winning and GLAAD Media Award-nominated Dickinson, Emily Dickinson’s most productive time as an artist falls amid the raging American Civil War and an equally fierce battle that divides her own family. As Emily tries to heal the divides around her, she wonders if art can help keep hope alive, and whether the future can be better than the past. Starring alongside Steinfeld in the third season of Dickinson are returning ensemble cast members Toby Huss, Adrian Blake Enscoe, Anna Baryshnikov, Ella Hunt, Amanda Warren, Chinaza Uche, and Jane Krakowski, as well as world renowned rapper, singer, and songwriter, Wiz Khalifa, who will join the show once again as the character of Death. The third season will also feature brand new guest stars including Ziwe as Sojourner Truth, who also joined as a writer, Billy Eichner as Walt Whitman, and Chloe Fineman as Sylvia Plath; as well as returning favorites Zosia Mamet as Louisa May Alcott and Will Pullen as Nobody.

Finch (Premieres November 5)

Starring Tom Hanks and Screen Actors Guild Award-winner Caleb Landry Jones, in Finch, a man, a robot and a dog form an unlikely family in a powerful and moving adventure of one man’s quest to ensure that his beloved canine companion will be cared for after he’s gone. Hanks stars as Finch, a robotics engineer and one of the few survivors of a cataclysmic solar event that has left the world a wasteland. But Finch, who has been living in an underground bunker for a decade, has built a world of his own that he shares with his dog, Goodyear. He creates a robot, played by Jones, to watch over Goodyear when he no longer can. As the trio embarks on a perilous journey into a desolate American West, Finch strives to show his creation, who names himself Jeff, the joy and wonder of what it means to be alive. Their road trip is paved with both challenges and humor, as it’s as difficult for Finch to goad Jeff and Goodyear to get along as it is for him to manage the dangers of the new world.

The Shrink Next Door (Premieres November 12)

Inspired by true events, The Shrink Next Door details the bizarre relationship between psychiatrist to the stars Dr. Isaac "Ike" Herschkopf (played by Paul Rudd) and his longtime patient Martin "Marty" Markowitz (played by Will Ferrell). Over the course of their relationship, the all-too-charming Ike slowly inserts himself into Marty's life, even moving into Marty's Hamptons home and persuading Marty to name him president of the family business. The series explores how a seemingly normal doctor-patient dynamic morphs into an exploitative relationship filled with manipulation, power grabs, and dysfunction at its finest. The series also stars Kathryn Hahn as Phyllis, Marty's younger sister, and Casey Wilson as Bonnie, the wife of Dr. Herschkopf.

Amazon Prime Video

The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain (Premieres November 5)

The extraordinary true story of eccentric British artist Louis Wain (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose playful, sometimes even psychedelic pictures helped to transform the public's perception of cats forever. Moving from the late 1800s through to the 1930s, we follow the incredible adventures of this inspiring, unsung hero, as he seeks to unlock the "electrical" mysteries of the world and, in so doing, to better understand his own life and the profound love he shared with his wife Emily Richardson (Claire Foy).

Pharma Bro (Premieres November 11)

Profiling Martin Shkreli, the financial entrepreneur and pharmaceutical tycoon from Brooklyn, New York – he is known for raising the price of an AIDS drug 5500% overnight and buying the sole copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album for $2 million dollars and being convicted of securities fraud. The most hated man in America, Martin Shkreli is Pharma Bro.

The Wheel Of Time (Premieres November 19)

The Amazon Original series takes you into one of the most popular and enduring fantasy series of all time. Set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it, the story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.

The Great, Season 2 (Premieres November 20)

The hit Emmy-nominated series The Great returns for a second season, which now sees Catherine finally taking the Russian throne for her own – but she will quickly learn that dethroning her husband was just the beginning. Catherine must now face the realities of ‘liberating’ a country that doesn’t want to be free. Her fight to bring enlightenment to Russia will mean battling her own court and those closest to her, including her own mother (played by guest star Gillian Anderson). She will also battle her own heart as she continues to navigate her relationship with Peter. Ultimately, Catherine will learn that to change a country, you must let it change you, that there is a fine line between idealism and delusion, and that becoming 'Great' will ask more of her than she could have imagined.

The Curse of Von Dutch (Premieres November 26)

While the brand is known for its trucker hats worn by the likes of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Justin Timberlake, this docuseries tells the unbelievable true story behind the rise and fall of the 2000’s most iconic fashion trend. In this epic character-driven saga, Venice Beach surfers, gangsters, European garmentos and Hollywood movers and shakers all vie for control of the infamous brand — pushing it from obscurity to one of the most recognizable labels on Earth. After a decade of backstabbing, greed, and bloodshed, their lives — and pop culture — will never be the same.

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Matt Lucas and Tom Allen judge *The Great Christmas Baking Show*. (Image: Love Productions)

CBC Gem

Call the Midwife, Season 2 Christmas Special (Premieres November 12)

Nonnatus House is alive with preparations for Christmas. Chummy (Miranda Hart, Spy) is arranging a nativity play with the Cub Scouts, Jenny (Jessica Raine, An Adventure in Space and Time) is faced with a difficult case, and a young girl's predicament leads to a big decision.

Reyka (Premieres November 26)

The daughter of a multiracial couple is kidnapped in South Africa in 1994. She escapes and as an adult becomes a detective. Continuing to deal with her past trauma, Reyka Gama (Kim Engelbrecht, Dominion) uses her skills to raise her child and solve mysteries that have challenged others.

On the Spectrum (Premieres November 26)

Three mid-late twenty-year-old roommates, all on the autism spectrum, share a sheltered apartment, learning to cope with the world around them. On The Spectrum allows glimpses into the intricate lives of young autistic adults and offers their unique view and interpretation of day-to-day life.

The Great Christmas Baking Show (Premieres November 26)

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Matt Lucas are joined by the Baking Show: The Professionals host Tom Allen as they celebrate Christmas in the famous white tent. Also invited to the celebrations are Jamie and Rosie from 2019, Ruby from 2018 and James from 2017, all back and ready to battle in the festive fight for the Christmas Star Baker title. They’ll round off Christmas with popstar Alexandra Burke as she performs her magical version of “Silent Night.”

Crave Canada

In The Heights (Premieres November 5)

Lights up on Washington Heights. The scent of Cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tightknit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos, In Treatment, A Star is Born), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines, and sings about a better life.

Dexter: New Blood (Premieres November 7)

Emmy® nominee Michael C. Hall returns as America’s favourite serial killer in Dexter: New Blood. Set 10 years after he went missing in the eye of Hurricane Laura, the 10-episode limited series finds Dexter living under an assumed name in the small fictional town of Iron Lake, New York. Dexter may be embracing his new life, but in the wake of unexpected events in this close-knit community, his Dark Passenger inevitably beckons.

Yellowjackets (Premieres November 14)

Equal parts survival epic, psychological horror, and coming-of-age drama, this new series starring Juliette Lewis (Camping) and Christina Ricci (Cinema Toast) follows the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls’ soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later, proving that the past is never really past and what began out in the wilderness is far from over.

The Sex Lives of College Girls (Premieres November 18)

The best years of their lives are about to begin when four college roommates arrive at New England’s prestigious Essex College. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these girls are equal parts loveable and infuriating as they live out their new, free lives on campus. Created by Emmy nominated writer/producer Mindy Kaling (The Office) and Justin Noble (Brooklyn Nine-Nine).

Disney+

Dopestick (Premieres November 12)

From executive producer Danny Strong, and starring and executive produced by Michael Keaton, Dopesick examines how one company triggered the worst drug epidemic in American history. The series takes viewers to the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction, from the boardrooms of Big Pharma to a distressed Virginia mining community to the hallways of the DEA. Defying all the odds, heroes will emerge in an intense and thrilling ride to take down the craven corporate forces behind this national crisis and their allies. The limited series is inspired by the New York Times bestselling book by Beth Macy.

Ruth Negga in *Passing*. (Image: Netflix)

Netflix Canada

The Harder They Fall (Premieres November 3)

In this Western, outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) discovers that his enemy (Idris Elba) is being released from prison, so he reunites his gang to track down Rufus Buck and seek revenge.

Big Mouth: Season 5 (Premieres November 5)

Starting with “No Nut November” and continuing through New Years Eve, Big Mouth Season 5 takes on the theme of love and hate with the introduction of lovebugs and hate worms, amorphous creatures that can shift between the two forms (like caterpillars and butterflies). Nick’s lovebug, Walter (Brandon Kyle Goodman), pushes Nick to pursue his feelings for Jessi until she publicly rejects him, turning Walter into a hate worm who leads Nick down a dark, rancorous path. Meanwhile, Jessi’s lovebug, Sonya (Pamela Adlon), appears as Jessi gets closer with Ali and eventually wonders if she loves her as more than a friend. Jessi and Ali’s new close bond, and joint co-opting of Missy’s affinity group, sends Missy into her own hate spiral, fueled by hate worm Rochelle (Keke Palmer). Jealousy, unrequited love, and newfound crushes abound in this new form-breaking season as the Big Mouth teens navigate 8th grade.

Love Hard (Premiers November 5)

Hopeless romantic but eternally single LA journalist Natalie (Nina Dobrev) thinks things are beginning to look up when she swipes right on a dreamy guy from the East Coast, Tag (Darren Barnet). Taking a leap of faith she jumps on a flight to surprise her crush for the holidays, only to discover that she's been catfished by Tag's childhood friend who is equally unlucky in love, Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). This lighthearted romantic comedy chronicles her attempt to reel in love.

Meenakshi Sundareshwar (Premiers November 5)

Forced to live apart due to a unique job prospect, two newlyweds face the hassles, hiccups — and hilarity — that arise from their long-distance marriage.

Gentefied: Season 2 (Premieres November 10)

As the Morales family rallies to fight Pop's deportation, cousins Ana, Chris and Erik face new challenges in their romantic and professional lives.

Passing (Premieres November 10)

Based on the novel by Nella Larsen, the movie follows two black women (Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga) who can pass as white and choose to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1929 New York.

Red Notice (Premieres November 12)

An FBI profiler pursuing the world's most wanted art thief becomes his reluctant partner in crime to catch an elusive crook who's always one step ahead.

Blown Away: Christmas (Premieres November 19)

Blown Away is cranking up the heat for a spectacular holiday showdown! ’Tis the season for redemption as five fan favorites return to the hot shop to compete in a series of Christmas-themed challenges in the quest to become The Best in Holiday Blow. In the spirit of giving, the winner will not only receive a $10,000 cash prize, but an additional $10,000 will also be donated to their charity of choice.

Cowboy Bebop (Premieres November 19)

A ragtag crew of bounty hunters chases down the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. They'll save the world ... for the right price. A live-action series.

A Boy Called Christmas (Premieres November 24)

An ordinary young boy called Nikolas sets out on an extraordinary adventure into the snowy north in search of his father who is on a quest to discover the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm. Taking with him a headstrong reindeer called Blitzen and a loyal pet mouse, Nikolas soon meets his destiny in this magical, comic and endearing story that proves nothing is impossible. Adapted from the bestselling book by Matt Haig.

Bruised (Premieres November 24)

A disgraced MMA fighter grabs one last shot at redemption in the cage when the young son she gave up reenters her life. Halle Berry stars and directs.

Selling Sunset: Season 4 (Premieres November 24)

The reality series following elite LA real estate agents returns for a fourth season.

Watch List: 30 Shows and Movies to Stream in November 2021

By Ishani Nath