5 Series Coming To Netflix In November That Are Definitely Worth The Binge

As we embark upon a holiday season that is sure to be unlike any we’ve experienced in our lifetimes, Netflix
NFLX
comes to the rescue with a deluge of new content. Pandemic-related fatigue is on the rise and many are struggling with social distancing and isolation from loved ones. This leads to loneliness, which is often a factor over the holidays, but this year will be even more challenging for many.

We may not be able to attend Thanksgiving Day parades and large family gatherings may be replaced with smaller affairs, but we can still make the best of November. So, put on your coziest sweater, make a cup of cocoa and snuggle up with some good entertainment. Here are five series coming – and returning – to the streamer that are sure to help you escape it all.

Dash & Lily: This holiday romcom series premieres its eight 30-minute episodes globally on November 10 and it’s just what the doctor ordered. It all begins when a very cynical Dash (Austin Abrams) finds a hidden notebook with a dare from hopeful optimist Lily (Midori Francis) on a bookstore shelf and the two begin to communicate without seeing each other. They trade dares, dreams and their deepest desires in this notebook, which they pass back and forth in various locations across New York City. What ensues is a whirlwind romance as the two are pushed outside their bubbles, enabling each to see the world from the other’s viewpoint. What they discover is that they have far more in common with one another than either would’ve expected. The series is based on the popular young adult book series Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares from New York Times
NYT
bestselling authors Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. There are three novels in the series, so if this show gains traction, there are likely to be at least two more seasons. The series was created by Joe Tracz, who also serves as executive producer and showrunner. This is a hopeful tale of love amidst what has been for many, a very difficult time. The series was shot pre-pandemic on location in the fall and winter of 2019 when the city was in all its glory. If you’re looking for an uplifting, feel-good love story this one is for you. The series is executive produced by Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment (Stranger Things, Unsolved Mysteries) and Nick Jonas’ Image 32.

The Liberator: This animated mini-series centers on the riveting true story of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II and its timely release on Veterans Day, November 11, is the perfect homage to those who risked and lost everything to fight this war. There are four episodes, roughly 45 minutes each, that detail a historic march to victory. The story centers on the battlefield odyssey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit as they fought for over 500 days to liberate Europe. On September 9, 1943 over 3,000 naval vessels and 150,000 troops began Operation Avalanche, the Allied invasion of Italy. In an attempt to achieve tactical surprise, the allies forgo naval and air bombardment but the invasion surprised no one and was met by fierce German resistance. By the second day, the Allies had committed all of their reinforcements and by the end of the fourth day the operation teetered on the brink of failure. The German Army, sensing an American defeat, rushed over 40,000 reinforcements to Salerno to drive the allies into the sea. Faced with potential annihilation, the Allied high command considered the unthinkable: Evacuation. In the midst of this debate, a commander of a National Guard regiment from Oklahoma made this announcement: “Now’s not the time to leave. Now’s the time for some hard fighting.” This is the story of those men. Men known as the Thunderbirds. This series is based on the book “The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey” by Alex Kershaw and was adapted for television by Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, The Fugitive). Stuart recently told IGN via email why he chose to use the new patent-pending technology “Enhanced Hybrid Animation” (a combination of CGI and live-action performances) to tell this story. “Trioscope’s hybrid animation allowed us to tell a massive W.W.2 drama on a scale we could only dream about in live-action without sacrificing any of the story’s emotional nuances.”

The Crown: The 10-episode fourth season of this fan-favorite series premieres globally on November 15 and this season it’s all about Princess Diana and Prince Charles. It’s near the end of the 1970s and Queen Elizabeth (Olivia Colman) and the royal family are determined to protect the line of succession. The focus is on finding an appropriate bride for Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor), who is still unmarried at 30. This was a time when Britain was beginning to feel the impact of divisive policies, which were introduced by the nation’s first female Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson). Tensions between she and the Queen worsen as Thatcher leads the country into the Falklands War, which generates conflict within the Commonwealth. During this time, it is Charles’ romance with a young Lady Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin) that provides a much-needed fairytale to unite the British people, but behind closed doors the royal family is becoming increasingly divided. This season was written by Peter Morgan and the cast also includes Helena Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret, Tobias Menzies as The Duke of Edinburgh, Erin Doherty as Princess Anne, Emerald Fennell as Camilla Parker Bowles, Marion Bailey as the Queen Mother, Georgie Glen as Lady Fermoy, Tom Byrne as Prince Andrew, Angue Imrie as Prince Edward and Charles Dance as Lord Mountbatten.

Holiday Home Makeover with Mr. Christmas: With so much time spent at home these days, why not learn to decorate your space like an expert? Starting on November 18 you can kick off the holiday season right and get tips from Benjamin Bradley, who is best known as Mr. Christmas. This veteran in the interior design industry will guide viewers on just how to make their homes a holiday heaven and for him, it’s all about giving back via the power of decorating. Mr. Christmas has a healthy obsession with the holiday season and for him, this time of year is a celebration of love, life, family, friends and meaningful traditions. Follow behind-the-scenes as he puts his design expertise and vast Christmas collection to good use. The tools of his trade include lights, garlands and enough tinsel to blanket the North Pole. The viewer will gain ideas as he and his team of elves work around the clock to bring holiday cheer to families and communities deserving of a home makeover for this joyous time of the year. Mr. Christmas hopes his efforts will inspire the viewer to take their own home decorating and traditions to the next level. Have we ever needed this more?

Virgin River: The second 10-episode season of this romantic drama premieres November 27 and this season the viewer follows Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) as she returns to Virgin River and Doc’s clinic. The first season, also 10 episodes, ended with Mel packing her bags and leaving town for good but she now realizes she must learn to come to terms with herself and her past before she can truly make this her home. Season one followed Mel, a Los Angeles-based nurse practitioner who sought a fresh start in life, as she answered an ad for a nursing job in a remote Northern California town called Virgin River. She uprooted her life in the hopes of keeping certain secrets from her past buried but small town living wasn’t what she expected. There isn’t much known about this new season other than Netflix’s teaser that life in Virgin River will include an engagement, babies, heartbreak and murder. Life in this town is certainly rife with drama and Mel is often right in the middle of it. This series is based on Robyn Carr’s novel of the same name and diehard fans will be happy to know that word on the street is that production of a third season is expected to start later this year when filming can safely get underway due to COVID-19 restrictions. Carr has a new book entitled “Sunrise on Half Moon Bay” and another of her books from her “Sullivan’s Crossing” series has also been optioned for television. The series also stars Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Lauren Hammersley, Colin Lawrence, Grayson Gurnsey and Sarah Dugdale.

As always, happy bingeing!