Ten New and Returning Shows to Watch on Netflix in September 2020

This month sees Sarah Paulson taking on a legendary character as she headlines Ryan Murphy's Ratched, Hilary Swank joins the Netflix fray, and several docuseries will keep you entertained as fall edges closer. Among the original offerings, classic series including Sister, Sister (September 1) and all eight seasons of Girlfriends (September 11) will be added to the library. And ahead of its new season, the excellent Danish political series Borgen — featuring familiar faces from Game of Thrones and Westworld — will be available to stream from September 1.

Here are the new releases we're most looking forward to:

Chef's Table: BBQ (NEW series)

Strictly speaking, this is more a spinoff than a brand-new series, but either way, the Emmy-nominated Chef's Table is serving up a brand new season with a new mouth-watering focus. Having already delved into the world of pastry in Volume 4, juicy barbecue and its global reach are now on the menu. Featured among the eclectic mix of chefs and pitmasters are legendary 85-year-old Tootsie Tomanetz from Texas and Australian chef Lennox Hastie who cooks everything with fire. Traditional Mayan chef Rosalie Chay Chuc uses methods perfected over a 1000 years, and South Carolina's Rodney Scott – who is famous for his whole hog barbecue – is also part of the enticing line-up.
Available September 2

Young Wallander (NEW series)

Following in the footsteps of previous incarnations starring Kenneth Branagh, Krister Henriksson, and Rolf Lassgård, the new Netflix crime drama is going back to the beginning of Kurt Wallander's career. Rather than shifting back to a period setting, Young Wallander is taking a present-day approach to the origins of Henning Mankell's beloved Swedish detective. After witnessing a violent attack, recent police academy graduate Wallander (Adam Pålsson) is tasked with solving the crime. Viewers might recognize Pålsson (who bears a striking resemblance to Jonathan Groff) from the final season of the popular Scandanavian crime series Bron/Broen (which FX remade in 2013 as The Bridge). He was also in the recent HBO space comedy Avenue 5. It's clear TV's love affair with moody Nordic Noir continues.
Available September 3

Away (NEW series)

The series stars two-time Oscar-winner Hilary Swank as astronaut Emma Green, who leaves behind husband Matt (Josh Charles) and teenage daughter Alexis (Talitha Bateman) to command the first manned mission to Mars. As the leader of the international crew, Emma is in charge of this three-year exploration into the unknown. The emotionally charged series from executive producer Jason Katims taps into all the elements that make space adventures so thrilling.
Available September 4

Get Organized with The Home Edit (NEW series)

When Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin started the home organization company The Home Edit their goal "was to reinvent traditional organizing and merge it with design and interior styling." Now the bestselling authors are bringing this mandate to Netflix, expanding the streamer's roster of home improvement shows. Traveling across the country from Tennessee to New York and California, each episode takes on a celebrity and civilian client to help conquer the clutter in their homes. Guest stars include Reese Witherspoon (also a co-producer), Retta, Eva Longoria, Rachel Zoe, Jordana Brewster, Neil Patrick Harris, and Khloé Kardashian.
Available September 9

La Linea: Shadow of Narco (NEW series)

The recently cancelled freshman Netflix series White Lines depicted the fictionalized world of the drugs trade on the sunny island of Ibiza. Docuseries La Linea: Shadow of Narco is taking viewers into the Spanish beach town La Línea, which has become Europe's drug trafficking hub. Located in the south of Spain, the town lies between Morocco and Gibraltar – making it ideal for illegal activities.
Available September 9

The Duchess (NEW series)

Hoping to fill the messy relationship hole left behind by Catastrophe, the new Katherine Ryan London-set series follows a single mom as she decides whether or not to have a second child with the man she considers her nemesis. Created, written, and starring Ryan, this comedy is taking the contemporary parenting angle in a different direction by focusing on the bond between mother and young daughter. If you want a taste of Ryan's comedy, her Netflix special In Trouble is available now.
Available September 11

Challenger: The Final Flight (NEW series)

January 28, 1986, is an indelible date for everyone old enough to remember the space shuttle Challenger disaster, which occurred 73 seconds after lift-off. This four-part docuseries unpacks the events that killed all seven crew members. A combination of a faulty part, the weather, and mismanagement are all contributing factors that will be unpacked in this series.
Available September 16

Sing On! (NEW series)

Already proving popular with versions from Spain and Germany on Netflix, Tituss Burgess hosts the new eight-episode karaoke competition. Six contestants belt out an iconic song from a specific genre in each of the themed installments, with the prize money increasing every episode. Rather than being about the best singer, a vocal analyzer compares the performance to the original artist. Accurate mimicry results in more money in the collective jackpot — worth up to $60,000. Not only that, but the person with the highest score moves onto the next round. Drama levels are guaranteed as it is up to the rest of the contestants to vote someone off. The final two must battle for the jackpot in a head-to-head sing-off.
Available September 16

Ratched (NEW series)

So far, Ryan Murphy's two Netflix offerings have been patchy at best, but Sarah Paulson in a Nurse Ratched origin story could be the winning combination. In a role that won Louise Fletcher an Oscar for her performance in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the prequel is set in 1947 following Mildred Ratched as she seeks employment at a leading California psychiatric hospital. Sent on a clandestine mission, she presents herself as a caring professional but she harbors a deep secret. Leaning into the horror and camp aesthetic Murphy is best known for, Ratched looks set to combine the aspects that have made his previous shows so popular. Cynthia Nixon, Sharon Stone, Finn Wittrock, Judy Davis, Corey Stoll, and Sophie Okonedo all appear on the impressive supporting cast roster.
Available September 18

Whose Vote Counts, Explained (NEW series)

As the election gets closer, this docuseries untangles some timely concerns about the voting process, and who controls it. Aspects such as gerrymandering, ballot box fraud, voter suppression, the Electoral College, the role of powerful donors, and how votes are counted will be explored.
Available September 28

Emma Fraser has wanted to write about TV since she first watched My So-Called Life in the mid-90s, finally getting her wish over a decade later. Follow her on Twitter at @frazbelina.