Josh Brolin Headlines Outer Range, Showtime Bows The First Lady

Josh Brolin, Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Gillian Anderson are just a few of the big names hitting the small screen this weekend. Brolin returns to the world of Westerns with Outer Range, Prime Video’s Yellowstone-style family drama, while Davis, Pfeiffer and Anderson transform into Michelle Obama, Betty Ford and Eleanor Roosevelt in Showtime limited series The First Lady.

Also this weekend: Lizzo pulls double duty on Saturday Night Live, Apple TV+ takes the wraps off its new anthology series Roar, and David E. Kelley adapts international bestseller Anatomy of a Scandal for Netflix. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this weekend:

FRIDAY APRIL 15

Outer Range: Series premiere. Josh Brolin stars as Royal Abbott, a rancher fighting for his land and his family who discovers an unfathomable mystery at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness. Lili Taylor, Tamara Podemski, Tom Pelphrey, Imogen Poots, and Noah Reid also star. Two episodes drop today and every Friday through May 6. Read our review. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Roar: Complete Season 1. Nicole Kidman, Cynthia Erivo, Issa Rae, and Alison Brie head up an all-star cast in this anthology series telling eight distinct stories. Created by Carly Mensch and Liz Flahive (GLOW), the new series blends different genres and uses magical realism to depict the dilemmas of ordinary women in accessible yet surprising ways. Read our review. Streaming on Apple TV+

Anatomy of a Scandal: Complete limited series. When Minister of Parliament James Whitehouse (Rupert Friend) is accused of rape, Kate Woodcroft (Michelle Dockery) leads a prosecution determined to bring his secrets to light. Sienna Miller also stars as Whitehouse's wife Sophie. The six-episode series was co-created and written by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) and adapted from Sarah Vaughan’s bestselling psychological thriller. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Come Dance with Me: Series premiere. CBS puts a family-friendly spin on the genre in this dance competition that sees regular parents compete alongside their talented, dance-loving children. With host Philip Lawrence and judges Jenna Dewan, Dexter Mayfield, and Tricia Miranda. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on CBS

Swimming with Sharks: Complete Season 1. Roku adapts the 1994 film into a scripted drama about a young Hollywood assistant (Kiernan Shipka) who turns the tables on an abusive boss (Diane Kruger). Donald Sutherland, Finn Jones, Ross Butler, and Erika Alexander also star. Watch trailer. Streaming on The Roku Channel

Bill Maher: #Adulting: Comedy special. The late night host and comedian takes the stage at Miami’s Fillmore Theater where he brings his no-holds-barred perspective to cancel culture, the pandemic, Q-Anon, and everything in between. HBO promises #Adulting is Maher’s “most brutally honest — and fearless — performance yet.” Watch trailer. 10:00 PM ET on HBO

It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown: Special presentation. Charlie Brown’s little sister Sally celebrates nature in a new Peanuts special, debuting just in time for Earth Day. Watch trailer. Streaming on Apple TV+

Choose Or Die: Original film. After firing up a lost 80s survival horror game, two friends unleash a hidden curse that tears reality apart, forcing them to make terrifying decisions and face deadly consequences. Asa Butterfield, Iola Evans, and Eddie Marsan star. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Snacks with Susie: Series premiere. The kid YouTuber makes her HBO Max debut after finding success on Cartoonito, Cartoon Network’s preschool-aged programming block. Streaming on HBO Max

La Madrina: The Savage Life of Lorine Padilla: Original documentary. After rising to prominence as the “first lady” of the Savage Skulls gang in 1970s New York City, Lorine Padilla turned her attention to community activism. Director Raquel Cepeda charts Padilla’s journey in this feature-length documentary, which arrives on Showtime nearly two years after it won the Audience Award at DOC NYC 2020. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Showtime

Dynasty: New episode. As Fallon (Elizabeth Gillies) comes up with a plan to help her win the Peachtree Stakes horse race, Dominique (Michael Michele) asks Jeff (Sam Adegoke) to help promote her new accessory line at the event. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on The CW

Friday Night Baseball: The Chicago White Sox host the Tampa Bay Rays. 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT on Apple TV+

SATURDAY APRIL 16

Saturday Night Live: New episode. Lizzo joins the long list of SNL hosts who've pulled double duty as musical guest. Tonight’s appearance marks Lizzo’s hosting debut, but she previously served as a musical guest in December 2019. 11:29 PM ET/8:29 PM PT on NBC

U.S. Football League: Nearly 40 years after folding, the USFL returns with a 43-game season, played entirely in Birmingham, Alabama. The inaugural season kicks off with a matchup between the New Jersey Generals and the Birmingham Stallions that airs on both FOX and NBC concurrently. 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT on FOX, NBC, and Peacock

Wrath: A Seven Deadly Sins Story: TV movie. Lawyer Chastity Jeffries (Michelle Williams) believes she’s found the perfect partner in Xavier Collins (Antonio Cupo), but when his affection turns to obsession, Chastity must go to great lengths to save herself. Also stars Romeo Miller and Tina Knowles-Lawson. The TV movie is the third installment in Lifetime’s Seven Deadly Sins anthology series. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime

Love, Classified: TV movie. Melora Hardin plays a romance novelist who blows back into the lives of her adult children, Taylor (Katherine McNamara) and Zach (Max Lloyd-Jones), just as they begin testing out a new dating app in Hallmark’s latest “Spring Into Love” offering. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark Channel

NBA Playoffs: The first round of the NBA Playoffs get underway with four games:

• Utah Jazz at Dallas Mavericks 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT on ESPN
• Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT on ESPN
• Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT on ESPN
• Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT on ABC

NHL Hockey: The Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues vie for control of the Central Division as the end of the regular season approaches. 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT on ABC and ESPN+

SUNDAY APRIL 17

The First Lady: Series premiere. Showtime shifts the action to the East Wing in this anthology series told through the lens of America’s most charismatic, complex, and dynamic First Ladies. Season 1 shifts between three different eras to tell the stories of Michelle Obama (played by Viola Davis, who also executive produces), Betty Ford (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Eleanor Roosevelt (Gillian Anderson). The star-studded drama also features O.T. Fagbenle as Barack Obama, Aaron Eckhart as Gerald Ford, and Kiefer Sutherland as FDR, with additional appearances from Dakota Fanning, Judy Greer, and Lily Rabe. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime

Doctor Who: Legend of the Sea Devils: Special presentation. In 19th century China, the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Yaz (Mandip Gill), and Dan (John Bishop) help a coastal village survive a threat from fearsome pirate queen Madam Ching (Crystal Yu) and the monstrous alien force she unwittingly unleashes. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on BBC America

90 Day Fiancé: Season 9 premiere. Six new couples and one returning duo — Ari and Bini, who appeared on The Other Way — have 90 days to figure out whether their love can go the distance in a new season of TLC’s reality TV staple. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on TLC

The Real Housewives of Potomac: Karen’s Grand Dame Reunion: Special presentation. Longtime RHOP star Karen Huger hosts a family reunion in Surry County, Virginia, where she learns about her enslaved ancestors and celebrates her rich history. Part 1 of the special airs tonight, followed by Part 2 next week. 8:00 PM ET on Bravo

Power Book IV: Force: Season 1 finale. Decisions are made by those closest to Tommy, which could leave him powerless. When the gangs face off, truths come to light, shifting the power of the drug game. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on Starz

Fear The Walking Dead: Season 7 spring premiere. Months after the nuclear blast, Victor Strand (Colman Domingo) is thriving as the leader of a newly-developed fiefdom. Determined to live, the other members of the group plot to take Strand’s Tower by force and continue the search for Padre, a mythical place no one is sure even exists. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on AMC and Streaming on AMC+

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty: New episode. While Buss (John C. Reilly) clashes with West (Jason Clarke) over the coaching staff, Paul (Jason Segel) calls in a favor from Pat Riley (Adrien Brody). Elsewhere, Earvin (Quincy Isaiah) attempts to reconnect with loved ones in Lansing before heading to Boston to face longtime rival Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small). 9:00 PM ET on HBO

Shining Vale: Season 1 finale. While the Phelps family fights for their souls, the shocking end of Pat’s (Courteney Cox) book is revealed. 10:15 PM ET on Starz

U.S. Football League: Week 1 of the USFL's inaugural season continues with three games, airing across cable and streaming:

• Houston Gamblers at Michigan Panthers 12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT on NBC and Streaming on Peacock
• Philadelphia Stars at New Orleans Breakers 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT on USA
• Tampa Bay Bandits at Pittsburgh Maulers 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on FS1

NBA Playoffs: The first round of the playoffs continue with four more games:

• Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT on TNT
• Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics 3:30 PM ET/12:30 PM PT on ABC
• Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT on TNT
• New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT on TNT

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.