Mandatory Streamers: HBO’s LGBTQ+ Docuseries Equal Chronicles History’s Unsung Heroes
Welcome to Mandatory Streamers, our column covering the best new streaming content coming your way every week! For the week of October 19, HBO’s four-part docuseries Equal chronicles the dangerous twists and turns in the lives of LGBTQ+ history’s unsung heroes – the warriors, patriots, artists, thinkers, and organizers who preceded Stonewall, who spoke out when it mattered most, who built community through secret societies, and who fought against all odds in pursuit of that most underlining human quality: the desire to be yourself. Check out the best shows debuting and returning online this week as well as the latest renewal announcements below, and be sure to visit our mother site Mandatory by clicking here!
HBO Max/HBO
Equal, Series Premiere: Before Stonewall, there was Compton’s Cafeteria, and before Harvey Milk, there was José Sarria. Narrated by the incomparable Billy Porter, Equal is a dynamic four-part docuseries that pays tribute to the parents of the modern LGBTQ+ movement. Through stylistic depictions of the icons and unsung heroes of yesteryear – portrayed by a stellar cast of talented actors, including Cheyenne Jackson, Shannon Purser, Jamie Clayton, Jai Rodriguez, Samira Wiley, and others – each episode captures the gripping, epic origin stories of trailblazers who changed the course of American history, giving a voice to millions of people yearning to be out, proud, and equal. The four-part docuseries is streaming now on HBO Max!
The Undoing, Series Premiere: Based on the novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the limited series follows the story of married couple Grace (Nicole Kidman) and Jonathan Fraser (Hugh Grant), who are living the only lives they ever wanted for themselves. Overnight a chasm opens in their lives: a violent death and a chain of terrible revelations. Left behind in the wake of a spreading and very public disaster and horrified by the ways in which she has failed to heed her own advice, Grace must dismantle one life and create another for her child and her family. The series will premiere on October 25 on HBO and HBO Max.
Netflix
The Queen’s Gambit, Series Premiere: Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, the limited series drama is a coming-of-age story that explores the true cost of genius. Abandoned and entrusted to a Kentucky orphanage in the late 1950s, a young Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) discovers an astonishing talent for chess while developing an addiction to tranquilizers provided by the state as a sedative for the children. Haunted by her personal demons and fueled by a cocktail of narcotics and obsession, Beth transforms into an impressively skilled and glamorous outcast while determined to conquer the traditional boundaries established in the male-dominated world of competitive chess. The series is streaming now on Netflix.
Unsolved Mysteries Volume 2: In six new episodes, Unsolved Mysteries profiles more unexplained disappearances, tragic events, and bizarre occurrences. Perhaps one viewer holds the key to solving these cases. Detectives, journalists, and family members offer intriguing theories in this gripping series, from the creators of the original docuseries, Cosgrove/Meurer Productions, and 21 Laps Entertainment, the producers of Stranger Things. Volume 1 and 2 are streaming now.
Renewals
Star Trek: Discovery, Season 4: Star Trek: Discovery has been renewed for a fourth season a day after premiering its third season at CBS All Access! Production on Season 4 is expected to resume on November 2 with Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise continuing to serve as co-showrunners for the new season. The first two seasons are available to stream now, with the first two episodes of Season 3 also streaming.
Archer, Season 12: Following a big boost in ratings from previous seasons and just ahead of its 11th season finale, FXX has elected to greenlight a 12th season of its acclaimed animated spy comedy Archer! All episodes are available to stream on FX on Hulu.
Miracle Workers, Season 3: TBS has officially renewed their anthology comedy series Miracle Workers for a third season which will now take place in the American Old West! In addition, Dan Mirk and Robert Padnick have also been tapped as the new showrunners and executive producers for the next season, replacing series creator Simon Rich. The first two seasons are available to stream on TBS’ platforms. The first season is also available on HBO Max.