7 best TV shows streaming March 16-22 on Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and more

Alex Sharp and Jess Jong in Netflix's 3 Body Problem.
(Image credit: Netflix)

It's a little quiet in terms of new TV shows streaming this week, but if you're looking for something new to binge-watch or slowly sink into, that just makes a guide like ours even more important!

What to Watch's weekly streaming round-up is looking at the week from Saturday, March 16 to Friday, March 22 this time around, and in order to create a healthy list, we've had to include the vast majority of shows releasing this week! Don't worry, we've made sure that everything releasing is worth the time it takes to watch though.

As always, Netflix has a strong showing of new releases including an anticipated new drama and the return of a hit reality show, but we've also got a documentar from Hulu, a star-studded new Apple TV Plus drama, an iPlayer murder mystery and an anticipated animated Disney Plus revival.

To be included on this list, a show must be debuting with its first episode or the entirety of its run, and we don't include 'Part 2s' or seasons that have been split up. Cable shows will also be included if they land on streaming within a few days of the TV debut.

If you want to try a new streaming service to catch any of these shows, we've got guides to the best streaming deals as well as Apple TV Plus free trials which will help you out.

Physical: 100 season 2

  • Netflix endurance completition series returns on Tuesday, March 19

Contestants climbing ropes during the Wings of Icarus challenge in Physical: 100

(Image credit: Netflix)

After the first season became a surprising smash hit for Netflix, Physical: 100 season 2 is returning to put another 100 athletes through the wringer.

Subtitled 'Underground', season 2 of Physical: 100 will retain the format of its predecessor: 100 contestants at the height of their physical prowess will be put through a series of endurance events, in a knock-out elimination process, in an attempt to win 300 million Korean won (about $236,000 or £195,000). Season 2 shakes things up by setting its events in a giant underground mine.

Physical: 100 season 2 will land on Netflix on Tuesday, March 19, and unlike with the first season, it won't have a staggered weekly release.

Photographer

  • Hulu / Disney Plus photography documentary arrives on Tuesday, March 19

The latest National Geographic documentary doesn't focus on nature, but instead it looks at the people who look at nature: photographers.

Each episode of Photographer will look at a different professional cameraperson in the worlds of wildlife, activism, fashion or other industries. It'll explore their legacy and their work, and it should be an interesting watch for budding photographers or simply those who have an interest in their respective areas.

You'll be able to watch Photographer on Hulu and Disney Plus in the US, and Disney Plus elsewhere. The series will land on Tuesday, March 19, but it'll also air one episode per week from Monday, March 18 on National Geographic.

Homicide: New York

  • Netflix true crime docuseries releases on on Wednesday, March 20

A corkboard investigation from Netflix's Homicide: New York

(Image credit: Netflix)

The TV producer behind Law & Order has created a new series for Netflix: Homicide: New York isn't a fictional drama, though, but tells real cases.

A true crime docuseries, Homicide looks at murders that took place around New York, from the perspectives of the detectives and prosecutors involved. There are five episodes, each one looking at a different case.

All of Homicide: New York will be available to watch on Netflix on Wednesday, March 20. A follow-up called Homicide: Los Angeles is expected later in the year, which suggests even more installments could follow.

X-Men '97

  • Disney Plus animated superhero show arrives on Wednesday, March 20

Key art for X-Men '97

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Superhero fans of a certain age will remember the X-Men animated series; X-Men '97 is a continuation of that, aiming to double down on nostalgia that peope may have for that beloved series.

X-Men '97 very literally picks up the story after X-Men: The Animated Series; it follows the titular team of super-heroes as they face dangerous threats and learn to work together better. It's the first X-Men project made by Disney since the rights to the characters returned to the company.

Two episodes of X-Men '97 will land on Disney Plus on Wednesday, March 20, and subsequent ones will arrive weekly until Wednesday, May 15. Another season has already been confirmed and even more are expected.

Palm Royale

  • Apple TV Plus period drama premieres on Wednesday March 20

Kristen Wiig by the pool in Palm Royale

(Image credit: Apple TV Plus)

The latest period drama from Apple TV Plus is here in the form of Palm Royale, which takes us to sunny Florida in the 1960s for some high society tension.

The show focuses on Kristen Wiig's Maxine Simmons, an aspiring socialite who tries to climb the rungs of Palm Beach's high society ladder. Unfortunately as a 'have-not,' she's not quite wanted there, which makes her struggle for acceptance even more complicated. Wiig is joined by Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Leslie Bibb and singer Ricky Martin in an all-star cast.

The first three episodes of Palm Royale will arrive on Apple TV Plus on Wednesday, March 20, with subsequent ones arriving weekly from then. 

3 Body Problem

  • Netflix sci-fi series sets off on on Thursday, March 21

Yang Hewen and Zine Tseng in Netflix's 3 Body Problem.

(Image credit: Netflix)

One of Netflix's most anticipated upcoming shows is finally here. The show 3 Body Problem is the latest adaptation of the popular sci-fi novel series "Remembrance of Earth's Past" after the well-received 2023 Tencent version.

A complex and wide-spanning show, 3 Body Problem is (to simplify it a lot) about an astrophysicist who makes a discovery that puts humanity up against a huge extraterrestrial threat. This adaptation has been created by the Game of Thrones showrunners so expect it to be a grand sci-fi of epic proportions. The cast includes Benedict Wong, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Jonathan Pryce and Liam Cunningham.

An eight-part show, 3 Body Problem will be available to watch in its entirety on Netflix from Thursday, March 21.

Beyond Paradise season 2

  • BBC iPlayer murder mystery returns on Friday, March 22

Beyond Paradise season 2 main cast shot

(Image credit: BBC)

The BBC's popular Death in Paradise spin-off returns for Beyond Paradise season 2, which will continue the adventures of DI Humphrey Goodman as he investigates crimes in Shipton Abbott.

Goodman will investigate a series of crimes including am-dram stabbings, locomotive murders and psychic slashers, along with his cast of police colleagues and his fiance (and possibly soon wife) Martha.

Beyond Paradise will air on BBC One in the UK on Friday, March 22, with episodes arriving weekly. It'll air on iPlayer at the same time if you want to stream it, and in the US it'll arrive on Britbox on Thursday, April 4.


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Tom Bedford
Streaming and Ecommerce Writer

Tom is the streaming and ecommerce writer at What to Watch, covering streaming services in the US and UK. His goal is to help you navigate the busy and confusing online video market, to help you find the TV, movies and sports that you're looking for without having to spend too much money.