'Dune,' Slate of Limited Series Highlight October Streaming

by Julian Spivey

Photos: Warner Bros., Disney, Netflix & Hulu

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Maid - Netflix - 10/1
“Maid,” premiering today, is the newest limited series from Netflix and is a comedy-drama about a woman escaping an abusive relationship and trying to make a life for herself and her daughter working as a maid. Margaret Qualley plays the lead in the 10-episode series based on Stephanie Land’s bestselling 2019 memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive. Qualley gets to act with her real-life mother Andie MacDowell in the series, which I’m sure was a real treat for the mother-daughter duo. 

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Muppets Haunted Mansion - Disney+ - 10/8
There are few, if any, groups I’d rather spend the holidays with than the Muppets. Back in the early ‘90s are favorite felt creatures did the classic Christmas tale of Scrooge better than just about any other cast ever has. Now I look forward to an evening of spooky family fun with Disney+’s “Muppets Haunted Mansion,” premiering Friday, Oct. 8. Believe it or not, it’s actually the first ever Halloween special from the Muppets! The plot features The Great Gonzo attempting to spend a night in The Haunted Mansion. The special will feature appearances by Will Arnett, Yvette Nicole Brown, Darren Criss, Taraji P. Henson and the late, great Ed Asner.

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Dopesick - Hulu - 10/13
Hulu hasn’t had the same success when it comes to limited series as its main competition in Netflix, but maybe things will turn around a bit with “Dopesick,” an eight-episode series about America’s opioid epidemic based on Beth Macy’s bestselling book of the same name. “Dopesick,” which premieres Wednesday, Oct. 13, features Academy Award-nominated Michael Keaton in the lead role as a doctor who finds himself involved in Big Pharma’s deadly secret, according to Collider. The series also features Will Poulter, Kaitlyn Dever, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosario Dawson and Michael Stuhlbarg.

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The Velvet Underground - AppleTV+ - 10/15
The Velvet Underground was one of the most innovative and original music groups of the 1960s featuring the supremely talented Lou Reed and John Cale and a truly unique sound and point of view. They also hung around pop artist Andy Warhol’s avant-garde community. Director Todd Haynes’ (I’m Not There, Carol) has helmed a documentary about the band that’s sure to be a must-see for all music lovers. “The Velvet Underground” premieres on AppleTV+ on Friday, Oct. 15. 

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Dune - HBO Max - 10/22
I must admit I’m not all that interested in “Dune,” which will be premiering in theaters and streaming on HBO Max on Friday, Oct. 22. But it is one of the most anticipated films of the year, so I’m making space for it on this list. “Dune,” directed by Denis Villeneueve (‘Blade Runner 2049,’ ‘Arrival’), is a sci-fi epic set in the far future on a desert planet where a drug exists that can extend human life. The film stars Timothee Chalamet in the lead with Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac and Josh Brolin in supporting roles. Director David Lynch made a version of Frank Herbert’s novel in 1984 that was received with mixed reviews, but has developed a bit of a cult following. 

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Colin in Black & White - Netflix - 10/29
In what will surely be a controversial limited series to some (check out the ridiculous IMDb user rating for it before it’s even premiered that shows racists have too much time on their hands) Netflix brings to the screen the high school years of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick being the song of adoptive white parents in a mostly white community and the moments that led him to becoming an activist. Jaden Michael stars as Kaepernick, who himself will narrate the series. Kaepernick’s parents are played by Nick Offerman and Mary-Louise Parker.