As the weekend of September 19 to 21, 2025, approaches, streaming platforms are rolling out a fresh slate of content—and Netflix, in particular, finds itself at the center of both excitement and controversy. From the return of beloved series and the debut of star-studded originals to a sweeping interface overhaul that's left many viewers fuming, the world of streaming TV is buzzing with both anticipation and agitation.
Netflix subscribers have a lot to talk about this week. The streaming giant recently unveiled a new trailer for Season 3 of The Diplomat, the political thriller led by Keri Russell. Scheduled to premiere on October 16, 2025, the latest season picks up in the aftermath of President Rayburn’s sudden death. Vice President Grace Penn, portrayed by Allison Janney, is thrust into the presidency, setting the stage for a cascade of political intrigue and personal drama. Bradley Whitford joins the ensemble as Grace’s husband, Todd Penn, bringing his signature wit to the role and cheekily dubbing himself the “First Lady.”
The show's official synopsis teases a tangled web of ambition and alliances. “Ambassador Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) lives the particular nightmare that is getting what you want,” it reads. Kate, who had just accused Grace Penn of orchestrating a terrorist plot and admitted her own aspirations for the vice presidency, now finds herself navigating a new reality. With her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell) possibly implicated in the president’s death, and Grace Penn now leader of the free world, Kate is drawn deeper into the political maelstrom. According to Netflix’s trailer and synopsis, the season will explore Kate’s reluctant campaign for the vice presidency, her evolving relationships with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and a complex bond with First Gentleman Todd Penn.
But The Diplomat is just one of many options for viewers this weekend. As Digital Trends highlights, Netflix is also home to several underrated gems worth revisiting or discovering for the first time. The End of the F***ing World (2017-2019) offers a darkly comic take on the classic road trip, following two troubled teens as they seek out one’s estranged father. Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden deliver standout performances, bringing unexpected sweetness and depth to their roles. Meanwhile, Atypical (2017-2021) presents a heartfelt exploration of life on the autism spectrum, centering on a young man’s search for love and independence. With strong supporting turns from Jennifer Jason Leigh and Michael Rapaport, the series is praised for its honest, occasionally heartbreaking portrayal of family dynamics and self-discovery. Rounding out the list is A.P. Bio (2018-2021), a sharp comedy about a disgruntled Harvard philosophy professor (Glenn Howerton) who, after losing his dream job, finds himself teaching biology in his hometown—and recruiting his students for his own schemes rather than actual science lessons.
The crowded streaming landscape doesn’t stop with Netflix. According to TechRadar, this week’s must-watch list spans multiple platforms and genres. Netflix’s own Black Rabbit, a thriller starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman, is now available globally. Set against the gritty backdrop of New York nightlife, the series has already notched an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Law plays Jake Friedkin, a charismatic restaurateur whose world is upended by his brother Vince’s (Bateman) unexpected return, setting off a chain of events that threaten to unravel their lives.
Elsewhere, Amazon Prime Video is premiering the highly anticipated second season of Gen V on September 17, 2025. The spin-off from The Boys promises to deliver new insights into the show’s universe, with familiar faces like Chace Crawford’s The Deep and Erin Moriarty’s Starlight making appearances. Showrunner Eric Kripke has teased that viewers will get their “first real, solid peek into how Homelander has changed the world.” The new season centers on Godolkin University, where a mysterious new dean is pushing students to become more powerful, while tensions between humans and supes simmer on and off campus.
Apple TV Plus is wrapping up its historical epic Chief of War, starring Jason Momoa as Kaʻiana, a legendary Hawaiian warrior. The finale promises to deliver a dramatic conclusion to the story of Hawaiʻi’s unification under Kamehameha I, with themes of rebellion, colonization, and identity woven throughout. Meanwhile, Disney Plus is offering Pixar’s Elio—a film that stumbled at the box office but is being called a “beautiful little film” by critics. Elio tells the story of a young boy who inadvertently becomes Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy after making contact with aliens, featuring voice work from Zoe Saldaña and Jameela Jamil.
HBO Max brings Alex Garland’s Warfare to streaming audiences. The film, co-written and co-directed by former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, follows a platoon on a relentless operation through insurgent territory. The cast includes Cosmo Jarvis, Will Poulter, and Joseph Quinn, and the movie is being hailed as a worthy successor to Garland’s previous film Civil War. Hulu’s new original movie Swiped, starring Lily James as Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd, rounds out the week’s notable releases. The film chronicles Wolfe Herd’s journey from recent college graduate to tech industry trailblazer and self-made billionaire.
Yet, amid this bounty of content, Netflix’s recent interface overhaul has sparked a wave of backlash from its user base. In May 2025, the platform rolled out what it called an “upgraded TV experience,” but many subscribers were less than thrilled. As reported by TechRadar, online forums and Reddit threads quickly filled with complaints, with one user describing the new UI as “borderline unusable.” Some viewers even reported feeling dizzy and nauseous due to the interface’s kinetic design, which features auto-playing previews and enlarged tiles that reduce the number of visible options on screen. A TechRadar reader lamented, “the interface is such a disaster it actually makes me feel rage.” Others pointed out that the new layout makes it harder to add programs to one’s list, as the Plus button is now hidden behind additional menus.
Netflix has defended the changes, characterizing detractors as a “vocal minority” and asserting that the new interface “highlights what matters most to you.” While some updates—such as expanded program information and an improved My Netflix hub—have been met with approval, many users say they miss the old, more user-friendly design. Comparisons to rival platforms like Apple TV Plus and The Criterion Channel abound, with critics praising those services for their clean layouts and lack of aggressive auto-play features.
Despite the controversy, Netflix’s technical prowess remains a selling point. The platform continues to offer top-tier picture and sound quality, with many originals boasting Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. For those willing to brave the new interface, there’s no shortage of compelling content to enjoy—whether it’s political intrigue, offbeat comedy, coming-of-age drama, or star-powered thrillers.
In a sea of streaming choices, viewers are spoiled for options but not always for ease of use. As platforms continue to evolve, the tension between innovation and user comfort is unlikely to subside anytime soon. For now, audiences can settle in for a weekend of binge-worthy TV and movies—if they can navigate the menus, that is.
