What to Watch the Week of March 10: The Oscars, Yes, But Don't Miss Peacock's Apples Never Fall and the Return of Grey's Anatomy

Peacock; ABC

The 2024 Oscars are here, and yes, Ryan Gosling will perform and Zendaya will present, but before we get into all that, let's focus on something else: the start of the most jam-packed premiere season.

Studios, networks and streamers will start unveiling the shows they consider to have major shots at this September's Emmy Awards, and the deadline to air the bulk of those episodes is the end of May, meaning they start premiering now. That way they are fresh in voter's minds when it comes to the “For Your Consideration” period.

One of my favorites is the limited series, Apples Never Fall, which premieres all seven episodes this Thursday on Peacock. It's based on the New York Times bestseller by Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, 9 Perfect Strangers) and stars Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Jake Lacy, Alison Brie, Conor Merrigan-Turner, Essie Randles, and Georgia Flood. Says showrunner/executive producer/writer Melanie Marnich: “I’ve never been able to resist a story that feels like an immersive vacation from life...and yet is deliciously about life. Enter: Apples Never Fall.”

No surprise here, but the cast is perfection, and whether you've read the book or not, I truly believe this will be your next obsession. “I think there are more and more opportunities where the stereotypes of women are being transformed, and it comes from a project like this,” Annette Bening told journalists at the recent Television Critics Association winter press tour. “Liane writes such juicy stories and parts, and when Melanie took it over, I could tell she was obsessed and had this really strong commitment and vision to [the material]. Once I saw that, I knew it was such an opportunity. It was really fun for me because I had never done something over so many episodes.”

Once you've finished watching on Thursday (or next weekend), check back here, because I'll have the exclusive breakdown with Moriarity and Marnich about the biggest changes from the book to the series.

Also on Thursday, Grey's Anatomy returns for its 20th season. That's epic in its own right, but it also marks the debut of new showrunner, Meg Marinis, who takes over from Krista Vernoff. Marinis has actually been with the show since the end of season two, so she was the perfect candidate to usher in this new decade.

"You're not going to find a bigger fan of the show than me,” Marinis tells Glamour for an upcoming Doing the Work profile. “I like to think that I know the show the back of my hand. I know what we've done. I know what we haven't done. I put in a lot of Easter eggs into things that sometimes even the cast and crew don't recognize. But I'm constantly honoring the history of the show. And I think that we can say that for season 20. There is a sense of nostalgia.”

We already know that Jessica Capshaw and Alex Landi are reprising their roles as Dr. Arizona Robbins and Dr. Nico Kim, respectively, and Ellen Pompeo will be back for four episodes. But what about other Grey's faves, like perhaps Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens or Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres? “You never know,” Marinis says. “It's so good to have Jessica back as Arizona. It was like she had never left. When I was on set and saw her standing next to Chandra Wilson, it was like, Oh my gosh. It was just really fun. That's the great part of 20 seasons is that there are so many people that we can bring back and see for an episode or two or reference in dialogue. And everyone's happy to come back.”

When pushed more about the return of other familiar faces, Marinis concedes that because of the shortened season due to the strikes (there's only 10 episodes in season 20), it's hard enough to write for what amounts to a “really big series regular cast,” but “that's all I'll say.” So, in other words, stay tuned.

Alright, now on to the Oscars. I don't think this is too much of a stretch to predict that tonight's ceremony will result in the highest ratings in several years for ABC, just based on the nominees, presenters, and performers (you can see that list below).

Thanks to Barbenheimer, a lot of people saw the nominated films this year, which always makes for a more invested show. While most of the main categories seem predictable based on the other award shows (Cillian Murphy for Best Actor, Da'Vine Joy Randolph for Best Supporting Actress, Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor, and Oppenheimer for Best Picture), I'm riveted by the Best Actress category, which seems to be neck and neck between Emma Stone (Poor Things) and Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon).

Stone won in 2017 for La La Land, so this would mark her second Oscar (she'd also become the 22nd actress to then have two or more Oscars). If Gladstone wins, not only would this be her first Oscar, but she would be the first Native American woman to win one.

Of course, we'll all be tuning in for the fashion and best moments, and the entire Glamour team will have you covered all evening long. I'll be at the Vanity Fair Oscar party red carpet from 2 p.m. PT until well after midnight, so follow along to Glamour's socials where you can see all the arrivals and unexpected moments as they happen.

Other notables this week include the Love Is Blind reunion on Wednesday, Girls5Eva's third season premiere on Thursday on Netflix after having streamed on Peacock for the last two seasons, and the debut of Taylor Swift The Eras Tour—Taylor’s Version on Disney+ on Friday, which includes four acoustic songs not seen in the film version that was in theaters.

And I can't forget the overnight dates on The Bachelor, which are extra special this time around because the producers decided to bring The Golden Bachelor's Leslie, Susan, and Sandra to Tulum, Mexico, to offer advice and perspective to Daisy, Rachel and Kelsey. Check out the preview below.

With that, I'll see you back here next Sunday as we look ahead to more prestige TV, including Apple TV+'s Palm Royale, PBS' Alice & Jack, and more. See you then!

Sunday, March 10

The 96th Oscars (ABC): Tonight's ceremony is hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the fourth time. Presenters include Emily Blunt, Cynthia Erivo, America Ferrera, Sally Field, Ryan Gosling, Ariana Grande, Ben Kingsley, Melissa McCarthy, Issa Rae, Tim Robbins, Steven Spielberg, Mary Steenburgen, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlize Theron, Christoph Waltz, Forest Whitaker, Mahershala Ali, Nicolas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis, Brendan Fraser, Jessica Lange, Matthew McConaughey, Lupita Nyong’o, Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ke Huy Quan, Sam Rockwell, Michelle Yeoh, and Zendaya, as well as Bad Bunny, Chris Hemsworth, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Keaton, Regina King, Jennifer Lawrence, Kate McKinnon, Rita Moreno, John Mulaney, Catherine O’Hara, Octavia Spencer and Ramy Youssef.

Jon Batiste, Becky G, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, Scott George and the Osage Singers, and Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson will perform this year’s nominated songs. They include: “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot, performed by Becky G with music and lyrics by Diane Warren; “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, performed by Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson with music and lyrics by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt; “It Never Went Away” from American Symphony, performed by Jon Batiste with music and lyrics by Batiste and Dan Wilson; “Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from Killers of the Flower Moon, performed by Scott George and the Osage Singers with music and lyrics by Scott George; “What Was I Made For?” from Barbie, performed by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, with music and lyrics by Eilish and O’Connell. 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT/4 p.m. PT

Abbott Elementary (ABC): A new episode will follow the conclusion of the Oscars. Approximately 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT/7:30 p.m. PT

Vanity Fair Oscar Party: The magazine celebrates the 30th anniversary of its viewing dinner and after-party in Beverly Hills, and we'll be there to bring it all to you. Follow along here.

Monday, March 11

The Bachelor (ABC): The overnight dates are here, as Joey comes closer to picking his forever tennis partner. But equally important, The Golden Bachelor's Susan, Sandra and Leslie make appearances to help Joey's final three ladies cope with the anxiety. 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and streaming the next day on Hulu

Queens (National Geographic): If you didn't watch the entire must-see series on Hulu or Disney+ already, then the final four episodes premiere tonight on National Geographic. They include:

“Savanna Queens”: A baby is born into the ultimate animal sisterhood: a family of elephants. She will need all their experience and protection if she is to survive. 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT

“Mountain Queens”: A gelada monkey and an Ethiopian wolf fight for their families and legacy in a world of ancient Ethiopian mountain peaks. 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT

“Coastal Queens”: An orca family’s success relies on the experience of their 60-year-old matriarch, while a first-time bear mother must raise her three cubs alone. 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT

“Behind the Queens”: A celebration of the extraordinary women filmmakers and game-changing conservationists behind the Queens series. 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CTWha

Wednesday, March 13

Love Is Blind: The Reunion (Netflix): Filmed in front of a live audience, Nick and Vanessa Lachey host the reunion that brings together several contestants for the first time since the experiment ended. Until then, check out everything you need to know, here. 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT

Thursday, March 14

Apples Never Fall (Peacock): Showrunner Melanie Marnich wrote a note to the press about why she wanted to adapt Apples Never Fall as a limited series: "The riveting and twisty mystery is anchored by the Delaney family, whose wit, wounds, yearning and complexity made me want to translate this great book to television and made me feel like the Delaneys had something to say to all of us. Through them, this story dives into the complexities of love, long-term marriage, and the struggle to define oneself within—and beyond—family. It was thrilling to write about the truly grown-up issues the Delaneys are grappling with, like the sometimes brutal sacrifices parents make to keep a marriage and family together. We also take the gloves off when capturing what it takes to be a working mother and wife as we follow Joy into the mystery at the heart of this show.

Ultimately, Apples Never Fall is a very honest show about what it means to be a part of a very complicated family. Which is every family, right? As we always said in the writers’ room…something really bad might’ve happened at the Delaney’s...but you still wanna swing by for a gin and tonic." All episodes streaming

Grey’s Anatomy (ABC): The 20th season premiere is here. Titled “We've Only Just Begun,” Meredith rethinks her plans, while the interns are on thin ice following a patient's death. Then, Simone and Lucas are immediately tested in an emergency. Also on tap, and perhaps most importantly, Richard confides in Bailey, and Teddy's fate is revealed. 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT

Girls5Eva (Netflix): Here's what we know about the six-episode third season, coming to Netflix after two seasons on Peacock: The members of ‘90s girl-group Girls5eva–Dawn, Wickie, Summer, and Gloria–have reunited and recorded a new album, Returnity, so as a natural next step, they decide to embark on a comeback tour. However, they've got no plan, no tour manager, and nowhere to play. So, the ladies pile into a van and hit the great unknown, doing whatever it takes to get back on top—or somewhere other than where they started. The series, which is from the creative mind of Meredith Scardino (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), stars Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Paula Pell, and Busy Philipps. Streaming all three seasons

The Boar’s Nest: Sue Brewer and the Birth of Outlaw Country Music (Audible): Mandy Moore teams up with The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach in this scripted podcast, which tells the story of Sue Brewer, an unsung hero of the Outlaw Country music movement in 1960s Nashville. Crucial to launching careers for the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Shel Silverstein, and Kris Kristofferson, Brewer’s humble living room floor—lovingly referred to as "The Boar’s Nest"— served as a hotbed for artistic outsiders on their journey to becoming musical legends. What's even more impressed is that Brewer shaped the sound and soul of country music despite never picking up an instrument herself. Available here

The Girls on the Bus (Max): Some of your TV faves (Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Griffin Dunne, Mark Consuelos, Scott Foley, etc.) team up for this series inspired by co-creator Amy Chozick and her experiences as a political reporter on the campaign bus with multiple presidential candidates. The series, from executive producer and co-creator Julie Plec, focuses on four journalists (Benoist, Gugino, along with Natasha Behnam and Christina Elmore), each of them different in their reporting styles and personalities. Two episodes streaming at launch, followed by one a week

Friday, March 15

Taylor Swift The Eras Tour—Taylor’s Version (Disney+): Watch the epic concert film in its entirety—which includes “Cardigan,” plus four additional acoustic songs (one of which is “Maroon”) not featured in the theatrical or VOD versions—as it premieres on the streamer. Kudos to whoever closed that deal. Streaming

Manhunt (Apple TV+): The seven-part true crime limited series stars Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Outlander), and is based on the New York Times best-selling book from James L. Swanson. Creator Monica Beletsky (Fargo, The Leftovers, Friday Night Lights) brings the book to life, which tells the story of John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, Will Harrison, Brandon, Damian O’Hare, Glenn Morshower, Patton Oswalt, Matt Walsh, and Hamish Linklater also star. Streaming

Frida (Prime Video): After having its world premiere at Sundance, the documentary from director Carla Gutierrez is narrated completely in Frida Kahlo’s words from her diary, letters, essays, and interviews. It tells the story of Frida Kahlo’s remarkable life and the woman she was behind her public artist persona. Glamour has an exclusive clip of the incredibly powerful doc, which you can see below. Streaming

Arthur the King (Lionsgate): Based on the book, Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home by Mikael Lindnord, the adventure film stars Mark Wahlberg, Simu Liu, Juliet Rylance, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ali Suliman, with Bear Grylls as himself, and Paul Guilfoyle. Here's the logline: “Over the course of ten days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur. Based on an incredible true story, Arthur the King follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Ali Suliman) for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty and friendship truly mean.” In theaters

The American Society of Magical Negroes (Focus Features): This satirical comedy is about a young man who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to making white people’s lives easier. 😂 In theaters

Jessica Radloff is the Glamour senior West Coast editor and author of the NYT best-selling book The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series.

Originally Appeared on Glamour