The 16 best shows on Starz to dive into this weekend

Ash vs Evil Dead (2015–2018)

Bruce Campbell returns to the role he was born to play in this comedy-horror series 30 years after vanquishing body-possessing demons in The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992). Now working as a stocker, Ash accidentally unleashes undead ghouls after reading from the Necronomicon, forcing him to take up his chainsaw yet again to save humanity from the Deadites.

Codeveloped by Sam Raimi, director of the original trilogy, Ash vs Evil Dead maintains the franchise’s bloody spirit. While the show was ultimately canceled after three seasons, an animated Evil Dead series is in the works. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Ash vs Evil Dead: Starz

Cast: Bruce Campbell, Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, Jill Marie Jones, Michelle Hurd

Black Sails (2014–2017)

There aren’t nearly enough pirate shows on TV for our liking, but this swashbuckling adventure drama more than scratches that itch. Set in the early 18th century during the Golden Age of Piracy, Black Sails operates as a prequel of sorts to Robert Louis Stevenson’s seminal classic Treasure Island, centered on familiar faces like Captain Flint (Toby Stephens), Long John Silver (Luke Arnold), and Billy Bones (Tom Hopper). The series primarily concerns Flint’s efforts to wrangle his crew and protect the lawlessness of the island New Providence, as well as quests to attain treasure across the high seas. 

„Black Sails resides — and should reside — at that sweet spot between very serious and totally unpretentious,“ writes EW’s critic. „It’s a fantasy, but its historical/literary roots lend it a real-world resonance that some other, grander, more purely fantastical genre series lack.“ —K.J.

Where to watch Black Sails: Starz

EW grade: B

Cast: Toby Stephens, Hannah New, Luke Arnold, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Tom Hopper

BMF (2021–2025)

Curtis „50 Cent“ Jackson is back at it with BMF (see also the Power entry below), which follows the life story of real Detroit brothers Demetrious „Big Meech“ Flenory (played by his son, Demetrious „Lil Meech“ Flenory Jr.) and Terry „Southwest T“ Flenory. The Flenory brothers are known for growing their relatively small drug business into what would become one of the most notorious crime operations in the United States. 

The Flenorys’ experiences include all the highs and lows you might expect, many of which are recreated in BMF, but the show also takes plenty of artistic liberty while deftly blurring the lines between reality and fiction. In the words of showrunner Randy Huggins in a 2021 interview with EW, „This is a universal tale about brotherhood, love, faith, and the pursuit of the American dream.“ —Stephanie Kaloi

Where to watch BMF: Starz

Cast: Demetrius Flenory Jr., Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Steve Harris

Da Vinci’s Demons (2013–2015)

Among Starz’s many historical drama offerings is this underrated fictional origin story of Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci’s Demons imagines the legendary artist’s life as a 25-year-old during the Italian Renaissance, where he explores his passions and gets involved in political intrigue in Florence. While its romanticized view of the past may not be for everyone, the series excels in demonstrating da Vinci’s boundless creativity, channeled through Tom Riley’s cheeky, charismatic performance that brings the artist into the 21st century. —K.J.

Where to watch Da Vinci’s Demons: Starz

Cast: Tom Riley, Laura Haddock, Blake Ritson, Elliot Cowan, Lara Pulver

Howards End (2017)

E.M. Forster’s novel, about three families from different socioeconomic backgrounds and how their lives converge, gets the Kenneth Lonergan treatment with this four-part miniseries. Hayley Atwell stars as Margaret Schlegel, who befriends the wealthy Wilcox matriarch and is unaware she has bequeathed the titular country estate to Margaret following her death. 

The Wilcoxes are upset by this revelation, though Margaret develops a relationship with the patriarch, Henry (Matthew Macfadyen), while Margaret’s sister Helen (Philippa Coulthard) connects with the working-class clerk Leonard Bast (Joseph Quinn). Sprawling and sumptuous, this adaptation allows for even more of Forster’s text to come to life than the 1992 film. —K.J.

Where to watch Howards End: Starz

Cast: Hayley Atwell, Matthew Macfadyen, Philippa Coulthard, Joseph Quinn, Julia Ormond

Mary & George (2024)

This salacious historical miniseries depicts Countess Mary Villiers and her efforts to propel her son George forward by any means necessary. Julianne Moore portrays the scheming Mary as she finds herself without a fortune following the death of her husband. Nicholas Galitzine is George, who explores his sexuality as he seduces King James I of England and soon becomes a „favourite.“

For fans of tawdry palace intrigue, Mary & George is a wicked delight with fully committed performances, particularly by Moore. As EW’s critic declares, „Dark and twisting, the series is a reminder that queer history rules.“ —K.J.

Where to watch Mary & George: Starz

Cast: Julianne Moore, Nicholas Galitzine, Tony Curran, Laurie Davidson, Trine Dyrholm

Outlander (2014–present)

Fans of time travel and romance will likely want to dive deep into Outlander. The series kicked off in 2014 and is still going strong — though it will end with its eighth season, which premieres March 6, 2026 — as viewers show no signs of decreased interest in the adventures of Claire Randall (Caitríona Balfe), a combat nurse living in the year 1945…that is, until she is suddenly pulled back to 1743 and falls for a rugged Scottish Highlander (Sam Heughan). 

The show is based on Diana Gabaldon’s book series of the same name, and was celebrated as „the feminist answer to Game of Thrones“ when it debuted. That tag has held true throughout Outlander‘s run, even when the characters are faced with traumas that seem impossible to navigate. —S.K.

Where to watch Outlander: Starz

Cast: Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish

P-Valley (2020–present)

Hollywood doesn’t always hit the nail on the head when it comes to portraying those in the southern United States, but Starz breaks the mold with P-Valley. The series, which is based on the 2015 play P—y Valley by Katori Hall, features women who „are people first, with vivid and complicated lives.“ Set against the backdrop of the fictional town Chucalissa, Miss., the show stars Elarica Johnson as Autumn Night, an out-of-towner who gets a job at the local strip club, Pynk. 

Johnson is joined by a wildly talented cast, including Isaiah Washington as a schemer who plans to open a casino, J. Alphonse Nicholson as a rapper, and Harriett D. Foy as Patrice, Autumn’s mother and an aspiring preacher. But the center of P-Valley might just be Uncle Clifford, the nonbinary house mother of the Pynk brought to life by Nicco Annan, who has revolutionized LGBTQ+ representation on the small screen. —S.K.

Where to watch P-Valley: Starz

Cast: Brandee Evans, Nicco Annan, Shannon Thornton, Elarica Johnson, Skyler Joy

Party Down (2009–2010; 2023)

While this wonderfully witty sitcom got low ratings at the time, its small but passionate audience transformed it into a cult favorite — and enabled its revival season in 2023. The comedy series centers on a group of co-workers at a Los Angeles catering business, all of whom are bonded by their failed or perpetually aspirational Hollywood dreams. 

Much of the tension comes from the class divide between the wannabe creatives and their clientele, though as EW’s critic writes, „the offbeat writing shone brightest in the smaller moments, when the gang was just sitting around a kitchen and bickering to pass the time.“ —K.J.

Where to watch Party Down: Starz

Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Lizzy Caplan, Martin Starr, Jane Lynch

Power: Books I–IV (2014–2026)

While Power debuted all the way back in 2014, the show continued to be one of the Starz network’s most-watched series throughout its run. Having spawned three spinoffs, the original series follows New York City drug dealer James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), who operates under the code name Ghost. He’s hoping to trade in one life for another as he opens his own nightclub; unfortunately, nearly everyone around him is working against that plan. 

Each spinoff focuses on a specific character’s story, with Ghost shedding light on what happens to St. Patrick’s son, Tariq; Raising Kanan taking viewers back in time to see how 15-year-old Kanan Stark helped grow his family’s own drug dynasty; and Force centering on St. Patrick’s best friend and criminal partner, Tommy Egan. —S.K.

Where to watch Power: Starz

Cast: Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, 50 Cent, Naturi Naughton, Michael Rainey Jr.

Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult (2020)

This powerful four-part documentary series examines the layers of abuse within NXIVM, a purported self-help group that has since been recognized as a cult. The series focuses on India Oxenberg, a former member, as she tries to reconcile her role within the organization and reconnect with her mother, actress Catherine Oxenberg. Seduced dives into the disturbing behavior perpetrated by NXIVM leader Keith Raniere, including sex trafficking and its impact on those within the group. —K.J.

Where to watch Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult: Starz

The Serpent Queen (2022–2024)

„Sometimes I feel like I can make things happen, if I want them badly enough.“ So says Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton), the cunning Queen of France, in this sinfully delicious historical drama. The series depicts Queen Catherine long into her reign as she recounts her perilous journey to the top. Orphaned at an early age, her wealthy family arranges for her to be set up with one of King Francis’ sons, and, despite facing opposition, she survives and thrives as she gains more and more political power.

With plenty of palace intrigue and a winking Favourite-esque sense of humor, The Serpent Queen is far from a stuffy costume drama. —K.J.

Where to watch The Serpent Queen: Starz

Cast: Samantha Morton, Amrita Acharia, Barry Atsma, Enzo Cilenti, Sennia Nanua

Spartacus (2010–2013)

Spartacus was most famously portrayed onscreen by Kirk Douglas in the 1960 film of the same name, but Starz’s take on the legendary gladiator enjoys the freedom of showing all the bloody sword-and-sandal violence and graphic sex that Stanley Kubrick couldn’t. Enslaved by the Romans, Spartacus (Andy Whitfield; later Liam McIntyre) is forced to undergo gladiator training as the series charts his path to becoming the leader of an uprising, known as the Third Servile War. —K.J.

Where to watch Spartacus: Starz

Cast: Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Daniel Feurriegel

Survivor’s Remorse (2014–2017)

This underrated dramedy follows the tumultuous lives of newly signed NBA player Cam Calloway (Jessie T. Usher) and his dysfunctional family. After moving to Atlanta, the Calloways adjust to their new lifestyle in various ways, including taking advantage of Cam’s increasing fame. While Survivor’s Remorse is a comedy first, there is real emotional resonance in its portrayal of family and fame. 

As EW’s writer notes, „Survivor’s Remorse is not only about pushing the boundaries of humor — which it’s been doing with aplomb since its stellar first season. It’s also a pointed commentary on the role of athlete as commodity, asking questions like, ‘How much of your personal life should you sacrifice for a paycheck in the millions range?'“ —K.J.

Where to watch Survivor’s Remorse: Starz

Cast: Jessie T. Usher, RonReaco Lee, Erica Ash, Teyonah Parris, Tichina Arnold

Sweetpea (2024–present)

Rhiannon Lewis (Ella Purnell) is more than meets the eye. While she seems on the surface like your average administrative assistant, Rhiannon is carrying a lifetime of trauma from being bullied at school, and, after experiencing various hardships in adulthood, she starts to seriously entertain some of those pesky murderous thoughts she’s been having. The wickedly funny yet dark British dramedy is a delightful showcase for Purnell, who honed her craft with such genre shows as Yellowjackets and Fallout. —K.J.

Where to watch Sweetpea: Starz

Cast: Ella Purnell, Nicôle Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch, Jeremy Swift

Vida (2018–2020)

Two Mexican American sisters who moved to different areas of the country in their adulthood are brought back together in this smartly written half-hour drama series. Melissa Barrera and Mishel Prada star as Lyn and Emma, whose opposing personalities make things difficult as they return to Los Angeles and grieve their mother’s death and the life she left behind. 

Vida sensitively delves into themes not often seen on television, particularly the effects of gentrification and the intersection of queer and Latina identities. „What’s interesting here are the relationships between Lyn and Emma and the other women in their lives,“ writes EW’s critic, „including their mother Vida, the woman she was in their memories, and the reality she hid from them.“ —K.J.

Where to watch Vida: Starz

EW grade: B

Cast: Melissa Barrera, Mishel Prada, Ser Anzoategui, Chelsea Rendon, Carlos Miranda