What's happened
The sci-fi series ‘Alien: Earth’ is approaching its season finale with only three episodes left, escalating tensions on Earth. Meanwhile, ‘Only Murders in the Building’ continues to add star power for its fifth season, with new guest stars including Renée Zellweger and Christoph Waltz. Both shows are streaming on Disney Plus and FX, with episodes released weekly in the US and UK.
What's behind the headline?
The convergence of ‘Alien: Earth’ and ‘Only Murders in the Building’ highlights a strategic focus on popular genre series to retain viewers. ‘Alien: Earth’ is building toward its climax, with the final episodes promising heightened conflict and revelations about the origins of the Xenomorph threat. Its timing aligns with Noah Hawley's reputation for intense storytelling, ensuring a strong finish. Meanwhile, ‘Only Murders’ continues to leverage star power to boost its appeal, with high-profile guest stars like Zellweger and Waltz signaling a commitment to maintaining audience interest. The show’s ongoing mystery and returning cast keep it relevant in the crowded streaming landscape. Both series exemplify how established franchises and star-driven casts are used to sustain viewer engagement, especially as they approach season finales. The release schedules, staggered between the US and UK, reflect typical international streaming strategies, but may influence viewer anticipation and discussion. Overall, these developments suggest both series will likely see increased viewership and media attention as they conclude their seasons, with ‘Alien: Earth’ potentially setting up for a second season based on its narrative momentum.
What the papers say
The Scotsman provides detailed scheduling and plot insights, emphasizing the series’ escalation and finale buildup. They highlight the show's placement within the sci-fi genre and its connection to the original ‘Alien’ film, noting the series’ intense narrative arc. The NY Post focuses on ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ emphasizing the star-studded cast and the show's ongoing mystery, which continues to attract viewers with its blend of comedy and crime-solving. Both sources underscore the strategic use of star power and suspense to maintain audience interest, with The Scotsman noting the show's weekly release schedule and plot developments, while the NY Post highlights the show's celebrity guest appearances and character dynamics. The Scotsman’s coverage of ‘Alien: Earth’ underscores its importance as a prequel and its narrative tension, whereas the NY Post’s focus on ‘Only Murders’ underscores its appeal as a mystery-comedy series with a strong cast. The contrasting emphasis on genre and star power illustrates how both series are leveraging different elements to sustain viewer engagement as they approach their season finales.
How we got here
‘Alien: Earth’ is a prequel to the 1979 film ‘Alien,’ set two years before the original story. It follows the arrival of Xenomorphs on Earth and the unfolding conflict, with Noah Hawley as showrunner. ‘Only Murders in the Building’ is a comedy-mystery series about three amateur detectives investigating murders in their apartment building, featuring a star-studded cast and new guest stars for its fifth season. Both shows are part of ongoing streaming and broadcast schedules, with ‘Alien: Earth’ on FX and Disney Plus, and ‘Only Murders’ on Disney Plus.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What’s New on Streaming? Top Shows and Updates for September 2025
Looking for the latest streaming hits and updates? From new seasons of popular series to exciting finales, this page covers everything you need to know about what’s new and trending on your favorite platforms this month. Curious about upcoming episodes, star-studded casts, or series finales? Keep reading for all the details.
-
How Major Tech and Political Events Shape Today's News Cycle
In today's fast-paced news environment, major events in technology and politics can have far-reaching impacts. From cybersecurity lawsuits to international conflicts, understanding these stories helps you grasp how they influence global stability, policy, and everyday life. Below, we explore some of the biggest headlines and answer common questions about their significance and implications.
-
What Are the Upcoming TV Series Finales and Star-Studded Seasons?
Fans are eagerly awaiting the finales of their favorite shows and the new seasons packed with star power. From intense sci-fi finales to mystery-comedy mashups, there's plenty to look forward to. Curious about what's ending, who's joining the cast, and how to watch? Keep reading for all the details on these exciting TV moments.
More on these topics
-
Only Murders in the Building is an American mystery-comedy television series, created by Steve Martin and John Hoffman. The series, consisting of ten episodes, premiered on August 31, 2021 on Hulu.
-
Robert Michael Cannavale is an American actor. He is known for various film, stage, and television roles, including regular or recurring roles in Third Watch, Boardwalk Empire, Vinyl, Will & Grace, Mr. Robot, and Master of None.
-
Noah Hawley is an American television writer, director, and producer, screenwriter, bestselling author, and singer, known for creating and writing the FX television series Fargo and Legion.