Created by Oscar-winning "Roma" director Alfonso Cuarón, the miniseries premieres on Friday on AppleTV+. In the literary psychological thriller, Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett plays documentary-filmmaker-beyond-reproach Catherine Ravenscroft. She's at the top of her professional game until an anonymous writer self-publishes and distributes a roman a clef that allegedly depicts the true story of an unforgivable sin Ravenscroft committed two decades prior.

Now, the lauded filmmaker is losing control of her narrative. What transpired that distant summer while on a family beach vacation? It will take seven episodes to discover as a deranged widower played by Kevin Kline sets out to ruin her and her family, which includes troubled son Kodi Smit-McPhee and husband Sacha Baron Cohen. Meanwhile, memories of the beautiful young man (Louis Partridge) who drowned before her eyes that fateful summer haunt her. Imperfect couples, long-buried secrets, and sex -- that's "Disclaimer."

What else is worth viewing this week?

1. If you're worried kids aren't getting a decent civics education these days, there's reason to hope with the PBS four-part documentary "Citizen Nation" premiering tomorrow at 9 p.m. Like "Spelling the Dream" or "Spellbound," the limited series follows high-school competitors in a prestigious national contest. The subject is civics knowledge, with teens answering questions related to the legal underpinnings of democracy. Hope for the country and healthy rivalry propel the new series.

2. School's back in session for the fourth season of sitcom "Abbott Elementary," which premieres Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. on ABC. In the past three years, the show has been nominated for 24 Emmys and won four, including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for breakout star Quinta Brunson. Set in a Philadelphia public school, the popular workplace comedy depicts the dedicated teachers fighting against budget cuts, rebellious students, and a clueless principal (Janelle James), to give kids a good education.

3. A rising tide of foreign-language television has appeared on the major streamers. "La Máquina," or "The Machine," is among the highest profile. The high-energy Hulu original reunites "Y Tu Mamá También" costars Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna. Bernal plays aging boxer Esteban "La Máquina" Osuna, striving for one final comeback after losing a critical fight. As his manager (and best friend) Andy, Luna encourages him to return to the ring for one last big rematch. However, the local underworld throws a wrench into the duo's plans. The mob demands the boxer throw the fight, or else, potentially pulling the plug on the comeback of "The Machine." The six-part Spanish-language series premieres Wednesday.

4. Continuing on the sports beat, the Netflix documentary "Starting 5" takes a magnifying glass to the 2023-24 NBA season. Dropping Wednesday, the 10-episode series focuses on a quintet of superstars. Audiences see the season through the elite perspectives of the Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, Sacramento Kings' Domantas Sabonis, Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat, and thankfully for Boston viewers, the Celtics' Jayson Tatum. Not only does the nonfiction series focus on the athletes' on-court gladiatorial battles, it also pulls back the curtain on their private lives and the sacrifices they make to stay at the top of their game.

5. It's skin-crawling, spine-tingling time when the Peacock original "Teacup" premieres on Thursday. With this eight-part rural screamer, showrunner Ian McCulloch ("Yellowstone") enters the long October season of frights. Inspired by Robert R. McCammon's novel, "Stringer," the horror happens in a Georgia farming community where a clutch of neighbors become trapped on a family farm. The animals are nervous. The little boy begins speaking in riddles. And, then, something wicked this way comes, mortal or supernatural, face hidden by a gas mask, threatening their once-cozy country lives. "Don't trust anyone," the show's tagline warns. And, as any horror fan knows, don't descend into the basement. Scott Speedman, Kathy Baker, and Yvonne Strahovski star.