After months of bare TV release schedules, May shows a return to form with plenty of new and returning series. While streaming services still monopolize many of the more popular releases, series such as “Pose,” returning for its final season, and “The Girlfriend Experience” offer a return to form for network television.
READ MORE: ‘Mythic Quest’ Season 2 Is A Reminder That Workplace Comedies Can Still Be Great [Review]
While May will be the first in months to not offer a new high profile Marvel series for event TV watching, Disney+ is filling the voice with the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” spinoff “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” Elsewhere, there’s the return of 2020 under the radar favorites such as Apple TV+ comedy “Mythic Quest.” Most exciting however is the latest from director Barry Jenkins as he returns to the world of television with the highly anticipated adaptation of the best-selling novel “The Underground Railroad.”
So, let’s take a look.
“Pose”
What You Need to Know: The barrier-shattering series embarks on its final season this month and the television landscape will never be the same. The Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk series centers on the queer ballroom scene of the 1980s and ’90s in New York City while delving into the dynamics of their chosen families. For the final season, per FX, Blanca (portrayed by MJ Rodriguez) struggles to balance being a mother with being a partner to her new love as well as her latest role as a nurse’s aide. AIDS continues to ravage the country and the community becoming the leading cause of death for Americans ages 25 to 44. Pray Tell (Billy Porter) contends with unexpected health burdens and elsewhere, the emergence of a vicious new upstart house forces the members of House of Evangelista to contend with their legacy. This history-making show will sorely be missed but its enduring presence will be felt in the industry long after it’s gone thanks to the dedication of series producers Janet Mock and Our Lady J (“Transparent”) who worked tirelessly to bring trans stories to the screen. Cast members including the incomparable Billy Porter, Dominique Jackson (as the statuesque Elektra Abundance), Indya Moore (as Angel), and Angel Bismark Curiel (as Lil Papi) brought these characters to life in the best possible way – with authenticity, unabashed honesty, and love.
Release Date: Curtains up on the final season on May 2 on FX [MO]
“The Girlfriend Experience”
What You Need to Know: “The Girlfriend Experience,” even in its third season, seems destined to remain under the radar. The Starz production, which is executively produced by Steven Soderbergh (based originally on his 2009 film of the same name) and first starred Riley Keough, has evolved since its strong first season as the anthology series has gone on to follow different characters with different showrunners. Season 3 is helmed by “She’s Lost Control” director Anja Marquardt and stars Julia Goldani Telles. Telles plays Iris, a young woman abandoning an elite undergraduate program in the States for a new life in London. Our critic called it the series most “conceptually bold” installment, writing of the first two episodes given to press for this years SXSW “It’s heady and cerebral stuff, a little mystifying and elusive too (this is a show you have to pay strict attention to), but it’s rewarding and super intriguing too…”
Release Date: Season 3 premieres May 2 on Starz [AJ]
“Mythic Quest”
What You Need to Know: Based in the world of the upper corporation of video games, “Mythic Quest” follows the team behind the biggest massively multiplayer online video game of all time (in the vein of something like “World of Warcraft”) as they battle for control, both through the worlds they’re creating as well as each other in the tension-filled office. A gem of a show that plenty (myself included) initially bypassed – perhaps due to it being released through Apple TV+ – Season 2 promises to build off of the promising debut. Created by part of the team behind “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” with Rob McElhenney (who also stars in the show,) Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, the show manages to subvert the easy jokes that could be made about this type of industry. There’s a frantic, livewire energy brought by the terrific cast which, along with McElhenney, includes David Hornsby, Charlotte Nicdao, Danny Pudi, and F. Murray Abraham. Our critic wrote of Season 2, “While the workplace comedy may not be the reliable powerhouse it once was on television, ‘Mythic Quest’ is a reminder of how effective it can be when it’s done well.”
Release Date: Season 2 premieres May 7 on Apple TV+ [AJ]
“Jupiter’s Legacy”
What You Need to Know: An interesting take on the typical family dynamic. The Netflix drama, “Jupiter’s Legacy,” follows the first generation of superheroes that have kept the world safe for nearly a century. Now their children must live up to their legacy in an epic drama that spans decades and navigates the dynamics of family, power, and loyalty. While on the surface it might seem like your typical family drama, but what if your dad was Superman? How would you grapple with the achievements of your extraordinary parents? This makes living in your parent’s shadow to a whole new level. The series is based on the graphic novels by Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, stars Josh Duhamel as family patriarch Sheldon Sampson (a.k.a The Utopian) and Leslie Bibb as Grace Sampson (a.k.a Lady Liberty, as Sheldon’s superhero wife). The remaining cast members include Elena Kampouris (as Chloe, their daughter), Andrew Horton (as Brandon, their son) with Ben Daniels, Mike Wade, and Matt Lanter.
Release Date: Season 1 debuts on May 7 on Netflix [MO]
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch”
What You Need to Know: It would seem that it will be a while before the well of the “Star Wars” universe runs dry as Disney+ continues to pump out content. Luckily, the latest is in the tradition of some of the best content that the universe has produced through its other animated series. Acting as a sequel and spinoff from the critically acclaimed series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” the Dave Filoni series will follow members of a unique squad of clones who are finding their way in a changing galaxy in the aftermath of the Clone Wars. The animation series produced from “Star Wars” content have been some of the series most consistent works and “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” will hopefully follow suit. Jennifer Corbett serves as the head writer with Brad Rau as supervising director. The cast includes Dee Bradley Baker, Ming-Na Wen, Stephen Stanton, and Andrew Kishino.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 7 on Disney+ [AJ]
“Shrill”
What You Need to Know: Aidy Bryant – still best known for her work on ‘SNL‘ – continues to be given greater chances to showcase her considerable talent in the upcoming season three of Hulu’s “Shrill.” While Season 2 saw a dip in quality compared to the terrific first, anticipation is still high to see what the latest season will do to close out the story, as it will also be the series’ final. Loosely based on the novel “Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman” by Lindy West, the upcoming episodes will follow a newly single Annie as she jumps back into the dating world after dumping her deadbeat boyfriend. The series cast also includes the terrific Lolly Adefope as Annie’s best friend Fran, John Cameron Mitchell, and Akemnji Ndifornyen as Lamar, a potential new love interest.
Release Date: The final season premieres on May 7 on Hulu [AJ]
“Hacks”
What You Need To Know: This comedy series follows a nearly washed-up comedian as she struggles to revitalize her flailing career by hiring a struggling young comedy writer to help her breathe new life into her routine. Per the synopsis, the series explores the dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old newcomer. Iconic actress Jean Smart portrays Vance, who’s been a staple on HBO in recent years having appeared in “Watchmen” as well as the new HBO series “Mare of Easttown” starring Kate Winslet. Opposite Smart’s quick-witted Deborah Vance, Hannah Einbinder plays the struggling writer hired to help shake things up. The series is a return to form for Smart, since the series brings her back to her comedic roots but delves into the dark side of show business. Additional cast members include Christopher McDonald, Kaitlin Olson, Mark Indelicato, Poppy Liu, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Johnny Sibilly, Meg Stalter, and Paul W. Downs.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 13 on HBO Max [MO]
“The Underground Railroad”
What You Need to Know: Barry Jenkins is undoubtedly one of the most exciting filmmakers working today. From his Oscar-winning “Moonlight” to the beautiful “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Jenkins has demonstrated his considerable talents and is now bringing his sensibilities to television with the enormously anticipated “The Underground Railroad.” Based on the Pulitzer-winning, critically and commercially successful novel by Colson Whitehead, the limited series follows Cora (Thuso Mbedu) after she escapes a Georgia plantation, embarking on a harrowing trip as she seeks freedom while being hunted by a notorious slave catcher. The trailers have already shown the series to look visually stunning, with Jenkins re-teaming up with cinematographer James Laxton., and frequent collaborator composer Nicholas Britell is also on board. The series cast includes Chase W. Dillon, Aaron Pierre, and Joel Edgerton.
Release Date: The series premieres May 14 on Amazon Prime [AJ]
“M.O.D.O.K”
What You Need to Know: Hulu’s latest is an adult stop-motion animated series based on Marvel’s M.O.DO.K. character and centers around an egomaniacal supervillain who struggles to maintain control of his evil organization and demanding family while pursuing his dream of conquering the world. The show is helmed by comedy staple Patton Oswalt who voices the title character of M.O.D.O.K as well as serving as executive producer and writer on the series alongside Jordan Blum (“American Dad!,” “Community”). The cast includes quite a few high-profile names including Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Fillion, Bill Hader, and Jon Hamm in recurring roles. The uniquely entertaining series will all but guarantee to have you in stitches all season long as M.O.D.O.K struggles with the demands of a family while satisfying his insatiable desire for world domination. Even megalomaniacal super villains struggle with work/life balance, apparently.
Release Date: The world’s greatest evildoer descends on audiences on May 21 on Hulu. [MO]
“Solos”
What You Need to Know: Clearly happy enough with his work on the series “Hunters,” Amazon Prime has brought creator David Weil back for a new science fiction series, “Solos.” This seven-part anthology series will explore how the human experience connects everyone, even in moments of isolation, as characters grapple with their own personal stories set in different moments of time as they contemplate what it means to be human. Little else is known about the individual stories of each character and just how much they’ll intersect, but at the very least we know that the talent on board will deliver. The cast includes Uzo Aduba, Nicole Beharie, Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Anthony Mackie, Helen Mirren, Dan Stevens, and Constance Wu, a wonderful mix of established talent and names such as Beharie who, along with her work in last years “Miss Juneteenth,” demonstrated that she is deserving as high-profile a career as her costars. Directors of the series included “Fifty Shades of Gray” director Sam Taylor-Johnson along with Zach Braff and Tiffany Johnson.
Release Date: The series premieres on May 21 on Amazon Prime [AJ]
“Master of None”
What You Need to Know: Four years since its second season, Netflix’s comedy-drama “Master of None” is returning for round three, this time with a shift of focus. Lena Waithe’s Denise will be the central character this time around as the show follows her relationship with her partner Alicia (played by “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s” Naomi Ackie.) The five-episode season will focus on the ups and downs of marriage, struggles with fertility, personal growth, and the evolutions of love. This shift is a deliberate move following the 2018 allegations of sexual misconduct against series star and co-creator Aziz Ansari. However, despite taking a backseat from being on camera, Ansari is credited as director and written by himself and Waithe. Opinions may vary on whether the viewers want to support Ansari, but Netflix seemingly saw him deserving of another chance.
Release Date: Season 3 premieres on May 23 on Netflix [AJ]
“In Treatment”
What You Need to Know: The beloved HBO series returns once more after a 10-year hiatus. When the first season premiered in 2008, the title role of Dr. Paul Weston was expertly played by Gabriel Byrne and ran for three seasons, receiving seven Emmy nominations during that time. In this fourth season, Uzo Aduba plays therapist Dr. Brooke Taylor, the focal point of the season who treats a myriad of patients while struggling with her own issues. A formidable talent herself, Aduba has won three Emmys for her work over the years, most recently for her role as Shirley Chisolm on the Cate Blanchett executive-produced FX drama series “Mrs. America.” The latest season of “In Treatment” is expected to follow the same format as the previous seasons, but will be based in Los Angeles and not New York as it was in earlier seasons. The change of scenery could help the series find renewed vigor and relevance in addition to the challenges of current events. Other cast members include John Benjamin Hickey, Anthony Ramos, Joel Kinnaman, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Quintessa Swindell.
Release Date: Season 4 debuts on May 23 on HBO Max [MO]
Honorable Mentions: Part 2 of “Selena: The Series,” which follows the career of the iconic singer Selena Quintanilla, will air on Netflix on May 4 following its critically divided Part 1. Netflix’s bizarre and genre challenging “Love Death & Robots” created by “Deadpool” director Tim Miller and executively produced by David Fincher returns with its second season on May 14. Showtime’s “The Chi” returns for its fourth season on May 23 and will focus on the relationship between the Black community and the police. Netflix will debut the new series “The Upshaws” starring Michael Epps and Wanda Sykes on May 12 which follows a Black, working-class family in Indiana as they struggle to make it work without the Blueprints to do it. Lastly, Regina Hall and Don Cheadle return in Season 3 of Showtime’s “Black Monday” on May 23, following production being disrupted due to COVID-19.