Here are the new TV shows and films you should absolutely binge in May 2020
We have your weekend plans sorted out.
Image: Netflix
I honestly wasn’t expecting to make another one of these while still having to mention lockdowns and quarantines, but here we are! Most of us are (hopefully) staying home due to the ongoing pandemic, and life at home can be quite boring without TV. Fortunately, streaming services and TV channels alike have stuffed this month full of new TV series and movie premieres, with Netflix leading the pack by quite a wide margin.
Let’s dig in!
Hollywood (May 1) - Netflix
Netflix’s new dramedy follows actors and filmmakers alike, trying to get their big break in post-World War II Hollywood. The show also attempts to dissect Hollywood’s sordid history - and what might have happened if things went very differently in the movie industry a long time ago. Ryan Murphy’s shows tend to be dazzling without much substance, and this doesn’t look too different. However, the show boasts an excellent cast, with the likes of Darren Criss, Laura Harrier, Patti LuPone, Jim Parsons and Samara Weaving starring.
Upload (May 1) - Amazon Prime
Greg Daniels, creator of The Office (U.S.) is having a really good month. Two of his new comedies premiere in May, and one of them is Upload - a comedy set in a futuristic society, where humans can upload themselves into their preferred versions of the afterlife before death. Think of it as one long episode of Black Mirror - but not as hopelessly depressing (though it gets pretty close sometimes!).
Solar Opposites (May 8) - Hulu
You would be forgiven for watching that trailer and wondering if this was just another episode of Rick and Morty. Solar Opposites comes from one of its co-creators, Justin Roiland - who also voices characters in both series. The show is a sci-fi comedy that centres on a family of alien refugees who have fled to America. Wacky hijinks ensue - hopefully with the sharp, funny writing Rick and Morty is known for.
I Know This Much Is True (May 11) - HBO
HBO’s latest drama comes from the director of The Place Beyond The Pines - and that alone makes it worth a look. This dark miniseries follows the Birdsey twins - both of whom are played by Mark Ruffalo. Thomas Birdsey suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, and Dominick constantly struggles with taking care of his brother and making sure no harm comes to him - or others near him. Ruffalo does an absolutely tremendous job as the Birdseys, and you can read our review here to find out why.
Spy In The Wild (May 13) - BBC Earth
If you’re into nature documentaries, this might be right up your alley. BBC’s Spy In The Wild sets lifelike animatronics loose in the animal kingdom to interact with their animal counterparts, and it often leads to some incredible close encounters with these creatures. This season is narrated by David Tennant (Doctor Who), which instantly elevates the entire program to a must-see.
The Great (May 15) - Hulu
This dramedy showcases the rise of Catherine the Great - who started out as an outsider, before eventually becoming the longest reigning female ruler in Russian history. This isn’t a historical drama, however. It’s more of a satirical comedy about a young girl who needs to kill her husband, baffle military forces and get the court on her side. Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult lead the main cast - which is plenty enough reason to check out this show!
The Lovebirds (May 22) - Netflix
Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani play a couple who experience a turning point in their relationship - after being thrown into a murder mystery. Struggling to clear their names, the couple find themselves in one dangerous situation after another. Believe it or not, this is a comedy directed by Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer, The Big Sick).
Trivia time: this movie was originally scheduled for a theatrical release, before being postponed due to Covid-19, and then sold to Netflix. It's been a long road to release for this one.
Space Force (May 29) - Netflix
It’s pretty clear that this comedy is going to be a hit. This show reunites the creator of The Office (U.S.) and Steve Carell, following the hijinks that follow when a group of people try to establish a sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces - the United States Space Force. No other show on this list has a cast this good, starring Carell, John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Lisa Kudrow, Jane Lynch, Jimmy O. Yang and more!
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