May is yet another big month for new releases (not to mention finales as we excitedly await the end of “Barry” and “Succession” on the same night.) HBO might not yet have another surefire hit on its hands to emulate the success of the aforementioned two, but they have plenty of miniseries and comedy favorites. Elsewhere the world of “Bridgerton” continues its reign with a new spinoff series, just one of two Netflix series spinoffs with “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” getting similar treatment with “XO, Kitty.”
READ MORE: Summer 2023 TV Preview: 40 Must-See Shows To Watch
Apple TV+ has a number of highly anticipated series coming out — as the streamer also contends with the nearing ending of “Ted Lasso” — with Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne teaming up again and Rebecca Ferguson making a strong impression on this week’s release of “Silo.” Elsewhere, we’re getting the return of fan favorites such as Hulu’s “The Great” and Netflix’s “I Think You Should Leave.”
“White House Plumbers”
Woody Harrelson, Justin Theroux, Domnhall Gleeson, and Lena Heady star in HBO’s “White House Plumbers” from director David Mandel. The political drama, written and created by Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck, tells the behind-the-scenes story of the Watergate scandal, by focusing on those tasked with plugging up the press leaks no matter the means or cost. Our critic praised Theroux’s performance, writing, “Theroux’s take on Liddy is easily the best thing about ‘White House Plumbers’ as ‘The Leftovers’ star finds a way to convey dangerous instability without chewing scenery.”
Release Date: The series premieres on May 1 on HBO
“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
Having become a commercial sensation, it’s not surprising to see the “Bridgerton” series begin to build its own universe with spinoff shows. “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” is a prequel that focuses on a young Queen Charlotte and her rise to power. The limited series is created by Shonda Rhimes and stars Golda Rosheuvel, India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Arsema Thomas, Sam Clemmett, and more.
Release Date: The series premieres on May 4 on Netflix
“The Other Two”
A critical favorite, the third and final season of HBO’s “The Other Two” returns. Season 2 ended with Carey (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorke) on the brink of their own individual, professional success before they were hit with new hurdles. Season 3 picks up with their younger, more successful brother, ChaseDreams (Case Walker), having grown from child star to full adult, and their mother, Molly Shannon, having gained incredible popularity. Our critic praised season three, writing “…’The Other Two’ continues to fire on all cylinders.”
Release Date: Season 3 premieres on May 4 on HBO Max
“Star Wars: Visions Volume 2”
In addition to 2022’s “Andor,” “Star Wars Visions” has been one of the strongest productions from Lucasfilm in years due to its engagement with animation studios around the globe. The nine new episodes in volume two of the series bring productions from studios such as Cartoon Saloon, Aardman, and Studio Mir, responsible for the works of “Wolfwalkers,” “Wallace and Gromit,” and “The Legend of Korra.” These shorts offer the chance to explore the “Star Wars” universe outside of the stories and characters we’ve come to know.
Release Date: Season 2 premieres on May 5 on Disney+
“Silo”
Apple TV+ continues to pump out buzzy television series with their latest, “Silo,” starring “Mission Impossible” actress Rebecca Ferguson. Based on the novels from Hugh Howey, the series is set in the future where society has been forced underground, living in silos hundreds of stories deep as they try and protect the community they’ve built. Our critic wrote, “’Silo’ is a riveting and equally start-studded series whose next season can’t come soon enough.”
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 5 on Apple TV+
“Class of ’09”
Recent Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry stars alongside Kate Mara in the FX drama, “Class of ’09.” Created by “London Spy” creator Tom Rob Smith, the limited series follows a class of FBI agents who are dealing with changes within the U.S. criminal justice system due to the use of artificial intelligence. Raúl Castillo, Jake McDorman, Sepideh Moafi, and Brian J. Smith also star.
Release Date: The series premieres on May 10 on FX on Hulu
“Mulligan”
“Mulligan,” the latest adult animated comedy series coming to Netflix, has pulled in quite a crowd of actors. Daniel Radcliffe, Tina Fey, Sam Richardson, Dana Carvey, Ayo Edebiri, and more are all offering their voices for the series. Fey also acts as executive producer with “30 Rock,” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt” writers Robert Carlock and Sam Meansfrom on board. The series follows a group of humans who are left to rebuild society after the world is attacked by aliens.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 12 on Netflix
“The Great”
One of the more critically acclaimed series in recent years, “The Great ” starring Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning returns for its third season. As the show continues to follow Catherine’s (Fanning) rise the power, it also continues to deconstruct the relationship between her and her husband, Peter (Hoult). While Season 2 showed Catherine actively attempting to murder him, Season 3 will focus (at least, initially) on the two trying to mend their marriage. The satirical comedy is created by “The Favourite” writer Tony McNamara.
Release Date: Season 3 premieres on May 12 on Hulu
“High Desert”
Patricia Arquette stars in another Apple TV+ series with “High Desert.” Directed by “Trumbo” and “Bombshell” director Jay Roach, the series follows Arquette’s Peggy after she makes a life-changing decision to become a private investigator. Written and created by Nancy Fichman, Katie Ford, and Jennifer Hoppe–House, the series also stars Matt Dillon, Rupert Friend, Weruche Opia, and Brad Garrett.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 17 on Apple TV+
“XO, Kitty”
A spinoff series from the Netflix “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” saga, “XO, Kitty” focuses on the youngest of the Covey sisters, Kitty (Anna Cathcart reprising her role from the films.) Following Kitty as she embarks on a journey to connect with her long-distance boyfriend, creator Jenny Han looks to recapture the romance and magic of the original stories. Choi Min-young, Anthony Keyvan, Gia Kim, Sang Heon, and more also star.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 18 on Netflix
“American Born Chinese”
The majority of the main cast of Oscar winner “Everything Everywhere All At Once” reunites for this Disney+ series “American Born Chinese.” Based on the graphic novel from Gene Luen Yang, the series follows Jin Wang (Ben Wang) a high schooler struggling with his school and home life who meets and befriends Wei-Chen (Jim Liu), an exchange student. The two quickly find themselves ensnared in a battle between gods of Chinese mythology. Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, Daniel Wu, and more stars.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 24 on Disney+
“Mayans M.C.”
The FX biker drama, from co-creator/showrunner Elgin James, wraps up its five-year run with what is expected to be an explosive final season. Quite literally. After the events of Season 4, E.Z. (J.D. Pardo) is leading the club to the inevitable, and incredibly bloody, final confrontation with the Sons of Anarchy. Who will die? (Lots of people because this is ‘Mayans.’) Who will have a happy ending? (Probably no one, again because this is ‘Mayans.’)
Release Date: Season 5 debuts on FX on May 24.
“Platonic”
“Neighbors” costars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne reunite for the upcoming comedy series, “Platonic.” The two star as longtime friends who reconnect following a rift in their relationship after one goes through a breakup. As the two begin to spend more time together their friendship starts to destabilize their lives. Rogen and Byrne have demonstrated considerable comedy chemistry in the past, and the two are reteaming up with their “Neighbors” director Nick Stoller who co-created the series alongside Francesca Delbanco.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres on May 24 on Apple TV+
“FUBAR”
In his first leading role in a television series, Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in “FUBAR,” a spy-adventure series for Netflix. Created by Nick Santora (“Law & Order,” “Prison Break,” the series follows Schwarzenegger’s Luke and his daughter, Emma (“Top Gun: Maverick” star Monica Barbaro) after they realize they’ve been lying to one another for years, neither of them having known the other is a CIA operative. Jay Baruchel, Aparna Brielle, Adam Pally, and Scott Thompson also star.
Release Date: Season 1 premieres May 25 on Netflix
“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson”
Tim Robinson has created one of the most consistently hilarious and outlandish sketch comedy series with “I Think You Should Leave.” The series returns for its third season with Robinson returning as creator and star, writing alongside Zach Kanin. With multiple sketches per episode that lean heavily into absurdism, the series, despite its bite-sized episode runtime, has become an immediate favorite over the past few years due to its dedication to broad comedy.
Release Date: Season 3 premieres on May 30 on Netflix