Perhaps, in these times of self-isolation and social distancing,and a non-stop, 24 hour news stream straight from hell, we’re not all in the mood to enlighten ourselves or enrich our lives. In my mind, if we get through all of this kinder than we were before then we’ve done the best we can.
READ MORE: ‘Mrs. America’: Cate Blanchett & Rose Byrne Are Stellar In ERA Fight Mini-Series [Review]
That being said, we need some distractions if possible and while new releases on the film side are relative slim pickings, there’s plenty of television coming out in the next month – both returning and new, that is well worth checking out. Some shows, such as the internet favorite “Killing Eve” are returning earlier than we might’ve even expected. Better still is the surplus of comedies that seem to be landing this month – we could all use a little laughter right now.
“Insecure”
What You Need To Know: In a series that resonates with all of us awkward girls (I certainly rank among that special group) “Insecure” embarks on its fourth season after a long hiatus. After three successful seasons of the show, showrunner Issa Rae catapulted to superstardom with two films under her belt, “The Photograph” with Lakeith Stanfield and “The Lovebirds” alongside Kumail Nanjiani, following the end of the show’s third season. Rae announced in late 2018 that “Insecure” was renewed by HBO for season four and it’s been almost three years since we have seen more of the relatable misadventures of Issa Dee and her best friend Molly, played by Yvonne Orji. Following the ending of the third season, it’s possible that relationships and friendships will be tested in this new season, sending the series into some uncharted territory. Regardless, the highly anticipated comedy series will return to capture friendships, love and life through the lens of the black experience in an authentic and unique way.
Release Date: Season four airs April 12th on HBO
“Run”
What You Need To Know: At one time or another all of us seek to escape what might seem like an uneventful life with some adventure. The new HBO series “Run” is all about doing just that. Ruby, played by Merritt Wever, most recently seen in the acclaimed Noah Baumbach film “Marriage Story,” gets an unexpected invitation from her old college boyfriend Billy, played by Star Wars alum Domhnall Gleeson, to join him in New York – actioning a pact they made 17 years earlier. According to the HBO synopsis, “if either one of them texted the word “RUN” and the other replied with the same, they would drop everything and meet in Grand Central Station and travel across America together.” What can only be a kinetic, fun and existential journey through the country can almost guarantee some interesting shenanigans along the way. Produced by “Fleabag” writer and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge who previously worked with Gleeson on “Goodbye Christopher Robin,” are reunited in this new comedy. Waller-Bridge also appears in the series in a supporting role and shares producing duties with her “Killing Eve” partner Vicky Jones. This series might be just what you need to escape your chronic quarantine boredom.
Release Date: Season one premieres April 12th on HBO
“Killing Eve”
What You Need to Know: Season two of the much talked about and highly addictive “Killing Eve” left viewers with a major cliffhanger as the would-be runaway lovers come to an impasse. Eve (Sandra Oh) isn’t quite ready to fully break bad and turns to leave life with Villanelle (Jodie Comer) only for the latter to shoot her in the back. While it presumably leaves the titular character for dead, the trailers have alright absolved that anxiety as we see the cat and mouse game be once again ignited. If there was a problem with season two it was the show’s inability or straight out reluctance in consummating the payoff of the relationship between the women, choosing instead to further drag out their push and pull dynamic in a way that undercut what we’ve come to know about the characters. That being said, Comer and Oh were superb throughout with palpable chemistry and season three looks to once again shake the stability of the two women that they’re finally pushed to their limits.
Release Date: Season three airs April 12th on AMC/BBC
“Mrs. America”
What You Need To Know: The incomparable Cate Blanchett embarks on her first ever role on American television; if that isn’t a reason to watch I don’t know what is! The miniseries was picked up by the FX network to be aired on Hulu under the “FX on Hulu” umbrella. Per the synopsis the show is based on the true story about the historic movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970’s, which would guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. What’s surprising is that some women vehemently opposed the ERA, namely conservative activist Phyllis Schlafy who will be played by Blanchett (who also serves as executive producer). Presented through the eyes of the women on both sides of the cause, the series will certainly be a thought-provoking and captivating journey into what irrevocably changed the political landscape of this country. The show boasts an all star cast which includes Rose Byrne as feminist icon Gloria Steinem, Sarah Paulson, Uzoamaka Nwanneka “Uzo“ Aduba (of “Orange is the New Black”) as Shirley Chisholm, Elizabeth Banks, Tracey Ullman as notable feminist author Betty Friedan, John Slattery, James Marsden (of “Westworld”) and Niecy Nash.
Release Date: Season one premieres April 15th on Hulu
“What We Do In the Shadows”
What You Need to Know: If you weren’t paying very close attention there’s a chance you might’ve missed one of the very best comedies of last year. A television remake/spinoff of the Taika Waititi film of the same name, it takes the structure of situational humor with hapless vampires at the center of it all. The humor is punchy and potent and the main cast consisting of Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou, Harvey Guillen and Mark Proksch have instilled their characters with such distinctive personality traits and quirks that it’s tough to imagine they were the second leads of this world Waititi and Jemaine Clement created.
Release Date: Season two airs April 15th on FX
“#blackAF”
What You Need to Know: A show that endeavors to reinvent the black american sitcom, showrunner Kenya Barris, best known for his work on acclaimed series “Black-ish,” presents his unique take on family values with his new series “#blackAF.” Per Netflix, the series follows a wealthy and unapologetically black family who tries (and sometimes fails) to deal with navigating all the challenges of sudden success. With a uniquely honest and somewhat irreverent approach to parenting, race and culture, this exciting new series truly dares to ‘go there.’ The cast includes Emmy winner Rashida Jones (from “Parks and Recreation”) who also serves as executive producer on the series, acting alongside Barris in his first role. Additional cast members include Justin Claiborne (“Marriage Story”), Scarlet Spencer (“Shameless,” “Bright”), Iman Benson and Genneya Walton (“9-1-1”). The show will most definitely flip the classic sitcom format on it’s head with its daringly funny and brutally honest antics. Survive quarantine life by checking out the comedy’s inaugural episode this month.
Release Date: Season one premieres April 17th on Netflix
“Defending Jacob”
What You Need To Know: In what’s expected to be a riveting and tense drama, “Defending Jacob” tells the complex story of a family who is dealing with the accusation that their 14 year-old son is a murderer. The miniseries is based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name by author William Landay published in 2012. The series stars Jaeden Martell as Jacob, who was most recently seen in “IT” and appeared alongside Chris Evans in the recent muder-mystery comedy “Knives Out.” Evans plays Jacob’s father, alongside Michelle Dockery, from the beloved PBS series “Downton Abbey,” as his wife. It’s dark subject matter is a departure for both Dockery and Evans but will be a terse legal drama, filled with unexpected twists and turns so this Apple TV series will certainly have you gripped from beginning to end.
Release Date: Season one premieres on April 24th on Apple TV+
“Vida”
What You Need to Know: While “Vida” has never quite caught the attention of critics and fans at the same level of some of its contemporaries, the show has built a steady and passionate fan base. Created by Tanya Saracho (“Looking,” “How to Get Away with Murer”) the show has always tackled themes of identity and family with a much needed heartfelt approach. The show stars Melissa Berrera and Mishel Prada as the estranged sisters who came back together after the death of their mother, both of whom deliver powerful and charismatic performances as two women whose similarities to one another and their mother become more apparent as the show evolves along with them.
Release Date: Season three airs April 26th on Starz
“Never Have I Ever”
What You Need to Know: Mindy Kaling’s voice is an indisputably significant one in current popular culture and with her upcoming series “Never Have I Ever” which she co-created with Lang Fisher we’ll get to see her in a more personal setting even though she doesn’t star. Based on her own childhood, the show follows the life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl as she grapples with all of the complicated feelings that come along with it. The show will mark the debut role for Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as the lead Devi.
Release Date: Season one premieres April 27th on Netflix.
“Normal People”
What You Need to Know: Author Sally Rooney’s sophomore album “Normal People” was an enormous hit, longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize and a huge success for a writer who is only 29 years old. So popular it was that it’s already being adapted through Hulu and BBC Three. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”) and Hettie Macdonald (“Howards End”) the series will follow a young couples tumultuous relationship through their teenage years and into adulthood. The central relationship is passionate and gripping in the novel – here’s hoping relative newcomers Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones will be up to the challenge.
Release Date: Season one premieres April 29th on Hulu
