Finished bingeing your favourite series? Bored of re-watching that show from the 90s yet again? Fear not – there is plenty of exciting TV coming in May.
While there is an exciting month coming up in May on the big screen – see our round up of the best releases here – this month is no less exciting on the small screen too.
The major streaming services are coming up trumps again with a range of new and returning series to suit all tastes, from fantasy to crime drama to comedy. Whether mainstream or offbeat, there is plenty to keep you on your sofa way past your bedtime.
Some of the new series, such as Spider-Noir and Rivals, have been long trailed and hyped, but there are others that have had a much quieter build-up to their release but are nonetheless well worth investing your time in.
Here are six of the shows we are most excited about this coming month.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
This oddball story, adapted from the bestseller by Shelby Van Pelt, follows the story of a lonely widow who forms a friendship with a grouchy but philosophical octopus – yes, octopus – voiced by Alfred Molina. Add into the mix a young drifter who enters their lives and a mystery to solve and you’ve got all the ingredients for great TV. It’s on Netflix from May 8.
The Punisher: One Last Kill
This one-shot special, which follows on from Daredevil: Born Again, sees Frank Castle, aka The Punisher – played brilliantly by Jon Bernthal – try to put his mass-murdering vigilante ways behind him. Of course, his past catches up with him, meaning he has to deal with it the only way he can. You can catch it from May 12 on Disney +.
Rivals
This hugely fun adaptation of the late Jilly Cooper’s novels is back for a second season. Set in the fictional English county of Rutshire in the 1980s, the action picks up not long after the last season. Tony Baddingham is back and, well, badder than ever as the battle for Central South West Television hots up. Expect smouldering and shoulder pads aplenty from May 15 on Disney+.
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
This dark comedy follows a newly-divorced mum (played by Tatiana Maslany) called Paula who believes she witnesses a crime but then falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder and youth soccer as what she uncovers is much bigger than she could have imagined. Debuts on Apple TV+ on May 20.
The Boroughs
This has got people talking as the Duffer Brothers – the duo behind Stranger Things – are exec producing this one. Its another supernatural mystery, this time set in a New Mexico retirement community. The seemingly idyllic community is shaken up when a grieving new arrival encounters something inhuman. So a team of pensioners – rather than kids – team up to find out what is going on. Drops on Netflix on May 21.
Spider-Noir
This series has had some serious hype, helped by the fact that Nicholas Cage is playing the titular character. Casual fans of your favourite neighbourhood webslinger might be in for a surprise, but seasoned Spidey fans are excited about a distinctly different riff on the character. Set in New York in the 1930s, and with a hardboiled noir aesthetic beloved of novels and films of the time, it sees Spidey older, in a trenchcoat, working as a private detective. When there is an attempt on the life of a gangland boss, Spidey must suit up once more to get to the bottom of things. This arrives on Prime Video on May 27.
