For movies, May traditionally marks the start of the summer season. For TV, it’s technically the end of the spring, as shows rush to premiere and wrap before the May 31 Emmy eligibility deadline. Netflix’s release slate isn’t trying to go toe to toe with the blockbusters hitting cinemas. Instead, it’s dropping a wide array of new shows in the hopes of hooking as many eyeballs as possible.
For the younger crowd, there’s “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” as well as a new season of Dr. Seuss (simply titled, “Horton”) — unless your kids are old enough for a rather violent literary classic. “Lord of the Flies” lands its first TV adaptation courtesy of “Adolescence” writer Jack Thorne. The four-part series is set during the book’s original time period (the 1950s) and honors its classic themes of boys becoming men, in all the worst ways.
If you’re looking for characters with a tad more life experience, “The Boroughs” is set in a remote retirement community besieged by monsters. Fighting them off are a group of spry residents played by Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, and Clarke Peters, among many more veteran favorites. Meanwhile, “Mating Season” may look like a kid-friendly animated series about animals, but it’s actually an adults-only comedy about sex in the wild.
All ages fare includes “Pop Culture Jeopardy!,” which moves from Amazon Prime Video to Netflix for Season 2; “Marty, Life Is Short,” a documentary feature about the great Martin Short; and a slew of bluntly titled historical shows about American political figures including “Abraham Lincoln,” “Theodore Roosevelt,” and “Thomas Jefferson.” But perhaps most importantly, you need to make sure to watch “Documentary Now!” before it leaves the streaming service before mid-month. Even if you’ve seen all four exquisite seasons, there’s bound to be a favorite episode or two that’s worth revisiting.
Check out our picks for the best new shows on Netflix in May, as well as the full list of TV titles arriving and leaving this month.
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“Mating Season”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Friday, May 22
Creators: Mark Levin, Jennifer Flackett, Andrew Goldberg, Nick Kroll
Cast: Nick Kroll, Zach Woods, June Diane Raphael, Sabrina Jalees
Format: 10 half-hour episodes
Synopsis: “From the creators of ‘Big Mouth’ comes ‘Mating Season,’ an adult animated romantic comedy — set in the animal world — about love, sex, relationships, and the universal need to find a partner and perpetuate the species — starring bears, raccoons, deer, foxes, and a host of other horny, lovable forest critters.”
Best Reason to Watch: “Big Mouth” proved to have a heart as big as its [insert sexual innuendo here], earning big laughs across seven ambitious, empathetic seasons. “Mating Season” comes from the same creative quartet and shares a similarly raunchy sense of humor. If its heart is in the right place, it should enjoy an equally rewarding run. -
“The Boroughs”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Thursday, May 21
Creators: Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews
Cast: Alfred Molina, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Denis O’Hare, Clarke Peters, Bill Pullman, Jena Malone, Carlos Miranda, Seth Numrich, Alice Kremelberg, Rafael Casal, Dee Wallace, Ed Begley Jr., Jane Kaczmarek, Eric Edelstein, Mousa Hussein, Beth Bailey
Format: 8 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “In the sun-drenched expanse of the New Mexico desert lies The Boroughs, a picturesque retirement community promising its residents the time of their lives. But for new arrival Sam Cooper (Alfred Molina), paradise feels more like a prison. Everything changes when a terrifying nighttime encounter reveals that something monstrous is stalking the manicured cul-de-sacs. Dismissed by the powers that be as just another confused old man, Sam finds unlikely allies in a band of neighborhood misfits: a sharp-witted former journalist, a spiritual seeker, a cynical music manager, and a brilliant doctor running out of options. Overlooked and underestimated, these unlikely heroes must band together to unravel the dark truth at the heart of ‘The Boroughs’ before their time runs out.”
Best Reason to Watch: The easy answer is the cast, but the complete answer is the cast + monsters. Geena Davis going ACAB lite? Alfred Molina chasing giant spiders? Clarke Peters getting stoned 24/7/365? “The Boroughs” is putting its veteran actors to work, and so long as you’re OK acknowledging the lingering specter of death, it should be a lot of fun. -
“The Four Seasons” Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Thursday, May 28
Creators: Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, Tracey Wigfield
Cast: Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Marco Calvani, Erika Henningsen, Steven Pasquale
Format: 8 half-hour episodes
Synopsis: “Coming off a hard year, our group of friends carries on their tradition of vacationing together — now with a baby in tow. ‘The Four Seasons’ picks back up with the core group — Kate (Tina Fey), Jack (Will Forte), Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), Danny (Colman Domingo), Claude (Marco Calvani), and Ginny (Erika Henningsen) — as they journey from the familiar comforts of the Jersey shore and upstate New York to the stunning landscapes of Italy. With warmth and wit, personal blind spots surface for the group as they each grieve their late friend and embark on new adventures. ‘The Four Seasons’ remains a heartfelt and hilarious tribute to long-term relationships, while continuing to explore the highs, lows, and humor of enduring friendships and love.”
Best Reason to Watch: Colman Domingo. The first season was a bit lightweight (especially by Fey’s standards), but it was a pleasant, solid sitcom built around a pleasant, very talented cast. Domingo was the clear highlight, earning the show’s only Emmy nomination, and unlike at least one other cast member, he’s back for Season 2. -
“Lord of the Flies”
Image Credit: Courtesy of J Redza / Eleven / Sony Pictures Television / Netflix Release Date: Monday, May 4
Writer: Jack Thorne
Director: Marc Munden
Cast: Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, Ike Talbut, Thomas Connor, Noah and Cassius Flemyng, Cornelius Brandreth, Tom Page-Turner
Format: 4 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “Innocence descends into savagery when a group of English schoolboys becomes desert island castaways in the first television adaptation of William Golding’s landmark dystopian classic.”
Best Reason to Watch: The “Adolescence” writer is tackling one of the most iconic novels about adolescence ever written? Welp, it may not be an easy watch, but what’s motivating such a quick return to familiar territory should be worth at least a peek. -
“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Tyler Golden / Netflix Release Date: Monday, May 11
Creator: Merv Griffin
Host: Colin Jost
Format: 20 half-hour episodes
Synopsis: “’Pop Culture Jeopardy!’ Is a brand-new twist on the classic quiz show’s ‘answer-and-question’ format that combines the academic rigor of ‘Jeopardy!’ with the excitement and unpredictability of pop culture. Contestants, playing in teams of three, will need to be experts in categories from Alternative Rock to ‘The Avengers’; Broadway to MMA; Gen Z to Zendaya as they compete in a tournament-style event for the grand prize of $300,000 and ultimate bragging rights.”
Best Reason to Watch: If you love “Jeopardy!” and are reading this column, then yes, you’re the demo for “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” After originally premiering on Amazon Prime Video, the second season moves to Netflix, making it more accessible than ever. -
“Marty, Life Is Short”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Tuesday, May 12
Director: Lawrence Kasdan
Format: 100 minutes (feature film)
Synopsis: “Martin Short Looks back on a life fueled by joy in this documentary with classic clips, fresh interviews, and star-studded, never-before-seen home movies.”
Best Reason to Watch: You love Martin Short or want to love Martin Short. (I’ve been told some folks find him inaccessible, even if they can recognize his talent, so perhaps an intimate doc filled with celebrity supporters will provide a clear path in.) -
“Nemesis”
Image Credit: Saeed Adyani / Netflix Release Date: Thursday, May 14
Creators: Courtney A. Kemp, Tani Marole
Cast: Matthew Law, Y’lan Noel, Cleopatra Coleman, Tre Hale, Domenick Lombardozzi, Jonnie “Dumbfounded” Park, Ariana Guerra, Gabrielle Dennis, Michael Potts, Sophina Brown, Cedric Joe, Jeff Pierre, Moe Irvin, Quincy Isaiah, Jay Reeves, Mike O’Malley, Stephanie Sigman, Khalilah Joi, Shane Johnson, Siua Ikale’o
Format: 8 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “’Nemesis’ is the story of two men on either side of the law, the tale of what happens when an unstoppable force (an expert criminal) meets an immovable object (a brilliant police detective). What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn, amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action, actually gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.”
Best Reason to Watch: If you like “Power” (any of ’em), or you never bought Ava’s boyfriend as an innocent IT guy on “Abbott Elementary.” -
The Rest of Incoming TV
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix “Jae-seok’s B&B Rules!” (available in May)
“Glory” (available in May)
“La Brea” Seasons 1-3 (available May 1)
“Dr. Seuss’s Horton!” Season 2 (available May 4)
“Love Is Blind: Poland” (available May 6)
“Worst Ex Ever” Season 2 (available May 6)
“The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek” (available May 7)
“Legends” (available May 7)
“My Royal Nemesis” (available May 8)
“Thank You, Next” Season 3 (available May 8)
“Devil May Cry” Season 2 (available May 12)
“Between Father and Son” (available May 13)
“Perfect Match” Season 4 (available May 13)
“Roosters” Season 2 (available May 13)
“Soul Mate” (available May 14)
“Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine” (available May 15)
“The WONDERfools” (available May 15)
“Abraham Lincoln” Season 1 (available May 18)
“FDR” Season 1 (available May 18)
“Grant” Season 1 (available May 18)
“Law & Order” Seasons 23-24 (available May 18)
“Navy SEALs: America’s Secret Warriors” Seasons 1-2 (available May 18)
“Theodore Roosevelt” Season 1 (available May 18)
“Thomas Jefferson” Season 1 (available May 18)
“Washington” Season 1 (available May 18)
“Carizzma” (available May 20)
“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” Season 2 (available May 27)
“My 2 Cents” (available May 27)
“Murder Mindfully” Season 2 (available May 28)
“Brazil ’70: The Third Star” (available May 29)
“Calabasas Confidential” (available May 29) -
TV Leaving Netflix in May
Image Credit: Courtesy of Will Robson-Scott / Broadway Video / IFC / AMC “Blue Mountain State” Seasons 1-3 (leaving May 1)
“Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland” (leaving May 1)
“Documentary Now!” Seasons 1-4 (leaving May 9)
“Dirty John: Betty Broderick” (leaving May 31)
“Dirty John: John Meehan” (leaving May 31)
“Your Honor” Seasons 1-2 (leaving May 31)
