Spring TV Preview: 14 New Shows to Watch

“The Studio” (March 26, Apple TV+)

In this series from Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg, all eyes in Hollywood are on Matt Remick (Rogen), the newly-minted head of Continental Studios. Throughout 10 episodes, Matt performs the delicate dance of soothing egos, taming talent, and cutting deals so vicious they’ll make Oscar-winning directors weep openly. The cast includes Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, and Chase Sui Wonders, with Bryan Cranston in a guest role and a handful of A-listers playing themselves. 

“Side Quest” (March 26, Apple TV+)

As the title implies, this anthology series will expand on the world of “Mythic Quest” with four new episodes (just in time for the Season 4 finale). From familiar faces and employees to new players and fans, “Side Quest” shares how the game’s impact goes far beyond the office of its developers. Starring Rob McElhenney, Anna Konkle, Derek Waters, William Stanford Davis, Bria Samoné Henderson, Rome Flynn, Leonard Robinson, Gary Kraus, Annamarie Kasper, Esai Morales, Shalita Grant and many more.

“MobLand” (March 30, Paramount+)

In all likelihood, there are two primary reasons you’d be interested in the Paramount+ original series, “MobLand.” One would be you’re a die-hard “Ray Donovan” fan; someone who never missed a bloody minute of Showtime’s seven-seasons-and-a-movie fixer drama, and thus were eagerly anticipating a prequel series that explained the origins of the titular Donovan family. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but “MobLand” is no longer that show. It started off as an extension of the “Ray Donovan” franchise, but during development, it ended up a standalone series from director and executive producer Guy Ritchie, about a London-based crime family called the Harrigans who find themselves in a fight for their lives with a rival family called the Stevensons. (Note: There are no Donovans present.)

OK, so what’s the second reason to care about “MobLand”? That would be the cast: Tom Hardy leads a group that includes Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Paddy Considine, Anson Boon, and Janet McTeer. And if you don’t want to watch a British crime drama starring Tom Hardy, I can’t believe you’d ever be interested in anything with titled “MobLand.” –Ben Travers

“Pulse” (April 3, Netflix)

Just as you bid a tearful farewell to “The Pitt,” Netflix has this medical drama teed up for the spring. Set mainly in the Emergency Medicine department of Maguire Hospital in Miami, “Pulse” follows an ensemble of doctors, nurses, residents, and more as they deal with a high-stakes work environment and their own messy lives. Starring Willa Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Justina Machado, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, Jessy Yates, and more, from creator Zoe Robyn (who serves as showrunner along with Carlton Cuse).

“Dying for Sex” (April 4, Hulu)

Molly (Michelle Williams) is dying — but that’s not the worst of her problems. After receiving a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, she dedicates herself to something that has eluded her through her entire life: an orgasm with another person. From masturbation to BDSM, she begins to spend her final months getting to know herself anew, with the neverending support and companionship of best friend Nikki (Jenny Slate). The series from Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock is based on true story and podcast from Nikki Boyer.

“Your Friends and Neighbors” (April 11, Apple TV+)

In this series from Jonathan Tropper, Jon Hamm plays Andrew “Coop” Cooper, a former hedge fund manager “fired in disgrace” (even if he disagrees). Between that and the divorce from wife Mel (Amanda Peet), the disorienting return to sex and dating, Coop turns desperately to crime as a way to maintain some semblance of the life he’s used to — only to learn that the people he’s stealing from have deadly secrets of their own. The show also stars Olivia Munn, Hoon Lee, Mark Tallman, Lena Hall, Aimee Carrero, Eunice Bae, Isabel Marie Gravitt and Donovan Colan.

“Government Cheese” (April 16, Apple TV+)

David Oyelowo starts as Hampton Chambers, a man fresh out of prison in this “surrealist family comedy” created by Paul Hunter and Ayesha Carr. Hampton’s return to society and his loved ones takes an unexpected turn when he learns that his wife (Simone Missick) and sons (Evan Ellison and Jahi Di’Allo Winston) found ways to live without him, and the new normal pushes everyone to their limits. 

“#1 Happy Family USA” (April 17, Prime Video)

Ramy Youssef and Pam Brady’s animated A24 sitcom follows the Husseins, a Muslim family navigating early 2000s (post-9/11) America while trying to mind their own business. Illustrator Mona Chalabi is one of the executive producers, and the cast includes Youssef, Alia Shawkat, Salma Hindy, Randa Jarrar, Azhar Usman, Chris Redd, Akaash Singh, Whitmer Thomas, and Mandy Moore.

“Duster” (May 15, Max)

A Josh Holloway and J.J. Abrams reunion? Say less. This 1970s drama takes place in the American Southwest, with the spotlight on a getaway driver for notorious criminals. “From dangerous to wildly, stupidly dangerous,” the series follows his every victory and close call, as well as the left turn it all takes when he meets a young agent (Rachel Hilson). Executive produced by Abrams, LaToya Morgan, Steph Green, and Rachel Rusch Rich, also starring Keith David, Sydney Elisabeth, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, Asivak Koostachin, Adriana Aluna Martinez, and Benjamin Charles Watson.

“Murderbot” (May 16, Apple TV+)

Talk to anyone who’s read Martha Wells’ acclaimed book series “The Murderbot Diaries,” and you’ll discover a deep passion for the author’s meticulous first-person study of a cyborg’s journey toward self-discovery. Talk to anyone who hasn’t read Martha Wells’ book series about a TV show called “Murderbot” and you’re likely to catch a few skeptical glances. I mean, it’s called “Murderbot.” That’s not a title that inspires visions of “Blade Runner” so much as it calls to mind a potential spinoff of “Battlebots.” (Which, to be fair, was a good show!) Still, with Chris and Paul Weitz writing and directing the adaptation, and with Alexander Skarsgard set to play the sentient security android known as — you guessed it — Murderbot, we’re holding out hope the latest Apple TV+ prestige science-fiction series will live up to readers’ expectations and not down to the skeptics’ presumptions. –BT

“Forever” (May 8, Netflix)

Judy Blume’s 1975 novel of the same name gets a modern reimagining in this series from Mara Brock Akil. Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone star as Jusin and Keisha, two Los Angeles teenagers who reconnect and rekindle a childhood crush. The show is executive produced by Akil, Blume, Susie Fitzgerald, Erika Harrison, Sara White, Shana C. Waterman, Anthony Hemingway, and Regina King (who directs the first episode).

“Étoile” (Prime Video)

Two professional ballet companies in New York and Paris take center stage in this new series from Amy Sherman-Palladino as they swap their biggest stars in a publicity Hail Mary. The cast includes Luke Kirby, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Lou de Laâge, Gideon Glick, David Alvarez, Ivan du Pontavice, Taïs Vinolo, David Haig, Simon Callow, and Yanic Truesdale. Sherman-Palladino executive produces with husband Dan, Dhana Rivera Gilbert, and co-executive producer Scott Ellis.

“The Four Seasons” (Netflix)

Alan Alda’s 1981 movie gets a twist in this eight-episode series from Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield, starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell. A weekend away shocks six friends on vacation when they learn that one of the three couples in their group is about to split up. The rest of the cast includes Marco Calvani, Colman Domingo, Will Forte, Erika Henningsen, and Kerri Kenney-Silver, with Fey, Fisher, Wigfield, David Miner, Eric Gurian, and Jeff Richmond executive producing. Alda and Marissa Bregman also join as producers.

“Overcompensating” (May 15, Prime Video)

Benito Skinner’s TV debut arrives in the form of this series where he plays Benny, a closeted former athlete leaving high school for college. There he meets Carmen (Wally Baram), and the two of them plunge headfirst into college life, from terrible hookups to outrageous parties and everything in between that leads to joy, heartache, and self-discovery. The cast includes Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, and Rish Shah, with guest stars Connie Britton, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaia Gerber, Owen Thiele, Nell Verlaque, Holmes, and Charli XCX (who serves as executive music producer).