Television doesn’t sleep. Backstage is breaking down, month by month, the buzzy shows and performances that merit attention from awards voters and couch potatoes in the ever-growing landscape of the small screen.
May television is rolling out with big summer vibes, bringing with it new and returning comedies, plenty of sci-fi, and a sprinkling of true crime (because frankly, when isn’t there?).
If you’re looking to laugh your troubles away, prepare yourself for the second seasons of Peacock’s “Girls5eva” (May 5) and HBO Max’s “Hacks” (May 12). Mike Myers is back after a too-long screen hiatus with the “Austin Powers”–esque “The Pentaverate” on Netflix (May 5), and beloved ’80s sketch troupe the Kids in the Hall are making their triumphant return on Amazon Prime (May 13).
Meanwhile, sci-fi fans can get pumped up for the latest series in the “Star Trek” universe with Paramount+’s “Strange New Worlds” (May 5), Disney+’s new “Star Wars” chapter “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” and the long-awaited fourth season of “Stranger Things” on Netflix (both dropping May 27).
Read on for our top picks for new series premiering this month, plus a comprehensive list of everything else coming to the small screen this May.
“I Love That for You”
Vanessa Bayer is following in her “Saturday Night Live” co-star Aidy Bryant’s footsteps by co-creating, starring in, and executive producing her own series. “I Love That for You” is kicking off the month on May 1 on Showtime. Bayer plays Joanna Gold, a woman who, after surviving childhood leukemia, pursues her dream of becoming a home shopping channel host. The series, directed by Michael Showalter, features other comedy stalwarts including “SNL” alum Molly Shannon, Jenifer Lewis, Jason Schwartzman, and Matt Malloy.
“Candy”
If, like us, you’re looking to get your Melanie Lynskey fix while you wait for Season 2 of “Yellowjackets,” Hulu is here to deliver with “Candy” (premiering May 9). The miniseries, which is based on a true story, hails from Robin Veith (“The Expanse,” “Mad Men”) and Nick Antosca (“Brand New Cherry Flavor,” “The Act”). Jessica Biel stars as Candy Montgomery, a 1980s Texan housewife who may or may not have murdered her best friend, played by Lynskey. The show also features Raúl Esparza, Pablo Schreiber, and Sharon Conley.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi”
Disney+ is taking a break from Marvel this month to focus on its other franchise cash cow: “Star Wars.” Emmy winner Ewan McGregor reprises his role as the legendary Jedi in this limited series written by Joby Harold (“Army of the Dead,” “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”) and directed by Deborah Chow (“The Mandalorian,” “Reign”). The show takes place between the “Star Wars” prequel films and “A New Hope,” when Obi-Wan is spending his days on Tatooine secretly keeping tabs on his future pupil Luke Skywalker and evading Jedi hunters. Rupert Friend, Joel Edgerton, Kumail Nanjiani, Maya Erskine, and Benny Safdie co-star; but for fans, the most exciting news is the return of Hayden Christensen as a young Darth Vader.
Acorn TV
May 1 – “Signora Volpe” premiere
ALLBLK
May 12 – “À La Carte” premiere
Amazon Prime Video/Amazon Freevee
May 6 – “Bosch: Legacy” premiere
May 6 – “The Wilds” Season 2
May 13 – “The Kids in the Hall” premiere
May 20 – “LOL–Last One Laughing Spain” Season 2
May 20 – “Night Sky” premiere
May 20 – “Troppo” premiere
Apple TV+
May 6 – “Tehran” Season 2
May 13 – “The Essex Serpent” premiere
May 20 – “Now and Then” premiere
Courtesy Apple TV+
BBC America
May 2 – “Ten Percent” premiere
BET+
May 19 – “Kingdom Business” premiere
The CW
May 31 – “Tom Swift” premiere
Disney+
May 27 – “Obi-Wan Kenobi” premiere
Fox
May 1 – “Duncanville” Season 3
May 31 – “Fantasy Island” Season 2
FX
May 9 – “Breeders” Season 3
The Gizmoplex
May 6 – “Mystery Science Theater 3000” Season 13
HBO/HBO Max
May 5 – “The Staircase” premiere
May 12 – “Hacks” Season 2
May 12 – “Who’s By Your Side” premiere
May 15 – “The Time Traveler’s Wife” premiere
May 26 – “That Damn Michael Che” Season 2
Karen Ballard/HBO Max
Hulu
May 9 – “Candy” premiere
May 15 – “Conversations With Friends” premiere
May 27 – “Shoresy” premiere
May 31 – “Pistol” premiere
Netflix
May 4 – “El Marginal” Season 5
May 4 – “Summertime” Season 3
May 5 – “Blood Sisters” premiere
May 5 – “Clark” premiere
May 5 – “The Pentaverate” premiere
May 6 – “The Sound of Magic” premiere
May 10 – “Workin’ Moms” Season 6
May 11 – “42 Days of Darkness” premiere
May 11 – “Brotherhood” Season 2
May 12 – “Savage Beauty” premiere
May 13 – “The Life and Movies of Erşan Kuneri” premiere
May 13 – “The Lincoln Lawyer” premiere
May 13 – “New Heights” premiere
May 17 – “The Future Diary” premiere
May 18 – “Who Killed Sara?” Season 3
May 20 – “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” premiere
May 20 – “Love, Death + Robots” Season 3
May 27 – “Stranger Things” Season 4
Paramount+
May 5 – “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” premiere
PBS
May 1 – “Ridley Road” premiere
Peacock
May 5 – “Girls5eva” Season 2
May 19 – “Angelyne” premiere
The Roku Channel
May 13 – “Children Ruin Everything” premiere
Showtime
May 1 – “I Love That for You” premiere
UP Faith & Family
May 19 – “Heartland” Season 15
Check out Backstage’s TV audition listings!