You won’t be able to watch TV in May without stumbling upon a great ensemble—some stuffed with all-stars and others brimming with exciting new talent. Here are the performances and shows to check out.
“The Four Seasons”
Series premiere May 1 on Netflix
Tina Fey and “30 Rock” compatriots Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield reimagine Alan Alda’s 1981 rom-com of the same name as an eight-episode series. The premise: Three couples (and longtime friends) gather for a cozy getaway, only to discover one pair is on the verge of a breakup. Fey cracks jokes alongside fellow “Saturday Night Live” alum Will Forte, Steve Carell (“The Office”), Kerri Kenney-Silver (“RENO 911!”), and most intriguingly, Colman Domingo. The Oscar nominee is best known for his arresting dramatic performances in A24’s “Sing Sing” and HBO’s “Euphoria,” so his energy is an exciting one to throw into the comedy mix. Expect to laugh-cry and cry-laugh. Erika Henningsen (from the original Broadway cast of “Mean Girls”) and Marco Calvani (writer-director of “High Tide”) also star.
“Poker Face”
Season 2 premiere May 8 on Peacock
Thank goodness Rian Johnson’s detective comedy is back. We were about to commit an elaborate crime just to get Natasha Lyonne on our screens again. When viewers last saw Lyonne’s Charlie Cale at the end of Season 1, the sleuth was once again on the run from a blood-thirsty gangster (Rhea Perlman, “Cheers”). Lyonne was born to play a human lie detector with a wisecrack for every occasion, and this season’s guest roster is jaw-dropping. Exhibit A: Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”) plays five different sisters in one episode, sometimes appearing as multiple characters in a single scene. Also look out for John Mulaney (“John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.”), Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”), and too many other folks to list here.
“Forever”
Series premiere May 8 on Netflix
Ah, first love. Judy Blume’s 1975 YA novel “Forever…” gets a modern update in this miniseries from creator Mara Brock Akil (“Girlfriends,” “Being Mary Jane”). Sparks fly when teenage athletes Keisha (Lovie Simone, “Greenleaf”) and Justin (Michael Cooper Jr., “On the Come Up”) meet. Together, they navigate the many “firsts” of sex and romance at the edge of adulthood. Oscar winner Regina King executive produces, and, excitingly, she also directs the first episode. As a former teen actor herself, it’ll be fascinating to see what King brings out in the series’ young stars. The cast also includes Karen Pittman (“The Morning Show”) and Xosha Roquemore (“The Mindy Project”).
“Overcompensating”
Series premiere May 15 on Prime Video
Benito Skinner, aka social media sensation Benny Drama, takes the dive into episodic television with the help of “Brat”-in-chief Charli XCX, who’s listed as executive music producer, on “Overcompensating.” The coming-of-age comedy stars series creator Skinner as Benny, a closeted gay teen doing the absolute most to conquer college. Expect Skinner’s cool-kid camp, already popular on TikTok, to explode into this longer format with raucous, raunchy verve. His “Ride” podcast co-host Mary Beth Barone also stars, along with “Shrinking” writer Wally Baram and “The White Lotus” actor Adam DiMarco. (Charli shows up onscreen playing herself, too, if you need further enticement.)
“Duster”
Series premiere May 15 on Max
Josh Holloway playing a smart-mouthed rogue who lives on the edge? Say less. The actor, best known as Sawyer on “Lost,” reunites with J.J. Abrams for “Duster.” Abrams co-created the 1970s-set thriller with LaToya Morgan (“Shameless,” “The Walking Dead”), who serves as showrunner. Holloway plays Jim, a getaway driver burning rubber through the deserts of the Southwest. He lends his speedy skills to Nina (Rachel Hilson, “Love, Victor”), an FBI agent working to topple a growing crime syndicate. Let’s see what kind of trouble Holloway’s newest golden-haired outlaw can get into.
“Nine Perfect Strangers”
Season 2 premiere May 21 on Hulu
Drop what you’re doing—a new Nicole Kidman wig is on the horizon. The superstar returns for Season 2 of David E. Kelley’s drama anthology as Masha, the mysterious proprietor of a wellness retreat that promises profound personal changes. Kidman’s Russian accent for this role is hypnotizing. “Nine Perfect Strangers,” which features big-name actors doing shadow work at an Austrian Alps getaway, should fill the “White Lotus”–shaped hole in your heart. This season even has Murray Bartlett in it! The rest of the ensemble includes Annie Murphy (“Schitt’s Creek”), Henry Golding (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Dolly de Leon (“Triangle of Sadness”), and Christine freakin’ Baranski.
“Rick and Morty”
Season 8 premiere May 25 on Adult Swim
Who knows what depravity this hit adult animated series has in store for its eighth season? Sci-fi headiness? Sure. Pop culture–skewering laughs? High probability. “Rick and Morty” also features impressive voice work. Last season, Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden took over the roles of mad scientist Rick and his neurotic sidekick and grandson Morty, respectively. (The original voice actor, series co-creator Justin Roiland, exited in 2023 amid allegations of domestic violence.) Cardoni nails Rick’s scratchy, belch-punctuated patter; the same goes for Belden with Morty’s halting falsetto. And don’t overlook the off-putting pathos Chris Parnell brings to perma-failure dad Jerry, or Sarah Chalke’s dry line deliveries as mom Beth. Co-creator Dan Harmon and Scott Marder are executive producers; Marder also serves as showrunner.
“Adults”
Series premiere May 28 on FX on Hulu
Dating, dinner parties, cramming five roommates into one house—there’s nothing like your 20s. Keep that in mind as you watch the ensemble cast of “Adults” confront the harsh realities of maturity. We already know Owen Thiele, who plays boundary-averse Anton, is one to watch after his standout performance as preening counselor Gigi in the 2023 film “Theater Camp.” Amita Rao (“Deli Boys”), Malik Elassal (“Resident Alien”), Lucy Freyer (“Paint”), and Jack Innanen (“The Office Movers”) comprise the rest of the up-and-coming cast. Expect guest spots from Charlie Cox (“Daredevil: Born Again”), Julia Fox (“Uncut Gems”), and more. Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw (“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”) created the series; Nick Kroll (“Big Mouth”) serves as an executive producer.