David Farnor | On 01, Jun 2021

Netflix. Amazon Prime Video. BBC iPlayer. NOW. Walter Presents. Apple TV+. There’s so much TV to watch these days in so many places that it can be hard to keep up. Every month, we boil down what’s on the box to the essentials you need in your streaming queue.

We’ve sorted through All The TV to bring you your May watchlist – what’s worth watching and where you can stream it online in the UK:

Anne Boleyn: Season 1

You may know the history, but you don’t know her story. Anne Boleyn is a new three-part drama, telling her story from her perspective. he show explores Anne’s final months as she struggles to secure a future for her daughter and to challenge the powerful patriarchy closing in around her. Jodie Turner-Smith (Queen & Slim) leads the cast, which includes Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, Gangs of London) as Anne’s brother and Tudor nobleman George Boleyn, Mark Stanley (White House Farm) as Henry VIII, one of the most famous Kings in British history, and Lola Petticrew (Three Families, Dating Amber) as Anne’s love rival, Jane Seymour. Episodes air nightly through the week.

Liverpool Narcos

In the 1980s, Liverpool became the epicentre of a drugs boom that was to change Britain forever. The waves of first cannabis, then heroin, ecstasy and cocaine that flooded the city didn’t just offer new opportunities for the underworld – they changed everything, above and below the ground, turning lives and communities upside down. Britain’s most independent-spirited city, Liverpool was home to the some of the biggest dealers, distributors, couriers and debt collectors. And above them, the kingpins who lived like minor royalty, driving Rolls Royces on the streets of Liverpool. With unprecedented access to some of the biggest players, this is the story of how drugs went mainstream and dealing became a multi-billion pound business, told by the people who would become pioneers of a new global trade – as well as those who dedicated their lives to catching them.

Lisey’s Story

ased on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, and adapted by the author himself, Lisey’s Story is a deeply personal thriller that follows Lisey Landon (Academy Award winner Julianne Moore) two years after the death of her husband, famous novelist Scott Landon (Academy Award nominee Clive Owen). A series of unsettling events causes Lisey to face memories of her marriage to Scott that she has deliberately blocked out of her mind. Episodes 1 and 2 arrive at once, with the remaining 6 episodes released weekly.

Genius: Aretha

The first-ever, scripted miniseries on the life of the legendary singer stars Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin. This anthology series explores Aretha’s musical genius, incomparable career, and the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had around the world. Episodes 1 and 2 arrive together, with the remaining episodes dropping weekly.

Feel Good: Season 2

This poignant comedy, which debuted on Channel 4 before being picked up by the streamer, follows Mae (played by Mae Martin), a rising talent on the stand-up circuit and recovering addict whose addictive behaviours and intense romanticism dominate every single part of her life. When she meets pragmatic – but so far heterosexual – George (Charlotte Ritchie), she’s smitten, and, much to her surprise, George feels the same. Now the second and final season is on the way, with Mae trying to reconnect with George, only to realise that she’ll have to face her past in order to move forward.

Sweet Tooth: Season 1

“Once upon a time, bad people ruled the Earth…” That’s the sound of Netflix bringing Sweet Tooth to the screen – and a new trailer gives us a closer look at the adaptation of the DC Comic. The eight-part series tells the family-friendly adventure of Gus — part deer, part boy — who leaves his home in the forest to find the outside world ravaged by a cataclysmic event. He joins a ragtag family of humans and animal-children hybrids like himself in search of answers about this new world and the mystery behind his origins.

Time: Season 1

Written by Jimmy McGovern, this three-part series stars Sean Bean as prisoner Mark Cobden and Stephen Graham as prison officer Eric McNally. Mark Cobden (Sean Bean) is newly imprisoned, consumed by guilt for his crime, and way out of his depth in the volatile world of prison life. He meets Eric McNally (Stephen Graham), an excellent prison officer doing his best to protect those in his charge. However, when one of the most dangerous inmates identifies his weakness, Eric faces an impossible choice; between his principles and his family.

Intelligence: Season 2

David Schwimmer and Nick Mohammed return for a second series of highly confidential chaos. After narrowly avoiding extradition to the United States on charges of treason, NSA agent Jerry Bernstein (Schwimmer) finds himself the centre of attention once again when the Russians obtain a cyberweapon that Jerry himself helped develop. With his intel vital to the safety of the nation, he is more than willing to step into the role of the office alpha male, once again. He can even sort out Joseph’s (Mohammed) love life as well. All episodes arrive at once on-demand.

Prodigal Son: Season 2

This psychological drama starring Tom Payne and Michael Sheen follows criminal profiler Malcolm Bright, who helps solve the NYPD’s most vicious and puzzling murders, using his insight into a killer’s mind inherited from his father – notorious serial killer Dr Martin Whitly. No prizes for guessing who Michael Sheen plays.

Loki: Season 1

Featuring the God of Mischief as he steps out of his brother’s shadow in a new series that takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Tom Hiddleston returns as the title character, joined by Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sophia Di Martino, Wunmi Mosaku and Richard E Grant. Directed by Sex Eduction helmer Kate Herron. Episodes arrive weekly.

Home Before Dark: Season 2

This mystery series is inspired by the reporting of a young investigative journalist, Hilde Lysiak. Directed and executive produced by Jon M. Chu, the series follows a young girl named Hilde (played by Brooklynn Prince) who moves from the city of Brooklyn to the small lakeside town her father left behind. While there, her dogged pursuit of the truth leads her to unearth a cold case that everyone in town, including her own father, tried hard to bury. In Season 2, when a mysterious explosion hits a local farm, Hilde begins an investigation that will lead her to fight a powerful and influential corporation – with the health of her family and Erie Harbor in the balance. The 10 episodes arrive weekly.

Lupin: Part 2 – 11th June

“This has gone too far.” That’s the sound of Lupin returning to Netflix this June. The series stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a master of disguise whose life was turned upside down when his father died after being accused of a crime he didn’t commit. 25 years later, Assane uses LeBlanc’s literary hero as his inspiration to get revenge.

Blindspotting: Season 1

Blindspotting picks up six months after the film and centres on Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones), who is nipping at the heels of a middle-class life in Oakland until Miles (Rafael Casal), her partner of 12 years and father of their son, is suddenly incarcerated, leaving her to navigate a chaotic and humorous existential crisis when she is forced to move in with Miles’ mother (Helen Hunt) and half-sister (Jaylen Barron). Episodes arrive weekly.

Love, Victor: Season 2

Set in the world of the original 2018 film Love, Simon, the series follows Victor, a new student at Creekwood High School on his own journey of self-discovery, facing challenges at home, adjusting to a new city, and struggling with his sexual orientation. When it all seems too much, he reaches out to Simon to help him navigate the ups and downs of high school. Episodes arrive weekly.

Katla: Season 1

The catastrophic eruption of subglacial volcano Katla turns a nearby community’s world upside down as mysteries begin to emerge from the ice in Baltasar Kormákur’s sci-fi mystery series, one of the first TV shows to resume production after the coronavirus outbreak.

Together

She is a charity worker, a coordinator for all of Europe at a refugee charity. She’s the daughter of a dentist father and an ‘old socialist’ mother – the only grandparent still around. He, meanwhile, is a self-employed, self-made man who runs a boutique computing consultancy. Together, they must get through lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, re-evaluating both their relationship and themselves. If that premise sounds too relatable, too soon, bear in mind that BBC Two’s one-off comedy-drama is written by Dennis Kelly, directed by Stephen Daldry and stars James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan.

Black Summer: Season 2

In the dark, early days of a zombie apocalypse, complete strangers band together to find the strength they need to survive and get back to loved ones.

Laugh Lessons

The way BBC Three gives a platform to up-and-coming comedy talent has always been one of its strengths. Here, it takes that approach to a rarely showcased form of comedy: the humble sketch show. Brought to you from across the UK by Channel X North, Little Wander, North East Comedy Hot House and Peggy Pictures, Laugh Lessons presents a host of original sketches – from how to start your own podcast to becoming a social media star. All 20 episodes arrive at once.

Physical: Season 1

Set in the idyllic but fragile beach paradise of sunny 1980s San Diego, “Physical” is a half-hour dark comedy following Sheila Rubin, a quietly tortured, seemingly dutiful housewife supporting her smart but controversial husband’s bid for state assembly. But behind closed doors, Sheila has her own darkly funny take on life she rarely lets the world see. She’s also battling a complex set of personal demons relating to her self-image… that is, until she finds release through the unlikeliest source: the world of aerobics. Rose Byrne stars in this series from Annie Weisman, with Cruella and I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie at the helm. Episodes 1 to 3 arrive at once, with the remaining 7 episodes arriving weekly.

Godfather of Harlem: Season 2

It’s 1964 and Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) is battling the New York Crime Families for control of the lucrative and murderous “French Connection,” the heroin pipeline that runs from Marseilles to New York Harbor. With a distribution syndicate that includes Black crime bosses from other major U.S. cities, Bumpy takes a cue from his friend Malcolm X’s (Nigél Thatch) message of Black economic nationalism. His ambitious plan will face challenges from not only the Italians but his wife Mayme (Ilfenesh Hadera), daughter Elise (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy), rival Adam Clayton Powell (Giancarlo Esposito), prosecutor Robert Morgenthau (Justin Bartha) and even Malcolm himself.

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 4

Hulu’s TV series, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel of the same name, is set in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarised ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, June, aka Offred (Elisabeth Moss), is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a desperate attempt to repopulate the world. Season 4 will follow June’s fight for freedom against Gilead, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges, and her desire for justice and revenge threaten to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships. Episodes arrive weekly.

Rick and Morty: Season 5

The irreverent, dark, twisted, dark, hilarious, dark, disturbing, dark animated comedy, which was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, follows the misadventures of an alcoholic scientist and his grandson – think Back to the Future, but with more time-travelling, universe-hopping portals, aliens and rude jokes. The fifth season comprises 10 half-hour episodes and will see the outrageous dynamic duo once again get into all sorts of chaotic trouble. Episodes air weekly.

Harley Quinn: Season 2

Harley Quinn’s finally breaking things off with the Joker and wants to go it alone as the criminal Queenpin of Gotham City in this adult animated action-comedy. Season 2 sees Penguin, Bane, Mr Freeze, The Riddler and Two Face join forces against her.

Betty: Season 2

Starring Dede Lovelace, Moonbear, Nina Moran, Ajani Russell, and Rachelle Vinberg, who all starred in the original film this series is based on. Betty follows a diverse group of young women navigating their lives through the predominantly male-oriented world of skateboarding, set against the backdrop of New York City. Episodes arrive weekly.

Bosch: Season 7

Based on Michael Connelly’s best-selling novels, Amazon’s longest-running original drama returns for its final season, as Titus Welliver’s Detective Harry Bosch stands trial for the shooting of a murder suspect. A cold case involving the remains of a missing boy forces Bosch to confront his past. As daring recruit, Julia Brasher (Annie Wersching), catches his eye, and departmental politics heat up, Bosch will pursue justice at all costs.

Central Park: Season 2

From creator, writer and executive producer Loren Bouchard, Josh Gad and Nora Smith, this sweet, surreal and showstopping animated musical comedy follows the Tillermans, a family who live in Central Park. Owen, the park manager, and Paige, his journalist wife, raise their kids Molly and Cole in the world’s most famous park, while fending off hotel heiress Bitsy Brandenham and her long-suffering assistant Helen, who would love nothing more than to turn the park into condos. Every step of the way, we are guided along by our friendly, fumbling, fiddler narrator, Birdie. The series voice cast includes Josh Gad, Leslie Odom Jr., Kathryn Hahn, Tituss Burgess, Daveed Diggs and Stanley Tucci, with Emmy Raver-Lampman replacing Kristen Bell in the role of Molly. Episodes 1 to 3 arrive at once, with the remaining episodes arriving weekly.

Pride: Season 1

From Killer Films (This American Life, Mildred Pierce) and Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prize winning VICE Studios (Flee, The Report) comes this six-part documentary series chronicling the struggle for LGBTQ+ civil rights in America from the 1950s through the 2000s.

The Mysterious Benedict Society – 25th June

After winning a scholarship competition, four gifted orphans are recruited by the peculiar Mr. Benedict for a dangerous mission to save the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain, appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of The Mysterious Benedict Society must devise a plan to defeat him.

Rick and Morty: Season 5 – Date TBC

The irreverent, dark, twisted, dark, hilarious, dark, disturbing, dark animated comedy returns to follow the misadventures of an alcoholic scientist and his grandson – think Back to the Future, but with more time-travelling, universe-hopping portals, aliens and rude jokes. Arriving hot on the heels of its US broadcast, the fifth season comprises 10 half-hour episodes and will see the outrageous dynamic duo once again get into all sorts of chaotic trouble.

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 4 – Date TBC

Season 4 of Hulu’s series, based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, will follow June’s fight for freedom against Gilead, but the risks she takes bring unexpected and dangerous new challenges, and her desire for justice and revenge threaten to consume her and destroy her most cherished relationships.

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