There are many action series and mystery stories this month. The intrepid protagonists navigate dangerous worlds and overcome all odds to complete their missions. Whether it’s a Jewish hairdresser fighting neo-Nazis in “Ridley Road” (May 1), a former British spy living a boring, normal life in “Signora Volpe” (May 2), or a 1980s housewife taking desperate measures to break out of her box in “Candy” (May 9), there will be plenty of intrigue and drama to keep audiences on their toes.
For slower, more introspective fare, the WORLD Channel documentary “Daughter of a Lost Bird” (May 5) sees a Native American adoptee who grew up in a white family embarking a seven-year journey to learn more about her heritage. Another WORLD Channel doc, “Geographies of Kinship” (May 19), tells the complicated stories of four adult adoptees who were born in South Korea, but were raised in the United States and Europe with very little cultural connection to their birthplace.
In May, several highly-anticipated and star-studded limited series will debut on streaming platforms. Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston star in Apple TV+’s “The Essex Serpent” (May 13), a mysterious drama about a London widow whose neighbors suspect her of luring a mythical serpent to their town. Two years after making a major mark with “Normal People,” Hulu will debut another Sally Rooney adaptation about complicated interpersonal relationships, “Conversations with Friends” (May 15). Jemima Kirke (“Girls”), Sasha Lane (“American Honey”), and newcomer Alison Oliver are among the ensemble cast. Led by Emmy Rossum, Peacock’s “Angelyne” (May 19) is the story of the self-mythologizing, pink Cadillac-driving ’80s Los Angeles fixture of the same name.
This month’s returning series include spy thriller “Tehran” (May 6), motherhood comedy “Workin’ Moms” (May 10), and, not one, but two sophomore series with stranded protagonists on deserted islands, “The Wilds (May 6) and “Fantasy Island” (May 31).
Here are May’s premiering and returning women-driven and women-created TV projects. Unless otherwise noted all descriptions are taken directly from press materials.
Television and Episodic Premieres
“Ridley Road” (Miniseries) – Created and Written by Sarah Solemani; Directed by Lisa Mulcahy (Premieres May 1 on PBS)
“Ridley Road” tells the story of Vivien Epstein, a young Jewish woman played by Agnes O’Casey in her first television role. After falling in love with a member of the “‘62 Group,” she rejects her comfortable middle-class life in Manchester and joins the fight against fascism in London, risking everything for her beliefs and for the man she loves. Inspired by true events, “Ridley Road” follows Vivien as she goes undercover into the NSM, a neo-Nazi movement which is becoming increasingly prominent in London.
“Signora Volpe” – Created by Rachel Cuperman and Sally Griffiths (Premieres May 2 on Acorn TV)
To the casual observer, there’s nothing remarkable about Sylvia (Emilia Fox). Sylvia is a confident, intelligent woman who keeps quiet about her remarkable linguistic skills, impressive weaponry knowledge, and markswoman skills. The Civil Service provides a bland answer to questions about Sylvia’s professional life. Which is only very slightly true – because until recently, Sylvia was a high-ranking British spy.
“Blood Sisters” (Miniseries) – Created by Temidayo Makanjuola (Premieres May 5 on Netflix)
After a wealthy man disappears from his engagement party, Sarah (Ini Dia Okojie) is forced to flee with her best friend Kemi (Nancy Isime).
“Daughter of a Lost Bird” (Documentary) – Directed by Brooke Pepion Swaney (Premieres May 5 on WORLD Channel)
“Daughter of a Lost Bird” brings us Kendra, a Native American adoptee who grew up assimilating in a white family, as she embarks on a seven-year journey to discover more about her Lummi Nation heritage and to find her mother – who was herself separated from her Native American heritage as a result of adoption. The film shows the multiple personal costs of the genocide inflicted on Indigenous peoples by the United States government through forced adoptive programs and other assimilation tactics.
“The Dry” – Written by Nancy Harris (Premieres May 5 on BritBox)
“The Dry” centers on 35-year-old Shiv (Roisin Gallagher) as she returns to Ireland for her grandmother’s wake, taking a break from London and her “career” (with a small “c”) in art. Shiv is six-months sober. It is fair to say that her life has not been as planned. Shiv’s family – who have never really dealt with or talked about the damage caused by the sudden death of her adored elder brother, not to mention her parents’ failing marriage or Shiv’s own chaotic behavior – are wary of having her back. To make matters worse there’s also her charmer of an ex-boyfriend, who has the uncanny knack of always appearing when she’s at her most vulnerable. His charming presence reminds Shiv of the excitement and thrill of excess from her youth – to call him a trigger would be an understatement. Can Shiv and her dysfunctional family, each with their own demons, come together to confront her addiction?
“The Porter” – Created by Annmarie Morais, Marsha Greene, Arnold Pinnock, and Aubrey Nealon (Premieres May 5 on BET+)
“The Porter” follows the journeys of characters who hustle, dream, cross borders, and pursue their ambitions in the fight for liberation – on and off the railways that cross North America. It is a story of empowerment that highlights the moment when railway workers from both Canada and the United States join together to give birth to the world’s first Black union.
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” – Created by Jenny Lumet, Akiva Goldsman, and Alex Kurtzman (Premieres May 5 on Paramount+)
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The series will follow Captain Pike (Ethan Peck) and Number One (Rebecca Romijn), in the years prior to Captain Kirk’s arrival on the U.S.S. Enterprise as they explore new planets around the galaxy.
“Sheryl” (Documentary) – Directed by Amy Scott (Premieres May 6 on Showtime)
A documentary portrait of the singular storyteller who’s lived it all and seen it all but never told it all – until now. From humble beginnings to sold-out world tours, Sheryl Crow’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary. Whether battling sexism in the music industry, mourning ill-fated romances, or surviving a well-publicized battle with breast cancer, Crow has always found a way to turn even her darkest experiences into captivating, timeless work — creating a legacy that continues to inspire and influence generations.
“The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith” (Docuseries) – Directed by Nathalie Bibeau (Premieres May 6 on Prime Video)
Beverly Lynn Smith lived in Oshawa, Ontario in a rustic farmhouse with her husband and 10-month old baby. She was found murdered in her kitchen on December 9, 1974. Since the night of the murder, almost 50 years ago, Alan Smith (no relation at all to Beverly Lynn Smith) has been a key character in the investigation. By 2007, the case had gone cold, until the results of a polygraph test raised suspicions, and Smith became a key person of interest — and the target of a controversial police investigation. Smith has maintained his innocence despite all the twists.
“The Sound of Magic” – Created by Kim Min-jeong and Kim Sung-youn (Premieres May 6 on Netflix)
A magician who lives in an abandoned theme park makes troubles disappear and gives hope to a teenager who is struggling with harsh realities.
“Christina P: Mom Genes” (Comedy Special) (Premieres May 8 on Netflix)
Christina P, a comedian, examines the joys of parenting and partnering through a no-nonsense GenX lens in this special.
“Candy” (Miniseries) – Created by Robin Veith and Nick Antosca (Premieres May 9 on Hulu)
Candy Montgomery (Jessica Biel) is a 1980 housewife and mother who did everything right — good husband, two kids, nice house, even the careful planning and execution of transgressions — but when the pressure of conformity builds within her, her actions scream for just a bit of freedom. With disastrous results.
“Becoming Annika” (Documentary) – Directed by Adrienne Gallagher (Premieres May 10 on Golf Channel)
In the early ’90s, a young, shy, Swedish female golfer caused a stir in the women’s golf circuit and golf world. That girl went on to claim legendary golfer status after competing in a men’s tournament and proving that women are capable of competing on the same field. Her name is Annika Sorenstam – and after 14 years of retirement, she is back. Adrienne Gallagher, her all-female production team, shadowed Annika over a year to produce a unique, compelling biopic about the golf legend. Through their storytelling, they take viewers behind the scenes of the women’s golf circuit and its cutthroat competitiveness, highlight Annika’s rise to greatness, and show how her personal life influenced her decision to step away and now return to the sport she loves.
“42 Days of Darkness” (Miniseries) – Directed by Claudia Huaiquimilla and Gaspar Antillo (Premieres May 11 on Netflix)
A Chilean woman leads a desperate search for her missing sister in a panicked town. This is despite the media storm and police investigation. Inspired by a true story.
“Savage Beauty” (Premieres May 12 on Netflix)
Seeking revenge for her tragic past, a mysterious woman embeds herself in a powerful family who possess a global beauty empire — and dark secrets.
“À La Carte” – Created by Breanna Hogan (Premieres May 12 on ALLBLK)
“À La Carte” follows Mahogany Rose (Pauline Dyer), a gorgeous, young go-getter and overachiever who has had high moral standards her entire life. Mahogany always had a skewed view of her love life. But when she meets Kaleb Myles (Courtney Burrell), a charming and charismatic man who checks off nearly all her boxes, she’s forced to reconsider her typical standards as she discovers that he falls short of a critical characteristic on her list: being single. With the help of her friends — Misha Taylor (Jessie Woo), a teacher who works hard and plays even harder; Reign Moore (Kendall Kyndall), a recently cut off trust-funder forced to find alternative revenue to pay the bills; and Shyra Clemons (Jenna Nolen), a grad student who believes she has found the perfect man — Mahogany must decide if she will stick to her preference of being the one and only or step out of her comfort zone and learn to play number two.
“Maverix” – Created by Rachel Clements, Sam Meikle, and Isaac Elliott (Premieres May 12 on Netflix)
Motocross teens are big air-struck as they race against their rivals, bring out their best and win in this high-speed series.
“The Essex Serpent” (Miniseries) – Directed by Clio Barnard; Written by Anna Symon (Premieres May 13 on Apple TV+)
Starring a stellar cast led by Claire Danes, Tom Hiddleston, Clémence Poésy, and Hayley Squires, “The Essex Serpent” follows London widow Cora Seaborne (Danes), who moves to Essex to investigate reports of a mythical serpent. Although she forms an unlikely friendship with the vicar of the village (Hiddleston), locals accuse her in the aftermath of tragedy of having attracted the serpent.
“Conversations with Friends” (Miniseries) – Directed by Leanne Welham and Lenny Abrahamson (Premieres May 15 on Hulu)
“Conversations with Friends” follows Frances (Alison Oliver), a 21-year-old college student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time. Sasha Lane, Jemima Kirke, and Joe Alwyn are also stars.
“The Deep End” (Docuseries) (Premieres May 18 on Freeform)
“The Deep End” is an arresting and provocative exploration inside the world of one of today’s most controversial spiritual teachers and her dedicated followers. It was filmed over three years and features unprecedented access. It is a candid portrayal of the extraordinary lengths people will go in their search to connect.
“Angelyne” (Miniseries) – Directed by Lucy Tcherniak and Matt Spicer (Premieres May 19 on Peacock)
Fame, identity, Corvettes — Angelyne (Emmy Rossum), the self-proclaimed Rorschach test in pink, takes over Los Angeles billboards in the mid-80s as an enigmatic blonde bombshell, ushering in the era of famous-for-being-famous influencer culture.
“Geographies of Kinship” (Documentary) – Directed by Deann Borshay Liem (Premieres May 19 on WORLD Channel)
“Geographies of Kinship” tells the complex stories of four adult adoptees born in South Korea and raised in the United States and Europe, who are looking to reconnect with their roots and a homeland they never knew. The film attempts to answer the question of why overseas adoptions continued to proliferate decades after their rise during the Korean War, as South Korea underwent rapid industrialization, becoming one of the world’s top economies. Many people would be left searching for answers about their culture or identity through these adoptions.
“Kingdom Business” (Premieres May 19 on BET+)
This music-driven series follows Denita, a gospel star who runs Kingdom Records and is First Lady of First Kingdom Church. She is determined to protect her family’s secrets and keep them safe. Just as Denita is enjoying the fruits of her labor, the world she’s worked so hard to put together begins to unravel when an unexpected contender in the gospel music scene threatens her status. Rbel (Serayah), a young woman in the ascendant, has a past as an exotic dancer but is not able to match her destiny to transform the gospel music scene with her newfound voice.
“The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem” – Created by Ester Namdar Tamam, Shlomo Mashiach, and Oded Davidoff (Premieres May 20 on Netflix)
In 1919 Jerusalem Rosa (Hila Salada), a housekeeper, marries a shopkeeper who loves another women. This choice will have a profound impact on her relationship for decades with Luna (Swell Ariel Or).
“Now & Then” – Created by Gema R. Neira and Ramón Campos (Premieres May 20 on Apple TV+)
“Now & Then” is a multi-layered thriller that explores the differences between youthful aspirations and the reality of adulthood, when the lives of a group of college best friends are forever changed after a celebratory weekend ends up with one of them dead. Twenty years later, the five remaining friends are forced to reunite by a threat that threatens their seemingly perfect worlds.
“The New York Times Presents: Elon Musk’s Crash Course” (Documentary) – Directed by Emma Schwartz (Premieres May 20 on FX and Hulu)
Featuring the work of reporters Cade Metz and Neal Boudette, “Elon Musk’s Crash Course” follows Tesla’s Autopilot program and how it has resulted in several deaths that Elon Musk and the company have yet to publicly acknowledge. The documentary also explores Musk’s efforts to kill government investigations into the incidents.
“Troppo” – Created by Yolanda Ramke (Premieres May 20 on Amazon Freevee)
“Troppo” is the story of Ted Conkaffey (Thomas Jane), an ex-cop falsely accused of committing a disturbing crime, who has escaped to hide away in the tropics of Far North Queensland. As he tries to avoid discovery, he’s drawn into investigating a wild murder and a missing person, alongside a complicated woman, Amanda Pharrell (Nicole Chamoun), with dark secrets of her own.
“Fight or Flight” (Docuseries) (Premieres May 26 on discovery+)
Somy Ali, a Bollywood star and human rights advocate, and her nonprofit No More Tears, have saved thousands of victims of domestic violence and sex slavery over the past 15 years. Now, a new, unflinching docuseries intimately follows Somy’s work as she illustrates the horrors and frequency of abuse, profiling the very real dangers and emotional impact of transforming a victim into a survivor. “Fight or Flight” documents Somy’s intense, complex, and sometimes heartbreaking work while illuminating the stories of those who retake control of their lives and refuse to be defined by their abuse.
“Obi-Wan Kenobi” – Directed by Deborah Chow (Premieres May 27 on Disney+)
Ewan McGregor reprises the role of Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi for this special series. It begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith,” where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat, the downfall and corruption of his best friend and Jedi apprentice, Anakin Skywalker-turned-evil Sith Lord Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen).
“Tom Swift” – Created by Melinda Hsu Taylor, Noga Landau, and Cameron Johnson (Premieres May 31 on The CW)
In this “Nancy Drew” spinoff, a billionaire inventor, Tom (Tian Richards), is thrust into a world of sci-fi conspiracy and unexplained phenomena after the shocking disappearance of his father.
Returning Series
“Ziwe” – Created by Ziwe Fumudoh (Showtime, May 1)
“Duncanville” – Created by Amy Poehler, Julie Thacker-Scully, and Mike Scully (Fox, May 1)
“Girls5eva” – Created by Meredith Scardino (Peacock, May 5)
“The Wilds” – Created by Sarah Streicher (Prime Video, May 6)
“Tehran” – Created by Dana Eden, Moshe Zonder, and Maor Kohn (Apple TV+, May 6)
“Workin’ Moms” – Created by Catherine Reitman (Netflix, May 10)
“Brotherhood”(Netflix, May 11, 2007)
“Hacks” – Created by Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs (HBO Max, May 12)
“Couples Therapy” (Docuseries) – Directed by Maya Seidler and Pax Wassermann (Showtime, May 13)
“Harriet the Spy”(Apple TV+ May 20)
“Love, Death + Robots” (Anthology) – Created by Jennifer Miller, Tim Miller, David Fincher, and Josh Donen (Netflix, May 20)
“Fantasy Island” – Created by Elizabeth Craft, Sarah Fain, and Gene Levitt (Fox, May 31)
Source: Women And Hollywood
