As an avid TV viewer, I am always looking for new shows and new seasons of familiar favorites. Here are a few series I am looking forward to watching this spring, which will hopefully give you inspiration for your next watch or remind you of a new season on the way.
“The Testaments,” a sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale,” is based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name. The series follows teenagers Agnes (Chase Infiniti), Daisy (Lucy Halliday) and Shunammite (Rowan Blanchard) as they navigate life in Gilead at a prestigious school.
I watched Season 1 of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” but I ultimately stopped because I found it too dark. Based on its description and trailer, “The Testaments” seems to have a lighter tone than its predecessor. I also enjoyed Infiniti in “One Battle After Another” and am looking forward to seeing her take on a different kind of role here. I grew up watching Blanchard on “Girl Meets World,” and I am excited to see her take on a more adult role.
Season 1 of “The Testaments” premieres April 8 on Hulu.
“Hacks” Season 5
“Hacks” follows veteran comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and the working relationship she forms with younger writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). As Vance tries to stay relevant and Daniels works to establish herself as a Hollywood writer, the series explores their complicated personal and professional lives.
Season 5 of “Hacks” will be the show’s final season. Since its premiere in 2021, the series has maintained its strong plot, comedy and relevance, even with changes in location and the addition of new characters. It also addresses sensitive issues in the comedy industry, such as misogyny and ageism, without feeling performative. I have found the show both engaging and genuinely funny, and while I cannot wait to watch the final season, I am disappointed it is coming to an end.
Seasons 1 through 4 of “Hacks” are currently available on HBO Max, and Season 5 premieres April 9.
Based on Rufi Thorpe’s novel “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” the series follows a young single mother who turns to OnlyFans to make money after an affair with her college professor. The show stars Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman and Nicole Kidman.
I heard about this show on the podcast “SmartLess,” where Fanning appeared as a guest, and it convinced me to check it out. The series was not on my radar, and it does not seem like something I would normally watch because the premise feels similar to other shows focused on how money can drive people to make extreme choices. Still, with Fanning producing and a talented cast involved, I am expecting strong writing and performances.
“Margo’s Got Money Troubles” premieres April 15 on Apple TV.
“Beef” Season 2
“Beef” is an anthology series with elements of both drama and comedy. The first season, released in 2023, centered on a road rage incident between two strangers that spiraled out of control. The second season will focus on a young couple played by Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton and an older couple played by Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan. The season will also feature Youn Yuh-jung and Song Kang-ho. Still, not much has been revealed yet about the plot or the characters.
I jumped on the hype train for “Beef” Season 1 and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The show took unexpected turns and, combined with strong writing and acting, lived up to the hype. Based on the trailer and the limited information released so far, Season 2 appears to focus on those same elements of conflict, drama and comedy. However, the scope of the show seems to have expanded through its characters and setting. I hope the show maintains some of the absurdity and weirdness that made its first season so unique; I will be tuning in to find out.
“Beef” Season 2 premieres April 16 on Netflix.
“The Four Seasons” Season 2
“The Four Seasons” is a comedy series centered on a group of lifelong friends who take multiple trips together throughout a year while navigating their relationships in the later stages of life. Season 1, which starred Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Will Forte and Colman Domingo, ended on a cliffhanger, which is where Season 2 picks up.
I started this show without many expectations or much knowledge of what it would be about, but I was pleasantly surprised. It blends comedy and drama well, largely because of its strong cast. I look forward to seeing how the show picks up after the Season 1 cliffhanger, which seems to shift the tone entirely.
“The Four Seasons” Season 2 airs on Netflix May 28.
