Netflix’s Diplomat, Neon’s Love & Death, Prime Videos Citadel Among April’s Must-See TVs

A huge crop of fresh and returning series makes the prospect of curling up in front of a screen even more appealing as the nights get longer and it gets colder outside this month.

For free-to-air fans, there are new seasons of it Lego Masters NZThe Rookie (both April 10, TVNZ 2), 7 days (April 13, three), fit (April 12 Three) and Hard Quiz (April 13, TVNZ 1), as well as the debut of Kiwi reality competition Blow Up (April 17 Three) and travel series Jimmy Doherty’s New Zealand Escape (April 12 Eden).

Elsewhere, Neon has the latest episodes of Barry (April 17) and Dave (April 8), while the Apple TV+ lineup includes more Schmigadoon (April 5), as well as oenology drama Drops of God (April 21) and children’s series Jane (April 14).

Disney+ boasts the Jeremy Renner-hosted lifestyle program Rennervations (April 12), the Alexander Armstrong narrated docuseries History: The Interest Bits (April 5) and the teen basketball drama The Crossover (April 5), TVNZ+ has the western show Django (April 13) and a “reimagining” of the 1987 adult thriller Fatal Attraction (April 30) and Prime Video debuts James Marsden comedy Jury Duty, Indian historical drama Jubilee (both April 7) and David Attenborough’s latest nature series wild islands (Apr 21).

Finally, the return of the Aotearoa shot is one of the highlights among Netflix’s eclectic mass arrivals Sweet tooth (April 27), Casablanca-inspired Transatlantic (April 7), erotic thriller Obsession (April 13), Korean political drama Queenmaker (April 14), Danish series The Nurse (April 27), and the New Zealand debut of Miriam’s travelogue Margoyles Nearly Australian (April 24).

But after looking at the schedules, Things to watch has made our pick of the dozens of shows we think are worth checking out in the coming weeks.

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* A Town Called Malice: Neon’s lurid, flavorful, slightly fruity 1980s crime thriller cocktail
* Up Here: Disney+ delivers a delightful new pre-millennium scare musical rom-com

Beef (April 6, Netflix)

from Minari Steven Yeun and Paper girls Ali Wong goes head-to-head in this 10-part drama series about two people whose road accident begins to consume their thoughts and actions. He’s a failing contractor with a chip on his shoulder. She is a self-made entrepreneur with a seemingly picturesque life.

“A feast of sharp comedy, wild suspense and disarming empathy,” wrote Angie Ha of The Hollywood ReporterN.

Tree! Tree! The World Against Boris Becker (April 7, Apple TV+)

Alex Gibneys (Completely under control) two-part docuseries about the rise and fall of former tennis star Boris Becker. It promises to explore every aspect of the German, who became a sporting sensation after winning Wimbledon at the age of 17, including his high-profile, sometimes tumultuous personal life.

“Fabulously paced, beautifully shot, with spirited, insightful contributions from Borg, McEnroe and an unexpectedly wry Mats Wilander,” wrote Kevin Maher of The Times.

Citadel (April 28, Prime Video)

Richard Madden, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville team up for this six-part sci-fi action thriller about one man’s (Tucci) attempts to revive an independent global espionage agency after it was destroyed by a nefarious, powerful rival syndicate.

To achieve his goal, however, he must persuade two former employees (Madden and Chopra Jones) to return to a world that has been erased from their memory and almost cost them their lives.

A second season has already been green-lit and a series of spin-offs are in the works, set in different countries and languages.

The Company You Keep (April 5, Disney+)

Based on the South Korean show My Fellow Citizens, this American crime drama tells the story of con artist Charlie (This is us’ Milo Ventimiglia) and undercover CIA officer Emma (Catherine Haena Kim). While a night of passion sparks a love affair between the pair, they are on a collision course professionally.

“That The Company You Keep treats its characters as intelligent – not only capable of pulling a scam, but designing one that utilizes their ingenuity and their humor – feels like a breath of fresh air,” he wrote. Daniel D’Addario of Variety.

Dead Ringers (April 21, Prime Video)

Rachel Weisz headlines this six-part series based on David Cronenberg’s 1988 psychological thriller. Like Jeremy Irons from that film, she plays the Mantle twins, Elliot and Beverly, who both work as gynecologists.

The siblings share everything: drugs, lovers, and an unashamed desire to do what it takes – including pushing the boundaries of medical ethics.

The update was written by Lady Macbeth, The miracle And Normal people screenwriter Alice Birch.

The Diplomat (April 20, Netflix)

Americans Keri Russell is joined by David Gyasi, Rory Kinnear and Rufus Sewell for this eight-part action thriller.

Set in the midst of an international crisis, it follows career diplomat Kate Wyler (Russell), as she lands in a high-profile job for which she is not suited. It’s a move that has tectonic implications for both her marriage and her political future.

The show was created by former Grey’s Anatomy and The West Wing writer Deborah Cahn.

Dreamland (April 6 Neon)

Pop star Lily Allen and New Amsterdam‘s Freema Agyeman team up for this six-part British comedy based on Sharon Horgan’s (Bad sisters) Morgana Robinson’s short summer from 2017.

Exploring the dynamics of an often dysfunctional multi-generational Margate family, it focuses on the lives, lies, secrets and aspirations of four sisters and – in particular – the pregnant Trish (Agyeman) and the disruptive, recently returned Mel (Allen). ).

“A candy-colored comedy with bold emotional and intellectual depth,” wrote Meg Walters of Independent.ie.

The Last Thing He Told Me (April 14, Apple TV+)

This highly anticipated seven-part drama is based on Laura Dave’s critically acclaimed, best-selling 2021 novel.

Jennifer Garner plays Hannah, a woman forced to bond with her 16-year-old stepdaughter Bailey (Spider-Man: Homecomings Angourie Rice) to uncover the truth about why her husband Owen (Game of Thrones’ Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) has mysteriously disappeared.

Love and Death (April 28, neon)

Hot on the heels of last year’s Melanie Lynskey actors Sweetscomes this six-part true crime drama that is also based on the case of Wylie, Texas housewife Candy Montgomery, who was framed for the ruthless 1980 murder of her friend Betty Gore.

from Wanda Vision Elizabeth Olsen takes on the lead role, while the supporting cast of this David E. Kelley written (Undo itBig Little Lies) story includes Jesse Plemons, Patrick Fugit, and Lily Rabe.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (April 14, Prime Video)

Rachel Brosnahan’s aspiring mid-20th century American comedian is back for a final run of nine episodes.

After fighting back from a low point in her career, Midge is closer than ever to the success she dreamed of. But, as she’s about to discover, that may be a long way off.

Nolly (April 9, TVNZ 1)

Years and years, It’s a sin and returning Doctor Who showrunner Russell T. Davies turns his attention to the reign and fall from grace of inimitable British soap star Noele Gordon for this three-part ITV drama. Helena Bonham-Carter writes the Scottish actor who played Meg Mortimer/Richardson/Ryder from Crossroads for over 17 years.

“You can’t hear the writing in Nolly, and you certainly can’t see the acting. Instead you stand still, hypnotized by Davies’ masterful campy-fever dream,” wrote Michael Idato of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tiny Beautiful Things (April 7, Disney+)

Based on 2012’s best-selling literary collection Wild author Cheryl Strayed, this eight-part dramedy follows Clare (Kathryn Hahn), a struggling writer who becomes a respected advice columnist as her own life falls apart.

Executive produced by Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, while Strayed has said that while the character isn’t exactly her, “pieces came out of my life”. “She had to have a mother who died young of cancer, who married young and then divorced. Like me, she had to grow up in a rural environment.”