April showers bring May flowers, and our monthly TV Anticipation Report proves that spring programming is in full bloom. In terms of brand new series to look forward to, first up is a new Netflix original, The Rain. The series follows two Danish siblings emerging after a rain-related virus nearly wipes out the Scandinavian population. Close behind at No. 2 is NBC’s latest thriller, Reverie, and the return of Sarah Shahi to TV. The show centers around a former hostage negotiator turned college professor who must save innocent people lost in a virtual-reality program.
Coming in at No. 3 is Showtime/Sky Atlantic’s, Patrick Melrose. Based on the novels by Edward St. Aubyn, the five-part limited series follows Melrose (Benedict Cumberbatch) throughout different stages in his unstable life from a troubling childhood to addiction and recovery.
At No. 4 on May’s Report, Michael C. Hall plays widowed father in the upcoming Netflix crime drama, Safe. After his eldest daughter disappears, Tom (Hall) begins a search and soon discovers that his idyllic community might not be so quaint after all. Starz takes it home with new show, Sweetbitter (No. 5). Premiering May 6th, this coming-of-age story will introduce us to New York City-newbie, Tess, who begins her job at a fast-paced downtown restaurant while trying to maintain her own new, busy lifestyle.
Netflix is at the forefront of returning shows with programs, Dear White People (No. 1) and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (No 2). Dear White People left us with several questions that the second season plans to answer. Upcoming episodes handle the aftermath of a failed protest, the repercussions that follow students, and the reveal of new secrets. The hilarious Kimmy Schmidt has grown its TV Time followers 57% since last season, and is set to deliver comic relief on May 30th with the first six episodes of Season 4. (The second half will air later this year.)
With a third season on the horizon, the science-fiction drama, Colony, lands the No. 3 spot. The USA show’s popularity increased with 61% growth since last year’s spring finale. Also making a comeback for Season 3 is TNT’s Animal Kingdom (No. 4). The Southern California crime show’s latest season brings Denis Leary on board as a “drifter dad” to make amends, while History Channel’s Navy SEALs SIX (No. 5) featuring Olivia Munn, follows the team’s mission to destroy a terrorist network responsible for shooting their former leader. Both Animal Kingdom and SIX are scheduled to premiere Memorial Day weekend, and have nearly doubled their TV Time followers since their 2017 finales.
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