From a gripping Yellowstone spin-off to a bold adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel about stranded schoolboys, and a supernatural thriller from the Stranger Things creators, these 11 standout series offer prime viewing this May.
1. Lord of the Flies
Jack Thorne, acclaimed writer of the series Adolescence and the stage hit Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, adapts William Golding’s 1954 novel. The story follows schoolboys stranded on an island where survival instincts shatter social order. Each episode spotlights a unique character, such as the bullied Piggy (David McKenna), and rival leaders Ralph (Winston Sawyers) and Jack (Lox Pratt).
Thorne highlights the story’s relevance: “As a society we’re having a conversation right now about boys. We’re losing a generation of boys and we’re losing it because of the hate they are ingesting – because it is an answer to their loneliness and isolation.”
Premiering May 4 on Netflix internationally, available now in the UK.
2. The Other Bennet Sister
This charming series explores Mary Bennet, the overlooked middle sister from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Ella Bruccoleri vividly portrays the bookish, bespectacled Mary, while Richard E. Grant shines as the wry Mr. Bennet and Ruth Jones delivers a comically selfish Mrs. Bennet.
Drawing from Janice Hadlow’s 2020 novel, the plot ventures beyond Austen as Indira Varma and Richard Coyle excel as Mary’s aunt and uncle in London. Colorful episodes track her romantic adventures and suitor choices, culminating in a classic Austen resolution.
Premiering May 6 on BritBox internationally, streaming now in the UK.
3. Legends
This fast-paced 1990s thriller draws from real events where ordinary customs agents received minimal training to go undercover against UK drug-smuggling gangs. Steve Coogan leads as the operations head, recruiting agents like Tom Burke (from CB Strike) and Hayley Squires (The Night Manager) to forge new identities for high-stakes missions.
Burke describes his character’s drive: “He simply needs to do something like this because it’s meaningful and purposeful but also because it’s dangerous.” He adds that beneath the everyday facade lies “an adrenaline junkie.” Created by Neil Forsyth, also behind the fact-based heist drama The Gold.
Premiering May 7 on Netflix internationally.
4. Off Campus
Prime Video’s college romance, inspired by Elle Kennedy’s 2015 novel The Deal, follows music major Hannah (Ella Bright), uninterested in hockey, and star player Garrett (Belmont Cameli). Their pact—she tutors him to boost his grades, he fakes dating her to spark jealousy—ignites predictable sparks.
The trailer teases steamy off-ice drama, echoing HBO’s Heated Rivalry. Already renewed for season two.
Premiering May 13 on Prime Video internationally.
5. Rivals
Based on Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire novels, this frothy 1980s drama returns with David Tennant as scheming media mogul Lord Tony Baddingham, surviving a cliffhanger to clash with broadcaster Declan O’Hara (Aidan Turner) and politician Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell).
Returning cast includes Katherine Parkinson as novelist Lizzie, Claire Rushbrook as Lady Baddingham, and Bella Maclean as Declan’s daughter Taggie, entangled with Rupert. The season splits into batches, promising champagne, revenge, power struggles, and neighborhood affairs.
Premiering May 15 on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK.
6. Dutton Ranch
Taylor Sheridan’s highly anticipated Yellowstone spin-off centers on fan-favorite couple Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser). Relocating from Montana to Texas, they defend a new ranch against threats.
Sheridan attracts A-listers like Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford in 1923, or Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell in The Madison. Supporting roles feature Annette Bening as a rival rancher and Ed Harris as a veterinarian, amid cowboy hats and Western grit.
Premiering May 15 on Paramount+ in the US and UK.
7. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed
Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black, She-Hulk) stars as divorced fact-checker Paula in a custody fight with ex Jake Johnson. Her routine unravels after spotting a crime, leading to amateur sleuthing, blackmail, and murder amid online chats with sex-cam worker Trevor (Brandon Flynn).
Dolly de Leon plays the real detective, Murray Bartlett Trevor’s partner. Director David Gordon Green and creator David Rosen aim to break norms: “There’s enough rascal in us to want to push buttons.”
Premiering May 20 on Apple TV internationally.
8. The Boroughs
Imagine Stranger Things characters aged 50 years in a retirement community. Produced by the Duffer Brothers, Alfred Molina leads as widower Sam, joining Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Bill Pullman, and Denis O’Hare. Strange events like emerging claws prompt a world-saving probe.
Co-creator Will Matthews teases the monster’s plight: “How do you deal with ageing? That’s true for the monster, too. How old is the monster, really?”
Premiering May 21 on Netflix internationally.
9. Spider-Noir
Available in black-and-white or color, this 1930s tale stars Nicolas Cage as jaded PI Ben Reilly with Spider-Man powers from an alternate universe. Noir style evokes The Maltese Falcon.
Cage describes the role: “The character was 70% [Humphrey] Bogart and 30% Bugs Bunny. I was basically Mel Blanc with that sarcastic sense of humour. But it’s 100% me.” Cast includes Lamorne Morris as reporter friend, Karen Rodriguez as secretary, Li Jun Li as singer, and Brendan Gleeson as crime boss Silvermane.
Premiering May 25 on MGM+ in the US and May 27 on Prime Video internationally.
10. The Four Seasons
Tina Fey stars and co-creates this comedy on middle-aged friendships and marriages, with seasonal group vacations exposing tensions. Returning high-profile cast includes Fey and Will Forte as a couple, Colman Domingo and Marco Calvani as partners.
Steve Carell’s character dies post-season one; new dynamics involve his ex-wife (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and pregnant girlfriend (Erika Henningsen), ripe for trip chaos.
Premiering May 28 on Netflix internationally.
11. Star City
This For All Mankind spin-off shifts to the Soviet perspective in an alternate history where the USSR reaches the Moon first. Now in its fifth season with Mars colonies, Star City rewinds to the space race origins.
Rhys Ifans portrays the Chief Designer, pressured by KGB officer Anna Maxwell Martin to launch inexperienced cosmonaut Alice Englert for a historic female Moon landing. Named after Moscow’s real cosmonaut center.
Premiering May 29 on Apple TV internationally.
