The Testaments is a Hulu dystopian drama and the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, adapted from Margaret Atwood's 2019 Booker Prize-winning novel. Created by Bruce Miller, who stepped away from running the original series specifically to develop it, the show returns to the theocratic nation of Gilead more than a decade after Offred's story.
Ann Dowd returns as the fearsome Aunt Lydia, narrating the machinery of Gilead from the inside. The story follows two young women on opposite sides of the border: Agnes (Chase Infiniti), raised entirely within Gilead's rigid order, and Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a defiant teenager in Canada. Their converging fates drive a coming-of-age tale about resistance and complicity, with Elisabeth Moss returning as June Osborne.
Premiering in April 2026, The Testaments earned generally favorable reviews, with an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, for extending the franchise through a younger lens, and Hulu renewed it for a second season after it crossed 45 million hours streamed. It is streaming on Hulu.
"I Know This Much Is True" is a six-part miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Wally Lamb. The series was created and written by Derek Cianfrance and premiered on HBO in May 2020.
The series stars Mark Ruffalo in a dual role as identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. The story follows Dominick as he navigates his troubled relationship with his brother, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. The series explores themes such as mental illness, family dynamics, and the nature of identity.
The series has received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, particularly Ruffalo's portrayal of both brothers, and its emotional depth. It has also been praised for its sensitive and nuanced portrayal of mental illness and the impact it can have on families. Overall, "I Know This Much Is True" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.
"The Newsroom" is an American television series created by Aaron Sorkin. It aired on HBO from 2012 to 2014 and follows the behind-the-scenes workings of a fictional cable news network, ACN.
The show's main character is Will McAvoy, a news anchor who decides to take a new approach to reporting the news after a public outburst. The show explores topics such as political correctness, journalistic ethics, and the role of the media in society. It also features a talented ensemble cast, including Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, and Olivia Munn.
The series received both praise and criticism for its portrayal of the news media, with some viewers praising it for its thought-provoking and insightful commentary on the state of journalism, while others criticized it for being overly idealistic and lacking in realism. Nevertheless, "The Newsroom" remains a popular and influential series that sparked important conversations about the media's role in modern society.
"The Plot Against America" is a six-part miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Philip Roth. The series was created by David Simon and Ed Burns and aired on HBO in March 2020.
The series is set in an alternate history where Charles Lindbergh, a famous aviator and isolationist, becomes president of the United States in 1940, defeating Franklin D. Roosevelt in the presidential election. Lindbergh's presidency leads to the country taking a turn towards fascism, and the series follows the experiences of a Jewish family living in Newark, New Jersey, as they face the consequences of this shift in power.
The series explores themes of anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and the erosion of democracy. It has been praised for its powerful performances, strong writing, and timely relevance in the current political climate. The series also received multiple Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Mark Ruffalo's performance as the patriarch of the Jewish family.
"Show Me a Hero" is a six-part miniseries based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Lisa Belkin. The series was created by David Simon, who is best known for his work on "The Wire" and "Treme." It was produced by HBO and premiered in August 2015.
The series is set in Yonkers, New York, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and tells the story of the city's response to a federal court order to build low-income housing in a white, middle-class neighborhood. The decision to build the housing was met with opposition from many of the neighborhood's residents, and the resulting conflict became a national news story.
The series focuses on several key players in the conflict, including the mayor of Yonkers, Nick Wasicsko, who initially opposed the court order but eventually came to support it, and a group of residents who formed the Save Yonkers Federation to fight against the housing. The series explores issues of race, class, and politics, and has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of complex characters and its examination of the impact of racism and prejudice on communities."
The New Pope is a drama series that premiered on Sky Atlantic in Italy in January 2020. Created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, it serves as a continuation of the 2016 series The Young Pope, featuring Jude Law as Pope Pius XIII and John Malkovich as Pope John Paul III, the new pope. The series is co-produced by The Apartment, Wildside, Haut et Court TV, and Mediapro.
The story revolves around Pope Pius XIII's coma, and the papal conclave that elects Pope John Paul III as his successor. The new pope is characterized as a more open-minded and humble leader, in contrast to his predecessor's authoritarianism. Other notable characters include Cardinal Angelo Voiello, Camerlengo, and Cardinal Secretary of State, who is at odds with Cardinal Hernández during the conclave, and Sofia Dubois, who oversees marketing for the Holy See.
The New Pope features an ensemble cast that includes Silvio Orlando, Cécile de France, Javier Cámara, Ludivine Sagnier, and Massimo Ghini, among others. It also includes guest appearances from Marilyn Manson and Sharon Stone. The series has received positive reviews for its production values, performances, and themes. It explores complex topics such as faith, power, and morality in a thought-provoking manner, making it an engaging watch for viewers interested in drama and politics.
"The Young Pope" is a television series that premiered on HBO in 2016. The show follows the life of Lenny Belardo, a young and controversial American pontiff who becomes the first American pope in history. The series explores the political intrigue and power struggles within the Vatican, as well as Lenny's personal struggles with faith and identity.
The show was created by Paolo Sorrentino and features a talented cast, including Jude Law as Lenny and Diane Keaton as Sister Mary, a nun who serves as his closest advisor. The series has been noted for its stunning visuals, intricate plot, and strong performances. The show explores themes of power, faith, and the human condition, as Lenny tries to navigate the complex and treacherous world of the Vatican.
"The Young Pope" was critically acclaimed and received multiple award nominations during its one-season run. The show's success led to a follow-up series, "The New Pope," which premiered in 2020. The second series features a similar cast and explores similar themes, but also introduces new characters and storylines. The show has been praised for its bold and daring storytelling, as well as its ability to provoke thought and conversation about religion and the nature of faith.
"The Alienist" is a television series that premiered on TNT in 2018. It is based on the novel of the same name by Caleb Carr and is set in 1896 in New York City. The show follows a team of experts, including a psychologist or "alienist," a newspaper illustrator, and a police secretary, as they investigate a series of gruesome murders of young male prostitutes.
The show explores themes of psychology, criminal profiling, and corruption within the police force. The team must navigate the complex and dangerous world of 19th-century New York City to catch the killer before he strikes again. Along the way, they confront their own personal demons and form close bonds with one another.
"The Alienist" was praised for its stunning cinematography, attention to historical detail, and strong performances by its cast, which includes Dakota Fanning, Luke Evans, and Daniel Brühl. The show was renewed for a second season, which premiered in 2020 and is set one year after the events of the first season. The second season is titled "The Alienist: Angel of Darkness" and follows the same team as they investigate the kidnapping of a Spanish diplomat's infant daughter.
