The best TV series to watch in May, in pills

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D4XI66Vd3E

A rich and varied serial May is expected. From tales of pure entertainment (in costume and not), to some forays into more difficult genres through classy remakes (on paper).

Fatal Attraction

(Paramount+, May 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D4XI66Vd3E

Serial reinterpretation in eight episodes of the 1987 cult film (of the same name) (with Glenn Close and Michael Douglas), the series centers on Daniel Gallagher (Joshua Jackson) who, after serving fifteen years in prison for being accused of killing the his mistress Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), is paroled and tries to rebuild his relationship with his family – especially his daughter Ellen – and to prove his innocence. The narration therefore alternates between two temporal planes: in flashbacks his relationship with Alex in the past is told, the obsessiveness and morbidity that becomes homicidal attraction, while in the present it is narrated the reconstruction of Daniel’s life as an individual and father. A series that rests on an iconic narrative imagery, two protagonists who have all the credentials to guarantee the right chemistry and a productive care that bodes well.

A small light

(Disney+, May 2)

Miniseries produced by National Geographic which follows the well-known events of the character of Anne Frank from a different narrative perspective. Indeed, here the story is told from the point of view of a young girl – Miep Gies – who is asked by Otto Frank to hide him and her family during the Nazi occupation of World War II. Miep decides to help Otto’s family and for two years she hides, with the collaboration of her husband Jan, the Franks in a secret quarters. A (true) story that reinterprets a classic from a different angle, allowing you to bring attention to a story that is always full of charm and that still speaks to our present.

Queen Charlotte

(Netflix, May 4)

Bridgerton enthusiasts will be satisfied with this spin-off (six episodes of over sixty minutes each) of the series that focuses on Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel), whose journey we follow from when she was a child until her accession to the throne , without neglecting – indeed emphasizing – the story of her love affair with King George (Corey Mylchreest). The love and relational dynamics between the characters always act as the fulcrum, here with a particular eye to King George’s illness that even Charlotte has to face and to the social transformations that the kingdom goes through. A series of intrigues, conspiracies, longed and incarnate love and a little patina. Shonda Rhimes docet, you know what you buy.

Silo

(Apple TV+, May 5)

Based on Hugh Howey’s series of novels, this ten-episode story features Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson). We are in a post-apocalyptic world where, following some toxic fumes, humanity has been decimated. The ten thousand people who survived went to live in an underground silo that protects them from the outside world. Juliette is an engineer who is in the silo looking for answers on the death of a loved one and who, in her investigation, will find himself discovering unspeakable secrets about this underground world sunk into the bowels of the Earth. A series for those who love sci-fi, adventure and high voltage stories, linked to other worlds and full of pitfalls.

Queen Cleopatra

(Netflix, May 10, docuseries)

Jada Pinckett Smith (wife of Will Smith) is the producer of this docuseries (already much discussed) which focuses on the most famous Egyptian queen (played by African-American actress Adele James). The portrait of an enigmatic, seductive woman with a strong-willed character is returned. The last Pharaoh of Egypt is told in his way of managing power, in his personal choices up to his loves such as the one with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The narrative – as with any only partially fictional story – is interspersed with interviews with historians and experts who frame the figure of Cleopatra from different perspectives, trying to give a well-rounded story of the queen. The “Americanata” risk is decidedly high, it is advisable to watch the pilot with the (cautious) benefit of the doubt.

Burning city

(Apple TV+, May 12)

Inspired by the novel of the same name by Garth Risk Hallberg and created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, the series tells the story of a student at New York University who is killed in Central Park – without any witnesses – on July 4, 2003. Samantha, this is the name of the young woman, had gone to see a concert with some friends only to then have walked away, for no reason, and subsequently been attacked. During the investigation it emerges that Samantha was connected – in a completely mysterious way – to some fires that had developed in the city. A story full of mystery, well orchestrated and based on a solid and well articulated novel. De gustibus.

Platonic

(Apple tv+, May 24v)

The concept of this series is as basic as it is potentially fruitful. Ten half-hour episodes tell the story of the relationship – always platonic – between two old friends played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. The two meet again after several years and in a very short time the bond of the past is strengthened, made up of complicity, immediacy and lots of laughter. But how to understand if something other than a friendship is being born between the two? A light and polite comedy, for those looking for a little escape without giving up a certain taste.

Fubar

(Netflix, May 25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS2ohc9UPbY

The former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger also competes with a TV series. He plays retired CIA agent Luke who accidentally discovers that his daughter Emma is also a secret agent. He will therefore have to help his daughter and carry out his last mission, accompanied by shootings, chases and hand-to-hand fights. A story that mixes comedy action and family drama with a pure escapist vocation.