Nine of the best TV shows to watch this April
Exciting projects are on the horizon, ranging from the highly anticipated video game adaptation Fallout to a fresh interpretation of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Additionally, major series featuring Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. and nominee Lily Gladstone are in the works.
1. Ripley
The upcoming adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's suspenseful novel The Talented Mr. Ripley faces the daunting task of surpassing the acclaimed 1999 film, which starred Matt Damon as the charismatic con man Tom Ripley. However, with Andrew Scott in the lead role, alongside Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf and Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood, the series promises to offer a fresh take on the story.
Set in 1960s Italy, the show delves into darker themes than its predecessor and is characterized by a stylish black-and-white aesthetic.
Scott, who portrays Tom Ripley, emphasizes that while his character may not always be a reliable hero, he remains the central figure of the narrative. Written and directed by Steve Zaillian, the series is poised to captivate audiences with its compelling storyline and visually striking presentation. Ripley is premiered on Netflix internationally since on April 4th.
2. Sugar
Colin Farrell effortlessly embodies the role of a noir-style detective in his portrayal of John Sugar, a private investigator based in modern-day Los Angeles, in a series that draws inspiration from classic 1930s noir films. In this contemporary adaptation, Sugar is a tough yet empathetic character, haunted by past emotional trauma.
When he is hired to find the missing granddaughter of a prominent Hollywood executive, played by James Cromwell, long-buried family secrets come to light. Amy Ryan co-stars as the woman entangled in Sugar's life, reminiscent of the classic "dame" character from old noirs.
Described by The Daily Beast as "Raymond Chandler in a post-Harvey Weinstein world," the show delves into themes of casting couch abuses and sexual blackmail. Directed by Fernando Meirelles, renowned for his work on the gritty film City of God, the series comprises eight episodes, with Meirelles helming five of them. Sugar premiered internationally on Apple TV on April 5th.
3. Dinosaur
Two Brothers Pictures, known for producing acclaimed series like Fleabag and The Tourist, continues its streak with their latest project, Dinosaur.
This comic drama, set in Glasgow, centers around Nina, a woman with autism, who finds herself navigating various challenges after her sister impulsively decides to marry a man she barely knows. Nina juggles a potential new romance, her career as a paleontologist (which gives the show its title), and her responsibilities as maid of honor for the wedding. Ashley Storrie, a stand-up comedian who co-created the series and portrays Nina, brings authenticity to the role as she herself is on the autism spectrum.
Storrie expressed how playing Nina was a profoundly liberating experience for her. Despite the story not initially being set in Scotland, the producers were open to incorporating Scottish elements, making it a uniquely Scottish tale. Dinosaur premiered on Hulu in the US on April 5th and on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the UK in April.
4. Mr Bates vs the Post Office
When this fact-based drama aired in the UK in January, it sparked widespread public attention and prompted the government to enact new legislation. Now making its debut in the US, the series provides a clear and comprehensive account of the Horizon IT scandal, even for viewers unfamiliar with the real-life events.
Toby Jones takes on the role of Alan Bates, one of 700 postal workers wrongly accused of theft and false accounting in 1999 due to a computer software error. Many of them were convicted and sent to prison. The narrative follows Bates as he mobilizes other falsely accused individuals, such as Jo Hamilton, portrayed by Monica Dolan, who finds herself trapped in a nightmarish bureaucratic ordeal. Despite her efforts to prove her innocence, her legal situation only worsens.
The proposed law to exonerate the postal workers and provide financial compensation is still pending, leaving many awaiting justice. This gripping drama is likely to resonate with anyone who has experienced the frustrations of being ensnared in technological mishaps. Mr. Bates vs the Post Office premiered on PBS in the US on April 7th.
5. Franklin
In a surprising casting choice, Michael Douglas takes on the role of Benjamin Franklin, one of the most colorful figures among the Founding Fathers of the United States. Known for his roles in films like Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct, Douglas portrays Franklin as he navigates the diplomatic landscape during the American Revolution, particularly during his time in France seeking support for the cause.
The series highlights Franklin's unique approach to diplomacy, emphasizing persuasion over confrontation, as depicted in the trailer where he states, "Diplomacy must never be a siege but a seduction."
Filmed partially at Versailles, the show boasts lavish production values and draws from Stacey Schiff's acclaimed biography, The Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America, adding a layer of historical authenticity. Noah Jupe stars as Franklin's grandson, Temple, while Eddie Marsan portrays John Adams in a casting choice as unexpected as Douglas' role as Franklin.
6. Fallout
Adapted from the popular video game franchise and set in a distant post-apocalyptic future with a nostalgic nod to the mid-20th century, this series appears to be a natural fit for creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, known for their work on Westworld, which explores various alternate realities. Developed by Nolan and Joy, with Nolan directing the initial three episodes, the story unfolds in a Los Angeles where survivors inhabit underground bunkers known as Vaults.
While the narrative is original, it mirrors the landscape and eccentric characters of the game. Ella Purnell takes the lead as Lucy, a character raised underground, alongside Kyle MacLachlan as her father, a Vault Overseer, and Walter Goggins as The Ghoul, a disfigured bounty hunter.
The series features robots, gunslingers, towering mutant creatures, and other post-nuclear phenomena, akin to themes explored in The Last of Us. With its intelligent and contemplative creators, Nolan has expressed a desire to blur the lines between good and bad, emphasizing the morally ambiguous nature of the characters in this devastated world. Fallout premiered internationally on Amazon Prime on April 12th.
7. The Sympathizer
This ambitious series, based on Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from 2015, tackles a complex blend of themes, including espionage, satire, and cultural exploration. HBO describes it as an "espionage thriller and cross-cultural satire," set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
At its core is the character known as the Captain, portrayed by Hoa Xuande, a North Vietnamese double agent navigating between Vietnam and the US. Robert Downey Jr. takes on four distinct roles, each representing different facets of American power. The series is helmed by two showrunners: Canadian director Don McKellar and renowned Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook, known for his work on Oldboy, who directed three of the seven episodes.
Park emphasizes the significance of South Korea's involvement in the Vietnam War, stating that this aspect resonated deeply with him. "This didn't feel like someone else's story to me," he told CNN. The Sympathizer premiered on HBO and HBO Max in the US on April 14th and is set to debut on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK in May.
8. Under the Bridge
While true crime series are plentiful, what sets this one apart is the stellar performances of its two leads. Lily Gladstone, fresh off her recent Oscar nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon, takes on the role of Cam, a determined police officer investigating the murder of teenage girl Reena, portrayed by Vritika Gupta, in a small British Columbia town. Gladstone infuses her character with a palpable intensity and conviction.
Riley Keough stars as Rebecca, a writer who returns to the town after a decade and becomes entangled in uncovering the story behind Reena's life and death, as well as the involvement of a group of girls accused in the attack.
The series, set in 1997, draws inspiration from Rebecca Godfrey's non-fiction book about the murder. Creator Quinn Shephard emphasizes the book's influence on the show, particularly in its exploration of childhood and the experiences of the teenagers involved.
Under the Bridge premieres on Hulu on April 17th.
9. The Veil
Elisabeth Moss, known for her role in The Handmaid's Tale, takes on a new challenge, this time adopting a British accent, as she portrays Imogen, a brilliant yet unpredictable MI6 agent in the latest series penned by Steven Knight, the mastermind behind Peaky Blinders.
In this gripping thriller, Moss's character embarks on a journey from Istanbul to Paris and London alongside her mission target, a woman named Adilah, played by Yumna Marwan, a refugee with hidden secrets that Imogen must uncover.
As they engage in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, they must navigate a web of truth and deception to prevent a devastating attack on US soil. Josh Charles joins the cast as a CIA officer overseeing the operation.
Knight, currently immersed in the Peaky Blinders movie project, continues his streak of delivering dark and suspenseful narratives. The Veil is set to premiere on Hulu on April 30th.
