Actors Darla Contois and Lisa Edelstein from the Crave and APTN Lumi series "Little Bird." Contois stars as a young woman seeking answers on how her familial ties were cut by the federal government as part of the Sixties Scoop. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-APTN, CRAVE, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Here’s a roundup of standout TV series and films debuting on subscription streaming platforms in May:
“Little Bird”
Named Esther Rosenblum when she was adopted by a Jewish family as a young child, Bezhig Little Bird still remembers a life years earlier with her birth family. Now in her 20s, some memories of her past are faint and traumatic. But as her wedding day approaches, she feels an urgency to trace her roots. Leaving behind her fiancé, she embarks on a journey that leads her from Quebec to the Canadian prairies as she seeks answers on how her familial ties were cut by the federal government as part of the Sixties Scoop. Unflinching and sometimes brutally violent in how it portrays the treatment of Indigenous peoples by Canadian police and foster care, this six-episode drama is likely to stoke conversations and serious reflection. Following the final episode on June 30, Crave and APTN Lumi will release “Coming Home,” a documentary film with historical context on the Sixties Scoop. (Crave and APTN Lumi, May 26, episode weekly)
“Silo”
In the distant future, the last 10,000 people on Earth have taken refuge in a mile-deep cement structure that shelters them from the deadly elements outside. Nobody understands how civilization wound up inside the Silo more than a hundred years earlier and most are not asking questions. Then one day, a woman (Rashida Jones) decides to confront her suspicions that not everything is as it seems. She requests to be freed from the Silo, setting off a series of events that push the structure’s lead engineer (Rebecca Ferguson) to wonder if secrets are being kept buried for a reason, a concern that intensifies as her friends begin to turn up dead. Massive in its scope, this 10-episode thriller is one of the year’s most technically ambitious series, anchored by a powerful musical score and solid performances from a cast that includes Will Patton, David Oyelowo, Tim Robbins and Common. (Apple TV Plus, May 5, episodes weekly)
“Platonic”
“Neighbors” co-stars Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne reunite to play two former best friends whose platonic relationship soured after they both married their respective partners. When news of his divorce spreads through social media, her idle hands can’t resist poking around for answers on why their marriage fell apart. Sneakily reconnecting with him, the two hit it off like old times. But their rekindled friendship begins to rattle the foundation of adulthood around them. Anchored by Rogen and Byrne who seem to be having the time of their lives in the roles, “Platonic” is a funny take on midlife crises that will appeal to viewers who miss the heyday of Judd Apatow films. (Apple TV Plus, May 24, episodes weekly)
“American Born Chinese”
Jin Wang isn’t exactly one of the cool kids, yet he’s coasted through high school with relative ease. That all changes when he’s paired with a new international student from China who shows up in class and recontextualizes Jin’s identity in the eyes of his peers. Suddenly, he starts getting treated as an Asian stereotype his friends see in the media. If that isn’t complicated enough, Jin learns his new classmate also happens to be the son of a mythological god who has appears with ulterior motives. A potent mixture of social commentary and awe-inspiring special effects, the eight-episode series co-stars “Everything Everywhere All At Once” Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. (Disney Plus, May 24)
“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
Slip into your most comfortable corset and prepare to dig deeper into the “Bridgerton” universe with a limited series prequel that recounts the rise of Queen Charlotte, a key character from the Regency period TV drama. Relative newcomer India Amarteifio stars as the younger queen whose marriage to King George led to a social shift in the monarchy. While the Queen Charlotte character was not present in Julia Quinn’s original novels, she became a fan favourite in the Netflix TV series where she was originally portrayed by Golda Rosheuvel. “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” is written by “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes, whose company produced the original series. (Netflix, May 4)
ALSO THIS MONTH:
“Rye Lane” ““ Two teenagers hot off their fizzled relationships connect in a stroll through south London. (Disney Plus, Now streaming)
“White House Plumbers” ““ Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux play a real-life pair of political operators for Richard Nixon who accidentally topple his presidency. A satirical take on history that plays out over five episodes. (Crave, May 1, episodes weekly)
“M3gan” ““ A life-like A.I. doll wreaks havoc on a robotics developer. (Prime Video, May 6)
“The Muppets Mayhem” ““ Canadian comedian Lilly Singh and electronic DJ Deadmau5 are among the ensemble involved in the latest Muppets adventure, set around the Electric Mayhem Band as they channel their 1970s rock energy into recording their first album. (Disney Plus, May 10)
“Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me” – Unseen footage and untold stories colour a documentary on the life of the famed Playboy model and actress who became tabloid fodder before her sudden death at 39 years old. (Netflix, May 16)
“High Desert” ““ Patricia Arquette plays a recovering addict who tries to get on the right track by becoming a private investigator in this offbeat comedy. (Apple TV Plus, May 17, episodes weekly)
“The Family Stallone” ““ Sylvester Stallone, his wife and their daughters are the subject of a reality series. (Paramount Plus, May 17, episodes weekly)
“The Whale” ““ Canadian-American Brendan Fraser won best actor at the Oscars with his role as a reclusive and morbidly obese man trying to make amends. (Prime Video, May 19)
“Fubar” ““ Arnold Schwarzenegger channels his “True Lies” comedic persona as a retired CIA operative who discovers his daughter has been harbouring a big secret. (Netflix, May 25)
“Women Talking” ““ Sarah Polley’s Oscar-winning screenplay about a group of women in an isolated community who balance their faith with new truths. (Prime Video, May 28)
RETURNING SERIES: Netflix pulls out new seasons of two of its most popular reality series. On “Queer Eye,” out on May 12, the Fab Five make over a group of frat boys and a deli owner, while “Selling Sunset” welcomes new blood into the realtor circle on May 19. The long-awaited third season of the Emmy-winning sketch comedy series “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” arrives on May 30.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2023.
