We love the sight of blooming flowers, but do you know what might be even better? The sight of all the new and returning original series filling our Netflix menu this May. As well as the return of Easy and She's Gotta Have It [1], among many other popular shows, this month will bring the debut of some brand new series, including what will probably be our new twisted teen addiction [2] and a Renée Zellweger-led neo-noir thriller that we hope will fill the void until Black Mirror finally returns. Read on for all of the series you should be excited about this May.
Dead to Me, Season 1
This dark comedy from Liz Feldman, the writer of 2 Broke Girls, will tell the story of an unlikely friendship that blossoms between Judy, a free spirit played by Linda Cardellini, and Jen, an uptight widow played by Christina Applegate [4].
When it's available: May 3 [5]
Flinch, Season 1
In this bizarre new game show hosted by Seann Walsh, contestants are faced with terrifying situations and challenged not to react by flinching — or else. Think Wipeout meets Jackass.
When it's available: May 3 [6]
Tuca & Bertie, Season 1
This adult animated comedy revolves around two 30-year-old bird women — a carefree toucan and an anxious songbird — and they're voiced by funny ladies Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong, so you know it's going to be good.
When it's available: May 3 [7]
Undercover, Season 1
When the Belgian Federal Police finds itself hot on the trail of one of the world's largest ecstasy producers, the Belgian and Dutch police units decide to join forces to hunt down the elusive Dutchman Ferry Bouman, sending two of their best undercover agents to pose as a camping couple living in a chalet close to Ferry.
When it's available: May 3 [8]
Abyss, Season 1
This new series is like a South Korean version of Russian Doll, telling the story of a pair of strangers who are given a mysterious bead called the Abyss that allows them to cheat death, but there's a catch — when they come back to life, their appearances change, reflecting how good or bad a person they were in their previous bodies.
When it's available: May 6 [9]
Lucifer, Season 4
Though it was originally cancelled after its third season, this Fox comedy series is moving to Netflix for its fourth season, continuing the story of the infamous fallen angel as Chloe struggles to accept Lucifer's disturbing revelation and a priest attempts to put a stop to a rumoured prophecy.
When it's available: May 8 [10]
Easy, Season 3
With a stacked cast that includes Zazie Beetz, Dave Franco, Orlando Bloom [11], Jake Johnson, and Emily Ratajkowski, among many others, this series revolves around beautiful people living in Chicago and navigating the complicated trappings of modern romance — what more could you want from a show?
When it's available: May 10 [12]
Jailbirds, Season 1
Orange Is the New Black [13] becomes a reality series with this new show, which follows the incarcerated women of Sacramento County Jail as they experience power struggles and romances behind bars.
When it's available: May 10 [14]
The Society, Season 1
You'd think that waking up in a world that exactly resembles your affluent New England town — except for the fact that it's missing all of your parents — would be awesome, but (spoiler alert!) the fun doesn't last long. The cast of this YA drama series is full of sparkly Gen-Z actors who you may or may not already know from their other projects.
When it's available: May 10 [15]
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, Volume 3
Starring The Daily Show alum Hasan Minhaj, this Peabody Award-winning comedy series is back for a third instalment, with Minhaj continuing to offer insight on our modern cultural and political landscape each week.
When it's available: May 12 [16]
1994, Season 1
Using archival footage and news interviews, this five-episode investigative docuseries revisits the events of one of the most critical years in Mexico's history, including the rise of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation and the assassination of Luis Donaldo Colosio.
When it's available: May 17 [17]
It's Bruno!, Season 1
Starring Solvan "Slick" Naim and his beloved pooch, Bruno, this series will follow the duo as they stroll through their vibrant Brooklyn neighbourhood and yes, that's the extent of the premise. You have our attention.
When it's available: May 17 [18]
Nailed It!, Season 3
This Netflix cooking competition — where amateur bakers attempt to recreate elaborate cakes for cash prizes and often find themselves subject to hilarious baking fails — is back for a third instalment to make us feel better about all of our Pinterest disappointments.
When it's available: May 17 [19]
The Rain, Season 2
In this Danish post-apocalyptic series, two siblings, Simone and Rasmus, navigate the world together five years after a virus spread by rainfall wipes out almost all of Scandinavia. The second season follows Simone and her friends as they attempt to find a cure for the virus Rasmus is carrying before it kills him.
When it's available: May 17 [20]
Well-Intended Love, Season 1
This Chinese drama revolves around a struggling actress who — after being diagnosed with leukemia — begins a relationship with a CEO in order to use him for a bone marrow transplant and get her career back on track. Despite their unconventional beginning, Xia Lin soon finds herself actually and unexpectedly falling in love.
When it's available: May 17 [21]
White Gold, Season 2
Though the second season of this BBC show was delayed following the sexual assault allegations [22] made against its star, Ed Westwick [23], it is finally happening. Season two will continue the story of UPVC window salesman Vincent as he starts answering to a gangster boss and competes against a new rival who's stealing his best clients.
When it's available: May 17 [24]
Slasher: Solstice, Season 3
Originally a Chiller production, the horror anthology series Slasher is moving to Netflix for its third season, with this season focussed on a serial killer who's determined to seek out and kill the witnesses to a murder committed in an apartment complex.
When it's available: May 23 [25]
High Seas, Season 1
Netflix's fourth Spanish original series (following Cable Girls, Elite, and Money Heist) takes place in the late 1940s, telling the story of a luxury transatlantic liner travelling from Spain to Brazil and the murder that is committed onboard. The catch: the murder victim is a woman who's not on the passenger list and whom no one remembers.
When it's available: May 24 [26]
She's Gotta Have It, Season 2
Based on the 1986 film of the same name, the second season of this series will continue to follow Brooklyn-based artist Nola Darling as she tries to juggle her friends and her job with her overactive love life — which is made even more complicated by an eye-opening trip to Puerto Rico.
When it's available: May 24 [27]
WHAT / IF, Season 1
Similar to Black Mirror, this social thriller will explore the ripple effects of a new morally ambiguous situation in every new season, with the first season focusing on a mysterious woman's strange but irresistible offer to a pair of struggling San Francisco newlyweds. Renée Zellweger [28] stars in the series alongside Keith Powers and Jane Levy.
When it's available: May 24 [29]
Bad Blood, Season 2
This Canadian crime drama will continue the real-life story of Montreal Mafia boss Vito Rizzuto, picking up in the second season five years after Rizzuto's death to introduce a new leader of the Montreal drug trade — as well as a group of Italian mafiosos who are trying to take the city from him.
When it's available: May 31 [30]
Black Spot, Season 2
This French-Belgian thriller — which was originally available on Amazon Prime — is moving to Netflix for its second season, following the head of the county police, Laurène Weiss (whose town's murder rate is six times the national average), and picking up her story from where the last season left off with her inexplicable accident.
When it's available: May 31
How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), Season 1
Inspired by real events, believe it or not, this German series tells the story of how a 17-year-old high school student created Europe's largest online drug business from his bedroom with his best friend, Lenny — and all to impress his American pill-popping party animal ex-girlfriend, Lisa.
When it's available: May 31 [31]
When They See Us, Limited Series
Based on the true story [32] of a 28-year-old investment banker raped and killed in 1989 and the five young men from Harlem wrongfully convicted of the crime, director Ava DuVernay [33] will tell the story of the Central Park Five [34], with scream queen Vera Farmiga playing Elizabeth Lederer, lead prosecutor in the case.
When it's available: May 31 [35]