There was a time when TV awards experts agreed that one of the best ways to gain an advantage at the Emmys was for shows to be released as close to voting as possible. At first, that meant series would premiere at the end of May and episodes would keep rolling out through June. Then, when the rules required at least half the season to be available before the eligibility deadline, those premiere dates shifted a bit earlier. Now the Television Academy requires all episodes to be out before May 31 to qualify for the same year’s Emmys, so April and May are as busy — if not busier — than ever.
None of these rule adjustments affected Netflix. The streaming king invented the binge-drop, and by releasing full seasons on the same day, Netflix originals could premiere on May 31 without worrying about violating the rulebook. And they did! Oh, boy, did they ever.
So why is this April not only stacked with potential Emmy contenders, but arguably more stacked than Netflix’s May slate? Because conventional wisdom has changed. Instead of angling for those last few days or weeks in May, networks now want to give voters enough time to discover new shows and catch up on returning ones, both of which take time.
Marketing can only do so much to raise awareness. Word of mouth travels fast, but people have to watch the show before positive buzz can spread. And with so much entertainment competing for our attention — not only other eligible Emmy contenders, but also movies, sports, live events, etc. — Emmy voters can’t be expected to consume everything the second it comes out. They watch at their own pace, based on their own preferences, just like the rest of us. I mean, if you’re tearing through “The Comeback” Season 3, are you really going to hit pause so you can try out a new show? I wouldn’t. (OK, I would, but only because my job as a critic requires me to — left to my own devices, I’d still be watching Valerie Cherish.)
So what does that mean for you, my curious readers? It means you’re getting “Beef” Season 2, Dany Levy’s first series since “Schitt’s Creek,” and an animated version of “Stranger Things” this month. You’re also getting recent Oscar nominee Kate Hudson’s return to “Running Point,” and an NBC sitcom hoping to boost awareness by debuting on Netflix (which, as you may know, has a much wider reach than Peacock). Some of these are overt Emmy plays, others are hopeful, and still others have little illusions about their awards prospects. (“Man on Fire” might be a tough sell.) But I’d expect to hear more of these titles when nominations are announced in July than the names coming next month. And that wasn’t always the case.
“Beef” Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, April 16
Creator: Lee Sung Jin
Directors: Lee Sung Jin, Jake Schreier
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Cailee Spaeny, Charles Melton, Song Kang-ho, Youn Yuh-jung, Seoyeon Jang
Synopsis: “A young couple witnesses an alarming fight between their boss and his wife, triggering chess moves of favors and coercion in the elitist world of a country club and its Korean billionaire owner.”
Best Reason to Watch: The first season of “Beef” became a breakout hit on the back of its relatable premise, blistering performances, and tenacious, twisty, half-hour episodes. Season 2 introduces a new story and a new cast to tell it, while hoping to retain the core elements that elevate the series above more easily dismissed anthologies. But the real reason to watch is Carey Mulligan. You always watch Carey Mulligan. Always.
“This Is a Gardening Show”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Wednesday, April 22
Director: Brook Linder
EPs: Zach Galifianakis, Frank Schema, Jon Kamen
Host: Zach Galifianakis
Synopsis: “’This Is A Gardening Show’ is a refreshing and whimsical take on gardening, hosted by Zach Galifianakis. Rather than positioning himself as an expert, Galifianakis approaches the subject with curiosity and self-effacing humor, with the goal of learning alongside his audience and giving viewers valuable, accessible, and educational tools to use in their own gardens. The series blends lighthearted comedy with a sincere appreciation for people and the planet, and is ultimately about the joy of connecting with the earth.”
Best Reason to Watch: What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with Zach Galifianakis hosting a gardening show where he mocks kids and tries to give them the tools they need for a better, healthier future? Honestly, I don’t know what this show is going to be, but the first season consists of just six episodes lasting 15-20 minutes each. So worst case, you lost an hour. Best case, you’re left wanting more.
“Big Mistakes”
Image Credit: Spencer Pazer/Netflix © 2025
Release Date: Thursday, April 9
Creators: Dan Levy, Rachel Sennott
Cast: Dan Levy, Taylor Ortega, Laurie Metcalf, Abby Quinn, Boran Kuzum, Jack Innanen, Elizabeth Perkins, Mark Ivanir, Ilia Volok, Jacob Gutierrez, Joe Barbara, Darren Goldstein
Synopsis: “From Dan Levy comes a bold, new comedic family saga within a high-stakes crime thriller. ‘Big Mistakes’ follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan (Taylor Ortega), two deeply incapable siblings who are in over their heads when a misguided theft for their dying grandmother accidentally pulls them into the world of organized crime. Blackmailed into increasingly dangerous assignments, they clumsily fail upwards, sinking deeper into chaos they’re ill-equipped to handle.”
Best Reason to Watch: Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott make a tempting duo behind an hour-long thriller about a brother-sister duo who get in way over their heads. Can they strike the right balance between comedy and suspense? Can they keep the episodes taut and lag free? Can they make good use of Laurie Metcalf, preferably so good that we forget about “Monster: The Ed Gein Story”? OK, maybe that’s too much to ask, but there’s plenty of reasonably high hopes here.
“Man on Fire”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Juan Rosas / Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, April 30
Creator: Kyle Killen
Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Billie Boullet, Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, Paul Ben-Victor, Bobby Cannavale
Synopsis: “Based on A.J. Quinnell’s book series, ‘Man on Fire’ tells the story of John Creasy. Once a high-functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary, known for surviving even the most desolate of situations, Creasy is now plagued with intense PTSD. Determined to overcome his personal demons, he sets out on a path to redemption. But, before he can adjust to this new life, he finds himself back in the fire, fighting harder than ever.”
Best Reason to Watch: Yahya, baby! It’s always Yahya! Not too many young actors would dare follow in the footsteps of Denzel, and even fewer (maybe none?) could potentially match his magnitude in the same role. But Yahya has shown incredible presence, range, and emotional resonance in everything from “Watchmen” and “Wonder Man” to “Us” and “The Matrix Resurrections” (not to mention his stage work). So let’s see what more he’s got in store for us.
“Stranger Things: Tales from ’85”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, April 23
Showrunner: Eric Robles
Cast: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport as Max, Luca Diaz as Mike, Elisha “EJ” Williams as Lucas, Braxton Quinney as Dustin, Ben Plessala as Will, Brett Gipson as Hopper, Odessa A’zion as Nikki Baxer, Jeremy Jordan as Steve, Janeane Garofalo as Anna Baxter, and Lou Diamond Phillips as Daniel Fischer
Synopsis: “In the winter of 1985, snow blankets the town and the horrors of the Upside Down are finally fading. Our heroes Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max have settled back into a normal life of D&D, snowball fights, and quiet days. But beneath the ice, something terrifying has awakened. Could it be from the Upside Down? From the depths of Hawkins Lab? Or from somewhere else entirely? Our heroes must race to solve this mystery and save Hawkins in this new story set in the Stranger Things universe.”
Best Reason to Watch: I mean, the animation looks pretty cool? “Stranger Things” seems like a good fit for the medium, too. But until proven otherwise, this is for superfans only.
“St. Denis Medical” Season 1
Image Credit: Courtesy of Justin Lubin / NBC
Release Date: Wednesday, April 1
Creators: Eric Ledgin, Justin Spitzer
Cast: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Allison Tolman, Josh Lawson, Kahyun Kim, Mekki Leeper, David Alan Grier, Kaliko Kauahi
Synopsis: “’St. Denis Medical’ is a mockumentary about an underfunded, understaffed Oregon hospital where the dedicated doctors and nurses try their best to treat patients while maintaining their own sanity.”
Best Reason to Watch: It’s really funny! The cast is great, the jokes are crisp, and the writers aren’t afraid to delve into the many, many issues facing hospitals and healthcare in America. Sure, the first season takes a bit to gel, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had as it comes together.
“Running Point” Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, April 23
Showrunner: David Stassen
Cast: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Brenda Song, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Chet Hanks, Toby Sandeman, Uche Agada, Justin Theroux
Synopsis: “Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson) is no longer the surprise choice to lead the Los Angeles Waves, she’s the one everyone is watching. With the franchise finally rebounding after last year’s scandal, Isla is determined to prove she’s not just keeping the seat warm for her brother Cam (Justin Theroux). What she doesn’t know is that Cam is quietly maneuvering behind the scenes to reclaim his post, turning every misstep into ammunition. As she tries to balance the pressure of running a franchise with devoting time to her personal life, every decision on and off the court counts. To survive the family power plays and the scrutiny of the board, she’ll have to rip up last season’s game plan and come up with a whole new playbook if she wants to close out the season on top.”
Best Reason to Watch: Did you like Season 1? I’m happy for you. (Really!) Season 2 looks to be more of the same, and more of Kate Hudson (and Justin Theroux) is rarely a bad thing.
The Rest of Incoming TV
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
“Dandelion” (available in April)
“If Wishes Could Kill” (available in April)
“Love on the Spectrum” Season 4 (available April 1)
“Happy’s Place” Season 1 (available April 1)
“Agent from the Above” (available April 2)
“Alkhallat+ The Series: Desert Rules” (available April 2)
“The Bad Guys: The Series” Season 2 (available April 2)
“The Ramparts of Ice” (available April 2)
“Sins of Kujo” (available April 2)
“XO, Kitty” Season 3 (available April 2)
“Bloodhounds” Season 2 (available April 3)
“Gangs of Galicia” Season 2 (available April 3)
“High Tides” Season 3 (available April 3)
“Maamla Legal Hai” Season 2 (available April 3)
“Untold: Chess Mates” (available April 7)
“Bandi” (available April 9)
“Temptation Island’ Season 2 (available April 10)
“Turn on the Tide” Season 3 (available April 10)
“At Home with the Furys” Season 2 (available April 12)
“Crooks” Season 2 (available April 14)
“Untold: Jail Blazers” (available April 14)
“Fake Profile” Season 3 (available April 15)
“Made with Love” (available April 15)
“Million Dollar Secret” Season 2 (available April 15)
“The Law According to Lidia Poët” Season 3 (available April 15)
“Alpha Male” Season 5 (available April 17)
“We Are All Trying Here” (available April 18)
“CoComelon Lane” Season 7 (available April 20)
“Funny AF with Kevin Hart” (available April 20)
“Unchosen” (available April 21)
“Untold: The Shooting at Hawthorne Hill” (available April 21)
“Santita” (available April 22)
“Sold Out on You” (available April 22)
“Flunked” (available April 23)
“Straight to Hell” (available April 27)
TV Leaving Netflix in April
Image Credit: Courtesy of Dan Power/Helsing S1 Productions/Syfy
“Queen of the South” Seasons 1-5 (leaving April 7)
“Van Helsing” Seasons 1-5 (leaving April 16)
“Black Sails” Seasons 1-4 (leaving April 17)