Movies

The Best New TV Shows of April 2025

BBG News

Springtime’s beauty is being mirrored in the lively lineup of TV shows for April 2025. One common thread among the standout new shows is their infectious energy. Among them, we find a passionate adaptation of Agatha Christie’s works, a hilarious sitcom set amidst Canada’s Arctic landscapes, an animated series that humorously explores a Muslim family’s American identity post-9/11, and a captivating ballet drama that seamlessly jumps between continents. Remarkably, even a show centered around a woman battling cancer exudes joy, sensuality, and vitality.

#1 Happy Family USA (Amazon)

On September 10, 2001, Rumi Hussein was just an ordinary Egyptian-American teenager living in the suburbs, mourning his grandfather, and creating mix CDs for a teacher he had a crush on who reminded him of Mary Kay Letourneau. However, life turned upside down after the 9/11 attacks. Neighbors who were told to report suspicious activity began treating the Husseins as potential terrorists. In response, Rumi’s father tried desperately to prove their patriotism and safety by overdoing it, while his mother reacted in the opposite way, adopting her birth name Sharia, wearing a hijab, and seeking solace with fellow Muslims at a local mosque. At the same time, Rumi’s older sister Mona was grappling with coming out as gay. To add to their troubles, an FBI agent moved in next door.

This content is deep for adult cartoons, but if there’s anyone who can create a humorous yet respectful show about the complexities of post-9/11 Islamophobia, it’s Ramy Youssef, known for his excellent dramedies that portray the Muslim experience in modern America, such as Hulu’s “Ramy” and Netflix’s “Mo.” Working with “South Park” veteran Pam Brady, “#1 Happy Family USA” offers a humorous yet insightful perspective on growing up in a world where you feel pressured to change your behavior to fit others’ prejudices or face open hatred. Ramy Youssef stars as both Rumi and his father, with Alia Shawkat, Mandy Moore, Chris Redd, Kieran Culkin, and Timothy Olyphant also lending their voices. The animation is vibrant, designed by Pulitzer Prize-winning illustrator and journalist Mona Chalabi, who is also an executive producer.

Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero (BritBox)

At times, a project can be exactly the combination of its individual components, and that’s perfectly fine if those components are strong. In this case, we have a three-episode BBC miniseries based on an overlooked Agatha Christie novel, taking place in 1930s England at the coastal mansion of Lady Tressilian, portrayed by Anjelica Huston. Her nephew Nevile Strange (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), a charming tennis player, and his new wife, Kay (Mimi Keene), are enjoying their honeymoon at the estate. However, Nevile’s first wife, Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland), is also present, adding to the complexity of their relationship even after a contentious divorce. The household includes a variety of relatives, staff, and lovers, skillfully played by actors such as Clarke Peters, Jack Farthing, and Anjana Vasan. As a result, there’s already a significant amount of personal tension brewing before the murder occurs.

Regarding the murder in “Towards Zero,” the plot twist is that it doesn’t occur until well into the storyline, giving us ample opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the characters before they are divided into victims and suspects. The opening scene features Mr. Treves, a lawyer played by Peters, delivering a dinner table speech about how a murder signifies the climax of a tale that started long ago. While this structure may not be revolutionary in today’s context, it results in a more chronological take on the classic whodunit genre, requiring fewer flashbacks. The real appeal of the series lies in its ensemble cast, which includes Matthew Rhys as a tormented detective, and an adaptation that emphasizes the most polished and intelligent aspects of Christie’s work—with a touch of romantic intrigue added for good measure.

Dying for Sex (FX)

The title “Dying for Sex” might initially conjure images of sensational reality shows like “Sex Sent Me to the ER“, but it actually derives from an acclaimed podcast by Molly Kochan, recorded with her friend Nikki Boyer (a producer of the adaptation). After receiving a Stage IV diagnosis, instead of settling for a chaste marriage with a husband who prioritized her as a patient over a partner, Kochan chose to leave him and embark on a sexual journey. When she passed away in 2019, she had experienced more partners than many people would in multiple lifetimes. [Read the entire review here.]

Étoile (Amazon)

In these turbulent periods, even the most established comfort TV creators are driven to address current issues. The latest production, titled Étoile, comes from the renowned duo Amy Sherman-Palladino and her partner Daniel Palladino, who have previously brought us hit series like Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Known for crafting talkative, witty, and culturally referential shows with a female focus on the arts, Sherman-Palladino has showcased various art forms such as ballet in her series Bunheads. The distinctive voice behind these productions is evident in Étoile, yet it also attempts something new by blending escapism with engagement. This blend of high art validation amidst a burning world adds an intriguing layer to the show, making it as captivating and enjoyable as it is complex. [Read the full review here]

North of North (Netflix)

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) consistently produces comedies that are lighthearted, friendly, and suitable for all ages yet still modern. Shows like “Schitt’s Creek” and “Sort Of” are prime examples of this trend, and if you’re a fan of these imports or just need a mood boost, consider adding another CBC title to your Netflix list: “North of North”. Co-created by Stacey Aglok-MacDonald and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, who are both from the Arctic region and part of the Inuit community, this sitcom takes place among the primarily Indigenous inhabitants of a fictional town in Canada’s far north.

In an engaging portrayal, Anna Lambe plays Siaja, a 26-year-old Inuk woman who is no longer content with her husband Ting (Kelly William), whom she married after high school. Ting being self-centered, the rest of the cast shines, including Maika Harper as Siaja’s feisty mother and Mary Lynn Rajskub, a well-known comedian from shows like ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ and ‘The Larry Sanders Show’, portraying Siaja’s demanding boss, the town manager. The breathtakingly beautiful snow-kissed landscapes of the region serve as a picturesque setting.

Read More

2025-04-30 15:06

Previous post Shawn Levy: How Stranger Things Taught Him to Keep Star Wars Secrets
Next post Matthew Gray Gubler Is Returning To Criminal Minds, But His New CBS Show Just Got Some Bad News