Warmer weather, budding trees, blooming flowers — spring (fingers crossed) finally seems to be here. To make good news even better, it has arrived with a bevy of TV series and projects from and about women. The next few months will see a ton of television narratives and docs centered on, created, written, and directed by women, and we’ve assembled some of the most promising titles here for your convenience.
The season kicks off April 8 with “Killing Eve,” the new series from “Fleabag” creator/star Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The BBC America thriller, based on Luke Jennings’ “Villanelle” novellas, is about two women in a very twisted relationship: Eve (Sandra Oh), an MI5 security officer longing for excitement, and Villanelle (Jodie Comer), the serial killer she becomes fixated upon.
Several other book adaptations are making their way to the small screen this spring. Hettie Macdonald’s “Howards End” and Vanessa Caswill’s “Little Women” are both based on classic literature about independent, strong-willed women struggling against the norms of their time. The miniseries premiere April 8 on Starz and May 13 on PBS, respectively. The Stephanie Danler-created “Sweetbitter” and the Marti Noxon-created “Dietland” are adapted from contemporary novels. The former, debuting May 6 on Starz, sees a young woman trying to navigate New York City’s cutthroat world of high-end restaurants, and the latter, airing June 4 on AMC, centers on a plus-size writer whose journey to self-confidence brings her to radical feminism.
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” Hulu’s adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel, also returns for its second season April 25. The new batch of episodes will focus on a pregnant Offred (Elisabeth Moss) as she continues to fight for survival while doing all she can to resist Gilead’s misogynist, totalitarian rule.
Other series bowing this spring include May 2’s “Being Serena,” an in-depth HBO docuseries chronicling tennis star Serena Williams’ career during her pregnancy and new motherhood, and May 6’s “Vida,” a Starz drama about two very different Mexican-American sisters from Tanya Saracho.
Quite a few documentaries round out this spring’s women-made TV projects. Among them is Trish Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir’s “I Am Evidence,” which delves into why there are 400,000 untested rape kits in the U.S. today and premieres on HBO April 16. Some of the other docs include “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” Alexandra Dean’s portrait of the iconic actress and inventor, and “The Fourth Estate,” Liz Garbus’ deep-dive into The New York Times’ inner workings in the Trump era. “Bombshell” airs May 18 on PBS and “The Fourth Estate” on Showtime May 27.
Here are just some of the women-centric and women-created TV projects premiering this spring. All descriptions are from press materials.
April
“National Treasure: Kiri” (Premieres April 4 on Hulu)
This four-part drama is the story of a young black girl in the process of being adopted by a middle class white family. Kiri (Felicia Mukasa) goes missing on an unsupervised visit to her birth family, arranged by her social worker, Miriam (Sarah Lancashire). We follow Miriam, as the fingers of suspicion and blame point at her and her judgement is questioned; Kiri’s birth family, as they find both their past failings and their present dysfunctional relationships put under the microscope; and Kiri’s adoptive family — particularly Alice (Lia Williams), Kiri’s fiercely articulate white foster mother, as they are thrust into the national limelight. All of them are asking the same two questions: what happened to Kiri, and who is to blame?
“Killing Eve” — Written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Premieres April 8 on BBC America)
Starring Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, “Killing Eve” centers on two women: Eve (Oh) is a bored, whip-smart, pay-grade MI5 security officer whose desk-bound job doesn’t fulfill her fantasies of being a spy. Villanelle (Comer) is a mercurial, talented killer who clings to the luxuries her violent job affords her. Penned by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (“Fleabag”) and based on the novellas by Luke Jennings, “Killing Eve” will follow these two women, equally obsessed with each other, as they go head to head in an epic game of cat and mouse.
“Howards End” (Miniseries) — Directed by Hettie Macdonald (Premieres April 8 on Starz)
An adaptation of E.M. Forster’s masterpiece, “Howards End” follows two independent and unconventional sisters (Hayley Atwell and Philippa Coulthard) seeking love and meaning in an ever-changing world. Also starring Matthew Macfadyen, Tracey Ullman, and Julia Ormond.
“In Contempt” — Created by Terri Kopp (Premieres April 10 on BET)
Erica Ash stars as Gwen Sullivan, an opinionated attorney whose passion for her job and clients make her arguably the most talented Public Defender in her district.
“America Inside Out with Katie Couric” (Docuseries) (Premieres April 11 on National Geographic)
Inspired by her own personal journey of making National Geographic’s critically acclaimed, groundbreaking documentary “Gender Revolution,” Katie Couric’s new series, “America Inside Out,” will follow her as she travels the country to sit down with the people shaping the most pivotal, evolving, contentious, and often confusing topics in American culture today. From interviewing founding members at the violent and terror-filled “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville to spending time with young, female Muslim entrepreneurs in Brooklyn to an in-depth look at America’s white working class, Couric enlists cultural icons and regular folks to help her look past the noise, politics, and individual discomfort to understand the complicated truth about the complexities of religion, race, technology, and cultural norms, while highlighting the humanity beneath the surface.
“I Am Evidence” (Documentary) — Directed by Trish Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir (Premieres April 16 on HBO)
“I Am Evidence” exposes the shocking number of untested rape kits in the United States today, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. Despite the power of DNA to solve and prevent crimes, these kits containing potentially crucial evidence languish untested in police evidence storage rooms. Behind each of these kits lies an individual’s unresolved sexual assault case. The film introduces viewers to several of these survivors, who still await justice, as well as the prosecutors, investigators, advocates, and journalists fighting on their behalf.
“Charité” (Miniseries) — Written by Dorothee Schön and Sabine Thor-Wiedemann (Premieres April 19 on Netflix)
The series centers on the accomplishments of several famous German physicians and scientists at the prestigious Charité hospital in Berlin towards the end of the 19th century.
“The Letdown” — Created by Alison Bell and Sarah Scheller (Premieres April 21 on Netflix)
Audrey (Alison Bell) is determined not to be defined by motherhood. In theory, this seems fairly easy. In practice, her career-focused husband, self-obsessed mother, and fancy-free best friend make it damn near impossible.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” (Season 2 Premieres April 25 on Hulu)
The Emmy-winning drama series returns with a second season shaped by Offred’s (Elisabeth Moss) pregnancy and her ongoing fight to free her future child from the dystopian horrors of Gilead. “Gilead is within you” is a favorite saying of Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd). In Season 2, Offred and all our characters will fight against — or succumb to — this dark truth.
“Bobby Kennedy for President” (Docuseries) — Directed by Dawn Porter (Premieres April 27 on Netflix)
Robert F. Kennedy’s passion and vision helped his brother John get elected president, sparked a country’s conscience, guided the nation through terrifying crises, and inspired a generation. In the decade before his assassination at age 42, as Attorney General, a United States Senator, and a candidate for President, RFK also riled the establishment as he sharpened his political acumen, and challenged America to become the best version of itself. Told through rare and never-before-seen footage, director Dawn Porter’s four-part documentary series “Bobby Kennedy For President” examines the “Bobby Phenomenon” of the 1960s and the continuing influence of the man many see as the greatest loss of a troubling and turbulent era.
“Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie” (Documentary) — Written and Directed by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins (Premieres April 27 on Hulu)
“Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie” examines the world’s most popular doll, from her humble origins to her controversial persona today. In her 59 years, Barbie has become a fashion icon, a lightning rod, and a target for feminists. This funny, revealing documentary, featuring newly discovered footage and unprecedented access to the inner workings of a toy giant during Barbie’s biggest reinvention, surveys 60 years of women in popular culture through the lens of this 11.5 inch, Zelig-like plastic icon. Features interviews with Gloria Steinem, Roxane Gay, and Peggy Orenstein.
May
“Being Serena” (Docuseries) (Premieres May 2 on HBO)
“Being Serena” is a documentary series chronicling tennis icon Serena Williams at a pivotal moment in her personal and professional life. It provides viewers unprecedented access to Williams during her pregnancy, new motherhood, and marriage, while documenting her journey back to supremacy on the court. The intimate first-person show delves into her landmark career, family life, and expanding role as a businesswoman and investor in the worlds of tech, fashion, fitness, and philanthropy.
“Sweetbitter” — Created by Stephanie Danler (Premieres May 6 on Starz)
“Sweetbitter” tells the story of Tess (Ella Purnell), a 22-year-old who arrives in New York City ready to pursue a new life. When she finds herself interviewing for a position at one of the best restaurants in the city, she thinks she’s found a steady income and a safe place to wait. But Tess is quickly intoxicated by the chaotic, adrenalized world behind-the-scenes, tasting expensive wine, exploring dive bars, and learning who she can trust. Based on Stephanie Danler’s novel of the same name.
“Vida” — Created by Tanya Saracho (Premieres May 6 on Starz)
“Vida” is a half-hour drama series focusing on two Mexican-American sisters from the Eastside of Los Angeles who couldn’t be more different or distanced from each other. Circumstances force them to return to their old neighborhood, where they are confronted by the past and surprising truth about their mother’s identity.
“Little Women” (Miniseries) — Directed by Vanessa Caswill; Written by Heidi Thomas (Premieres May 13 on PBS)
Loved by generations of women worldwide, “Little Women” is a truly universal coming of age story. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the story follows sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March (Maya Hawke, Willa Fitzgerald, Annes Elwy, and Kathryn Newton) on their journey from childhood to adulthood. With the help of their mother, Marmee (Emily Watson), and while their father is away at war, the girls navigate what it means to be a young woman: from sibling rivalry and first love, to loss and marriage.
“Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story” (Documentary) — Directed by Alexandra Dean (Premieres May 18 on PBS)
Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr was known as the world’s most beautiful woman — Snow White and Cat Woman were both based on her iconic look. However, her arresting appearance and glamorous life stood in the way of her being given the credit she deserved as an ingenious inventor whose pioneering work helped revolutionize modern communication. An Austrian Jewish emigrant who invented a covert communication system to try to help defeat the Nazis, Lamarr was ignored and told to sell kisses for war bonds instead. It was only toward the very end of her life that tech pioneers discovered that it was her concept that is now used as the basis for secure WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth technologies.
“The Fourth Estate” (Documentary) — Directed by Liz Garbus (Premieres May 27 on Showtime)
From the first time President Trump called The New York Times “highly inaccurate” in its coverage of his administration, through his false claim that the paper is “failing” and losing thousands of subscribers, to ultimately declaring the majority of the nation’s major news outlets “fake news,” a chief task for The Times, long considered the “newspaper of record,” has been to find the best way to accurately and honestly cover this new and unconventional president. With unprecedented access to the inner workings of The Times, including filming inside closed-door meetings, rare interviews with the editors and reporters who cover the President and the tumult around him, as well as an insider’s view of the Sulzberger family publisher transition, director Liz Garbus intimately chronicles the tenacious men and women in the trenches who are fighting for the freedom of the press and America’s right to know.
June
“Dietland” — Created by Marti Noxon (Premieres June 4 on AMC)
“Dietland” unveils one woman’s journey to self-awakening while exploring a multitude of issues faced by women today — including patriarchy, misogyny, rape culture, and unrealistic beauty standards. The 10-episode series follows Plum Kettle (Joy Nash), ghost-writer for the editor of one of New York’s hottest fashion magazines, as she struggles with self-image and sets out on a wildly complicated road to self-acceptance. At the same time, everyone is buzzing over news reports about men, accused of sexual abuse and assault, who are disappearing and meeting untimely, violent deaths. Based on Sarai Walker’s novel of the same name.
“American Woman” (Premieres June 7 on Paramount Network)
This new half-hour series follows Bonnie (Alicia Silverstone), an unconventional mother struggling to raise her two daughters after leaving her husband amid the rise of second-wave feminism in the 1970s. With the help of her two best friends, Kathleen (Mena Suvari) and Diana (Jennifer Bartels), these three women each discover their own brand of independence in a glamorous and ever-changing world reluctant to give it.
