From criminal masterminds and crime-solvers, to creative artists and competitive athletes, this Women’s History Month contains a strong slate of thought-provoking and downright shocking new series.
First up, WORLD Channel commemorates the annual celebration of women’s history with documentaries highlighting “strength, perseverance, and leadership,” per a press release. In the channel’s “America Reframed” series, a Vermont resident rises up to lead her divided town in “For the Love of Rutland” (March 3); six women combat systemic violence against Native women in “Sisters Rising” (March 10); and Robin Lung spends seven years uncovering the true story of an uncredited visionary female filmmaker in “Finding Kukan” (March 24).
From director Amy Berg, “Phoenix Rising” (March 15) is a two-part HBO documentary following actress Evan Rachel Wood as she helps draft and lobby for The Phoenix Act, legislation that extends the statute of limitations for California’s domestic violence cases, while processing her own trauma as a survivor along the way.
The current trend of exploring true crime or scam culture via limited series (“Inventing Anna,” “American Crime Story,” etc.) continues with Hulu’s “The Dropout” (March 3), detailing the rise and fall of Theranos’ founder Elizabeth Holmes, played by Amanda Seyfried. NBC’s “The Thing About Pam” (March 8) follows an investigation into the murder of Betsy Faria and the woman authorities would ultimately turn to for answers, Pam Hupp (Renée Zellweger). Hulu’s “The Girl from Plainville” (March 29) unveils the full story behind Michelle Carter (Elle Fanning), the teenager who infamously encouraged her boyfriend to take his own life.
For those seeking lighter options, HBO Max’s “Minx” (March 17) follows a young feminist in ’70s Los Angeles as she launches the first erotic magazine for women. Amy Schumer’s Hulu dramedy “Life & Beth” (March 18) finds her titular character on a journey of self-discovery following an unexpected incident. And “Pachinko” (March 25), based on Min Jin Lee’s bestseller, is an epic, decades-spanning tale of family, identity, and the question of what home really means.
If you were hoping for some of your favorite shows to come back this month, you’re in luck. Heidi Thomas’ long-running love letter to nursing and women’s reproductive health, “Call the Midwife,” returns to PBS March 20, and the second season of Rose Matafeo’s unlikely-lovers rom-com “Starstruck” premieres March 24 on HBO Max.
Here are March’s new and returning women-driven and women-created TV projects. All descriptions are from press materials unless otherwise noted.
TV and Episodic Premieres
“For the Love of Rutland” (Documentary) – Directed by Jennifer Maytorena Taylor (Premieres March 3 on WORLD Channel)
An intimate, verité-style documentary, “For the Love of Rutland” explores issues affecting communities across the nation in the microcosm of one small Vermont town. As tensions over the attempt to relocate Syrian refugees to the predominantly white town of Rutland grow, cultural, racial, and political divides deepen amongst the town’s citizens. Despite a lifetime of feeling invalidated and shamed for her poverty and addiction, Stacie, a long-time Rutland resident, emerges as an unexpected and resilient leader. As she works to maintain her sobriety and struggles to provide for her family, her own evolution allows her to see parallels between her life and those of the newcomers to Rutland.
“The Dropout” (Miniseries) (Premieres March 3 on Hulu)
“The Dropout”: Hulu
Money. Romance. Tragedy. Deception. “The Dropout,” the story of Elizabeth Holmes (Amanda Seyfried) and Theranos, is an unbelievable tale of ambition and fame gone terribly wrong. How did the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire lose it all in the blink of an eye?
“Pieces of Her” – Created by Charlotte Stoudt; Directed by Minkie Spiro (Premieres March 4 on Netflix)
Based on Karin Slaughter’s New York Times bestselling novel, in a sleepy Georgia town a random act of violence sets off an unexpected chain of events for 30-year-old Andy Oliver (Bella Heathcote) and her mother Laura (Toni Collette). Desperate for answers, Andy embarks on a dangerous journey across America, drawing her towards the dark, hidden heart of her family.
“Shining Vale” – Created by Sharon Horgan and Jeff Astrof (Premieres March 6 on Starz)
“Shining Vale” is a horror comedy about a dysfunctional family that moves from the city to a small town into a house in which terrible atrocities have taken place. But no one seems to notice except for Pat (Courteney Cox), who’s convinced she’s either depressed or possessed – turns out, the symptoms are exactly the same.
“Ruxx” – Directed by Iulia Rugina and Octav Gheorghe; Written by Vera Ion (Premieres March 8 on HBO Max)
This hip modern relationship drama looks at the young generation of a country caught between the past and the future. It’s centered on the titular character (Raluca Aprodu), who’s navigating a demanding career, and, between her sister and her lover, her fair share of drama, in Romania’s capital city. All the while staying on top of the powder kegs that surround her boss’ biggest project yet: his wife’s election campaign for mayor of Bucharest and the emotional outbursts of his estranged daughter. These four women’s interwoven stories address the various challenges faced by women in today’s Romania: from toxic relationships to casual misogyny, from societal barriers to mental blocks. Do you stay and fight? Do you cut and run?
“The Thing About Pam” (Miniseries) (Premieres March 8 on NBC)
Based on the true-crime podcast of the same name, “The Thing About Pam” details the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria (Katy Mixon), which resulted in her husband Russ’ (Glenn Fleshler) conviction. When his conviction was overturned, the crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp (Renée Zellweger).
“Taylor Tomlinson: Look at You” (Comedy Special) (Premieres March 8 on Netflix)
Taylor Tomlinson returns to Netflix with her second original comedy special, “Look at You.” Taylor hilariously shares an intimate look at her struggles with mental health, grief, and dating.
“Undercurrent: The Disappearance of Kim Wall” (Two-Part Documentary) – Directed by Erin Lee Carr (Premieres March 8 on HBO/HBO Max)
“Undercurrent: The Disappearance of Kim Wall” tells the story of accomplished journalist Kim Wall, who tragically went missing in 2017. She was last seen just prior to interviewing the eccentric entrepreneur Peter Madsen aboard his self-made submarine in Danish waters. Madsen changes his story multiple times during the course of a police investigation that ultimately uncovers the truth: Wall was murdered on the submarine. Madsen is soon put on trial, and a judge is tasked with determining what actually happened on the vessel.
“Sisters Rising” (Documentary) – Directed by Willow O’Feral and Brad Heck (Premieres March 10 on WORLD Channel)
“Sisters Rising”: WORLD Channel
Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than all other American women and 86 percent of the offenses are committed by non-Native men. Follow six women who refuse to let this pattern of violence continue in the shadows as their stories shine an unflinching light on righting injustice on both an individual and systemic level.
“Power Meri” (Documentary) – Directed by Joanna Lester (Premieres March 14 on WORLD Channel)
Papua New Guinea’s first national women’s rugby league team, the PNG Orchids, are on a journey to the 2017 World Cup in Australia. After years playing at the grassroots level with no coaches, funding, or support, these trailblazers have just three months to transform themselves into a competitive national team. Watch as they fight to beat not only the sporting competition, but also intense sexism and national prejudice.
“Phoenix Rising” (Two-Part Documentary) – Directed by Amy Berg (Premieres March 15 on HBO/HBO Max)
“Phoenix Rising”
“Phoenix Rising” follows actress and activist Evan Rachel Wood as she takes her experience as a survivor of domestic violence to pursue justice, heal generational wounds, and reclaim her story. Almost a decade after escaping a dangerous relationship, Wood co-authors and successfully lobbies for passage of The Phoenix Act, legislation that extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence cases in California. Wood courageously uses her own experience to bring visibility to the issue, ultimately, in solidarity with fellow survivors.
“Catherine Cohen: The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous.” (Comedy Special) (Premieres March 15 on Netflix)
In this sparkling cocktail of standup and song, Catherine Cohen serenades about looking for love, the absurdity of marathons, and burying someone alive.
“Minx” – Created by Ellen Rapoport (Premieres March 17 on HBO Max)
“Minx”: Katrina Marcinowski
“Minx” is set in 1970s Los Angeles and centers around Joyce (Ophelia Lovibond), an earnest young feminist who joins forces with a low-rent publisher (Jake Johnson) to create the first erotic magazine for women.
“Welcome to Flatch” – Created by Jenny Bicks (Premieres March 17 on Fox)
When a documentary crew sets out to explore the lives of residents in a small American town – their dreams, their concerns – they stumble upon the midwestern town of Flatch, which is made up of many eccentric personalities. It’s a place you want to visit and maybe even stay. If there was a decent motel. Which there is not.
“DMZ” (Miniseries) – Directed by Ava DuVernay and Ernest Dickerson (Premieres March 17 on HBO Max)
A civil war breaks out in America and Manhattan becomes a demilitarized zone.
“Life & Beth” – Created by Amy Schumer (Premieres March 18 on Hulu)
“Life & Beth”: Hulu
Beth’s (Amy Schumer) life would look pretty great on paper. Impressive to everyone she grew up with. She makes a good living as a wine distributor. She’s in a long term relationship with a successful guy and lives in Manhattan. When a sudden incident forces Beth to engage with her past, her life changes forever. Through flashbacks to her teen self (Violet Young), Beth starts to learn how she became who she is and who she wants to become. We’ll go on her journey towards building a bigger, bolder, and more authentic life.
“Cracow Monsters” (Premieres March 18 on Netflix)
A young woman haunted by her past joins a mysterious professor and his group of gifted students who investigate paranormal activity — and fight demons.
“Standing Up” – Created by Fanny Herrero (Premieres March 18 on Netflix)
From juggling jobs to chasing viral fame: Making it in stand-up can be a messy business. But these four friends will risk it all to make the world laugh.
“Human Resources” – Created by Kelly Galuska, Jennifer Flackett, Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, and Mark Levin (Premieres March 18 on Netflix)
Lovebugs, Hormone Monsters, and a parade of other creatures juggle romance, workplace drama, and their human clients’ needs in this “Big Mouth” spinoff.
“Before We Die” (Premieres March 20 on PBS)
Determined to solve her lover’s murder, Detective Hannah Laing (Lesley Sharp) persuades one of his confidential contacts to help her. But when Hannah discovers the informant’s identity, she realizes there is far more at stake than bringing the killers to justice.
“The Principles of Pleasure” (Docuseries) (Premieres March 22 on Netflix)
Sex, joy, and modern science converge in this eye-opening series that celebrates the complex world of women’s pleasure — and puts stubborn myths to rest.
“Finding Kukan” (Documentary) – Directed by Robin Lung (Premieres March 24 on WORLD Channel)
Filmmaker Robin Lung documents her seven-year journey to uncover the efforts of Li Ling-Ai, the visionary but uncredited producer of the Academy Award-winning documentary “Kukan.” Watch a portrait of the pioneer that sheds light on the long-standing underrepresentation of women and people of color in the movie-making business.
“Pachinko” – Created by Soo Hugh (Premieres March 25 on Apple TV+)
“Pachinko”: Apple TV+
Epic in scope and intimate in tone, the story begins with a forbidden love and crescendos into a sweeping saga that journeys between Korea, Japan, and America to tell an unforgettable story of war and peace, love and loss, triumph and reckoning.
“Dear Homeland” (Documentary) – Directed by Claudia A. Escobar (Premieres March 27 on WORLD Channel and KQED Arts YouTube)
“Dear Homeland”: WORLD Channel
“Dear Homeland” follows Mexican artist Diana Gameros’ immigration journey from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico to San Francisco, CA. As she grows through her music into an advocate for immigrant rights, Diana finds the courage to share her own story of being undocumented. “Dear Homeland” is a deep reflection on family, resilience, the power of music, and the meaning of home.
“Writing with Fire” (Documentary) – Directed by Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh (Premieres March 28 on PBS)
“Writing with Fire”
In the midst of India’s crowded, patriarchal news landscape, “Writing With Fire” follows the reporters of Khabar Lahariya — India’s only newspaper run by Dalit (“low caste”) women — as they take it upon themselves to cover their country’s inequities with unflinching determination. Armed only with smartphones, these fearless journalists traverse the state of Uttar Pradesh, exposing government misconduct, rape culture, and rampant corruption that victimizes those without voice or power.
“The Girl from Plainville” (Miniseries) – Created by Liz Hannah and Patrick Macmanus (Premieres March 29 on Hulu)
“The Girl from Plainville” is inspired by the true story of Michelle Carter’s unprecedented “texting-suicide” case. Based on the Esquire article of the same name, the limited series explores Carter’s (Elle Fanning) relationship with Conrad Roy III (Colton Ryan) and the events that led to his death and, later, her conviction of involuntary manslaughter.
“Julia” (Premieres March 31 on HBO Max)
“Julia” is inspired by Julia Child’s extraordinary life and her long-running television series, “The French Chef,” which pioneered the now popular genre of cooking shows. Through Julia (Sarah Lancashire) and her singular can-do spirit, the series explores an evolving time in American history – the emergence of public television as a new social institution, feminism and the women’s movement, the nature of celebrity and America’s cultural growth.
Returning Series
“Starstruck”: BBC
“Central Park” – Created by Nora Smith, Loren Bouchard, and Josh Gad (Apple TV+, March 4)
“When Calls the Heart” (Hallmark, March 6)
“An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts” – Created by Bindu De Stoppani (Netflix, March 8)
“Kung Fu” – Created by Christina M. Kim (The CW, March 9)
“Good Trouble” – Created by Joanna Johnson, Bradley Bredeweg, and Peter Paige (Freeform, March 9)
“Ruthless” (BET+, March 10)
“Charmed” – Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, Jessica O’Toole, and Amy Rardin (The CW, March 11)
“Raven’s Home” – Created by Susan Sherman and Michael Poryes (Disney, March 11)
“Mr. Mayor” – Created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock (NBC, March 15)
“Young Rock” – Created by Nahnatchka Khan and Jeff Chiang (NBC, March 15)
“Light the Night” (Netflix, March 18)
“Call the Midwife” – Created by Heidi Thomas (PBS, March 20)
“Sanditon” (PBS, March 20)
“Starstruck” – Created by Rose Matafeo; Written by Rose Matafeo, Alice Snedden, and Nic Sampson (HBO Max, March 24)
