Small-screen endings, beginnings and do-overs

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/04/2025 (560 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Everything ends. But, as all the Instagram therapists keep repeating, it’s all about how you face the end of jobs, loves, the illusions of safety from racism and zombies, and even of life itself. Here, for your consideration, are some viewing suggestions with differing approaches to radical life changes. Bon courage.

Dying for Sex (all eight episodes streaming now on Disney+)

Had enough of sad terminal-cancer stories? The trailer for this very limited series looked so fun, it was offputting. But the jangly mix of devastatingly sad and blackly comic with startling sexual discomfort is amazingly effective. Laugh, cry, wince, shout at the screen and cry again as Molly (Michelle Williams) discovers her cancer is back and has metastasized. Her best friend, Nikki (Jenny Slate), encourages her to check off a sexual bucket list. Her husband (Jay Duplass) is not pleased. Her neighbour (Rob Delaney) is curious. Numerous rando guys are thrilled. But centrally, this series is — of course — about who gets to be a soul mate.

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Many happy returns…

This biweekly list of viewing recommendations usually focuses exclusively on new television, but there are too many quality season returns coming up to ignore, so here’s a quick roundup. Season 6 of The Handmaid’s Tale (today on Crave) will be the last, premièring three episodes as June (Elisabeth Moss) and the scarlet army declare war on Gilead. Season 4 of the ferociously dark entertainment-industry comedy Hacks (Thursday on Crave) returns with Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Binder) trying to make history and not kill each other as they put their late-night show on its feet. Season 7 of the sci-fi satire Black Mirror (Thursday on Netflix) has the razor-sharp cast loyal viewers expect, including Issa Rae (Barbie), Awkwafina (Jackpot!), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Rashida Jones (Sunny) and Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids). Episode topics include: the high cost of cheating death (Common People) and of focusing too hard on the past (Hotel Reverie and Eulogy). The long wait is over for Season 2 of The Last of Us (Sunday on Crave). It’s five years later in the fungal-zombie apocalypse but Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) are still scrapping as they face new and more unpredictable dangers. And finally, Season 2 of Andor (Tuesday, April 22, on Disney+) premières with three episodes. War is coming in this prequel to the movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and one-time cynic Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) is taking his place in the Rebel Alliance.

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Your Friends & Neighbors (series premières with two episodes on Friday on Apple TV+)

When Jon Hamm plays bad guys (Mad Men, Fargo), the mystery of his motivation is part of the cachet. Is he truly evil or is there a reason — and so, possible redemption? Here, at least the surface of the origin story is front and centre. Already reeling from his recent divorce, Andrew Cooper (Hamm) is fired from his job as a hedge fund manager. Desperate to maintain his facade, he begins stealing and selling the small treasures that litter the homes of his wealthy and clueless friends. Until he goes one theft too far. Joining Hamm in this sweaty, desperate descent are Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn and, hey, isn’t that Corbin Bernsen from L.A. Law back in the day? We have a feeling redemption will not arrive over these nine episodes, but it will be a fun ride.

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Government Cheese (series premières with the first four of 10 episodes on Wednesday, April 16 on Apple TV+)

More of a leap of faith than usual might be required here. Describing itself as a “surrealist family comedy,” Government Cheese follows Hampton Chambers (David Oyelowo) out of prison and back into the family fold in sun-bleached San Fernando Valley in 1969. He pins his redemption, and the salvation of his family, on a self-sharpening drill and the sunny insistence that it’s “never too late.” Men with guns demanding payment of unexpected debts beg to differ. The look is Polaroid cool. The feel is manic. The ambition is impressive. Keep an eye out for Adam Beach (Windtalkers), Bokeem Woodbine (Fargo) and John Ortiz (Bad Monkey).

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#1 Happy Family USA (adult animated series premières all eight episodes Thursday, April 17, on Prime Video)

At just 34, Ramy Youssef already has a stunning TV resumé, with credits including writer and star of Ramy (2019-22 Crave), inspired by his first-generation Egyptian-American real life, and writer/co-creator of Mo (2022-25, Netflix), inspired by Kuwait-born Palestinian comic Mo Amer’s pursuit of refugee status, love and success. Both are smart, heart-filled irresistible binges about the fierce and fragile nature of home and family. Now Youssef leans further into comedy with animation, presenting the maniacally upbeat Husseins, the “most peaceful, and most definitely-not-suspicious Muslim family in post-9/11 ‘Amreeka.’” Co-creator, co-writer, co-showrunner Youssef also voices the main character, Hussein Hussein, joined by Alia Shawkat (The Old Man), Mandy Moore (This Is Us), Timothy Olyphant (Justified) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), to name a few.

Broadcast dates subject to change. Questions, comments to denise.duguay@winnipegfreepress.com.