Narco nannies, sharks and other TV dangers

Anticipation has value, but it requires familiarity. Those viewers in that camp are already counting the days to the likes of the next Margaret Atwood-inspired feminist dystopia, The Testaments, which premières the first three of eight episodes on April 8, on Disney+. Fans of the Vermont-born singer-songwriter are already primed for the documentary-concert combo Noah Kahan: Out of Body, premièring on Netflix on April 13.

But this list of viewing suggestions is more targeted to the series and movies that are less well telegraphed, or more easily overlooked (hidden?) in the streaming-app menus. And so, behold five series and movies you might be less likely to already know about, but should give a try.

●Dear Killer Nannies (series premières with all eight episodes Wednesday, April 1, on Disney+)

Child care is an important consideration for every family. Despite being a violent Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar is no exception. His son Juan Pablo Escobar’s memoir is the basis for this new series, which centres the story of young Juampi, the hitman caregivers assigned by papa Pablo (John Leguizamo) and Juampi’s struggle over whether — and how — to accept or reject the family legacy.

● Big Mistakes (series premières all 10 episodes Thursday, April 9, on Netflix)

His deeply felt romantic dramedy Good Grief (Netflix) is a treasure of a weepy film, but fans of writer/actor Dan Levy have been waiting for the comic followup to Schitt’s Creek and it is about to arrive. Here, the hapless siblings are played by Levy and Taylor Ortega (Ghosts). They are overwhelmed not by a crummy motel in the middle of nowhere, but by the dying wish of a grandmother who leaves them mired in unexpected and criminal challenges. The cast also includes Laurie Metcalf (The Conners) as their mother.

● The Miniature Wife (series premières all 10 episodes Thursday on Crave)

Creator/producers Jennifer Ames and Steve Turner (Boardwalk Empire) turn their lens to husband-wife power struggles. Who earns more and wins more accolades, whose turn is it to lead or to step back? Scientist Les (Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen) is scrambling, career-wise, to match the success of his author wife, Lindy (Elizabeth Banks). Only his breakthrough ends up accidentally shrinking her to dollhouse size before his team has perfected the art of unshrinking. An excellent-looking supporting cast includes Zoe Lister-Jones (Life in Pieces), Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians), Aasif Mandvi (Evil) and Canadian Shaun Majumder (From).

● Outcome (movie premières Friday, April 10, on Apple TV)

IRL, everybody loves Keanu Reeves who, Winnipeg law mandates mentioning, once lived here while starring in Hamlet at what is now the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. But in the movie fiction created by co-star Jonah Hill, fallen superstar Reef Hawk (Reeves) is, as one character puts it, “not a good person.” More pressingly for his crisis-management team, there is an apparently detestable video of Reef circulating and threatening to derail his apology tour. Matt Bomer (Mid-Century Modern) and Cameron Diaz play devoted old friends. Other co-stars include Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show), Laverne Cox (Promising Young Woman), David Spade (Rules of Engagement), brilliant comedian Atsuko Okatsuka and Martin Scorsese himself.

● Thrash (movie premières Friday, April 10, on Netflix)

The name Tommy Wirkola was an unknown quantity before seeing the trailer to this new action comedy. But the work of the Norwegian writer/director behind Dead Snow, Dead Snow 2 (of course!), Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and Spermageddon has now been added to the summer must-watch list. I have the projector and speakers if anyone has the gigantic outdoor screen. Let’s go! In the meantime, in the new Thrash, a Category 5 hurricane strands a very pregnant woman who must face labour pains while (hopefully!) fighting off hungry sharks that now have the right of way in the flooded coastal community.

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