The merry month of May brings the premieres of two new series, a noir mystery-crime drama and a comedy-drama, to the US.
For updates about shows from Australia and New Zealand added to US linear TV and streaming channels throughout the month, see the Down Under TV Viewing Guide.
(For details about the May 2024 premieres of shows from the UK, Canada, Ireland, and countries in Europe and elsewhere, visit The British TV Place, The Euro TV Place, and The Global TV Place.)
Programs and dates are subject to change without prior notice.
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NATIONAL PREMIERES
Scrublands (AU)
Based on the best-selling, award-winning crime novel Scrublands by Chris Hammer, this noir crime drama series follows a country town grappling with a horrible crime in its aftermath, still trying to come to terms with it a year on.
In an isolated and struggling country town, Father Byron Swift (Jay Ryan, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Kills People), a charismatic and dedicated priest, calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners. One year later, investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold, Black Sails, True Colours) arrives in Riversend to write what should be a simple feature story on the anniversary of the tragedy. But when Martin’s instincts kick in and he digs beneath the surface, the previously accepted narrative begins to fall apart, and he finds himself in a life and death race to uncover the truth.
Martin finds the people of Riversend deeply scarred and hostile to journalists, with local bookstore owner Mandy Bond (Bella Heathcote, Pieces of Her, The Man in the High Castle), Constable Robbie Haus-Jones (Adam Zwar, Top of the Lake, Wilfred), and the widow of one of the massacre victims, Fran Landers (Victoria Thaine, Sonia & Cherry, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries), giving him short shrift. But each have a past with Byron Swift they have kept hidden…
Scrublands, a Sundance Now Original series, premieres in the US on Thursday, May 2, on Sundance Now, AMC+, and their digital channels, including Sundance Now on Prime Channels and AMC+ on Prime Channels. New episodes will drop weekly on both platforms through the finale on May 23.
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In Limbo (AU)
Exploring the universal themes of friendship, love, and grief, this six-episode comedy-drama series revolves around best friends Charlie (Ryan Corr, House of the Dragon, The Secrets She Keeps, Packed to the Rafters) and Nate (Bob Morley, Love Me, The 100, Neighbours). When Nate, a happy-go-lucky, 38-year-old guy with a good job and a loving family, commits suicide, his death leaves Charlie utterly bereft. But what’s harder than losing his best mate is said best mate’s return — as a ghost. Nate is stuck in limbo and needs Charlie’s help to right some wrongs before he can cross into the afterlife.
The cast includes Emma Harvie (Colin from Accounts), Russell Dykstra (Rake), Lena Cruz (Wellmania), Aaron Fa’aoso (East West 101), Georgina Naidu (SeaChange), Shabana Azeez (Run Rabbit Run), Jane Harber (Offspring), and Kamillia Rihani (The Twelve).
In Limbo premieres in the US on Wednesday, May 8, on Hulu.
NON-PREMIERE PROGRAMS BEING ADDED TO STREAMING SERVICES
Total Control: Season 2 (AU)
Following on from the events in Season 1 of this AACTA award winner for Best Drama Series, Season 2 of the political drama thriller sees Alex Irving (AACTA Best Lead Actress award winner Deborah Mailman, Jack Irish, Mystery Road, Offspring), a charismatic Indigenous woman and newbie politician, set out for revenge after being betrayed by Prime Minister Rachel Anderson (AACTA Best Guest or Supporting Actress award winner Rachel Griffith, Six Feet Under, Brothers and Sisters, Dead Lucky). At the same time, Alex sets about doing things her way in order to make a real difference in the community, all while setting the political establishment alight.
Costars include Rob Collins (RFDS Royal Flying Doctor Service), Wesley Patten (Last King of the Cross), Huw Higginson (The Bill), Anthony Hayes (Mystery Road), Wayne Blair (Irreverent), and Steph Tisdell (Bump).
Total Control: Season 2 begins streaming in the US on Monday, May 27, on Acorn TV and its digital channels, including Acorn TV on Prime Channels.
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Did you miss any of the new shows from previous days, weeks, or months? Check the Down Under TV Viewing Guide and Archives to find out.
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