Bookended by soft-hearted stories from the lands of Jane Austen, Hollywood and sentient octopi, the rest of this edition of viewing suggestions has more adrenaline than any one episode of The Pitt, which we are all missing except for the gory bits. Well, there are occasional gory bits on tap here as well. Be prepared to look away or to wipe away a tear.
THE OTHER BENNET SISTER (series premieres on Wednesday, May 6, on BritBox) Described in the trailer as “from the world of Jane Austen,” this new spinoff is based on the 2020 novel of author Janice Hadlow imaging what might have become of the overlooked middle sister in Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice. Ella Bruccoleri (Ludwig, Call the Midwife) plays the unapologetically bespectacled and bookish Mary Bennet, who escapes a family home governed by a shrewish mother and sisters but lovely supportive dad (Richard E. Grant). But it seems that London is not content to let Mary remain overlooked. Cue suitors, true friends, self-love and righteous reinvention.
M.I.A. (series premieres Thursday, May 7, on Showcase and a week later on NBC) “From the creators of Ozark” is all I need to know about this new thriller, which looks just as sharp, suspenseful and murdery as the 2017-22 Jason Bateman-Laura Linney crime-family drama (Netflix). Drugs are also central to this new Florida-set series. Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela, Strip Law) is a limp kitten when pulled from the ocean, but she soon recovers her memory and murderous drive to avenge the killing of her family. Edward James Olmos (Mayans M.C.) plays the baddest guy. Carey Elwes (The Princess Bride) plays Kincaid, a detective who hopes to find her because “the wrong people could be looking for her.” No need for a Red Bull before, during or after watching this.
LEGENDS (six-part series premieres Thursday, May 7, on Netflix) It’s the early 1990s in England and that country’s Customs and Excise is losing its war on drugs. Enter the Legends, average folks who are quickly crafted into undercover agents. Steve Coogan (The Trip movie series) plays the boss who struggles with his own undercover trauma. Tom Burke (The Lazarus Project) gladly graduates from inspecting carry-on at Heathrow. Douglas Hodge (The Great) will do his buttoned-down best to protect the team from government overseers. Created by Neil Forsyth (The Gold).
REMARKABLY BRIGHT CREATURES (premieres Friday, May 8, on Netflix) Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling debut novel is the basis for this movie about Tova, an aquarium employee (Sally Field) who befriends the resident giant octopus, Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina). Additional story layers (not to mention a pre-Mother’s Day release date) will necessitate extra tissues: Tova is a widow, and Marcellus is “on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery,” according to promotional paperwork. Lewis Pullman (Lessons in Chemistry) plays Tova’s hapless colleague.
MARTY, LIFE IS SHORT (documentary premieres Tuesday, May 12, on Netflix) Does it seem weird that Netflix is going ahead with director Lawrence Kasdan’s documentary celebrating the life and comedy of Martin Short only a couple of months after the death by suicide of his daughter? (The film was completed before her death.) Does it seem macabre to even ask? Rather, I’d say it’s not only OK, but necessary for this show to go on. Before, during and after the Canadian-born comic actor was honing his skills on SCTV, Saturday Night Live, Only Murders in the Building and comedy tours with and without pal Steve Martin, Short has been impressively frank about the early deaths of his parents, his brother, his wife and recently friends and colleagues Catherine O’Hara and Rob Reiner. “Those kinds of situations are horrible,” he told The Guardian a few years ago, “but I think that you are either empowered by them or you become a victim of them.” That’s admittedly a lot of philosophical weight on a comedy but let’s follow his lead: Laugh, cry, rinse, repeat.
Broadcast dates are subject to change. Rants, questions and suggestions all gratefully accepted at d2calm@gmail.com.