Pick of the week
City on Fire
From the creators of Gossip Girl and The OC, this take on Garth Risk Hallberg’s novel of murder, obsession and betrayal transports the story from 70s New York to 2003 – a year with jittery unease due to 9/11. This was also a period when the city was blessed with a vibrant downtown rock scene. A gig is at the heart of the killing in Central Park of enigmatic Sam (Chase Sui Wonders), whose boyfriend, Charlie (Wyatt Oleff), attempts to untangle the murder. He uncovers a series of intertwining stories that take us from high society to the outer fringes of the city’s anarchist underground as they explore issues of class, gender, race and all-American malaise.
Apple TV+, from Friday 12 May
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The Muppets Mayhem
One of the great enigmas of rock history, Muppets house band Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem have never released an album. Can they be coaxed into the studio by Nora Singh (Lilly Singh), a dogsbody at failing label Wax Town who has realised that the band banked a $400k advance without making a record. This premise enables the spoofing of rock documentary tropes as the likes of Tommy Lee and Lil Nas X pay their respects to this wayward crew. It’s good fun – nicely balanced between daft and knowing and featuring an endless succession of cameos from Billy Corgan, Kesha, Susanna Hoffs and many more.
Disney+, from Wednesday 10 May
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Queen Cleopatra
This history series has proved controversial even before its launch, with one Egyptian politician pronouncing it “a blatant historical fallacy” thanks to its casting of a Black woman (Adele James) in the lead role. Without wishing to add fuel to the fire, it’s worth noting that there wasn’t this amount of fuss when Cleopatra was played by Vivien Leigh or Elizabeth Taylor. Produced and narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, the series uses a mix of historical analysis and slightly cheesy drama to cast fresh light on an ancient story. PH
Netflix, from Wednesday 10 May
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Womb Envy
After years on the Toronto gay scene, Max (Daniel FK Fernandes) has nothing much to show for himself beyond a tired set of dance moves and a sense of creeping ennui. So when his friend Maggie (Storm Steenson) turns up, pregnant but partnerless and desperate to escape her deeply religious mother, a plan is hatched. Can Max play baby daddy? He can, but there are consequences. First, a drag queen apparition, scornful of his newfound heteronormativity. And, more pressingly, he is showing physical symptoms of pregnancy himself. Entertainingly odd. PH
Froot, from Wednesday 10 May
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Black Knight
A dystopian fantasy with pollution and human-made climate chaos at its heart, this Korean thriller is adapted from the webtoon Delivery Knight. Kim Woo-bin is delivery man 5-8 – and the job of transporting life-and-death necessities such as oxygen to a scattered population is even more dramatic when you’re travelling across the parched Korean peninsula and warding off bandits at every turn. But 5-8 has an even riskier sideline: with the population decimated and an oppressive conglomerate ruling the nation, he starts to see the potential for revolution. PH
Netflix, from Friday 12 May
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Queer Eye
Has this life makeover show become formulaic after all this time? Yes. Does it remain touching, sweet, funny and entertaining viewing? Also yes. For this seventh series, the Fab Five are in New Orleans, offering their trademark – but never obviously uniform – blend of tough love, culinary tips, emotional support and dramatic personal transformations. Inevitably, it’s irresistible – as a closeted gay woman, a group of repressed frat boys and a seriously injured basketball player are given lashings of tender, loving care. PH
Netflix, from Friday 12 May
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Mulligan
There’s serious comic pedigree behind this animated series: it’s executive produced by Tina Fey, and co-creators Robert Carlock and Sam Means wrote for 30 Rock. The title comes from the golfing practice of giving an opponent another try after a bad shot. What if the human race could get a similar do-over? After staving off an alien invasion, Earthlings are faced with a rebuilding job. Sadly, they’ve landed themselves with a doofus for president: Matty Mulligan (Nat Faxon) is an ordinary hero who is tasked with leadership duties. It doesn’t go well. PH
Netflix, from Friday 12 May
