Between streaming and cable, there is a seemingly endless variety of things to watch. Here is a selection of TV shows and specials that air or stream this week, April 7-13. Details and times are subject to change.
Some troubling … fiction?
“The Handsmaid’s Tale” started as a onscreen retelling of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel by the same name, but over multiple seasons, it has expanded the story line beyond the book’s plot. Now, the show is coming back for its sixth and final season, with Elizabeth Moss still at the helm as June. The showrunners noted that even as this series wraps up, its finale will end on a cliffhanger that will later pick up in a screen adaptation of the 2019 novel “The Testaments,” Atwood’s own sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale.” That series is forthcoming. Streaming Tuesday on Hulu.
There are two things that can be guaranteed when watching “Black Mirror”: It will provide deeply unsettling scenarios that seem not too far from reality, and there will be a slew of familiar celebrity faces. For Season 7 of the show, Netflix is dropping all six episodes at once, and cast announcements have included Tracee Ellis Ross, Paul Giamatti, Emma Corrin and many others. One episode, titled “USS Callister: Into Infinity,” seems to be a follow-up to the Season 4 episode “USS Callister,” with Jesse Plemons and Cristin Milioti. Streaming Thursday on Netflix.
Though there is no shortage of medical shows currently airing, “The Pitt,” a series that goes hour-by-hour in a Pittsburgh emergency room, has captured the particular interest of doctors and nurses who experience these scenarios day after day. In The New York Times, Reggie Ugwu reported that medical professionals were impressed by the accuracy of not only the intricate procedures shown but also the chaotic environment portrayed. After 15 episodes, the show is wrapping up its first season, but don’t fret: It has already been renewed for a second. Streaming Wednesday at 9 p.m. on Max.
Chit chatting and pitching baseballs.
The N.F.L. has “Hard Knocks,” F1 racing as “Drive to Survive” and now a certain M.L.B. team is getting its own reality show — “The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox.” The eight-part documentary series follows the team throughout their 2024 season while also showcasing the personal stories of the players. Streaming on Tuesday on Netflix.
David Letterman is back for the second half of the fifth season of his talk show, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.” The WNBA star Caitlin Clark is set to appear in the first episode, and if we know anything about Letterman’s talk show style, we will learn new things about every guest he interviews. Streaming Tuesday on Netflix.
A zany cast of characters.
Jon Hamm is back on the small screen with his new series “Your Friends and Neighbors.” The show follows Andrew Cooper (Hamm), a divorced man and fired hedgefund manager who was resorts to stealing from his rich neighbors to keep him and his family’s luxurious lifestyle afloat. Along the way, he discovers secrets and finds himself in a complicated situation after breaking into one particular mansion. Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn also star. Streaming Friday on AppleTV.
The Canadian comedy series “North of North” is making its way down south this week. The story follows Siaja (Anna Lambe), a young Inuk mother who leaves her marriage and finds herself struggling to reinvent herself in her tiny arctic hometown. There’s gossiping, dating and drama but mostly just Siaja accidentally getting herself into sticky situations. Streaming Thursday on Netflix.
Since the last season of “Hacks” aired, it has won several Emmys and become a fan favorite. Now with the fourth season premiering, tensions are high, and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) and Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) are back to bickering. The rollout of the episodes this season are a bit unique — some episodes will be releasing in pairs while others are premiering solo. Let’s see what shenanigans ensue. Streaming Thursday at 9 p.m. on Max.
After a two-year wait, the postapocalyptic drama “The Last of Us” is back this week. Its stars, Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey, are reprising their roles as Joel and Ellie, two wanderers who have somehow survived a worldwide plague. From trailers, it’s clear this season will include a lot more action and special effects, all packed into a seven-episode arc that, showrunners have noted, diverges from the video game on which the series is based. Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO and streaming on Max.
A disturbing documentary.
As the children who had been prominently featured in YouTube videos or TikToks grow up, they have started to speak out about their experiences. The three-part documentary series “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing” tells the story of “The Squad,” a YouTube channel featuring young teenagers who were pushed to make uncomfortable content by a member’s mother. Streaming Wednesday on Netflix.
