‘Murderbot’ and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ Lead the Most Anticipated TV Shows of May 2025

As the weather heats up, so does the competition for viewers’ attention. May arrives with a wave of high-profile premieres, blending breakout debuts with the return of fan-favorite series across platforms. From prestige sci-fi and psychological thrillers to bold reboots and expanded universes, this month’s lineup is packed with potential summer sizzlers as the season heats up.

Whip Media’s latest Whip Watch Report — powered by U.S. audience data from our TV Time app — reveals the most anticipated new and returning shows premiering in May. These are the titles viewers are most excited to watch next.

Top New TV Shows to Watch

Murderbot (Apple TV+, May 16)

Based on Martha Wells’ award-winning novellas, “Murderbot” is an American science fiction action comedy that follows a self-aware security android who’s hacked its own governor module and would rather binge-watch soap operas than follow human orders. But when danger strikes, it reluctantly protects the very people it was programmed to ignore.

The Four Seasons (Netflix, May 1)

“The Four Seasons” is an upcoming American comedy miniseries written by Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield for Netflix. A reimagining of the classic 1981 film, the series follows the decades-long friendship between three married couples whose bond is tested when one divorces—complicating their cherished tradition of quarterly weekend getaways. With a sharp comedic voice, a stellar ensemble cast, and a blend of heart and humor, the show explores love, loyalty, and the messiness in between.

The Librarians: The Next Chapter (TNT, May 25)

In this spinoff of the original series “The Librarians,” a time-traveling Librarian from the past finds himself unexpectedly trapped in the present. After inadvertently releasing dangerous magic across the continent, he’s tasked with leading a new team of Librarians to clean up the chaos he caused. Blending fantasy, adventure, and humor, this reboot expands the franchise with fresh faces, magical mishaps, and a race to restore balance before it’s too late.

Duster (Max, May 15)

From J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, “Duster” is a gritty 1970s crime drama that follows a daring getaway driver and the FBI’s first black female agent as they take on a notorious crime syndicate in the American Southwest. Starring Josh Holloway, Rachel Hilson, and Keith David, the series delivers high-stakes action, complex characters, and a stylized throwback to the golden age of grit and grind.

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (Disney+, May 4)

Dive into the darker corners of the galaxy in “Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld,” a six-episode anthology that explores the lives of two of the franchise’s most iconic villains. Former assassin and bounty hunter Asajj Ventress is unexpectedly brought back to life and must go on the run with an unlikely ally, while legendary outlaw Cad Bane confronts his violent past—and an old friend turned Marshal—on the opposite side of the law. With gritty storytelling, moral ambiguity, and high-stakes drama, this series marks a bold expansion of the Star Wars universe and makes history as the first Disney+ original to debut within a video game world.

Returning Favorites This May

Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu, May 21)

Nicole Kidman returns as the enigmatic wellness guru Masha in the highly anticipated second season of this psychological drama. A new group of guests arrives at Tranquillum House—each carrying secrets, traumas, and the hope of transformation. As Masha leads them through her unconventional methods, tensions rise and revelations unfold. The new season boasts a star-studded cast including Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Murray Bartlett, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, and Aras Aydin—adding fresh energy to this haunting exploration of healing, identity, and control.

Love, Death & Robots (Netflix, May 15)

The Emmy-winning animated anthology returns with another volume of visually stunning, mind-bending stories that blend sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and dark humor. This season features an eclectic and star-studded cast including MrBeast, Kevin Hart, John Oliver, Niecy Nash, John Boyega, Rhys Darby, and more—bringing unique voices to each standalone episode. With its signature mix of bold storytelling and cutting-edge animation, “Love, Death & Robots” continues to push the boundaries of what adult animation can be.

Poker Face (Peacock, May 8)

Natasha Lyonne returns as Charlie Cale in this sharply written mystery-of-the-week series that continues to charm and surprise. As she travels across the country solving crimes with her uncanny ability to detect lies, Charlie gets swept into deeper conspiracies and darker personal stakes. “Poker Face” nails that magic balance between clever comedy and even clever-er “gotcha”-style mystery, all bundled in a story-of-the-week format that unfolds against a season-spanning narrative.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu, May 15)

The hit docudrama returns with fresh drama and shifting dynamics in the lives of its central women. Whitney has had her baby and says she’s leaving MomTok—again. Taylor and Dakota are on shaky ground despite welcoming a new son, and Jen considers a major move to support her husband through medical school. With the future of TikTok uncertain, the series dives deeper into how these women balance family, faith, and fame in a rapidly changing world.

The Walking Dead: Dead City (AMC, May 4)

Maggie and Negan return in Dead City, a horror drama set in the ruins of post-apocalyptic Manhattan. Cut off from the mainland and overrun by the dead, the city has devolved into a chaotic battleground ruled by violent factions and desperate survivors. As Maggie searches for her kidnapped son and Negan confronts his violent past, the two must navigate a world filled with anarchy, danger, unexpected beauty, and relentless terror. Blending psychological tension with visceral horror, this gritty spinoff breathes new life into The Walking Dead universe while exploring how far people will go to survive.

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