Doctor Who or Lady Whistledown? Pick from this month's top OTT releases

We’ve mapped out your summer watchlist

Welcome, binge-watchers and couch enthusiasts alike, to the ultimate guide to planning your summer viewing party. As the days lengthen and temperatures soar, there’s no better excuse for staying indoors than to be enchanted by the magic of storytelling. And with a plethora of new releases on the horizon, the possibilities are endless.

To save you the search, we scoured the depths of the digital realm to curate a worthy selection of new OTT releases that deserve a spot on your watchlist. From heart-pounding thrillers to heartwarming dramas, long-awaited sequels to big-ticket debuts, this month’s line-up spans genres, languages and platforms.

So, grab a glass of chilled Rooh Afza (haters take note), dim the lights, and feast on these delicious May releases.

All the May releases to add to your watchlist

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, this period drama is set in Lahore’s red-light district and unfolds amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Indian independence movement. It is based on the lives of courtesans known as tawaifs, who were skilled in arts like dance and poetry, and despite societal constraints, held sway over influential men. Through the intricately intertwined paths of its six protagonists, the series examines themes of power, greed and love, while offering a glimpse into a pivotal period in history. We’re already dreaming of living in a Bhansali production.

Premiered on May 1 on Netflix

A Man in Full

Adapted from Tom Wolfe’s novel of the same name, A Man in Full chronicles the downfall of wealthy real estate tycoon Charlie Croker. The series delves into the clash of business and political interests as Charlie grapples with the collapse of his empire. He faces bankruptcy and legal woes, and fights to salvage his reputation and fend off opportunists. Jeff Daniels takes the lead role, promising viewers a close-up view of the ruin-and-redemption arc, showcasing strength in the face of adversity.

Premiered on May 2 on Netflix

Hacks (Season 3)

Hacks traces the unlikely mentorship-turned-friendship between ageing Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance and young writer Ava Daniels. They reluctantly join forces after Ava loses her job due to an inappropriate tweet and begins to work for Vance. Despite frequent clashes, the two develop a unique bond as they navigate the peculiarities of Hollywood and confront personal and professional struggles, unexpectedly forging an intimate and tender relationship. Season three picks up from what seemed like the end of the mentorship, with Deborah’s success and Ava’s new career path. But there’s nothing we love more than a reunion.

Premiered on May 3 on Jio Cinema

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Adapted from Heather Morris’s bestselling novel, this gripping drama recounts the true story of Lali Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner at Auschwitz-Birkenau during WWII. While performing the harrowing duty of tattooing fellow prisoners, Lali crosses paths with Gita, and despite the horrors of their situation, the two find love. The series progresses into Lali’s later years, where he reflects on his life with Gita and shares their tale of survival with novelist Morris. Brace yourselves. This isn’t an easy watch.

Premiered on May 3 on Jio Cinema

The Broken News (Season 2)

The gripping newsroom saga follows the ongoing rivalry between Awaaz Bharati and Josh 24/7, two TV news channels with contrasting values. This season digs deeper into the personal and professional conflicts faced by journalists from both networks. Viewers can expect a vengeful Radha Bhargava to return after being wrongfully imprisoned in season one. The enduring conflict between the two news outlets sheds light on the consequences of sensationalised reporting, and the struggle between upholding journalistic ethics and the quest for ratings. Sounds familiar?

Premiered on May 3 on Zee5

The Atypical Family

The series revolves around Bok Gwi-joo and his family, all of whom are gifted with unique supernatural abilities. Gwi-joo can revisit joyful memories, while the other members possess powers like foreseeing the future and flying. However, modern struggles like insomnia and smartphone addiction also afflict the family, diminishing their powers. Enter Do Da-hee, a mysterious woman offering hope by promising to restore their abilities. As the Bok family welcomes Da-hee into their home, and accepts her influence, changes begin to unfold, with all the K-drama themes that we love—fantasy, romance and familial dynamics.

Premiered on May 4 on Netflix

Dark Matter

This riveting adaptation of Blake Crouch’s bestselling sci-fi novel follows Jason Dessen, a physicist and family man abducted in Chicago. He awakens in an alternate reality where his former life has been erased. Determined to reunite with his loved ones, Jason confronts a chilling adversary—himself—in a mind-bending journey through parallel realities. As Jason navigates this labyrinth of alternate lives, he grapples with the profound impact of his decisions and the haunting question of what might have been. Something we all think about, lying awake in bed.

Premiered on May 8 on Apple TV+

Thank You, Next

This isn’t an Ariana Grande biopic, but a Turkish romantic drama series that follows a young lawyer journeying through the tumultuous world of modern dating after a painful breakup. Supported by her loyal friends, she navigates the complexities of relationships in today’s society. While only a few plot details have been released so far, if the show is anything like these Turkish delights, we know we’re going to be hooked.

Premieres on May 9 on Netflix

Bodkin

In this dark comedy thriller series, Will Forte stars as Gilbert Power, an upbeat true-crime podcaster on a quest to uncover his Irish heritage. Alongside his cohorts, a capable researcher and a hard-boiled investigative journalist, Gilbert ventures into the enigmatic small town of Bodkin. Their mission? To unravel the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of three strangers during a Samhain festival. However, a sinister tale far beyond their imagination is lurking beneath the surface.

Premieres on May 9 on Netflix

Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story of César Román

This true-crime docuseries from Spain investigates the shocking case of César Román, dubbed “the king of cachopo”. After the murder of his girlfriend, Heidi Paz, who was chillingly dismembered, Román flees Madrid and assumes a new identity. He begins to work in a restaurant in Zaragoza until a nationwide manhunt leads to his capture. His high-profile trial in 2021 captivated Spain, exposing the intricate web of deception woven by Román throughout his criminal activities. We’re always ready for some new true crime.

Premieres on May 10 on Netflix

Doctor Who (Season 14 aka Season 1)

Doctor Who is back, and how. The announcement of the new doctor, Ncuti Gatwa of Sex Education fame, created quite a hullabaloo among racists viewers. Millie Gibson joins the cast of this hotly anticipated reboot as his companion, Ruby Sunday. Rumoured details about the upcoming season have been circulating on the internet for some time, including speculation about the Doctor and Ruby’s time-travel escapades. Allegedly, this includes visiting the Beatles on Abbey Road, exploring Regency-era dramas, and encountering dinosaurs.

Premieres on May 10 on Disney+ Hotstar

Ashley Madison, Sex Lies and Scandal

In 2002, a Canadian dating website emerged, giving married users the option to sign up and… cheat. But in 2015, the website faced a significant data breach, and details of all profiles were made public. As expected, chaos ensued. This show follows the aftermath of the infamous Ashley Madison website scandal, from wrecked marriages and breach of trust to the national airing of ‘dirty laundry’ as private lives became TV news. Cue the desi urge to stand on the sidelines and watch a scandal unfold.

Premieres on May 15 on Netflix

Bridgerton (Season 3)

In the latest season of the Regency-era drama, the spotlight shines on the budding romance between Penelope Featherington, also known as the Lady Whistledown, and Colin Bridgerton. As they transition from friends to potential lovers, Penelope attempts to simultaneously conceal her secret identity and secure a suitable husband. Meanwhile, Colin returns from his adventures abroad transformed and eager to rekindle his bond with Penelope. But their path to romance is fraught with challenges, including Penelope’s strained relationship with Colin’s sister, Eloise Bridgerton, forcing Colin to confront his own emotions and desires.

Premieres on May 16 on Netflix

The 8 Show

In this South Korean thriller with a hint of Squid Game energy, eight people with dire finances are invited to be part of a reality show called Money Game. On the show, they stay in a sparse studio with a 100-day goal ahead of them. If they survive, they take home a cash prize of 44.8 billion won. The catch? Every expense made within the living quarters, whether for food, water or electricity, has a 1000x markup that gets deducted from the prize money.

Premieres on May 17 on Netflix

The Big Cigar

A biographical drama-thriller adapted from journalist Joshuah Bearman’s Playboy article, The Big Cigar narrates the story of Huey P Newton, the revolutionary founder of the Black Panther Party, and his attempt to flee to Cuba with the help of film producer Bert Schneider. As Newton’s ideals clash with his grim reality, including relentless pursuit by the FBI, he finds an unexpected ally in Schneider. Together, they embark on a high-stakes game of evasion and survival.

Premieres on May 17 on Apple TV+

Panchayat

Season 2 of Panchayat gave us a lot to recover from. Political upheaval, new characters, unexpected tragedy and a muddled picture of what the future holds. But it did it all in Panchayat style, with some humour, great writing and performances. Fans don’t need to wait any longer as the makers finally announced the show’s return later this month. We can’t wait to see what the residents of Phulera village get into now. Will Abhishek complete his MBA and leave? Will he stay for love and friendship? We’ll have to watch to find out.

Premieres on May 28 on Amazon Prime Video.

Eric

Inspired by true events, Eric unfolds a tale of police corruption entwined with a father’s desperate search for his missing son. Benedict Cumberbatch plays Vincent, a renowned puppeteer on a beloved children’s TV show, grappling with grief as his son Edgar vanishes without a trace. He finds solace and an ally in his quest for answers in the form of Eric, the mysterious monster living under his son’s bed. As Vincent delves deeper into the dark underbelly of the city, he uncovers shocking truths, all while navigating the tumultuous landscape of the 1980s AIDS epidemic.

Premieres on May 30 on Netflix