We’ve come to the end of March and are blasting into April. The past week saw another flood of new scripted series on streaming and cable. But which of these new series are worth your investment? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Thursdays:
We Were the Lucky Ones, Streaming Thursdays on Hulu (Premiered March 28)
About: We’ve seen an uptick in Holocaust stories over the past year, with more yet to come later this Spring and Summer. In this case, it’s a new eight-episode limited series based on the novel from Georgia Hunter about a Jewish family in Poland that tries to survive World War II. We begin at the end, knowing that at least one sibling (Joey King) has made it. Quickly, we whisk back to just before the outbreak of war to see how this family, which includes five siblings, fares during the war. One (Logan Lerman) is in France, while the rest end up split between the German and Russian-controlled portions of Poland. The first three episodes dropped Thursday, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. Each ends up around 50 minutes, following this book and telling the story of this family. King and Lerman are the more recognizable stars here. There is plenty compelling about the narrative, which share stories of struggle and horror at the hands of Nazis in Poland. If you’re a fan of the book, or a fan of these type of stories, this will be appealing to you. It’s well made but feels a bit familiar given the half dozen similar series that have released in the last year.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Sundays:
A Gentleman in Moscow, Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime (Premiered March 31)
About: This new series on Showtime—which drops weekly on Fridays on Paramount+–is based on the novel from Amor Towles. It centers on the fictional Count Alexander Rostov (Ewan McGregor), who returns to Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution and finds himself an aristocrat in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s put on trial and then placed under house arrest at a local, upscale hotel. The series takes place in 1921 and follows Alexander during this time of great unrest in his country as he spends his days in a luxurious hotel that has become his prison. The pilot for this eight-episode limited series lays out the world and the challenges for Alexander. Future episodes will feature a cast that includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The pilot aired Sunday night with future episodes dropping weekly. The story is quirky and engaging, even if you’re not familiar with the novel. I enjoyed McGregor in the lead role, too. This could be an interesting Sunday night series.
Pilot Grade: C+

Streaming Series:
American Rust: Broken Justice, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered March 28)
About: This series originally dropped three years ago on Showtime. It’s a drama, based on the novel from Philipp Meyer starring Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney. The second season returns the stars and picks up the story. This was a slow, sometimes grim crime drama that wasn’t popular when it was released. This long-delayed second season might feel like an entirely new series for Prime viewers. All 10 episodes are now available to stream after Amazon changed from a weekly release schedule on Freevee. I like Daniels and Tierney, but this series remains something of a chore. If you enjoyed the novel, or the first season, and want to see where it goes, this will be worth the investment. But episodes are long and paced dryly.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

The Baxters, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered March 28)
About: The second series dropped Thursday by Prime Video is a faith-based show which draws inspiration from the novels by Karen Kingsbury. We follow the Baxter family, led by John (Ted McGinley) and Elizabeth (Roma Downey) and their adult children. Some have a strongly rooted faith, some don’t. All of them have issues and challenges which involve the family and their parents in their drama. All 10 episodes are available to stream now. The pilot is about 45 minutes, while the rest of the episodes are a more bingeable half hour. The performances are fine, but the story feels a bit plodding. For fans of the book, or those looking for faith-based programming, this will likely be appealing. But I found the first two episodes to be plenty for me.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

Renegade Nell, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered March 29)
About: This original series for Disney+ draws inspiration from real life, but it’s got a magical twist all its own. It comes from Sally Wainwright and focuses on Nell (Louisa Jackson) who once ran off with a ship’s captain. Her captain died, but she lived and returns home. Her family, who thought she was dead, welcomes her back but find themselves in need thanks to the devilish son (Jake Dunn) of the local magistrate. Nell soon finds herself accused of a crime she didn’t commit, forcing her to become a highwayman. That path is made easier thanks to a magical spirit, Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed), who gives her special abilities that make her a formidable fighter. All eight episodes of the season dropped on Friday. The first episode is new 50 minutes, but most are under 40 minutes, making for a fun and quick binge. I like Jackson and Mohammed, and I like the premise here. The first two episodes were fun, building the world and bringing the audience in. This is also a show that will be a decent draw for a wide range of audiences. It’s worth checking out!
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.