As we make our way through May, we’re closing in on the Emmy consideration deadline. That means a few new, high-profile series making their way to our screens. But what of these new shows is worth our time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this Spring. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Fridays:
Amadeus, Streaming Fridays on Starz (Premiered May 8)
About: This five-part limited series focuses on the relationship and rivalry between Mozart (Will Sharpe) and Antonio Salieri (Paul Bettany). Much of this relationship and rivalry was covered in the Academy-Award-winning film of the same name from the 1980s. But this seeks to dive a bit deeper, with each episode running between 50 minutes and an hour. And it begins with a confession from an aging Salieri about the role he played in Mozart’s death. The rest of the series, for the most part, goes back in time to show how they met, how they worked, and the rivalry that grew between them. For years this feud has been fertile ground for speculation and creative exploration. This series is a more high-profile, artsy swing for Starz originals. It’s a little less salacious than some previous programming. And it has some decent performances. But it also feels a little dull—particularly for those that aren’t interested into a deep dive into the life and work of these composers. It’s not bad, and it’s a relatively short commitment, but that’s about the best it has to offer. It’s another interesting choice for a premium network still trying to find and refine a network brand.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Dutton Ranch, Streaming Fridays on Paramount+ (Premiered May15)
About: This is the latest from the Taylor Sheridan universe, and the second spin-off from Yellowstone, which ended after five seasons. The first, Marshals, is a procedural on CBS Sunday nights following Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes). This second follows Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and her husband Rip (Cole Hauser) and feels a bit closer to the action of the original. The first two episodes of a nine-episode first season dropped Friday, with the rest dropping weekly. The two-episode premier introduces the world and the prompting for Beth and Rip to relocate to South Texas. It also introduces a host of new characters, some played by Annette Bening and Ed Harris, and a new set of challenges. The first two episodes are strong, moving at a good pace and feeling like a welcome return to these characters and this world. Though not created or scripted by Sheridan, it hews much closer to the feel of the original Yellowstone. I always enjoyed Beth and Rip a lot, and I’m happy to have them back leading a new series. This will be a great addition to the landscape for fans of the original series or fans of a good drama.
Pilot Grade: A-
Second Episode: A-

Streaming Series:
Off Campus, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered May 13)
About: Hockey and romance is all the rage on series of late. In the spirit of Heated Rivalry, which tore up the ice for HBO Max, comes Off Campus, which focuses on hockey, romance, and is aimed at a young adult audience. This one is set on a college campus where a promising hockey player, Garrett Graham (Belmont Cameli), is a star on the ice but struggling in the classroom. Meanwhile Hannah Wells (Ella Bright) is a star in the classroom, but something of a mess when it comes to relationships. Garrett sees an opportunity to get the help he needs to thrive in class while making a deal to pose in a fake relationship with Hannah to boost her social standing. But when real feelings develop, it complicates things. This feels like the kind of plot we’ve seen dozens of times over the years in movies and in TV series. What makes it work isn’t the specific plot but buying into the characters and performances. That didn’t happen for me here. Cameli and Bright are fine, as are their characters, but I wasn’t hooked by those characters or their potential sparks on screen. Meanwhile, the series wants to be edgy or racy, but feels fairly tame when compared to other series of this type on other services. The show is eight episodes, each about 40-50 minutes and all now streaming on Prime Video. If this genre is your jam, this is a quick enough binge. If not, there’s not much to miss here.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Nemesis, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered May 14)
About: This new crime drama is a tale as old as time, focusing on a driven and talented cop (Matthew Law) and a wily criminal mastermind (Y’lan Noel) as they play a game of cat-and-mouse in the greater Los Angeles area. This subject has been the fodder of great films and TV series in the past, with this new series from Tani Marole and Courtney A. Kemp putting their own spin on things. Law and Noel are fine as leads, and the overall set up works OK. There is personal drama and other business dealings woven in as the story is spread out to series length, playing out over an eight-episode season, all about an hour. But it feels like something we’ve seen before, told in a better, more concise, and compelling manner. There didn’t feel like anything new or exciting here, with characters slipping into the range of predictable cliches in the first two episodes I sampled. If you’re a fan of the genre, that might be enough. If you’re a fan of compelling drama, this doesn’t quite make it.
Pilot Grade: C-
Second Episode: C-

The Punisher: One Last Kill, Now Streaming on Disney+ (Premiered May 12)
About: In the wake of the finale of the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, we get a new special focused on The Punisher. This stand-alone episode was co-written by star Jon Bernthal and director Reinaldo Marcus Green. The episode finds Frank Castle (Bernthal) struggling with a sense of purpose and direction. He begins to spiral out, haunted by ghosts and visions of people he’s intersected with as he seeks direction for his life. That soon comes into clarity when he’s approached by Ma Gnucci (Judith Light), who is bent on revenge after Frank killed her husband and sons as part of his own mission of vengeance. Soon, things go off the rails and that leads to Frank finding his true calling once again. This is a dark vision of the character and the world that’s somewhat in keeping with the original Netflix series. It’s hard to see how this will tie into his upcoming appearance in the Spider-Man film, but for those who want to see the Punisher in action, this will be a welcome addition to the landscape. Either way, it’s a short commitment clocking in just under an hour.
Pilot Grade: 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.