Izah Azahari
With the arrival of April comes a fresh wave of highly-anticipated Netflix Original shows to binge-watch, whether it be on your own, with family members or your favourite group of friends.
Throughout the whole month, a number of much-awaited shows will be making their way to the streaming platform.
MO’NIQUE: MY NAME IS MO’NIQUE (2023)
Released on April 4, this brand new Netflix Stand-up Comedy Special stars comedian Mo’nique or Monique Angela Hicks.
Throughout her career, Mo’nique has done everything from stand-up comedy for more than 20 years to receiving an Oscar Award. My Name is Mo’Nique is her seventh stand-up special, but is also her first since 2016 and her first for Netflix.
The comedian reveals her life stories from middle school to maturity and several emotional discoveries throughout the course.
BEEF
Set for release on Netflix on April 6, this new 10-episode comedy series is headlined by Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. Created by Lee Sung Jin, the series details a clash of two unknown individuals, a struggling contractor and an unsatisfied entrepreneur, during a road rage incident that triggers a conflict that unleashes their innermost desires and tendencies, resulting in an epic feud.
TRANSATLANTIC
Author and creator of Netflix’s Unorthodox Anna Winger makes her return to Netflix on April 7 in her second major project for the streaming platform in a new period drama depicting true accounts in Transatlantic.
Journalist Varian Fry arrives in France in 1940 with the Emergency Rescue Committee, which was committed to aiding artists and writers in escaping the Nazis and relocating to the United States.
THE LAST KINGDOM: SEVEN KINGS MUST DIE
Scheduled for release on April 14, Alexander Dreymon once again takes on the role of the formidable warrior Uhtred of Bebbanburg in this upcoming film. He embarks on a journey across a divided kingdom, accompanied by familiar characters from previous seasons of The Last Kingdom, as well as new allies and foes.
In the aftermath of King Edward’s death, a fierce struggle for the throne begins, with rival heirs and invaders vying for supremacy. Uhtred is faced with a difficult decision when an alliance seeks his assistance, dividing his choices between those he loves and his dream to form a united England.
MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS: ONCE & ALWAYS
Millenials can look to going down that nostalgic road on April 19 as Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers celebrates its 30th anniversary with this stand-alone special episode that will see the Rangers come face-to-face with a familiar threat from the past.
In the midst of a global crisis, they are once again called to be the heroes the world needs.
Directed by Charlie Haskell, two of the original Power Rangers cast, David Yost and Walter Jones, will be in the special episode reprising their roles as the Blue Ranger and Black Ranger.
FIREFLY LANE (THE FINAL CHAPTER)
The second and final part of Firefly Lane Season 2 will be up on Netflix on April 27.
As they deal with an overbearing granny, a bothersome new intern, and an ex-husband in trouble, difficult situations pull Kate and Tully together. Over the years and numerous road journeys, Tully and Kate grow closer and create new bonds while also occasionally putting them to the test.
A TOURIST’S GUIDE TO LOVE
Coming to Netflix on April 27, Steven Tsuchida directs this new romantic comedy movie starring Rachael Leigh Cook as Amanda and Scott Ly as Sinh.
The story centres on a travel business executive who accepts a task to go undercover and study more about the tourism sector in Vietnam. She discovers that while there, she not only falls in love with the nation but also with an expat tour guide.
WAR SAILOR (LIMITED SERIES)
Released on Netflix on April 5, this three-episode mini-series from Norway depicts a working-class sailor, Alfred Garnes, who recently became a father of a third child. As World War II begins, he and his childhood friend Sigbjrn Kvalen (Wally) are working on a commercial ship in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. These are unarmed citizens fighting on the front lines of a conflict they did not initiate.
The survival and return home are the only priorities for the combat sailors.
HUNGER
April 6 saw the release of the first major Thai movie of 2023, written and produced by Kongdej Jaturanrasamee, which has been described as a culinary film that tells the story of a woman in her 20s called Aoy who runs her family’s local stir-fried noodle restaurant in the old quarter of Bangkok.
Aoy receives an invitation one day to leave the family company and join Team Hunger, the top-ranked chef’s table team in Thailand, which is headed by Chef Paul.
QUEENMAKER
Korean drama fans can look forward to April 14 for this new series starring Kim Hee Ae, Moon So Ri and Ryu Soo Young.
The K-Drama is about two women who join forces, and sees an accomplished fixer for a powerful business conglomerate jump into politics to make a headstrong civil rights lawyer the next mayor of Seoul.
RUNNING FOR THE TRUTH: ALEX SCHWAZER (SEASON 1)
Scheduled for release on April 13, this Italian courtroom docuseries sees athlete Alex Schwazer, who had been barred for doping, seek the aid of one of his accusers to make a comeback before the Tokyo Olympics. The athlete was a gold medallist before his suspension.
EX-ADDICTS CLUB (SEASON 1)
This Indonesian sitcom that is slated to premiere on the streaming platform on April 20 and is a romantic comedy series depicting an unusual support group formed by five people who are dealing with the aftermath of their past breakups.
THE NURSE (SEASON 1)
On April 27, Netflix will be airing The Nurse, this new Danish medical/crime darana series based on the actual events involving a Danish nurse found guilty of four attempted manslaughter cases.
